The Walking Dead Review: Monsters (Season 8 Episode 3)

The good news is that The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 3 “Monsters” is not nearly as bad as the previous episode. There are moments of heightened tension, some amazing zombie effects, and even a bit of humor.

“Monsters” is still lacking in overall plot and direction, but at least we can see that there is more to the episode than non-stop shooting.

But somehow, we’re still stuck in this never-ending battle against the Saviors at several outposts. Negan is absent again, which I will always see as a plus. We do have to deal with Morales, though.

Ugh, who thought it was a good idea to bring back Morales? Is it just to remind us how far Rick and the Gang have come? Or how much they have changed?

Morales takes a cue from Negan and just monologues.

And tilts his head a lot while whispering threats.

Thank goodness Daryl shows up and shoots a bow in his throat before we have to endure any more talking from Morales.

Rick was never in any danger because he certainly wasn’t going to be maimed or killed by someone as random as Morales.

“Monsters” does have a casualty–Eric. He was shot on The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 2 “Mercy” but he didn’t die until “Monsters.” He does get to have a sweet goodbye with Aaron. Eric doesn’t kill himself though and therefore turns into a walker.

We didn’t see him in walker form, but Aaron does. He’s too far off in the distance to kill though. I like Aaron but never cared too much about Eric, so I’m not gutted about his death.

The Walking Dead is probably going to play it a little safe with who they kill off after people were so angry about Glenn’s fake-out death and then his very brutal actual death.

There may be more casualties in the next episode as “Monsters” ends with the Kingdom group getting ambushed after they pulled off their own successful ambush.

King Ezekiel is probably the most ridiculous character on The Walking Dead, but at least he’s entertaining. And I’m totally shipping Ezekiel and Carol. I just love the way she looks at him.

It pays to be king, I guess, considering as the bullets started flying, about five people jumped on top of Ezekiel to save him. I’m not sure people would do the same for Rick.

Travelling with a few of the Kingdom’s fighters is Morgan, Jesus, and Tara. They’re escorting the surrendered Saviors to the Hilltop, where Jesus thinks Maggie is going to show them mercy.

Not surprisingly, she does.

I kept waiting for Morgan to snap and kill them all. Just when I thought it was going to happen, walkers come rolling down a hill. It’s a great visual and even 8 seasons in, I’m surprised at how The Walking Dead continues to show walkers in situations we haven’t seen them in before.

It’s funny when Jesus and Morgan begin to fight because it mirrors the same fight Carol and Morgan had back in Alexandria. I didn’t believe that Jesus could move that well and that he delivered as many blows to Morgan as he did.

It felt too choreographed.

The surrendered Saviors, Jesus, and Tara all make it back to the Hilltop where Maggie agrees to allow them to live in some trailers. Morgan has gone off on his own. He’ll probably go crazy again.

Also making it back to the Hilltop is Gregory. He injects some humor and Maggie is right—he’s not worth killing.

Overall, “Monsters” is an okay episode. The cool zombie effects make me like it more as well as some of the conflict between Jesus and Morgan and the outrageousness of King Ezekiel.

I wish though that The Walking Dead was more like Fear the Walking Dead and that they would just get back to basics. Kill off a bunch of characters, lose their homestead, and get back out on the road.

Again, I ask, what is The Walking Dead’s endgame? Is it peace? A cure? Or is all this fighting and death for nothing?

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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