Lately I've Been Watching

More mini TV and film reviews, mostly stuff I've seen on Netflix and Amazon Prime.  

For more in this series, please click here: Lately I've Been Watching


Comedy Series: Extras (both seasons, and Christmas special)

5 stars plus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yes of course I've seen this before, more than once, but I've recently watched the whole thing again, and loved every minute.  Even more so than The Office, I think.  The cameos by the famous people are marvellous (I particularly liked Robert de Niro and Orlando Bloom, and David Bowie's song), but it's Andy Millman's 'journey' from desperate extra to fame-chasing TV star through to disillusionment with the whole celeb culture that is the real genius.  If you've never watched it, you MUST.

Film: The King

4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the early years of Henry V, ending in his return from Agincourt.  I loved that it didn't seem 'Hollywoodised' or sensationalised at all, rare for historical fiction these days; it's actually quite low key.  Timothée Chalamet is an unusual and inspired choice for Henry; I thought he was perfect.  The lead-up to and the battle itself made it worthy of 5*, but I've taken a half star off because I think the beginning would be quite hard to understand if you didn't already know who all the people are, and their histories.

I very much appreciated the realism of the settings, and, thus, the picture of how the ordinary people lived in those days, too.  Most definitely worth watching!

Mock Documentary: The Magician

4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The forerunner to Scott Ryan's terrific Mr Inbetween; a camera follows around Australian hitman-for-hire Ray Shoesmith.  If you love the series as much as I do, you'll want to see this too.  Horrendous, sad and funny, all at the same time. 

Series: The Crown(Season 3)

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After a lacklustre first episode I enjoyed this as I did the other two seasons, not least of all because of the historical aspect (I was born in 1959, so remembered events, clothes, attitudes, etc).  Olivia Colman plays the queen so well; I particularly like how the relationships between her and PMs Wilson and Heath were portrayed (and Wilson's comment about her being a secret leftie!).  A Twitter friend mentioned how much older she looked than the queen would have looked then, but my mother was exactly the same age, and I remember her looking very similar when I was a child; in the 1960s, styles for women over thirty-five were so ageing and, mostly, quite unflattering.  Those terrible hats!

I was less impressed with Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret; she seemed more like a pantomime version of her.  She's too old in the face, too fat around the middle (I've googled pictures of Margaret, aged around 40), and too lacking in class and style.  Vanessa Kirby was a far better choice.  On the subject of that marriage, I notice that Armstrong-Jones is portrayed as a perfectly reasonable chap in this season, (though played by the gorgeous Ben Daniels, so I'm not complaining) rather than the feckless, faithless swine of Season 2.   Charles and Anne I thought were very good; most interesting to see how damaged he was from an early age, and how, like his great uncle, he is probably unsuited for monarchy, at least in the old sense.  This made me wonder what he would have thought then, had he known he would still be the Prince of Wales in his 70s.  Also like the chap who plays Prince Phillip.

I noticed how the format has changed; each one now deals with an 'issue' that is neatly resolved by the end of the episode, with some sort of emotional epiphany on the part of each character.  Not sure about this; seems a bit contrived, in particular the one about Prince Phillip's mid-life crisis.

One more negative: not keen on some of the too-modern language used; phrases like 'Here's the thing', and Prince Phillip describing Anne as 'a royal' - surely that was something that started to be used by the tabloid press in Diana days?  The queen saying 'Not on my watch'?  I look forward to what comes next, though, especially how the whole Diana debacle will be addressed.  

NB: Fans of Mr Mercedes will enjoy seeing the man himself as Roddy Llewellyn!

Series: Fringe

2 stars ⭐⭐

Watched one episode of this X Files type show made in 2008.  That was enough.  The plot wasn't bad but the plot developments and character stereotypes are hackneyed and the dialogue so clichéd that several times I guessed the next line, and was almost spot-on.  Waste of excellent actors like Kirk Acevedo and Lance Reddick, though it has to be said that Reddick always plays the same part.  He usually gets better lines, though.

