Simon leads the Saviors in a staggeringly ill advised attack on Hilltop. While they’re seen off, the aftermath of it changes the power dynamic of the war forever.

There are three things that work in this episode. The first is Maggie coming into her own as a leader and the evolution of Hilltop. Lauren Cohan is one of the best elements of this show and if, as rumoured, Maggie doesn’t make it out of the season then that’s two of the show’s foundational characters gone. Cohan is never less than great and is exceptional here, showing us every aspect of Maggie’s grief, rage and guilt at not being able to save her people.

The second is Tobin. Jason Douglas’s laconic background character has never really had anything to do since his brief not-quite romance with Carol but his final scenes here are poignant and have a lot of weight to them. Tobin and Douglas both deserved better.

Finally, there’s the clear sense of the show prepping for a hardish reboot. Angela Kang, who co-wrote this episode with Matthew Negrete and remains one of the best writers the show has ever had, is taking over the big chair next year and it’s looking more and more likely that changes are very much afoot. Whether those lead to cast deaths, a time jump or what is currently unclear. What is clear is it’s becoming desperately needed.

The direction this episode by Jeffrey F. January  is a catastrophe. The season’s most pivotal, best executed firefight happens in total darkness. Worse still, the Walker attack caused by the infected weaponry happens in pitch darkness. There is, genuinely, 20 plus minutes of this 45 minute episode which is almost impossible to see. And it’s all important stuff too. While I applaud the desire to try to make the night attack feel authentic, I really would have liked to see what was happening.

That breaks the episode and unfortunately it’s not the only thing. Henry joins most of the other kids on the show as a plot device disguised as a child this week when he does something very stupid he’s been told not to. Gregory remains just awful, which given he’s played by Xander Berkeley is heart-breaking. Simon remains alive. Rick remains on his fifth descent into darkness.

That last one is intriguing (How do you get him back from this? And honestly, should you?) but it’s also been so badly signposted that it feels like marking time. In an episode which is basically a black screen for 20 minutes. The show’s had weaker episodes, at least one this season, but not many. Still, the stuff with Tara and Daryl swapping opinions of Dwight is great. I just wish I could have actually seen it as well as heard it.

Verdict: Abysmal direction sinks an episode which is almost overshadowed by the sound of plot furniture being moved. Not great at all, but not as bad as the show’s been. 4/10

Alasdair Stuart