The Walking Dead season 8 episode 6 spoiler-filled review: 'The King, the Widow and Rick' is as weak as they come

“Talks too much,” says Junkyard leader Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh) in the latest episode of The Walking Dead season 8 in reference to Rick Grimes, Andrew Lincoln’s long-suffering leader who - after eight seasons and 106 episodes - looks more in need of a strong drink than ever. Conveniently enough, her words could also be applied to this weeks’s outing, a sluggish slam on the brakes undoubtedly designed by writers as a ‘calm before the storm’ that serves nothing more than to highlight the show’s weak points.

Following on from the subtle thrills of the past two episodes dealt out with a stylistic flair the show hasn’t deployed in some time (case in point: the juxtaposing match on shot in episode four), the instalment - titled ‘The King, the Widow and Rick’ - is clearly a breather designed to move the pawns into place ahead of the final two episodes before the midseason break. It’s an effort to enjoy handing extended screen time to the show’s less exciting players.

The Hilltop, for example, is just not that interesting a location to watch, The scenes showing the truly dislikable Gregory (Xander Berkeley) calling Maggie (Lauren Cohan) the wrong name or Jesus (Tom Payne) preaching from the misplaced book of an AWOL Morgan (Lennie James) don’t help either failing to do anything but irk - a real shame in Jesus’ case: his status as the sprightly breath of fresh air he was first introduced as when Rick and Daryl met him back in season 6 is dwindling rapidly.

Thankfully, Michonne and Rosita - two of the show’s strongest female characters - return to the fold after off-screen events forced them to take unofficial hiatuses (Danai Gurira for her role in forthcoming Marvel film Black Panther, Christian Serratos due to pregnancy). Finally leaving the walls of Alexandria to get a smell of the action, the duo wade right into danger in a tensely-executed yet ultimately pointless scene which culminates in the latter literally sending a Saviour sky-high with a rocket launcher. Talk about making up for lost time.

In perhaps six unsurprising words: the episode belongs to Melissa McBride whose character Carol Peletier finally gets something to chew on for the first time in what feels like an entire season. Her irritable impatience with King Ezekiel’s decision to mope over the massacre of his Kingdom army is peak Carol, her refusal to leave him wallowing in pity while clutching the chain of his deceased pet tiger Shiva almost witty. She re-establishes herself as the best actor on this series (the writers clearly had a good day in the office when penning her scenes) and plants a seed of excitement for the inevitable reunion she’ll have with her old friends. Watching McBride at work is simply a joy.

Honourable mention also for Carl (Chandler Riggs) who we are led to believe has spent the past few episodes milling about on his lonesome in an attempt to track down Siddiq, the character he met in one of the season’s very first scenes. He showcases his leadership skills asking Siddiq the questions his father asks strangers the group encounters and is even further proof that we could see Grimes Jr. overtake his father as leader one day in the future. The scene is a nice reprieve from the war antics taking place elsewhere and is played nicely by both Riggs and series newcomer Avi Nash.

The episode ends back at The Junkyard with a moment sure to increase the heart rate of fans as Jadis - having refused to join Rick in the fight against The Saviours once again (those polaroids were for her benefit) - strips and locks him in a crate for an unknown purpose. We see her scribble a mysterious ‘A’ onto it, an odd cliffhanger which seems to - yet again - hark back to an earlier season. It's unsure how Jadis and co will factor into the season's game plan but whether you'll even care remains the bigger uncertainty.

The Walking Dead season eight airs every Sunday in the US on AMC with the UK premiere arriving the following evening on FOX. It will also be available on NOWTV

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