The Walking Dead Season 8: 5 Ups And 4 Downs From 'The Damned'

1. The Return Of Morales

Even eight seasons in, The Walking Dead retains the ability to surprise. That's crucial, since it's a series built on a number of shocking moments, and the return of Morales delivers on a couple of levels.

Even without it being him, it's an effective twist in snatching victory away from Rick at the last minute. It was all going fairly easy for him over the first two episodes of this season, in stark contrast to how powerful Negan and the Saviours had previously seemed, and this keeps the balance of power in check and evens up the playing field.

The fact that it is Morales is a bit of fan-service, but satisfying nonetheless. Fans have wondered where he was ever since he left Atlanta way back in Season 1, and it seems every single year there's a theory about him returning. Most recently, it was suggested he'd be the character in the Fear The Walking Dead crossover (which could still be the case, but seems a little harder now). For him to finally return, and as a bad guy (for now, at least), is a worthwhile payoff.

It's easy to see how someone could be corrupted in this world and the lengths they'll go to in order to survive, which is one of the major overarching themes of the whole series, so it has dramatic resonance while also tying up one of the loosest threads in the show's history.