The Walking Dead: Every Season 8 Episode Ranked Worst To Best
2. The Key
The Key comes at just the right time in the season, as the All Out War arc is starting to fizzle and the drama is falling too flat for comfort. It introduces Maggie to Georgie - a one-episode character who plays a big behind-the-scenes part in Maggie's season nine exit - and has Rick go off to kill Negan once and for all.
Slowing down the action for the most part, The Key allows the communities to catch their breath, as everyone comes to terms with what they've achieved in the war...and what they've lost. This more introspective storytelling approach is countered with Rick and Negan's epic showdown.
Anchored by its clever twists and the raging performances of Andrew Lincoln and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the episode is both shocking and dangerously intense, putting its characters in some tricky situations whilst moving the story along nicely. It also teases an epic battle with Hilltop, which brings us to the season's #1 episode...