One of the things I love about the Walking Dead, is the fact that at it’s core is this concept of “abandon hope all ye who live in this universe.” So it really comes as no surprise to us, or for the most part to the core group of survivors, that we have been following for 5 seasons, that the walkers are inside the gates and all hell has broken loose.

Having said that, what is most interesting about the mid-season finale is the fact that we don’t see the mass carnage that we assume is happening to most of the former residents of the Alexandria Compound. Instead we have to watch Ron fight Carl and manage to let the mass of walkers into the house they are hiding in.  Yay!

But I’m getting ahead of myself…

It’s Spoiler time kids.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Welcome back to the compound formerly known as a safe haven. The tower is down. Maggie has clawed her way to the top of the guard tower and is seemingly in much worse shape than Glen ever was under his dumpster.   Glen does get to see that she is safe which is probably the most uplifting moment of the episode. Most (make that all) of the people we actually care about have hidden in a few of the model homes left in town. In the midst of the dash for shelter, Dianna managed to grow a pair and decided to help Rick fight off a horde. She got bit and is dying, but at least she is going out like a survivor now and not like the mayor of Denialtown.

Spoiler Alert: Ron tried to kill Carl. Carl seems to have inherited not only some of his fathers survival instinct, but also some of the Rick’s merciful side. The problem is that the fight takes it’s toll on the structural integrity of the house they are hiding in and soon Rick, Michone, Carl, Ron, Ron’s mom Jesse, Judith, and Sam…oh yes Sam…”ugh” (He may turn out to be the JarJar Binks of the Walking Dead yet), all need to escape.  How to do that when they are surrounded on all sides you ask?!? Gut a couple of walkers and make walker blood and meat suits. (Which begs the question why these people don’t just bathe in walker guts all the time if its such strong walker stealth capability? But I digress….)

The most interesting part of the episode for me was the beginning of the showdown between Carol and Morgan. I called the battle of ideologies coming to a head a few episodes ago, but in a very nice (and plot convenient) twist, they both manage to get knocked out, and help the captured wolf, not only steal a gun, but also Zoey (yeah, I know, I get it not her name on this series…I’m still gonna call her Zoey)  So we don’t get the knockdown drag-out fight we wanted and the town is once again without a doctor.

Back at the ranch (style tract home) the now walker scented and totally “invisible” group of survivors exit the house and are making their way through a massive horde.  Dianna is left with a gun to finish herself off as the infection is nearing the final stages, but true to the person she has evolved into, she manages to stand, open the door, and take a few walkers out “gangsta” style before they overwhelm and eat her.

All appears to be going well, as they snake their way down the front portch stairs, UNTIL, Sam decides he’s going to bug his mom (for ice-cream or a potty break I’m guessing) and starts calling out to her loudly and repeatedly. I believe collectively most of the viewers were crying out “Shut your pie hole Sam!”.

In anycase, we have to wait until the new year is well underway to find out what happens next.

And oh yeah one more thing….Negan appeared in a post credit scene that almost no one saw (Thanks AMC)

Until February…have a great holiday season.