The Walking Dead Review: A Certain Doom (Season 10 Episode 16)
A familiar face makes a return while an all-out assault puts the survivors in peril on The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 16, “A Certain Doom.”
That titular doom creates a vast and impressive sense of scale, the endless walkers creating an almost impossible scenario to fight against. The methods our heroes use are actually pretty clever and rather guerrilla warfare-like, which keeps the down-and-dirty nature and desperation in line.
Beta’s delusions of the horde talking to him are some of most eerie effects the show has employed to show the deterioration of a character’s psyche. The way they turn and look to him, as though awaiting his orders, and the snappy, uncertain editing creates this sense of insanity.
It’s been a long time coming, but using the Whisperer tactics against them in the horde is such a fun, cathartic sequence. Though it’s over fairly quickly, it does allow for a form of vengeance and comeuppance to take place, turning the walkers and their numbers against them.
It also allows for a quick but effective fight between Negan, Daryl, and Beta. Well, it’s not really a fight, as it’s more of an encounter. It’s over before it begins, but it does allow the two of them to have closure with Beta, their nemesis.
Negan’s sudden recognition of Beta and Daryl’s complete lack of interest is a fantastic way to close out Beta’s story. Everyone is always surprised by his celebrity, as it’s a disarming moment, but for Daryl it’s just another guy in the way of their freedom.
Beta may have proven himself a difficult villain for Daryl, but once he’s neutralized, Daryl’s already moved on from him.
At least for Beta it’s a moment of religion as he’s embraced (read: eaten) by the walkers. Happy endings for everyone.
I’m also extremely in favor of the use of “Burning Down the House” by Talking Heads, a great song to drag the walkers away with a horse-drawn carriage.
The remainder of the stories are a little choppy and segmented, but are certainly setting up larger stories to come.
Eugene, Ezekiel, Yumiko, and Juanita (Princess) coming across white-armored foes in lieu of Stephanie is somewhat of a surprise, leading to the wonder if this has always been a trap. Since these new faces rather disarm them than harm them, it’s a hopeful sign that they want them alive.
This is likely the start of the build-up to the Commonwealth, which will be a fantastic way to usher the show into an endgame of sorts.
The moment between Daryl and Carol at the end of the episode finally breaks their tension, but it also sounds like it’s setting up the recently announced series. New Mexico is mentioned as a travel destination, and so perhaps that will be where the show picks up or starts out.
They do talk about their work not being done here, though, so there’s plenty of time on the flagship show to come before their departure (which will likely roll over from the upcoming thirty episodes to still air).
Maggie’s return is treated with less excitement than expected, as she mostly comes through for Gabriel and then goes through the ceremonial reunion hugs.
For a key character since the second season, I expected a little more bravado to her entrance, though it’s a tense, solemn episode and that may take away from the situation at hand.
She’s back, though, which is the important thing. What she’s seen and learned over her time gone will hopefully provide a lot of forward momentum, and it’s great to see Lauren Cohan part of the team again to see through the remainder of the series (at least potentially).
Connie has survived, too, which is a great outcome, as Lauren Ridloff has also been a solid addition to the cast. It’s not clear where Virgil is heading and how this will affect Connie moving forward, but at least there’s hope for her now after a rather wild wait to find out her fate.
The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 16, “A Certain Doom,” is a solid semi-finale. There are six episodes still to come on this season, but as of now, there are plenty of happy endings to go around.
Lydia’s shedding of Alpha, Carol’s realization that people do still care, and reunions galore help to create a positive, exciting step forward, as characters look to move on from their suffering and start anew.
Perhaps the Commonwealth will be that new start. But for this episode, its sense of scale with the horde and its quick, flashy violence and gore help to create a ramping intensity that makes the close of the hour that much more satisfying.
What did you think of this episode of The Walking Dead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Walking Dead returns in 2021 on AMC.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.