The Walking Dead Season 7, Episode 4 - New Season Low Ratings - Is Negan Ruining the Fun?
As much as fans love - or love to hate - Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s portrayal of Negan, could the big bad character possibly be ruining the show? Fans already know that Negan has ruined the fun (and the life) of every Survivor fans have known. The show made that very clear on the fourth episode of the show’s Seventh season.
The Walking Dead Season 7, Episode 4 titled ‘Service’ which aired Sunday, November 13, was an 80-minute episode. With this in mind, fans ought to be in front of their television sets, watching how things unfold under the rule of Negan. However, quite the opposite have happened as the show reach season-low ratings.
What could have happened? Are the fans tired of the showrunners endless pursuit to show just how bad Negan can be? Or are they tired of seeing Rick’s group of survivors succumb under Negan’s thumb? It could be possible that fans only want to see the survivors stand up against the Saviors. At this point, all fans can do is wait and be patient for the story to unfold.
With that said, the episode focused on Alexandria and the remaining survivors within its walls. Negan comes knocking at Alexandria’s gates, in a scene that satisfied that came out straight from the comic series. “Little piggy, little piggy, let me in.” Signifying the big bad wolf’s arrival.
The episode entitled “Service” (written by Corey Reed, and directed by David Boyd) aimed to show what life looked like under Negan’s rule. The Saviors arrive at Alexandria unannounced and immediately started to raid the houses for supplies. Stripping each and every home of its comforts - and of course, weapons.
From mattresses and furniture to guns, nothing was spared, all were taken. Unfortunately for Rick’s group, they keep an inventory of everything. The said inventory was founded by one of Negan’s crew, in which they find that two guns are missing from the arsenal. As expected, the showrunners tried to show fans just how mean Negan can be by threatening to kill Olivia if they do not find the two missing handguns.
The episode’s focus was the relationship between Rick and Negan, and just how far Negan is willing to push the other. For most of the time the Saviors were there, Rick has Lucille (the vampire bat) in his hands, while Negan strutted around the compound alongside Rick. This gave Rick all the means to finish Negan right then and there, but he hasn’t lifted the bat - not once.
As much as Rick wanted to try, he couldn’t bring himself to do it because “this is their life now”. This was truly clever on Negan’s part and a huge insult on Rick’s. Dwight, on the other hand, seems to have too much fun taunting Daryl, Rosita and Spencer.
Negan made it clear that Rick and the others are not allowed to talk to Daryl, as he’s the “help.” It was pretty obvious that Daryl was not there to fetch and carry their load, but to watch in silence as the Saviors take over his home. It was a painful moment for the fans and characters alike, seeing one of the strongest and fiercest protectors beat down.
During the episode, fans saw Father Gabriel outsmart Negan as he hid the absence of Maggie by pretending that she is already dead and buried. This was one smart move as it will cover the Hilltop’s connection with Alexandria, and it will also hide Maggie’s whereabouts. The downside, however, is that this will probably add to Daryl’s guilt.
For the most of the show, Rick is only concerned about one of his own getting killed. The man is doing everything in his power to prevent this from happening again. It is clear that it is taking everything within Rick not to swing Lucille up and bash Negan in the head. But for now, Negan’s in charge; Rick has made that pretty clear in the episode.
Rick has accepted the fact that this will be their way of life now. This is how he can keep his people safe and alive. And if putting up with Negan’s crazy, madman’s way is the price he has to pay, then rest assured it is what he’ll do.
For now, Negan’s in control, but for how long?
