Gimple has single-handedly destroyed this fantastic series and I will forever mourn the loss of T W D. If Chandler (Carl) leaves the show, I don't think anyone will be able to save it. Of all the characters who could've been killed off, Gimple goes with the strongest and the future of T W D.
I think the fans would've resigned to losing Carl if it was Chandler Riggs' decision to leave, but in an interview, Riggs says he and his parents had been under the impression that he had at least another three years left on the show. He even said his parents bought a house in Georgia to be closer to the set. Then he was handed the script for the mid-season finale just a few days before filming began, and was shocked.
Either A M C. didn't want to pay Chandler more to renew a contract after he turned 18, or Gimple wanted to completely take the show from Kirkman by breaking away completely from the comic. Either way, Gimple is so much like Gregory in this situation- playing all sides to his advantage.
If it was a money thing, I feel like T W D could've fought harder for Chandler and won, or even decided to move on to another network (that would've definitely put a fire under A M C's behind).
As for the episode itself, it was handled horribly. The one and only moment I enjoyed the most was the one between Negan and Carl when Negan arrives at Alexandria and Carl is at the top of the gates. You can tell that Carl's comments completely break Negan down, and you get a subtle glimpse of his humanity, perhaps of the person he once was. These interactions are the ones that made me excited to see how Carl and Negan's relationship would develop.
The rest was just a bunch of nonsensical ridiculousness. So many plot holes, so many questions left unanswered, like how the hell did the saviors get out, regroup, and gear up as quickly as they did? For the love of God, Negan looks like he even had time for a haircut between escaping and his trip to Alexandria! The scene with Simon, Jesus, and Maggi left me perplexed. The whole Enid & Aaron situation just left you asking why? Such a disappointing mess.
I think the fans would've resigned to losing Carl if it was Chandler Riggs' decision to leave, but in an interview, Riggs says he and his parents had been under the impression that he had at least another three years left on the show. He even said his parents bought a house in Georgia to be closer to the set. Then he was handed the script for the mid-season finale just a few days before filming began, and was shocked.
Either A M C. didn't want to pay Chandler more to renew a contract after he turned 18, or Gimple wanted to completely take the show from Kirkman by breaking away completely from the comic. Either way, Gimple is so much like Gregory in this situation- playing all sides to his advantage.
If it was a money thing, I feel like T W D could've fought harder for Chandler and won, or even decided to move on to another network (that would've definitely put a fire under A M C's behind).
As for the episode itself, it was handled horribly. The one and only moment I enjoyed the most was the one between Negan and Carl when Negan arrives at Alexandria and Carl is at the top of the gates. You can tell that Carl's comments completely break Negan down, and you get a subtle glimpse of his humanity, perhaps of the person he once was. These interactions are the ones that made me excited to see how Carl and Negan's relationship would develop.
The rest was just a bunch of nonsensical ridiculousness. So many plot holes, so many questions left unanswered, like how the hell did the saviors get out, regroup, and gear up as quickly as they did? For the love of God, Negan looks like he even had time for a haircut between escaping and his trip to Alexandria! The scene with Simon, Jesus, and Maggi left me perplexed. The whole Enid & Aaron situation just left you asking why? Such a disappointing mess.