The play to assassinate Negan begins and instantly falls apart. But as Daryl and Rick confront each other and Michonne confronts Negan, bigger concerns appear.

Here we go. The final image of this episode is so doom-laden, so deeply grim that I am all but certain it won’t be referred back to for a good half of Lincoln’s finale. Rick is in massive trouble, the sort of trouble you don’t escape from and it looks clear the show’s original protagonist is going to go down hard, and soon.

This is Lincoln’s farewell tour and the fact he spends the vast majority of the episode with Carol and Daryl, two of the logical successors to his role, speaks to that. Melissa McBride, Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln have worked together so long they have a natural shorthand and the show cleverly uses that to hide some obvious beats in subtle places. Rick’s final conversation with Carol is, clearly, a goodbye. His ‘brother, take my hand’ with Daryl and the pit of death is clearly the enduring image Daryl is going to take out into the world after Rick’s gone.

Because Rick is going and this entire episode is built around what happens next. Whether it’s Daryl taking over, Maggie being driven away by the refusal to let her have her pound of flesh or what, it’s clear that very very big things are coming to the show. As a result, this episode suffers a little from seasonal narrative architecture and the need to do some housekeeping. Not just the Rick/Daryl scenes either but the whole thing. The bridge, the issues at the other communities, Maggie’s own plot are all slightly paused for Rick to get one of his last moments in the spotlight. It’s justified, certainly, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t noticeable.

Despite that this is another strong episode that showcases everyone, throws in some delightful worldbuilding and establishes a ton of mysteries for the show to expore. Anne’s true nature and backers, how (Or if) Rick and Maggie leave, whether the bridge gets finished in time, the status of Georgie, Negan’s trauma and so much more.

Verdict: The message is clear; this is a show beginning not ending. And better than that, it’s a show that deserves the attention it seeks too. 9/10

Alasdair Stuart