Review: #TheWalkingDead S10x07 OPEN YOUR EYES #TWD #TWDFamily

Previously:
Review: S10x06 BONDS

Written by Corey Reed
Directed by Michael Cudlitz

Wow!!! 😲 An episode of so many unexpected developments, ending with the plot twist to end all TWD plot twists—my mouth actually dropped open. 😱  I take my hat off to you, Messrs Reed and Cudlitz, and everyone else involved; Open Your Eyes ticked every box.  An atmospheric and emotive masterpiece of suspense with perfect dialogue, and totally unpredictable.  This is what TWD is all about :)

Just when I was thinking that all the theories about Siddiq having 'bought' his freedom from Alpha would have made a much better storyline than him having PTSD, the far more shocking truth was revealed—and this is surely the most sinister of all TWD villainous plot developments to date: because he is walking around Alexandria, respected and undetected.  More worrying still, Dante is now their only doctor—who will, presumably, cook up a tale about Siddiq having killed himself.

'Keep everyone hydrated' ...even more dangerous than the enemy you can't see is the one you have yet to recognise—that we know who the baddie is but our gang don't is a brilliant, previously unexplored slant.  And there was me, finding his 'You're my friend' to Siddiq almost as touching as Rick's 'You're my brother' to Daryl.  Though he did display genuine remorse when he killed him ... hmm.

😱😱😱

The conversations between Siddiq and Rosita were a delight, and made my eyes water—I should have remembered that characters always have some exceptionally moving scenes before their demise...at least, I assume he's dead, but if Glenn can reappear from underneath that Walker swamped wheelie bin...

Most scary of all: if he's dead no one will know about the water... nah, Michonne will suss it out.  She's good like that :).  And Rosita's as sharp as hell, too; surely she will know what Siddiq wouldn't have killed himself?  Not when he had Coco.

Elsewhere, Carol did her Carol-ish stuff once more, storming in there like the all-seeing angel of don't fuck with us that she is.  Running alongside the potential for danger and death in a way we have not seen before (still can't get over how awesome the Dante plot development is!) is one of hope; now that Gamma knows Lydia is alive, she will see Alpha as weaker.  She was already confused, of course; her guilt about her sister was all too apparent.  When Alpha said (about Aaron), 'He will tempt you with his lies.  Do not be seduced', Gamma's face told us that she wasn't entirely sure who was doing the lying and seducing.

Carol always sees several steps ahead, and knew that the key was the Whisperers knowing that Alpha had lied to them about her great sacrifice ... I'm guessing her plan developed earlier, when Lydia made the point that the survival of a settlement like Alexandria is a threat to Alpha. 'An idea like that is dangerous.  It would spread, and there's nothing my mother could do to stop it'.  Remember some of the other Whisperers talking about how fabulous Hilltop was, when they first saw it?

😱😱😱

This episode was masterfully constructed, with every little thread absorbed into the whole, such as the hemlock that was Dante's way of ensuring that the hostage didn't talk (probably?).  Little twist after little twist; Carol's tray of what one assumed to be torture implements turning out to be afternoon tea....

...then the hostage gobbling down his first piece of bread and jam for years that ended up all over Carol's face—and he saw the side of her that isn't all beet and acorn cookies.  Remember, all who would cross her: this is the woman who killed Karen and David.  And lured men to the Kill Floor.  And burned Jed and his band of rogue Saviours alive.  Don't mess with her.

