The Whisperers are coming, Hilltop stands alone and everyone faces their long dark nights.

Remember last week how I said sometimes the show just generates an episode we have to sit through to get to a better one?

This is the better one.

There are two very strong narrative choices made here. The first is the closing battle which is a master piece of Michael E. Satrazemis’ direction. It’s massive, chaotic, slow and frantic and you’re never at a loss as to where you are. From the moment the rats emerge from the forest to the closing shot of the gates of Alexandria burning, you know exactly what’s going on. And, barring a small miracle, what’s going on is a rout. It’s clever, terrifying stuff and it’s one of the best scenes the show has put together in years.

It works because Satrazemis and writers Julia Ruchman and Vivian Tse are very good at what they do and so are their cast. It especially works because of the flip side of the episode which is a cascade of long overdue character moments. Ezekiel and Carol reunite for what seems like a final moment, Carol and Lydia share a brutally frank conversation as do Carol and Daryl. Best of all, Daryl and Ezekiel’s moment and Daryl’s heartrendingly sweet moment with Judith and his vest, really drive home the sense of the final to this. It’s episode 11 and characters are moving like it’s a season finale. They have reason to be too.

No one is in a good spot when the episode finishes, whether ethically (hi, Negan) or physically. But you understand everyone a little more as the episode shows us, and them, who they really are. What they’re about to lose will change that again. But a show this good is up to the task. After all, Eugene and Stephanie have a date to go on…

Verdict: That ray of hope is enough to light the darkness of this bleak episode. Huddle round it until next week, I think things are about to get worse. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart