The Walking Dead Review: Wrath (Season 8 Episode 16)

There is no denying that the second half of Season 8 of The Walking Dead is far better than the first half. We’ve been told that The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 16 “Wrath” is all-out war.

And it is.

But it ends with a whimper.

Rick chooses mercy which is really no surprise since he’s been muttering about it under a tree looking worse for wear all season. Then of course, after reading Carl’s letter in the penultimate episode, there was no way Rick was going to kill Negan.

Someone else could have. Wasn’t it agreed upon at some point that Maggie would be given that honor?

Instead, Rick cuts Negan’s throat open and then orders Siddiq to fix him so that he can become Rick and Michonne’s prisoner.  He will be an example for the new civilization they’re going to build of how not to be.

But let’s go back to the start of “Wrath.” It begins with Rick remembering Carl and holding his hand as Carl describes in his letter. It’s a sweet memory and Rick’s sad voice makes me teary.

He asks Siddiq how Carl got bit and he tells him that he was bitten by trying to honor Siddiq’s mom, a woman he never even met. By now, Rick is convinced that there has to be something after.

Thank goodness for that. Perhaps there is an endgame to The Walking Dead.

We see several people we know gearing up for war again, but it doesn’t carry any emotional heft because we have seen these people preparing many times over the past season. There has got to be some sort of resolution.

The Saviors are prepping for war too, but mostly it’s just randoms and some talk between Eugene and Negan. Gabriel also gets way too much screen time.

The first thing that really surprises on “Wrath” is that Eugene sabotaging the bullets and he’s back on Team Rick. I honestly did not expect it and it made me not hate him. So, can he please make some real bullets for Rick and the gang?

The second surprising storyline is the secret rendezvous between Maggie, Jesus, and Daryl. Apparently, Maggie is pissed that Negan is still alive, so she needs to show Rick and Michonne how wrong they are.

Um, okay?

So, is Maggie a villain now? And what does she mean? Is she going to kill Rick and Michonne? Or is she going to do something to Negan? I don’t know. It’s so random.

Don’t they realize that it’s not the Ricktatorship? They can kill Negan. Rick probably won’t like it, but he’s not going to flip out over it.

The scene where Maggie screams and Michonne holds her back on the field is very emotional, but then to see Maggie all cold in Gregory’s old chair is not a good look.

Also, I can’t believe Jesus is in on this plan. He’s the one who’s always rooting for humanity and even told Morgan he didn’t have to kill people in order for others to live and yet, he is down with Maggie’s plan.

And Daryl? He shows mercy to Dwight and lets him live, so I don’t know why all of a sudden, they are conspiring against Rick for following his dead kid’s wishes.

The Walking Dead is just trying to get us to watch Season 9, but why don’t they focus on the helicopter? Or the gigantic herd of walkers?

And seriously, why couldn’t Negan die? He’s going to plan his escape, or someone is going to let him loose and ugh, I wanted the Negan storyline to end with Season 8.

It’s not clear on The Walking Dead how Morgan will make his way to Fear the Walking Dead as we see him tell Anne (the person formally known as Jadis the Garbage Lady) that he can’t be around people.

Wasn’t this Carol’s story a while back?

Overall, “Wrath” is a solid episode and almost has a series end vibe. Negan is still alive and that means he can cause trouble on Season 9 and not all is well with the core group, so there is that to worry about.

“Wrath” ends with a whimper and not a lot to look forward to next season. The Walking Dead would benefit from a time jump where maybe there is the start of a new civilization. I also want the walkers to be the main threat.

Enough with the fighting among groups. Perhaps with this new civilization, they might find the cause of the zombie apocalypse, or at least look for a cure.

Regardless, I’m sure I’ll be watching because I simply can’t turn away from a trainwreck.

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

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

The Walking Dead returns later in 2018 on AMC.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

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