The Walking Dead Review: The Damned (Season 8 Episode 2)

The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 2, “The Damned,” has no real plot and then tries to give us an “OMG” moment by re-introducing a character whom we haven’t seen since Season 1.

“The Damned” feels like an extension of the The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 1, “Mercy.” There is a hell of a lot of fighting in Savior outposts and it’s constant throughout the episode. I can’t even say that “The Damned” is action-packed because that would mean that there is an actual plot.

And there’s no tension. Much of the episode is flat.

Season Seven was hopeless and grim, so I appreciate that Season Eight is not going down the same path. The Alexandrians, the Hilltop, and the Kingdom are all working together and kicking ass.

Although we see some fractures as Tara and Jesus both have different ideas of what to do with some of the Saviors who have surrendered.

Tara has become hardened, perhaps because Denise, her girlfriend was killed and now she’s keen to take anyone down because it’s what Rick ordered.

Remember on “Mercy,” Rick told Negan that no one had to die? Good one, Rick.

There are some moments on “The Damned” which I really like.

The pulsating music, especially at the beginning of the episode is really cool. I had high hopes for “The Damned” when I heard it, but was quickly let down.

Morgan’s cheesy, “I don’t die” line made me roll my eyes, but the image of Morgan resting his head on the fence after he drew the walkers to him is quite disturbing. I also thought that Morgan was going to slaughter those Saviors who surrendered like it was his own Herschel’s barn.

It was one of the few moments that evoked tension.

Morgan isn’t going to make it out of this season alive. He’s always been a bit nuts, but he’s not going to be able to deal with all the killings he’s committed once he thinks about it.

Another fantastic scene is when Rick kills one of the Saviors and then opens a bedroom door, only to discover a baby girl. This man could have been Rick, and that could be Judith. There is a mirror above the crib and Rick must turn away from his bloody reflection.

It’s a powerful moment because it’s like Rick realizes that their situations could have easily been reversed and that Savior could have been looking down on Judith.

Another moment I enjoyed is when Ezekiel breaks his king character and tells Carol that he just fakes it until he makes it. I like Ezekiel’s pomp and circumstance and Carol’s slightly baffled expression.

I also like that Negan is not on this episode nor is he mentioned. But I also don’t care about the other Saviors. Sure, it’s kind of fun to watch dead ones rise again and take out their own, but there is just so much gunfire on this episode.

It all seems very staged.

There was a time not too long ago where Eugene was going to make bullets because there was a shortage. Apparently, that is no longer an issue.

And what about Morales at the end? Is that supposed to be a big twist?

Overall, “The Damned” is plotless but has a few good moments. I hope The Walking Dead steps up its game, otherwise, I’m going to feel damned by watching it each week.

What did you think of this episode of The Walking Dead? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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

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