 
Why else was this episode so stunningly good?  A shirtless Daryl earns a 👍 every time, of course; another one for him having some quality time with Dog, and looking wistfully at the acorns that he appears to have saved as a memento of his and Caryl's day out.  That's how I saw it, anyway!  That aside, it's one I know I will return to again and again, probably seeing a little more in it with each watch. 😉  

Other thoughts:

• Carol's face when Lydia walked off into the night—I've thought since The Storm that Lydia could become another Sophia replacement ... did Carol think of Henry walking off, when he was young, and when Sophia ran off, all those years ago? And she saw Gamma crying; will she, too, end up under Carol's fiercely protective wing?  Tobin was so right when he said what he did about her back in S6—'You're a mom.  And it's not about the smiles or the cookies.'
• Alpha ticking off Gamma for killing a Walker ('one less Guardian for our hoard') makes me think we're going to get a fabulous Walker herd episode before the end of Season 10!
• Note to self: stop reading theories about what might happen, and just wait ... of course Rosita wasn't going to be killed off.  I don't imagine the writers saved her from Alpha's spikes (in the comics, she was one of the heads) only to have her die from drinking water.  Hope I don't have to eat my words!
• When do we get to see Michonne again? 
• I liked how Gamma and the hostage both muttered the Whisperers' Chant to give themselves strength.  I read that this originated from Ryan Hurst; it's something he would recite to get himself in character, was heard and included into the show.
• Rosita has definitely gained a more mellow side ... not just since motherhood, but since Sasha died. 
• When do we get to see Michonne again?

 

Lately I've Been Watching

More mini TV reviews—mostly stuff I've watched on Netflix or Amazon Prime.

For more reviews and recommendations, please click here: Lately I've Been Watching


Limited Series: The Spy 

5 stars plus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Gideon Raff series (he's the man responsible for Prisoners of War, on which the original few series of Homeland was based), starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Eli Cohen, who was Israel's top Mossad spy in the 1960s.  It's an incredible story; if it was fiction, you'd think it was too far-fetched.  As with Prisoners of War, it's so well produced, and doesn't use any of the sensationalism and genre clichés present in so many American and English series; pure class.  Cohen's performance is completely believeable and utterly compelling, and it gives fascinating insight into life in the relevant countries at the time.

Also stars another man who is always worth watching—Noah Emmerich.

Series: The Deuce - Season 3 (Final Season)

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

One of my favourite televisual treats over the last few years—I liked this season more than #2 and as much as #1.  Aside from the tongue-hanging-out gorgeousness that is James Franco, it's terrifically well made.  For anyone who doesn't know about it, it's about the dark side of New York; the bars, the porn and sex industry.  #1 was set in 1970/71, #2 in 1975/6, and this one in 1984, when moves are being made to clean up the city, and AIDS is rearing its ugly head.  It's the last one, because of course the city was cleaned up; at the end you see it in 2019, all smart, shiny and geared towards tourists, and it's kind of sad that Vinnie's world has disappeared, seedy and dangerous though it was.  If you haven't seen it, start at the beginning—and I envy you for having it all to watch!

Maggie Gillenhall plays a prostitute-turned-porn star-turned-porn director, and Chris Coy, aka Terminus Martin in The Walking Dead, plays the owner of a men's 'bath house' whose partner is dying of AIDS. 

Series: City On A Hill (Season 1)

4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Set in Boston in 1992, and starring Kevin Bacon ( 😍 😋) as corrupt yet venerated FBI officer Jackie Rohr who teams up with DA DeCourcy Ward (Aldis Hodge), a man of much integrity, to take down a team of armed robbers, after some security guards were murdered.  There is much about the corruption in the legal and law enforcement system, generally, and it's also about the backstage dramas of Rohr and Ward's lives, and those of the two brothers around whom the gang revolves. 

Sometimes, in the first few episodes, it was a bit hard to work out exactly what was going on, though you could get the general gist; lots of new characters were introduced quickly.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, though, and Bacon is fabulous.

Series: Mr Mercedes (Seasons 1-3)

4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this crime/psych thriller stars Brendan Gleeson as the standard ex-cop obsessed with a former case—divorced, estranged from daughter, alcoholic, has quirky pet and colleagues who thought he needed to take some time out but the reality was that he was the only one know knew what was going on—haven't you seen/read this one a hundred times?  But he plays the part so well that you don't mind the clichés, and Harry Treadaway as Mr Mercedes himself is excellent.  

