The Walking Dead - S7E7 - Sing Me a Song

Tweet

Previously on The Walking Dead, “Swear”

The Walking Dead - S7E7 - “Sing Me a Song” | Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Melissa McBride, Lennie James, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sonequa Martin-Green, Norman Reedus, Alanna Masterson, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton

The Walking Dead could have had a Negan problem. When your introduction to a character involves him brutally killing two main characters, that is the definition of someone who did not come to fuck around. That also makes it hard to believe that he’d tolerate any pushback or nonsense from Rick’s group, but that’s exactly what he’s done. Daryl should be dead, Rick should be dead, Olivia should be dead, and Carl most definitely should be dead after this week.

“Sing Me a Song” answered why they are not. Negan is most definitely capable and willing to kill at a moment’s notice, but it’s clear he’d much rather have you work for him while putting you through embarrassing mental anguish. And let’s face it: It’s not like he has anything else to do. This is a man who literally doesn’t have to do anything to ensure his survival, so he can take a day off to torment poor Carl while he makes sure the young man gets the full measure of his power.

While I’ll never agree that if you followed the series from Negan’s perspective only, Rick’s group would be the bad guys, Negan had to come out swinging (I know. I know. I’m better than that.) after Rick and company killed several groups Saviors: the outpost, the group that caught them at the outpost, some of the group with Dwight when he killed Denise, the group that got a rocket up their asses, and the men who Carol took out when she was leaving town. Extreme measures and all that. Now, Negan can do what he so clearly enjoys: keep them alive and make their lives a living hell.

Carl pulls a fast one on Jesus and remains in the truck headed to the Saviors’ compound after Jesus jumps out. Carl wastes no time in taking out two of Negan’s men unloading the truck, and then holds Negan at gunpoint until Dwight overpowers him. Negan employs one of his favorite tactics: he threatens Daryl in order to get Carl to follow him around. He shows off the egotistical hold he has on his group, his collection of wives, and the hot iron to the face he wields when someone in his group breaks the rules.

Later he makes Carl remove the bandages over his eye and sing him a song. Surprisingly, his apology when Carl begins to cry felt genuine, but that didn’t stop him from giving Carl a lift home so he could scare the shit out of Olivia and spend time holding Judith until Rick returns… because he can.

Meanwhile, Spencer scavenges a ton of supplies for Negan, much to Rosita’s annoyance. She still has no intention of going along and accompanies Eugene outside of the gates so he can make her a bullet. She’s also sick of Eugene’s defeated attitude and cowardice so she lashes out only to deliver an unaccepted apology later.

Perhaps she should be teaming up with Michonne, who also made moves to resist Negan’s control. Unable to let go of the sheer audacity it took to burn their mattresses for no damn reason, Michonne captures one of the Saviors and demands to be taken to Negan. Of course, Negan isn’t there, but she might provide Daryl’s access to escape. He received an anonymous note in his cell, and it told him to leave now. Also, we also have Jesus lurking in the area.

I know Negan isn’t for everyone, but I’m having entirely too much fun watching Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s performance and laughing at some highly inappropriate things as he struts around Alexandria like he owns the place… since he kinda does.

Final Thoughts

• Spencer is doing the absolute most and I can’t wait for him to die. You know you’re fifty shades of poor decisions when Father Gabriel refuses to ride with you.
• Didn’t I tell y’all Rick was going to come home one day and find Negan taking care of his kids?
• Aaron and Rick found a possible cache of weapons - too bad they’re on a boat on walker-infested waters.