We know that a Big Threat is just around the corner, but for now this was a solid scene-setting outing that actually delivered on its promise and was entertaining in a way the show has rarely managed in years. Kudos for finding something for almost everyone to do beyond Rick and the core gang, and the seeds (pun entirely intended) have been planted for some decent storylines. If the end of the All Out War run hadn't ended so quietly, A New Beginning might've made you feel a touch of whiplash for how primarily quiet it was. The less said about his stupid, visible-from-space plan to off Maggie, the better, though we're at least glad some consequences finally came his way. Despite Xander Berkeley's best efforts, it's hard not to see Gregory as anything but his usual snake-in-the-grass, pain-in-the-ass self. The episode does at least make a stab at having us feel for his death, even if it then leads to the least effective subplot in this extended season premiere: Gregory. No, the real test here is young Ken, introduced in this episode and summarily offed a few minutes later. There's also Maggie truly embracing the leadership of Hilltop (replacing Gregory – more on him shortly) and starting to feel that maybe she has a better handle on the overall big picture than Rick. And the episode feels a lot like a new pilot for this latest shift in direction, laying out the various tensions as the communities figure out who should provide the food and in return for what.
As the infrastructure around them starts to decay – bridges are cratered by storms and walker hordes, petrol is starting to run dry – they're turning to horse-powered transportation (except for Darryl, who clings to his own steel horse for dear life) and looking for ways to use old fashioned methods.īut does this mean incoming executive producer Angela Kang and the crew have really made a change? Well, there's no Negan this episode for one, even if we are reminded that he's festering away in a prison cell. Which mostly means looking to the past to build the present. People smile! More than once! The communities of Hilltop, Alexandria, Oceanside (mentioned, not seen) and even the Sanctuary are trying to work together to figure out the next step in human society.
The episode is even called A New Beginning We time jump forward 18 months after the end of the All-Out War and, from the first evidence, things are indeed quite different. Welcome back to what the Walking Dead team have long been promising is a very different show. Spoilers will lurk like groaning walkers. Be warned! This review will cover aspects of the episode.