First season is SO good; second one entered slightly into the paranormal and, it being based on an S King book, I couldn't help wondering when the giant, mind-controlling spider in the town's sewage system was going to appear.  But then it picked up and started getting feasible again, and it was nearly as good as the first season.  I've just started watching Season 3, and it's ticking most of the boxes so far :) 

NB: Just finished S3.  I'd only give it 4*.  Got a bit outlandish in parts, with plot developments too unlikely... I still liked it, but it also had a few too many dream sequences/hallucinations, which I consider to be a total waste of time.  Also, the connections of everyone to Mr Mercedes seemed a bit contrived.

Note for TWD fans: you'll spot Maximiliano 'Can't go back, Bob' Hernandez, Kathy from Oceanside, and, if you're a total obsessive like me, the woman who wanted to cook a meal for Sasha at Deanna's 'Welcome to Alexandria' party 😉

Series: Jack Ryan (Season 2)

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Based on Tom Clancy's books—it's fairly bog standard action thriller, hero-baddie stuff, but I liked it more than Season 1.  This time concerned with illegal arms in Venezuela.  John Krasinski is good as the main character, but... well, he's no Jack Bauer.  It's one of those series that is good but forgettable, I think; worth watching if you like this sort of thing but I can't see it becoming a classic series that people will still be watching in 20 years' time, like 24 or The Wire.

Comedy Series: ATypical (Season 3)

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I like this series about the autistic Sam Gardner and his family and friends; in Season 3, Sam is going off to college and is determined to do so with as little assistance as possible, sister Casey is struggling with her sexuality in an extremely irritating fashion, and his mother, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, continues to be so nauseating that you wonder why the whole family didn't leave home years ago.  It's still good, but I think some aspects of it are getting a bit overdone.  Love the character of Paige, his girlfriend, though; she's possibly the most OTT character of them all, but is great to watch.

Comedy Series: The Righteous Gemstones (Season 1)

3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About a family of wealthy TV evangelists who are basically just a bunch of scumbags, with a runaway son who falls in with some criminals out to make money from them.  One of the stars is Walton Goggins, who I really like, as the dead mother's feckless brother, also out to get some of the cash.

It's entertaining, a good story, though I wouldn't care if I didn't see any more of it; I'm not sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for Season 2.  I knocked off another half star because of several completely unnecessary, full-on dick shots, one of which was at least semi-erect.  I'm getting so fed up with too-explicit sex in almost every show, and neither do I want to see people taking a pee or clearing their throats into the sink in the morning, hear them taking a dump or see sick coming out of their mouths—and I certainly don't want to see middle-aged, floppy weiners and nutsacks all over the screen.  I hope all this over-the-top realism is a trend that will end soon.

Documentary: Tell Me Who I Am

3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

Astounding true story about twin brothers, now in their 50s: Marcus and Alex.  When they were 18, Alex lost his memory after an accident.  The only thing he could remember was that Marcus was his brother.  Slowly, Marcus built up a picture for him of his entire life to date.  The only trouble was that he left all the dark stuff out—and that dark stuff was SERIOUSLY dark.  Child abuse, of a psychological and sexual kind.  I liked the structure—Part 1 was from Alex's viewpoint, then in Part 2 we found out the reality from Marcus, which is where everything changed.  Both men are likeable, and their stories are put forward in such a way that you can see both their POVs.  

In Part 3 they talk together, and this is where I thought it lost its way.  I felt like the directors were 'milking it' a bit, and it seemed like some of their conversation it was scripted for the purpose of moving the audience; it also became repetitive.  Also, there was much left unanswered, not just about the sexual abuse—like, why did they sleep in a shed (the family was wealthy, and the family home impressive)?  Was it their 'den' by choice, or a decision made by the parents?  Why didn't they have any presents for Christmas and birthdays?  Why was their father so distant?  Why was their mother the way she was?  Who was the famous artist who engaged in paedophilia?

