The Walking Dead Review: Time for After (Season 8 Episode 7)

The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 7, “Time for After,” is surprisingly good but still has its faults. On the plus side, “Time for After” heightens the tension both inside the Sanctuary and outside. The downside is that we’re still in the never-ending day and a half of the attack on the Saviors.

And there’s a little too much Eugene.

“Time for After” starts off with Rick close to naked, sweating, and waiting to see what the Scavengers are up to. The door to his prison opens and there stands Jadis and a random garbage person. She takes photos while he draws.

I first thought that Jadis was taking photos of Rick like he was doing at the posts he’d defeated the Saviors. Maybe she’d show them to Negan in exchange for something. But nope, the photos are for “after.”

Whatever the hell that means.

Seriously, why are the garbage people still on The Walking Dead? Maybe they’re cool in the comics, but they don’t translate well on the show. Their weird walking, the strange way of talking—it’s just ridiculous.

And why would Rick even care about getting them to join the fight? They’d already made a deal once and they betrayed him. It’s not worth it, Rick.

Meanwhile, at the Sanctuary, Eugene is debating whether to give up Dwight to Negan. Instead, he gives Dwight an ultimatum.

It’s interesting to see Negan through Eugene’s eyes. We’re so conditioned to think about Negan as the Big Bad, but if we look at Negan the way Eugene does—well, Negan just wants his people to be safe.

But Negan also works his people to death, forces women to marry him, and bashes people’s heads in with Lucille.

If we forget about all that, then yeah, Negan and Rick are both trying to do the same thing.

Dwight isn’t the only one trying to get Eugene to turn against Negan. So is Gabriel. Gabriel though is more concerned with Eugene getting out Doctor Carlson from the Hilltop.

The good doctor is helping Gabriel fight an infection. Where did that come from? Gabriel was perfectly fine and then suddenly, he has an infection. It’s clearly a ploy by the writers to get Eugene and Gabriel in the same room to discuss the doctor.

Eugene acknowledges all his old friends as “traveling companions” and nothing more. He’s still a coward and even if Negan genuinely does find him valuable, Eugene is not going to be able to cope with his conscience.

Drink your wine, Eugene.

The other storyline on “Time for After” deals with Daryl and Tara’s rush into bad decision-making. Both are hell-bent on ending the Saviors right then and there instead of waiting and letting the rest of Rick’s plan unfold.

Hey, I get it. Daryl and Tara want this incessant day to end too. First Rosita bows out and then Michonne. Daryl and Tara are all good though because they have Morgan and other unseen snipers for support.

I used to be in the “Daryl Dixon Must Never Die” camp until this season where I just feel meh about everyone. However, as I watched Daryl drive that truck into the Sanctuary, I found myself hoping that Daryl didn’t die.

The whole sequence made me nervous although I feel like the outcome is going to be a total disaster. Especially after the ending of “Time for After” and the preview for the Season 8 mid-season finale.

Overall, “Time for After” is a good episode. It raises the stakes and pushes the plot further. It also sets up the mid-season finale nicely. For the first time during Season 8, I’m excited for next episode of The Walking Dead.

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

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!