The Walking Dead Season 7: 7 Ups & 2 Downs From 'The Cell'

Downs...

2. Negan's Scare Tactics

The Walking Dead Negan Daryl Dwight
Gene Page/AMC

I continue to enjoy Jeffrey Dean Morgan's performance as Negan. There's a vicious delight in his delivery, and it's hard not to like watching someone who is clearly having an absolute blast in the role.

That being said, they need to find a few more interesting things to do with him. His chat with Dwight in the episode is great, and he's on decent form when in a room with Dwight and Daryl - his wicked joy at inflicting hurt on people really shining through.

The part that fell down was the scene outside with Daryl, after he's tried to escape. It's yet another 'I'm the boss, I have a baseball bat, be scared' note. As notes go it's a proven one to play, but it falls flat here. We know that there's no way he's taking that baseball bat to Daryl's head here. Not just two episodes after the premiere; not with such little setup; and not when Daryl is played by Norman Reedus and is the biggest fan favourite on the show. It all just feels rather empty, and does nothing for Negan (if anything it makes him look more one-note) nor Daryl, nor the plot of the episode.

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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.