Mercy over Wrath

I have been a faithful watcher of "The Walking Dead" since it premiered. While I've soured on the show in recent seasons (as have many others, based on season eight ratings), I'll be recapping each of the episodes of the back half of Season 8 as the show moves into a new chapter.

"When people are gone, all we have left of them are their ideas." — Siddiq, "The Walking Dead"

I'll be honest, I never really cared for or about Carl (Chandler Riggs). At the beginning he seemed annoying, then he seemed a little frightening. Then it seemed like he was a budding psycho at times. And he always seemed to be hanging out with the wrong people, like Shane and, for a time, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). But Carl has been integral to this season from the beginning, and though he died seven episodes earlier, he's had a presence that has hung heavy over the season through last night's finale.

When all this is over, there has to be something after. That was the simple idea that began to fuel Carl, and he began to live that way throughout this season. It led to him saving Siddiq, though his father didn't see that as important. And that brave and noble act led to his death. But it is also what helped fuel that push toward a possible future.

"The Walking Dead" has, throughout its eight seasons, been a very popular show. And, at times, it's verged on being a great show. When it moves toward engaging in those bigger ideas and dealing with the real arc of human emotion. When it does, the show is capable of something beautiful that really resonates with me. Last night was one of those episodes and, in fact, greatly redeemed my distaste for the last season (seven) and much of this dark arc with the Saviors. And that is largely thanks to Carl.

His vision of a possible future fueled the opening of the premier, and again during the opening of the second half premier. And his letter to his father helped turn him away from his wrath. That, and the act he did on behalf of Siddiq.

Siddiq opened the episode by talking about his mother, her death, and her belief about the dead. He told Rick (Andrew Lincoln) that Carl was so moved by the story he tried to honor that belief and that is what led to his death. He closed by saying all we have left of those who've died is their ideas. It moved Rick, and for good reason.

Carl's idea, clearly articulated in a series of letters, was a hope for a peaceful future. It is all that remains of him. And Rick tried to avoid and look past it — mostly by avoiding reading the letter. He heard Carl's pitch in person, but he was too consumed with wrath to feel it.

And that wrath pushed him to make a terrible decision when he lied and murdered a group of Saviors. That was something Morgan (Lennie James) pushed him on, too. For Morgan, that led to a break from reality, a ledge he somewhat walked back in the finale but one that eventually led him to go off on his own to find clarity.

For Rick, clarity came in the heat of battle. After Eugene (Josh McDermitt) turned traitor against Negan, the ultimate double cross to end the war, Rick and Negan finally came to blows. Rick articulated Carl's vision, but it was merely a ruse to lash out, slashing Negan's throat as Negan prepared to bring Lucille down on him.

But Rick stopped short of killing Negan. Instead thinking of Carl, and asking Siddiq to save Negan's life. That enraged Maggie (Lauren Cohan), who wanted vengeance for Glen. She, like Rick, has been consumed by wrath. And the end of the finale portends a possible clash among our heroes in the future. But we'll get to that next season.

What moved me more last night was Rick. We saw two visions — one of a future in peace, and one of a wounded Rick under a tree. The thought for most of the season was that those visions were in conflict, but it turns out they were linked. As Rick sat under that tree he repeated the line, "Have mercy prevail over my wrath."

And with that, for now, the war is over. And Rick's letter to Carl to cap the end of the episode was a beautiful touch. It's been a couple dark seasons — 33 trying episodes counting the season six finale. And doubtless there is more heartbreak to come — there always is in this world. But Rick, once again, seems to be on the hero's path.

I started season eight weary of what this show had become. The first half of the season felt uneven. But the second half has been a beautiful experience. And, for the first time in a couple years, I will miss the show as it takes a break, and I can't wait to see what comes next.