The Walking Dead Ep. 714 The Other Side
There’s a war coming and its all hands on deck as the Hilltop’s citizens prepare for it. For some however, the slow burn towards battle isn’t enough. Sasha and Rosita are raring to go, but as was evidenced last week sometimes haste makes waste.
The Other Side focused on the other side of war – loss. The pain on Sasha and Daryl’s faces was a stinging reminder that although the gears are war are beginning to move the hands behind them hold heavy hearts.
The Other Side also provides some backstory on the mysterious Jesus. With all that he’s seen and experienced however, he’s no match for Sasha’s strong will. Speaking of Sasha the rhyme or reason behind her actions aren’t well thought out. Everyone wants Negan six feet under but the lack of patience exhibited by Rosita and Sasha is a head scratcher. The different approaches taken by Maggie, Rosita and Sasha to avenge the death of a loved one illustrate the chasm of logic that separates the three of them.
Rosita and Sasha have their own issues to work out as they both mourn Abe. The fact they’re romantic rival threatens to derail their assassination mission but not before some pre-mission girl talk makes things right. To put a new slant on an old saying, the best laid plans of mice and women often go astray. With no real plan or back up scheme in place it doesn’t take long for things to go south in a hurry. You know your plan is half-baked when even Eugene tells you to go home.
A surprise visit from the Saviors sends Maggie and Daryl scurrying for cover. Their presence would blow the lid off the Hilltop and dash any hope of the offensive being planned against Negan. Its always fun to see Simon on screen and when he brings his Savior squad to the hilltop there are a few tense moments. What appears to be a search party for Daryl soon turns into the clarion call, “Is there a doctor in the house?”
Gregory has his own role to play and while he may be crazy, he’s not totally out of the loop. Not quite fox-like in his quest to maintain his waning power as head honcho of the hilltop, Gregory might yet be a wild card in how things eventually play out.
The biggest revelation to come out of The Other Side is Daryl’s long awaited discussion with Maggie regarding Glenn’s death. Maggie, becoming more and more comfortable in her role as leader, reassures Daryl and does what she can to absolve him of the guilt he carries. It’s a poignant scene that frees Daryl’s from his shackles and opens the door for him to become a part of the planned assault against Negan and the Saviors.
The Other Side is chalk full of revelations but is also quite frustrating. Although you can sympathize with Sasha and Rosita, their assault on Negan’s compound is rash and frankly doesn’t make a lot of sense. Maybe it will by next week’s episode.
