'The Walking Dead' Recap: 'Hearts Still Beating'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

Fear can be quite the powerful weapon when used properly. If someone is made to fear for their life, their safety or the safety of those they love, they will do whatever it takes to keep themselves and those that matter to them safe and alive, even compromising their values in ways they never imagined all to see another day. But while fear can be an effective way to control people...that power never lasts. Eventually those being terrorized by it will simply have enough and do whatever they must to be free of it.

But how much is enough? At what point does a person draw the line to be free of fear? Those are important questions that The Walking Dead has been examining all season long since that is precisely how Negan rules his bold new world. Comply with his wishes, you live to see another day. Cross him and not only will you pay, but so will anyone that you hold near and dear. It's the potential of seeing more people hurt that changed Rick Grimes completely and over the past few weeks we've all been wondering what it will take to bring back his strength, to make him realize that things will only get worse with the Saviors before they get better and as it turns out...last night's episode, 'Hearts Still Beating', served as the final straw for Rick when it comes to Negan's rule and the events that transpired in this story, completely change the course of season seven going forward.

Before we get too deep into Rick's story however, it is important we take a few moments and discuss the fact that Mister Grimes wasn't the only one who had enough of this ugly new life last night. All episode long we were privy to fascinating moments and conversations where people reached their breaking point. Take Michonne for example, who continued her little joyride with her new Savior-buddy, and we quickly discovered that she wasn't on some kind of suicide mission to deal with Negan. It was about intel. She had to know what Alexandria was truly up against. She had to know her enemy's potential to truly understand as to whether or not she could inspire anyone back home to fight and fight hard. She didn't like what she found in the slightest...but it was incredible to see her scout the enemy like this and scheme against the Saviors from the shadows in the hopes of formulating a plan of attack.

Others however, were a touch more direct about their desire to fight, and Richard from the Kingdom was a shining example of this. He made a special voyage to Carol's Cottage to plead his case to her and Morgan, since he happened to be there as well, about the dangers the Saviors represented to the Kingdom...and how the three of them should find a way to convince King Ezekiel to break the truce and attack first. Granted, Carol and Morgan wanted no part of this, but to see how desperate Richard has become because of the life they now lead under Negan's rule was outright heartbreaking and it's clear that Richard wants nothing more than a wonderful future for his new home and a better life for the good people that helped to build this tiny slice of paradise. 

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In a way however, those little vignettes and side stories were nothing new. We've seen resistance building for some time. We know that people are unhappy with Negan...so why put it front and center on the show again? Because these people are desperate. They need a leader, someone to show them the way and inspire them to fight...which brings us right back to Rick Grimes, who spent a fair chunk of this episode, risking his life and Aaron's for the stash on that boat, and while they were successful in finding something good for the Saviors, the events unfolding in Alexandria in their absence were about change everything.

Because as they loaded up the truck with goodies, Negan was still making himself at home, enjoying a fine spaghetti dinner with Carl, Olivia and Judith and as he settled into that suburban lifestyle, Spencer had machinations to make a power play. His haul pleased the Saviors, enough to where he decided to confront Negan to try to smooth things over and get Rick removed from power and this world and well...it was a slimy gesture that Negan simply did not approve of and he quickly dealt with Spencer in gruesome fashion, pushing Rosita to the edge and allowing her to get one shot off with her brand new bullet and well...that's when all hell broke loose. Because the bullet lodged itself into Lucille, saving Negan, but inspiring him to take proper revenge and in the wake of his fury, Olivia lost her life as well, Eugene was taken back to the Sanctuary with the Saviors and a stunned Rick Grimes, who arrived mere moments after the carnage occurred, finally came to realize that this is what life is really going to be like from now on.

Negan's latest tirade was the tipping point that Rick needed to snap out of his fear, to understand that this is not the world he wants to see his children grow up in and the time has come at last..to fight. He admitted his mistake to Michonne and apologized for his short sightedness and he gave Maggie the same courtesy at Hilltop before being reunited with Daryl, who made a daring escape from the Sanctuary, and Jesus and the all important Python and it would seem that, the dark cloud hanging over this season has cleared up and the people suffering under Negan's rule suddenly have their leader in Rick, a man that will unite them and inspire them to fight and be free and that closing shot of Rick walking toward the Barrington House with his friends at side was hopeful...yet ominous, because it's clear now...that war is coming...

Either way, what an awesome mid season finale for the show to put together. No more cliffhangers or surprises or revelations waiting for us at the end of the story. Just hope. Which was quite the surprise to say the least, because let's be honest, this first half of the season has been outright brutal. We've lost so many characters. We've seen Rick at his lowest and we've watched everyone suffer badly under Negan's rule which means...this was a welcome change of pace. There's a real sense of purpose returning to the show, harkening back to the themes we saw last year about creating a brand new world free of the mistakes of the last one and most importantly...a fight against the Saviors means that perhaps there will be justice for Glenn and Abraham at last and Rick...may get to to finally make good on his promise to kill Negan. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow...but the day is drawing near where Negan will pay for everything he's done and it should make for an absolutely incredible second half of the season. Until then.

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