Is there an actual Maggie kiss with the doctor?

When the main show started, the economy that we knew was in shambles.  The show gave us a way to look around us and say, "The world you knew may be in complete disarray, but the things nearest and dearest to you: family, friends, even glimpses of romance; cling fast to those through these difficult times.  These are the things that last." 


This current season of Dead City comes to us as the foundations of so much that we take for granted in our country seem to be unraveling.  And now the message seems to be to hold on just a little bit longer, to believe in the goodness of the people around us and remember that we  need to work together in order to survive (TPTB long ago took the resources they could and ran off -- sound familiar?).  And that working together with our neighbors, we can build something worthwhile.

On rewatches of TWD, I’ve found that issues with logistics and the plot are overshadowed by its thematic resonance. TWD explores grief, PTSD, and has consistently compared survival of the elements, of “the dead,” just as much as survival of tyrants, demagogues, cults, fascists, of “the living.”

And while I’m behind, I think it’s overall been more consistent than other long running franchises. AHS, Shameless, GOT, Stranger Things, The Boys, Squid Game…the list of shows with disappointing endings or just significant drops in quality while continuing for years grows longer and longer. TWD is a show that isn’t for everyone. But I think it’s really cool to see such longterm, slow burn character development. The characters’ own journeys of healing coincide with the rebuilding of society, and it takes years. I just think that’s really cool.

IMO most of the biggest mistakes in this franchise were made in seasons 3-8. Ton of network interference, Mazarra was a shithead showrunner in his brief time in charge, budget issues, set safety issues, toxic work environment issues. It seems to me a major course correction came after a stunt man died on set because of AMC’s negligence. It coinciding with the cast being pissed about Chandler’s sudden exit was also part of what seems like a major shift behind-the-scenes. I still think Gimple was the scapegoat for most issues back in the day. He had already seen two showrunners go before him. Gotta figure he knew challenging the network probably wouldn’t end well for him. It’s been years I think since I’ve heard of some major behind-the-scenes drama. The budget was increased significantly. It seems, in a weird way, it actually had a positive effect on things that the franchise was no longer the biggest in the world, and now more of a cult favorite.

Agree with this so much. I just want to watch the last episode of whatever the end of all of this **gestures around** is and be like;  OK... so it was all worth it and they rebuilt something great.

When the main show started, the economy that we knew was in shambles.  The show gave us a way to look around us and say, "The world you knew may be in complete disarray, but the things nearest and dearest to you: family, friends, even glimpses of romance; cling fast to those through these difficult times.  These are the things that last." 


This current season of Dead City comes to us as the foundations of so much that we take for granted in our country seem to be unraveling.  And now the message seems to be to hold on just a little bit longer, to believe in the goodness of the people around us and remember that we  need to work together in order to survive (TPTB long ago took the resources they could and ran off -- sound familiar?).  And that working together with our neighbors, we can build something worthwhile.

I hear we got a Hershel Greene flashback. He was always my favorite.

We got a brief Hershel Greene flashback.  It was beautiful.  Hershel Rhee is now an apprentice MD, under the training of Luis, who is a doctor specializing in Emergency Medicine.  Which is perfect, and I really hope they are not going to kill him off anytime soon, because there are definite sparks between Luis and Maggie, who has, finally, let go of the anger and resentment, and is definitely building a new life and a new community in, well, NYC, fittingly.  Anyhow, Young Hershel was working on a patient on his own.  Maggie was watching, afraid the patient was going to turn, and proud of her son's fearless efforts regardless.  She suddenly flashed back to Old Hershel treating a patient in similar circumstances, and saw so much of her father in her son.  She was so proud of him in that moment. 


At the end of the episode, she gave Young Hershel the pocket watch that had belonged to Old Hershel and to Maggie's grandfather (and, at one point, to Glen, though she did not mention him).  (Note that the watch I saw Hershel holding in during an earlier episode must not have been the pocket watch.)


It was a beautiful episode, showing growth for Hershel, for Maggie, even for Negan (in a weird way -- he threatened violence but did not go through with it).  The newcomers to NYC (the Emigrants in the episode title), save two, discovered that cooperation is a better way to live than fighting each other.  They should fit in nicely in the community Maggie and her friends are building, helping to grow food and secure other resources, and making NYC a good place for all to live.  I really like the hopeful turn the show is taking.  After all these years, it was needed.

I hear we got a Hershel Greene flashback. He was always my favorite.