Mother Abigail’s dying wish is for the community leaders to take a long walk to confront Flagg, who’s preparing to meet his bride.

Now that we’re into the final act, there’s no need/time for any flashbacks, with all eyes on the Boulder Free Zone leaders making their stand against Flagg in his stronghold, New Vegas. They’re told that one of them won’t make it, and are following Nadine and Harold who are making a swift exit in the wake of the explosion in the community.

Nadine continues to show her true colours, goading Harold into crashing his bike and leaving him to die impaled on a tree. The four walkers and their dog make steady progress westwards towards Nevada and encounter a temporary setback where the road has been cut in two. So begins Stu’s departure from the group – who are picked up by Flagg’s cronies and taken into his lair.

Even though we’re in the final three episodes, the pace still doesn’t feel deliberate enough. Time is spent in character moments between people we just haven’t spent enough time with to care about. The most interesting character, Harold, has left us, and in his wake is screaming, deranged Trashcan Man. Vincenzo Natali (Cube, In the Tall Grass) directs from a teleplay by Owen King.

Verdict: There’s a sense of impending doom as  our heroes prepare to meet Flagg, but an even greater concern that when they do, it just won’t be as good as the source novel deserves. 7/10