It was interesting though not as compelling as I'd thought it would be, and I was contemplating getting the book to find out more about the background, but the lower starred reviews give the impression that it's much the same as the documentary - padded and repetitive, without enough explanation about the aspects you really do want to know about.  Like, if you want to make some money out of your warts and all true story, can we have the whole thing? 

Review: #TheWalkingDead S10x06 BONDS #TWD #TWDFamily

Previously:
Review: S10x06 WHAT IT ALWAYS IS

Written by: Kevin Deiboldt
Directed by: Dan Lui

What a belter of an episode this was!  The best this season, I thought; Negan's dialogue was superb—I have never laughed at TWD so loudly as I did when he asked Beta if he and Alpha were in a '..Beta with benefits situation?  Do you slide her a little omega on the side?' 😂 

 
Just as good but in a different way was the dialogue between Daryl and Carol, and Eugene's heartrendingly touching conversation with the woman on the radio: Stephanie from the comics?

...and I'll start with Eugene.  When he was talking to Rosita I was again thinking no, please, writers, don't make Rosita end up with him, it just wouldn't be convincing... but later, during the conversation with the mystery woman, I saw something I've not seen in him before; his face changed.  We were shown his non-geek side, the one that allows himself just to feel emotions without rationalising them.  The normal guy, who still thinks of his life 'before', who lost his best friend and many others, and loves a woman who doesn't love him back.  As they ended the exchange, the camera drew back to show the window; like, Eugene is in his little room, but there's a whole world out there for him to discover.  Is this the beginning of contact with the Commonwealth, where Maggie might be?  I'm guessing that's a long way ahead yet, though.

Of course the radio was touched upon right at the end of S9x16, implying its future importance; this is one of the many aspects of TWD that keeps it streets ahead of so many other shows—how you see the significance of seemingly small details so much later; they're just slipped in, sometimes with little or no attention, like when Michonne walked past the wall that said 'Wolves Not Far' in S5, a whole seven episodes before we (or they) discovered who they were.

Talking of Rosita—good to see her get at least a little more screen time, albeit a softer, less snarky and kick-ass version.  What handsome couple she and baby-daddy Siddiq make...though I was a little concerned that Coco was in the room with all the sick people.  Siddiq is clearly still haunted; I wonder if there is anything darker going on, or if it's just theory?

What Siddiq and Dante need for their sick patients is Hershel's elderberry tea; how sad that there was no one around who would remember that.  As for Dante—yes, he's kind of cheesy, but I'm starting to like him.

Now: Daryl and Carol.  When she was walking off on her own between the fences just outside Alexandria's gates, before Daryl caught up with her, I thought it looked like the prison...sigh.  I lap up every one of the scenes between the two of them.  Love how Daryl talks more when he's with her.  Was he telling the truth when she asked him about Connie?

Carol: I see things.
Daryl: It's not like that.  Not at all. 
Carol: Why not?  You don't have to be alone.  Years pass; you can't hide out with Dog forever.

Was the key in the way he looked at her, after she said that?  I thought so.  I felt as though he wanted to say that he wasn't alone, because of her, or that it's she that he wants to be 'not alone' with.  There's definitely a spark between him and Connie, but what he and Carol shares is deep; all that history, right back to Atlanta and the Cherokee Rose. The memories, the bonds with others, and the parts they played in his life, about which Connie knows nothing.  How could you explain the fire of Rick, the sweetness of Beth, the angel heart of Glenn and the totally all-round fab-ness of Hershel to someone who has never met them?  Even the complicated relationship he had with Merle?

I suspect he will never start a romantic relationship with either of them, but he and Carol share so much that words aren't always necessary—I loved how she knew he'd be looking through her bag, and he wasn't remotely embarrassed to be caught doing so.  I wonder if she's the only person he could be with, because she knows him—really knows him.  Then again, we sometimes choose a person who doesn't know our past, because we can be who we are now; a clean slate.  We'll see - but I bet not for a long time.

Big question: will Carol's taking of a hostage cause problems with Alexandra/Hilltop—Whisperer relations?  

And so we come to Negan's one day fast-track-to-being-a-Whisperer training course, with their 'cool-ass outfits, the whole back-to-nature, paleo vibe'. 😂

SO funny, especially the little montage to music, his piss-taking of the über-serious Beta ('Cool your tits there, jolly green giant' 😂😂), and the way he laughed to himself as he watched Beta kneeling to Alpha.  Only trouble is that now, of course, that the jolly green giant doesn't seem so scary anymore—because Negan made him look a bit... well, silly.

Is Beta worried that Alpha might see Negan as a stronger, more suitable Beta?  I think so—especially as he proved himself a Guardian slayer par excellence, and knelt before her.  Remember that, before the world changed, Beta was something of a loner, possibly a bit of a weirdo/loser, as we saw in S10x02 We Are The End Of The World, whereas Negan was hot and cool, and has already commanded an army as big as Alpha's.

When she bent closer to him and appeared to be sniffing him, like animals do, I couldn't help thinking that, despite him saying that the bald head thing made his breeches tighten, she must have stunk to high heaven; she's been wearing the same clothes since she first appeared.

I am still certain his motives are in the best interests of the Alexandrians, but his new life as a Whisperer should be a joy to see! 

Yes, an excellent episode, easily up to the standard of some of the best of S3-S6.  Entertaining, emotive and fascinating in so many ways, raising questions about what is to come, deepening old bonds and creating new ones...and I think another reason I liked it so much was because it (mostly) featured older characters we know so well.

Here's the trailer for episode 7 - I've read about the possibility of a 'certain character' dying, but I've read that before.... cross fingers it's just talk.

If you want to know more about the Commonwealth in the comics, there's a Paul Tassi/Forbes article about it HERE, and it sounds like it will make for some brilliant storylines :)

This Morning In The Park #Autumn #WordlessWednesday

Review: #TheWalkingDead S10:05 WHAT IT ALWAYS IS #TWD #TWDFamily

Previously:
Review : S10:04 SILENCE THE WHISPERERS

Written by: Eli Jorne
Directed by: Laura Belsey

'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'

A slower episode with some outstanding moments, the best of which centred around Negan.  'Can't say that I ever remember rating Walkers on hotness—besides, she's clearly a 3.' 😆😆  Made me laugh out loud!

Yes, it's a long time since the Sanctuary... and Negan is one of the few (like Carol, and Judith, of course!) whose appearance shows that seven harsh years have passed since the war ended.

When he was reminiscing about pre-Walker days with the boy on the bus, I noticed how the lad scarcely spoke, which made me think about the generation who've known no other life, and haven't managed to find an Alexandria or a Hilltop.  Nowhere to learn the communication skills that most kids pick up automatically: no TV, no school, no peer group with whom to exchange information and views ... if you've ever wondered how Alpha gathered her tribe, I'm guessing they must have been people like this boy and his mother—wearing the masks of the dead being preferable to becoming one of them.

I was glad this was a 'light' episode, not one of those taking place mostly at night that have me peering up close and rewinding to be sure of what's going on (and that's on a 55" screen).  During, it was the first time I really got the feeling of this being a way different show from the first five seasons, with it featuring no Michonne, no Carol, no Rosita, no Gabriel, scarcely any Eugene or Aaron and not a great deal of Daryl.

Negan was totally the star—and Blaine Kern III played an absolute blinder as Brandon, the Negan-in-Waiting.  I was amused by how the stories of Negan's glory years have become embroidered over time, with Brandon thinking that he actually had cut off Carl's hand, then shot him.  Of course, though, Negan would never kill a kid, ohhh no.... yes, I know this was on last week's review, too, but we need to remember!  It's true that his mellowing seemed more convincing this week, but...

