by Sherry Lipp

 

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

The Walking Dead has a lot of good stuff going on, so the disappointing mid-season finale was a surprise. “Start to Finish” felt more abrupt than suspenseful. I was totally expecting a cliffhanger, but them walking out of the house covered in walker guts wasn’t really that interesting. We’ve seen them get around tons of walkers before so I wasn’t really thinking this was going to be the big deal ender of the episode.

Granted we do have Sam (Major Dodson) threatening to ruin everything by talking. I think what’s missing from that cliffhanger is the emotional threat. The thrill wasn’t there in that respect. The moments between Carol (Melissa McBride) and Morgan (Lennie James) were much more interesting and satisfying. I guess you could say “the walking dead” aspect of the show is less thrilling than the psychological one.

The cool and not so cool:

The Cool:

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Morgan and Carol: Their standoff brought more tension to the episode than the walker invasion. Let’s face it the Wolves are scarier than walkers.

The ants: Ants stream into Sam’s room to swarm a half-eaten piece of cake just like the walkers are about to do to Alexandria. This was a cool bit a foreshadowing and nice symbolism about everything nice getting ruined eventually.

Ron almost kills Carl: I really thought Carl (Chandler Riggs) was going to bite the dust at the hands of Ron (Austin Abrams), but once again the walkers got in the way. I can’t believe everyone has been so stupid about Ron, so I almost hoped he did it. If they both survive, who knows what will happen with these two.

Maggie and Glenn – almost reunite: Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) end up on opposite towers. Will they ever cross that divide and be reunited? Maybe, maybe not.

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The not so cool:

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Morgan disappoints: I like Morgan, but seriously? I get the whole thing he is trying to do with the Wolf, but it’s so misguided. I would think he would be smarter than to keep the guy in town where he poses a threat to everyone else. Personally, I think this is a disappointing turn for this character. It doesn’t seem true. If he values life so much, he shouldn’t so selfishly risk everyone else’s.

Surrendering to the Wolf: Why would Tara (Alanna Masterson) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) lay down their weapons to someone who has demonstrated no mercy? This scene didn’t ring true. The wolf would have killed them all. It seem like things only turned out this way to serve the story.

They should have hinted at the whereabouts of the others: I don’t think a mid-season finale should leave out characters. Daryl (Norman Reedus), Abraham (Michael Cudlitz), and Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) were not even a factor in this episode.

Sherry Lipp
Sherry is a writer/blogger specializing in entertainment and food writing. You can find her gluten and grain-free food articles at scdforlife.com.

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