The Walking Dead Season 7: 6 Ups And 4 Downs From 'Say Yes'

5. All The Fun Of The Fair

The Walking Dead Michonne Rick
Gene Page/AMC

While the first half of Season 7 was marred by a tone flicking from total despair to utter sadism, the second half has lightened things up a bit. Rick's happier, and thus the show is happier too.

That's particularly evident in this episode, which allows itself - in the central storyline - to cut loose and have a whole lot of fun. It makes sense, given that it takes place at a carnival, but really what makes it work is the chemistry between Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira, with the writers ensuring to give them plenty of back-and-forth material to work with.

It doesn't take itself too seriously, instead leaning further into some of its sillier roots, and that's a big success for the show. It doesn't lose sight of what's at stake, with Rick and Michonne taking time to remind us of what they're fighting for, but it doesn't need to repeatedly bash us over the head with the gravity and graveness of it all either.

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Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.