The Walking Dead Review: Go Getters (Season 7 Episode 5)

Things finally (finally) start moving forward slightly on The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 5, “Go Getters.”

In the first few episodes of Season 7, for the most part, the main characters weren’t really doing much; things were just happening to them, and they were powerless to fight back.

In “Go Getters,” not only do they start to make plans, but it’s women who are doing the planning.

Sasha and Maggie are now officially on Team Let’s Kick Negan’s Ass, which Michonne and Rosita founded in “Service.” Enid may not be fully on board, but she does want to help.

The conversations don’t exactly pass the Bechdel Test, but it’s still wonderful to see Maggie and Sasha, and even Maggie and Enid, talking to each other so much. It’s a low bar, but on such a male-dominated show, it’s rare to get a scene or two alone with no men.

Even when Glenn and Abraham are the topic, it’s nice to see people actually talking about and mourning their loved ones while moving forward at the same time. Sasha clearly has revenge on her mind, but she’s focusing her energy on taking care of Maggie.

The way Maggie is channeling her grief into strength is also wonderful to watch. She’s not on a revenge-fueled war path. She’s not just putting on a brave face for everyone else. She just keeps going because she has to.

Enid: Are you okay?
Maggie: I’m not. But I will be.

Maggie’s matter-of-fact “I’m not” was such a perfect response in that scene. Her being able to function doesn’t mean she’s okay. But she doesn’t immediately break down at the question either. It doesn’t bring her to the verge of bursting into tears. She’s not okay, but she’s not letting that stop her.

And if she’s not letting her trauma and grief stop her, then she’s sure as hell not letting Gregory stop her. After all of his whining and cowardice, it’s so satisfying to watch Maggie hit him and tell him off. The fact that she specifically says she’s “Maggie Rhee” just reinforces that she’s not just fighting for herself, she’s fighting in Glenn’s memory too.

While Maggie definitely steals the episode, Enid and Carl’s B-plot is very welcome. Both of them have seen so many horrible things in their lives, and it’s easy to forget just how young they are.

Their determination to do something is admirable, even if their decision to go off without telling anyone is reckless and a little immature. They’re post-apocalyptic kids, who don’t usually like being told to sit still and stay safe, but they’re still just kids.

Overall, “Go Getters” is definitely the strongest episode so far this season, and Negan isn’t even in it. In fact, the episode starts dragging once Simon pulls Gregory aside for another conversation about how the whole working-for-Negan situation works.

So yes, while Negan is the season’s Big Bad and Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays him wonderfully, he doesn’t need to pop up and make horrifying threats to make an episode interesting.

Watching characters be scared of Negan? Not that interesting. Watching characters find their strength in spite of their fear and trauma? Definitely interesting.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• Even if it was just one kiss, it was nice to see that things aren’t too strained between Rick and Michonne despite their different feelings about Negan.
• Initially, I thought the entire Walker invasion at the Hilltop was a bizarre nightmare sequence, but nope. Jesus straight up kicking Walkers in the face, Maggie plowing over Walkers and a car with a giant tractor — all things that really happened.
• How terrible was Gregory’s poker face during his entire conversation with Simon? The man is not a good liar; how is he the leader?

 

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The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.

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