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‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Finale Review-War Comes to an end, and Maggie Chooses Sides

The season 8 finale of The Walking Dead probably left you with many questions, but also with a sense of satisfaction in many different ways. The culmination of almost 3 seasons happened right before our eyes!

'The Walking Dead' Season 8 Finale Review-War Comes to an end, and Maggie Chooses Sides
Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Many of the story lines and mysteries were solved this week-and we weren’t left with as many questions as usual-but we were certainly left with some surprises.

The All Out War came to its bitter end after three seasons, when Rick ends up in a wide open field to take on Negan and the Saviors. Things are turned upside down immediately when half of their guns end up not even working when everybody begins to fire. This is all thanks to Eugene-who had us all fooled and hating him the entire past 2 seasons. All the while, he was trying to figure out a way to make a grand deception. And boy did he do it. In an act of complete badassery, he yanked shock from the audience as he pointed at Gabriel’s incompetence for showing him unknowingly, that there was a way to make trick guns. Did anyone else catch onto that earlier? I feel like this was the one thing that truly shocked everyone. The build up was long but so cool, and Rosita getting in her final punch for his disgusting vomiting ploy is a great moment as well.

Another “Yes!” moment was when Aaron and Oceanside swooped in at The Kingdom to get rid of the final Saviors that storm it before the battle. They may have saved not only Tara, but Enid, Judith and more.

'The Walking Dead' Season 8 Finale Review-War Comes to an end, and Maggie Chooses Sides
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Meanwhile, down the hill, Rick and Negan go head to head in a rolling dirty fight. Guess who ends up close to tears? Negan. After taking a strong thwack from Lucille, Rick takes their fight a step further and goes for Negan’s throat. This was one of the most unexpected moment, and I was convinced for a second that Negan was as goner and that Rick had gone too far. Who else do we know who survives a slit throat? The story here is that Rick and Michonne are keeping him locked up-just like in the comics. They listed several benefits to this, but they all equal sweet revenge.

It’s been fun having Negan in power hasn’t it? it will be weird to see him weak, but Rick is finally turning over a new leaf and taking his son’s words seriously. Phew!

'The Walking Dead' Season 8 Finale Review-War Comes to an end, and Maggie Chooses Sides
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, Danai Gurira as Michonne – The Walking Dead. Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Not everybody was happy with Rick’s decision, though. The episode was titled Wrath, which can be take in many ways. The most strange was a scene towards the ends where Maggie, Jesus and Daryl seem to team up to plan on showing Rick that what he did saving Negan was wrong. So now we have these three who will likely bide their time until they can do whatever it is they want to do-whether that’s get Rick back, or get rid of defeated Negan once and for all. What do you think their end goal is?

Part of me agrees with the three of them for turning on Rick, but another part of didn’t enjoy that scene. It felt uncomfortable at the same time.

'The Walking Dead' Season 8 Finale Review-War Comes to an end, and Maggie Chooses Sides
Austin Amelio as Dwight – The Walking Dead. Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Daryl setting Dwight free was one of the biggest highlights for me. It was a beautiful moment, and Austin Amelio was wonderful in it. Dwight is now free and can try and find his long lost Sherry.

Finally, we see Morgan’s final decision play out to leave the group and find himself once the battle is over. It allows him to be free and transition over to his new journey on fear The Walking Dead.

'The Walking Dead' Season 8 Finale Review-War Comes to an end, and Maggie Chooses Sides
Lennie James as Morgan Jones – The Walking Dead. Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

I think that considering this finale had a huge build up and that I had absolutely no idea what to expect from it, I walked away really satisfied as a fan. It had everything you could want-including the absence of a major character dying. That was the smartest decision considering the recent loss of Carl and the fact that it’s effects are still very prevalent. (Negan and Rick settling their dispute with Carl’s dying plead.)  The writers could have taken any turn, and I think they played it really smart.

There were moments that were extremely gratifying for fans. (Eugene shocking everyone, Jadis getting to go join the crew at The Kingdom, Dwight getting his freedom.) I hope this opens up for a very different season next year. I can’t wait to see where it goes!

What did you think of the finale? What are you screaming inner thoughts and feelings? Let us know in the comments!

For now, catch Fear The Walking Dead on AMC and check back here for all the Walking Dead news you could want during the hiatus.