The Walking Dead Review: Ep. 703 The Cell
Freedom. What exactly is it? Sometimes it’s nothing more than a state of mind. As the prologue to The Cell gets rolling, viewers are introduced to a sort of day in the life for Dwight. During the brief montage the conditions for those not in Negan’s inner circle become clear as well the amount of power Lucille’s wielder commands. For Dwight however, while life in Negan’s inner circle has its perks, there are serious pitfalls as well. An image that brought that into focus featured a walker, impaled on a pole, repeatedly moving up and down helplessly. Although Dwight was better off than the impaled walker they’re essentially in the same position – able to move, but only so far.
The Cell’s narrative shifts the focus back on the main group and reveals what punishment has befallen Daryl. Although he was spared Lucille’s wrath after striking Negan, his actions did not go without punitive measures. With Daryl stripped naked and reduced to eating dog food, Negan’s mental and physical break down of the core group continued. Negan is God and his power is absolute.
To have such a powerful grip on things, Negan has dehumanized everyone. Those he hasn’t dehumanized are no longer with us. The individuals who now serve him may possess some power of their own but it has come at a terrible price. Dwight is a perfect example of that. His loss goes beyond the torment Daryl now faces. The life he once knew is gone even though remnants of it are right in front of him on a daily basis. In a way he’s a sheep in Daryl’s clothing.
The Cell fills in some of the gaps from last season while providing some insight into a few characters, including some familiar faces. The episode casts some of the characters in a different light and even portrays Daryl in a way that might catch some viewers off guard. So far this season it’s all about deconstruction and reconstruction. Whether it be characters, societies or the bonds that tie those two together, what has come to be expected has fallen to the wayside only to be rebuilt in unexpected ways.
By contrast, Negan’s tyranny in The Cell may seem as though it’s a far cry from his viscousness in the premiere. However, by the end of the episode his quiet moments of terror are just as unsettling as when he lets Lucille do the talking. So far The Walking Dead has done a fantastic job of setting Negan up as the big bad. As the season progresses it will be interesting to see how Rick and the group will be able to find the strength to rise up and take him down. At this point the climb up that hill seems insurmountable. It’ll be the journey to the peak that will ultimately determine whether this season will be a success or not.
