As if we hadn't seen Negan break enough people, he just had to do it yet again. I guess the positive being that this time it was Carl that he was tormenting and forcing him to sing a song. Yeah, that was brutally gratifying.
Carl had it coming to him, though. We're all tired of him moping around acting like he's the most brilliant teenager left on earth (I guess that's not very hard). There was no question Carl was going to get captured and fail in his attempt to kill Negan, but he did manage to kill a few Saviors. He also got a deep look into the world that Negan controls in The Sanctuary, and how it's not much of a sanctuary at all. Unfortunately for Carl, a tour wasn't the only thing Negan had in mind. A few monologues, a painfully awkward song, and a first class seat to a savior getting an iron to the face was some of the many ridiculous adventures the two shared.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Carl made the trip without the help of Jesus, who was trailing behind and played almost no role in the episode. However, maybe he's the one who sent Daryl that note? After all, we only see Jesus for a split second on top of Negan's truck. Who knows.
But this makes me think of the fact that there are so many different story lines which purposes are to kill Negan. Sasha & Jesus, Rosita, Spencer, Michonne, and Carl. The latter failed tonight, but that doesn't mean the plan is over. I'm just curious as to how all of these angles are going to play out. Knowing the characters, I have to believe Michonne would be the most successful, but I hardly see Negan dying this early in the season. I'm sure someone will die next week in the midseason finale, and now that Negan is in Alexandria (holding Judith?!?), it's ample time for someone to get Lucille.
90 minutes of Jeffrey Dean Morgan ripping everyone he sees and monologuing his way through each scene? I can't really complain. Though, I don't know if story-wise we needed all 90 minutes, especially considering next week is also an extended episode. I have no idea what Spencer will do with his supplies now that Negan is there, what Rick and Aaron have stumbled upon, or what Michonne's arc is going to turn into, but I cannot wait until next week's midseason finale. Until then, let's just hope Chandler Riggs doesn't have to sing anymore songs.
+Deeper look into The Sanctuary
+Carl gets "broken"
+Set up for next week
-Don't know if 90 minutes was necessary
8.5/10