The Walking Dead: Ep. 708 Hearts Still Beating
The tide is turning. After seven episodes of getting curb stomped the main players on The Walking Dead appear to be regaining their survivalist form in Hearts Still Beating. The episode features almost the entire cast and focuses on how Rick and the others, in their own disparate ways, are plotting Negan’s demise.
The pushback is examined from several angles. From Rick’s calculating coolness, to Rosita’s bullet fuelled rage the fallout from Negan’s tyranny has created a groundswell against him. Through it all though, Father Gabriel of all people turns out to be a voice of reason. Hearts Still Beating is a loaded episode and its 100-minute running time is needed for the characters to get their due.
Things begin with Maggie visiting Glenn’s grave on the Hilltop before taking her turn to watch the wall. Gregory confronts Maggie and cautions that her escapades fighting off the Saviors the previous night have amounted to nothing. Unfazed Maggie ignores him and her steely resolve leaves him neutered. There’s a power vacuum on the Hilltop and people are starting to look to Maggie for leadership.
Meanwhile in Alexandria, Negan helps himself to a shave and some dinner as he waits for Rick to return from a supply run. Rick and Aaron stumble across an abandoned boathouse that’s surrounded by a lake filled with walkers. Their journey included an interesting version of whack-a-walker and added some tension to the scene.
Spencer, president of the “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” club further ingratiates himself to Negan and his crew. In spite of all his efforts Spencer is a terrible judge of character and it leads him straight into his very own Icarus moment. Morgan and Carol have a meeting of the minds and are warned that they, along with everyone in the Kingdom must be prepared for the inevitable showdown with the Saviors.
Daryl finally finds his footing and begins to exhibit some of the moxie that has made him one of the fan faves of the show. Michonne takes charge by capturing one of Negan’s crew. Her quest for revenge isn’t as simple as it seems and the enormity of her task isn’t lost on her or her captive.
Hearts Still Beating is a testament to unity and the strength of the human spirit. It was a strong and at times unpredictable episode that shifted the balance of power a little. As The Walking Dead moves into its mid-season hiatus the mid-season finale offers a sliver of hope and some resolve on what has been one of the series’ darkest seasons so far.
