The Walking Dead Ep: 711 Hostiles and Calamities
Hostiles and Calamities pushes the narrative clock back a bit to bring viewers up to speed on the events just after Daryl’s escape from Negan’s clutches. It’s a case of ‘in one hand out the other: prisoner edition’ as scenes depicting Eugene being brought into the compound are intercut with those featuring Dwight figuring out that Daryl is on the lam.
As promised in reports that surfaced before the second half of Season 7 returned, there’s definitely a lighter tone to the episodes. The exchange between Eugene and Laura over what he could get to eat was quite amusing. The unexpected treatment extended The Walking Dead’s expert bullet maker shouldn’t come as a surprise. His unique talent is a rare one and elevates his value in Negan’s eyes. Although he’s treated with a velvet glove, Eugene is well aware that barbs lay just beneath its surface.
Poor Dwight. The dude can’t catch a break although he caught quite a few lefts, rights and some boots to the ribs for his troubles. He’s in Negan’s bad book now that both Daryl and Sherry are gone. He’s given a chance to redeem himself as Negan tasks him with bringing Sherry back.
It’s good to see Jeffrey Dean Morgan back on screen. As horrible an individual as Negan is, Morgan steals every scene he’s in. Equal parts charm and menace with a dash of calculated psychopathy thrown in for good measure, Morgan’s Negan is fun to watch.
Getting back to the lighter tone, seeing Eugene Nye, Science Guy make the earth shake for some ladies was pretty funny. The fun and games soon give way to the stark realities facing some of the people living under Negan’s tyranny. A moral and ethical challenge is unexpectedly thrown Eugene’s way and he’s forced to make a decision. Now a man of action, Eugene’s unconventional methods bring a smile to his lips and echo the one Rick had last week.
Dwight also gets some of the spotlight in Hostiles and Calamities. Delving into his past a little sheds some light on Sherry, their relationship before Negan and some of the motives behind her recent actions. Swirling in a torrent of torment, Dwight struggles with what his life was and what it’s become. Don’t feel too sorry for him though. Although he’s been a victim, he’s no angel and in his own way is as evil as Negan.
Hostiles and Calamities is a solid mix of humor, tyranny and the examination of shifting power dynamics. Eugene and Dwight, although completely different, take the necessary steps to ensure survival in Negan’s world. The episode also reveals that although Negan rules with a heavy hand, his power isn’t absolute. There are cracks in the foundation and they come from within. How deep they run will be interesting to watch unfold.
