The relationship between The Walking Dead and its fans is so dysfunctional.
There are those who have given up on season 7 of the zombie drama — hence the drop in ratings each week since the season kicked off — but what is even more telling is the number of diehard fans who keep watching and complaining about the sluggish pace.
Is this hate-watching or wishful anticipation? Either way, that’s exactly what happened Sunday night with episode six, titled “Swear.”
Instead of an episode centered around Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Jesus (Tom Payne) ambushing the Saviors as last week’s promo insinuated, this installment caught up with Tara (Alanna Masterson) and Heath (Corey Hawkins), who have been on the road scavenging for food and supplies for two weeks.
https://twitter.com/ROIZWON87/status/803085323236315137
Needless to say, the bait-and-switch had some fans scratching their heads.
https://twitter.com/CarrieTBow/status/803056220399542272
Here’s the thing: Some viewers actually appreciated the change in scenery and the emphasis on Tara and Heath’s ignorance about the Savior situation.
https://twitter.com/__Mijito__/status/803057505853054976
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And that awesome sand trap of zombies, of course.
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But others were less sympathetic and really just wanted more action, more Alexandria and more plot resolution, especially because there are only two episodes left before the hiatus.
https://twitter.com/TH3_N3RDSM4SH3R/status/803107571620081664
https://twitter.com/PadmesLover/status/803064420477726720
Plus:
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For those who did give two hoots, there were some heady themes. Tara and Heath got into a debate, for instance, about whether or not the post-apocalyptic world is all about every man for himself. Tara said it wasn’t, and Heath said it was, but this episode proved time and time again that things aren’t so bleak. That’s why Heath ultimately tried to save Tara, Cyndie (Sydney Park) saved Tara at least three times, and Tara didn’t kill Beatrice (Briana Venskus).
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Speaking of Cyndie and Beatrice, they live in a community of all women called Oceanside. It’s a place that has learned to shoot strangers and ask questions later and that — as we later learn — figured out a way to go off the grid to avoid Negan’s wrath and reach.
https://twitter.com/ashley4434/status/803076668009152512
Yes, Cyndie is the only one who can shoot worth a darn, but this episode had strong feminist leanings and a message: Only women can outsmart Negan.
https://twitter.com/Rainmaker1200/status/803060258289680385
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In the end, Natania (Deborah May) wasn’t a sweet and harmless old grandma, and Beatrice and Tara are not going to become a hot road-trip couple because Beatrice tried to kill Tara again, this time on Natania’s orders. Thankfully, Cyndie saved Tara once more and outsmarted Beatrice and Kathy (Nicole Barre). Cyndie rocks and fans can’t wait to see more of her.
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So thanks to Cyndie, Tara got away and tried to find Heath. At one point she thought a black zombie with braids could be him. Thankfully, it wasn’t, but some folks weren’t amused.
https://twitter.com/Lancestipher/status/803071349556203520
Sadly, Tara doesn’t know what happened to Heath and neither do we. Making matters worse, Eugene (Josh McDermitt) welcomed Tara back to Alexandria with bad news about her dead girlfriend Denise (Merritt Wever), and Glenn’s (Steven Yeun) horrific death.
https://twitter.com/reedusrise/status/803081935807451136
Despite all her grief, Tara kept her promise to Cyndie and didn’t tell Rosita (Christian Serratos) about Oceanside or its cache of guns. Nice, work, Tara. Nice work.
https://twitter.com/nuffsaidNY/status/803073733527306241
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC
