The Walking Dead Season 9: 4 Ups & 1 Down From 'The Obliged'

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1. The Contrived Michonne/Negan Subplot

Michonne has always had a flare for killing, that much we know. However, the character has evolved quite a bit since she first showed up in the series back in Season 3, rediscovering what it means to be human along the way. However, it seems that the writers decided to conveniently ignore this for The Obliged, which sees Michonne once again discover her penchant for killing the dead. While the writers are well within in their rights to make such a story decision, it's the convenient timing to have the character re-discover her blood thirst again that's the problem here.

Michonne's conversation with Negan - in which he accuses her of being like him - wouldn't have made a bit of sense had we not seen Michonne return to her sword-wielding ways, but to have her do so in the same episode that Negan makes such a bold statement comes off as contrived. Had we seen Michonne start slaying walkers earlier in the season, the writers would've got away with this subplot, but as this is not the case, the whole thing doesn't really work.

What did you make of The Obliged? Are you a fan of Andrew Lincoln's exit storyline? Tell us in the comment section below.