I know Negan had to get rid of his 'pasty, creepy-ass face' (😆😂!!) for the sake of the plot, but what a shame.  Should've kept him and got rid of boring Yumiko instead ... feels like she's just another tick in the Strong Female Lead box, but with a likeability factor bypass 😴; she's no Michonne, Carol or Rosita.  And I don't get why the guys at the Hilltop appeared to be deferring to her; she's only been there five minutes.  I get that she's one of the main fighters and the place is in disarray because poor Ezekiel has other stuff on his plate (like heartbreak and thyroid cancer) and so probably isn't running it as efficiently as Maggie or Tara did, but...?

TWD: please stop killing off the good characters, and please allow what's left of the group from the first five seasons to stay alive!

Talking of Ezekiel's illness, this is possibly the first time we've been shown this so starkly—that in the new world life expectancy is much shorter, even without the Walkers.

 

Talking of newer characters, it was good to see a bit more Kelly this episode; I like her and Connie, and Daryl's Merle fishing story was a nice little extra for those who hope him and Connie will get together.  You can definitely see something there... not the deep, deep connection that he has with Carol, but something new and good for him.  I'm still 80% #Caryl—though I strongly suspect that it will be a long time before Daryl has a real love interest, if ever.

Now, Aaron and Gamma... with the latter being instructed to respond to the Man With The Metal Arm in a way that will convince him that's she's maybe not so Whispery after all.  Doesn't bode well.  Then again, she is still haunted by the killing of her sister, and who can resist the lovely Aaron?  Maybe this part of Alpha's long game of little 'nicks' won't go as smoothly as she hopes.

I liked seeing more of the world outside the walls of Hilltop and Alexandria in the light; the way everything is damp, overgrown, and as nature intended. The aerial shot of that bus and the vehicles beside it showed how rusty and useless the old vehicles are now, relics of a lost world, with vegetation growing around and through them.  

Other great moments:

• How poor Ezekiel couldn't speak to Carol, in the end.  His pain was etched all over his face.
• Daryl to Magna when he discovered that she'd been thieving from Hilltop's stores: 'All you're good for is talking shit'.
• Negan walking off in his new leather jacket, with Lucille Mark II over his shoulder....
• Oh yeah: Alpha's face when she showed the dissenting Whisperer exactly what a little 'nick' can do - perfect! 
• 'The smart ones will know where to come to stay safe' —seems like a bit more of an indication of Alpha's plan.  One nick at a time.

Most of all, of course, the final scene—Negan and Beta meet at last!  'Alright, you big-ass freak, let's do this'.  Excellent!  But will they be friend or foe?  I'm not even going to guess (ps, okay, I think he'll pretend to be on board with them, but really take them down!)

Somehow, though, I feel like I'm still waiting for this season to get started; will it all kick off now?  I loved the first two episodes, but (Negan aside) the last two, and parts of this one, have not quite enthralled me as did every episode of Season 9.  I've liked them a lot more than those early episodes of S8 (which I consider to be the show's lowest point), but for me the weak points have been too weak. But what the hell; after nearly a decade you can't expect to adore all of every episode—and, on rewatching, I whizz through the Lori hallucinations in S3 and Beth's suicide attempt in S2, for goodness sake!

My favourite seasons are 4, 6 and 9, by the way, and most of 3; I'd be interested to hear which are yours.

However, I'm confident that there will be more great stuff to come; all the signs indicate brilliant storylines.  I just hope that the Whisperers thing is not stretched out for a half season too long, like the Saviours War was, and enough screen time is given to the characters we know and love.  And Earl, for instance, could become a Hershel Mark II, Alden hasn't had enough development yet, it's time Rosita got to strut her stuff again, and what about this Dante guy?

Okay, I'm just missing Rick 😢.