Second watch - yep I am giving this episode a 9. I gave PLENTY of reasons as to why in the praise thread

 

Granted, it is inadvisable for anyone to be venturing out at night considering they now know that a group of psychos is lurking about.

But to be fair, on any "normal" night it would not be uncommon for Connie to be outside of walls. Seems that this group has probably spent more time out in the open both day and night than they have living behind the relative safety of walls.

 

I'm all good with that, so, when they concluded - once in the dark woods with the flashlights opened, mind you - that it was too dangerous to stay there, why did they left the weaker two behind? Why? Why??!! Why was it too dangerous for the two fighters, but not for the two deaf ones and their slingshot?!!!

 

@Neuropyramidal @Seventh_son

Live +3 day totals for episode 10:
6.867 million viewers total (live +same day 4.538 million) gain of 51.32%
2.329 demo adults 18-49 (live +same day 1.68 adults 18-49) gain of 56.71%

Live +3 totals for previous episodes
Episode 9: 7.108 million/2.80 demo
Episode 8: 7.875 million/3.25 demo
Episode 7: 7.238 million/2.88 demo
Episode 6: 8.019 million/3.23 demo
Episode 5: 8.040 million/3.24 demo
Episode 4: 7.511 million/3.02 demo
Episode 3: 7.437 million/2.99 demo
Episode 2: 7.708 million/3.23 demo
Episode 1: 8.714 million/3.72 demo

 

It was another good episode. I was a little confused with the flashbacks so I had to watch parts of them a second time. I was glad though that they gave us Lydia and Alpha's backstory upfront and they didn't pull a Gimple and wait for a bottle episode further down the line. Going this route built up the suspense, and the stakes, for when Alpha finally appeared at Hilltop. Kang is doing a great job with Daryl too. That character hasn't been this interesting in many seasons.

 

I have been a fan of Samantha Morton's work for years. Finding out she would be playing Alpha was like a gift as for as I am concerned.

And whoever was the voice of reason for casting season 9's new characters:


Judith; Alpha; Lydia; Yumiko; Connie, Dog.....all on point

Since season 7 I have been one of the harshest critics of Daryl Dixon on this forum. I agree that Kang has done a wonderful job of finally making that character interesting. Though sadly, she cannot really do anything to change my mind about my general meh attitude in regard to Norman Reedus outside of the TV series. Can't win them all I suppose.

I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite episode for season 9. The easier route would be to choose my least favorite (episode 7). And even that was a good episode. But man oh man, the rest of the season is balls to the.....well you know the rest