Warning, this review contains spoilers.
Good day fellow Grue-believers. It’s here: the mid season finale of The Walking Dead. As you all know most of this season has been fairly stellar. We have a changed man in Morgan brilliantly played by Lennie James, we have our badass Carol played by Melissa McBride, we have fan favorite (not my mine) Daryl played by Norman Reedus and we have a dominant Rick played by Andrew Lincoln. I’m sure all you Daryl lovers were sad this week as he did not receive any screen time.
Last week left the town of Alexandria in a sudden panic as the old building sitting just outside the wall collapsed and the walkers began to make their way in. This week kicked off creepily as “Tip Toe Through The Tulips” blared through the Anderson household. Ever since the original Insidious movie that song just creeps me out a bit. Young Sam played by Major Dodson still will not come downstairs and there is an infestation of ants just coming through his window and swarming some leftover food. This seems to have been a metaphor that was set up for the current state of Alexandria as the walkers begin to swarm the town and its people.
The episodes are still running parallel to other story lines that are currently happening although we seem to be down to two as Glenn and Enid played by Katelyn Nacon are outside the walls observing the catastrophe. Enid is still very apprehensive as she sees no use of fighting things as she states “this is how it happens and it always happens”.
Meanwhile, inside the wall we get Rick shouting directions to retreat. Through the scramble we see a determined Deanna played by Tovah Feldshuh try to help Rick fight off the zombie brigade. Deanna takes a tumble but Rick and the gang get her to her feet and bring her to safety. Unfortunately, in the maylay, Deanna receives a bite and knows what must happen. We get some heartfelt scenes between she and Michonne played by Danai Gurira. Deanna decided she wants to end things herself when she is ready.
All the others get separated in groups including Morgan and Carol, who slipped on some of Ron’s stray bullets band together, Eugene (Josh McDermitt), Rosita (Christian Sarratos) and Tara (Alanna Masterson) team up after the gals save a quivering Eugene.
Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Ron (Austin Abrams) get into another slap/tickle “fight” after Ron pulls a gun on him over Enid. In the fracas a window gets broke drawing walker attention and eventually giving them a route into the house. Meanwhile Carol feigns as though her injury is serious and shoves Morgan to get to the captured wolf who is being attended to by Denise played by Merrritt Weaver. This results in a showdown between Morgan and Carol where she folds her own before Morgan powerbombs her and KO’s her. This results in Morgan getting KO’d by the wolf he is trying to reform. Tara, Rosita and Eugene get there just in time but the wolf takes Denise hostage and retreats with her.
Back at the Adams homestead, the walker attack is being fought off as they block off the stairwell and decide to garb themselves in zombie guts to make their way through the horde. As zombies make their way towards Deanna she is emptying her clip and the camera pans in on her as she gives a maddening shout. And the episode ends with Sam who is majorly freaked calling out to his mom as we get the crew weaving their way inconspicuously through the walkers hand in hand.
The episode was action packed and definitely not a letdown, unless you’re a Daryl lover; he, Sasha and Abe are still in the oil truck making their way back. The mid season finale is directed by Michael E. Satrazemis and penned by Matthew Negrete. Unfortunately, now we have to wait until February 14th, 2016 to see if this season rounds out to be the best yet. What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than sharing The Walking Dead with the one you love.
The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 8 “Start to Finish” 
(4 / 5) on the Thug Meter
