The Best of ‘The Walking Dead’ – Season 8

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Episode 809: ‘Honor’
Original Airdate: February 25, 2018

‘What you did then. How you… how you stopped fighting… it was right. It still is.’
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-Carl Grimes

​It is definitely safe to say, that the arrival of the Saviors and the events of ‘All Out War’ in the AMC series, The Walking Dead, was quite the polarizing time for the fans. Because it brought forth a pair of controversial and painful ends for some beloved characters and it of course… put our heroes in a dark place. Where we saw them submit to Negan’s wishes out of fear of death by bludgeoning, and when they finally decided to fight back, it cost them so much. Because more lives were lost, and more suffering took place and that was in fact, a lot for an audience to process. Because that is a dark and ugly place to go and, in many ways, this plot thread brought forth some understandable frustrations about the direction the characters were heading toward.
 
After all, this is the end of the world we’re talking about here, where walking death surrounds everyone and this is what people are choosing to do? Fight one another and add to the pile of the dead that already roam about this broken and struggling world? But they did, and a lot of folks were frustrated and unsure of where this was all going and sadly… it took another dark moment to establish that. In fact, it took the death of another important and beloved character to give this story arc gravity and help other characters grow in the midst of this chaos and that made ‘Honor’ another incredible episode from this series, and truly… the best that season eight had to offer. Which might not seem like the case, since it featured the exit of Carl Grimes, but bear with this writer for a moment.
 
Because hey, totally understand how this made everyone mad. After all, Carl had grown into a proud adult at this point in the series. For he was able to watch over his sister and was able to fight alongside his father and he was shockingly, a true badass during this story arc. Even going so far as to try and kill Negan himself at one point, garnering the man’s respect and informing all of us that Carl leaving the house now, meant bad things for bad people. So, to see this badass kid, waste away from a zombie bite that came to fruition via a desperate moment to save another life, was indeed a great source of frustration and ire. For it seemed cruel, especially after the death of Glenn and Abraham and so many others during this arc, but it was in fact… an important and critical moment to the story. 

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​One that moved us to tears and featured Chandler Riggs’ finest work on the series, since he sold the pain and the suffering that comes with the devastation of a walker bite. But what mattered more, is that his final moments in this life and in this series, surrounded by his adopted mother and his beloved father, actually allowed for him to teach his furious and somewhat vengeful father at this particular point in the story, some great lessons. The kind that ironically addressed the concerns of the audience. For Carl came to realize what all of us did at this point. That needless war in a time of crisis like this, was downright stupid.
 
That instead, this was our chance to come back as a species and accomplish wonders and rebuild in a way we never had before. And more importantly, this was our chance… to do things right. To stop the endless anger and fighting that dominated the world before. Wherein mercy over wrath could prevail and understanding and kindness could permeate the day and that is… a beautiful message to find within this tale. One that would eventually be taken to heart by Rick, whom did his best to end this fight in a peaceful and merciful manner. Which is why, this episode is indeed one of the best that the series has to offer.
 
For it is another brave and bold tale that takes extreme measures to send over a powerful message. One that really did ground itself in hope, and the belief that we can be better, we can be saved and while the outcome of how that message is expressed is oft lamented, it is perhaps the most realistic way to hammer it home. For loss often teaches us some powerful lessons in life, the kind that stick with us to honor those we bid farewell to. And now that we’ve reached the end of another dark and emotional tale, the time has come to look at a tough story once again. One that finally informed us after nine seasons… what truly happens to a person that embraces this dark world and what horrors they would be capable of. Until next time.

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