The Walking Dead season 7 episode 16 finale titled, “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life,” was satisfying in some aspects. War finally came led by Rick (Andrew Lincoln) against Negan’s forces without being a cliffhanger episode. Though the finale could have been more memorable.
Most viewed that the first half of season 7 was a slog. Although Rick and his group had never faced anyone quite like Negan. Therefore shortly after the tragic deaths of Abraham and Glenn and the way they died, it made sense that time was needed to portray how Rick’s group and the Alexandrians would respond to an abrupt new world order. That said, major spoilers are ahead.
Just like how the beginning of last year’s season 6 finale began with a dark scene, so also the season 7 finale. This time it’s Sasha, shown in a dark enclosed space while listening to music wearing ear buds before passing out. Shortly after, things get surreal. A hallmark element usually utilized within certain episodes of The Walking Dead to embellish a story. Because hey, it’s a zombie apocalypse, and people need any respite in that apocalypse any way they can get it.
Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) suddenly awakes in a living room within the Alexandrian home she shares with Abraham (Michael Cudlitz). Abraham informs Sasha that he needs to accompany Rick and the others to take Maggie, then ailing, to see the doctor at the Hilltop colony. Which actually happened when Maggie suddenly became ill near the end of episode 15 of season 6, as thankfully Enid (Katelyn Nacon) was close by. Still, Sasha pleads with Abraham to stay behind.
Sasha’s initial dream scene was effective in the episode. Because while in her brief unconscious state before she’s awakened in a cell from Negan’s arrival, Sasha’s unconsciousness still knew enough about Abraham’s fate. Awakened from her comfortable dream by Negan, he informs her about the role he enlists her to play to bring about Rick’s group and the Alexandrians into submission. “You are smart, hot as hell, dignified as sh**, and you don’t suffer one godda** fool. No one’s gonna wanna watch you die. I don’t wanna see that. So you don’t have to. But someone does. Maybe a couple others…tops,” Negan explains after he brought Sasha a breakfast meal. To which Negan concludes, “We are gonna help solve some sh**.”
Some fans of The Walking Dead are still displeased of how Negan’s character is portrayed throughout season 7. One of whom sees Negan in the show as just another Governor. Nothing could be further from the truth, for there’s a Grand Canyon wide difference.
The Governor was all about deceit. Negan is not. And as one fan who commented to the October 26, 2016 online article by Bryan Bishop and Nick Statt of The Verge, titled, “The Walking Dead Quitter’s Club: goodbye for real,” the commenter named OKCAg states, “And the irony now is that they have finally come across an individual who doesn’t lie, is straightforward and without deceit, and he is the most horrifying thing yet.” Jeffrey Dean Morgan had acted wonderfully throughout season 7 as Negan. Also, as I’ve mentioned before in a previous HuffPost write up about The Walking Dead season 7 premiere, Negan makes the Governor look like Snow White.
Furthermore, Noel Murray of Rolling Stone makes an excellent point about taking out Negan that I’ve known about ever since Negan was introduced. And that is point number 4 within Murray’s online Rolling Stone April 3, 2017 article, titled, “‘The Walking Dead’: 5 Things We Learned From the Season 7 Finale.” To which he states, “4. Negan is beatable…but ‘Neganism’ may not be.”
Remember, Michonne (Danai Gurira), Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) all three had made earlier separate attempts to kill Negan. All three failed each in their own way. Even the female Savior who was held at gunpoint by Michonne in season 7 episode 8, while Michonne gazed at the vastness of Negan’s enterprise from a distance, the Savior says, “We’re all Negan. Whatever you’re trying to do, you can’t.”
Similarly in previous episode season 7 episode 7 Rosita demands that Eugene make her a bullet. After he reminds her that Negan has the numbers on his side, which she already knew, Eugene says, “A single bullet ain’t gonna do it.” Noel Murray makes the point that even if Negan was taken out, his way of governing would still be in place. That is, his system of rewarding loyalty to his top lieutenants to carry on the new world order. And those who’ve been faithful viewers know that Simon (Steven Ogg) in his vice presidential-like role easily comes to mind.
Knowing all that makes Rosita’s rash actions ever since season 7 episode 7 onward all the more perplexing. Both Michonne and Carl had already wised up by then, for later a plan would be enacted. Yet after Eugene had made Rosita a bullet and her first attempt failed to kill Negan, Olivia is killed by the woman Savior named Arat and Eugene is captured. All ordered by Negan.
Additionally, Sasha wouldn’t have been compelled, given the love triangle that existed between her and Abraham and Rosita that began in season 6 episode 12, to go with Rosita to the Savior’s Sanctuary for Rosita’s second try at Negan. Sasha obviously felt some guilt after Abraham left Rosita for her. After all that, I’m sure faithful viewers saw Sasha’s eventual fate as no surprise. Sasha being the sacrificial lamb was not an ineffective idea , yet the way in which she died was.
Sasha was a deadly talented sharpshooter, making use of that talent by eagerly volunteering to man the guard tower at Alexandria. It would have been far better, and memorable while still being sacrificial, to have Sasha go down fighting similarly the way actor Barry Pepper’s role as the sharpshooter Private Jackson in the Steven Spielberg film Saving Private Ryan. For in a way, Rosita was also culpable for Sasha’s death given that Sasha felt obligated to join Rosita.
Also disturbing was the way Rosita responded to Jesus (Tom Payne) of Hilltop after he inquired about Sasha. Rick’s team had just secured more guns from the Oceanside community with the help of Tara (Alanna Masterson), and had met Rosita upon arrival at Alexandria who had opened the gate in episode 15 before the season 7 finale. “Where’s Sasha?” Jesus asks, who had known about Rosita and Sasha making an attempt for Negan, yet all had kept it from Maggie (Lauren Cohan) while they were at Hilltop. Rosita ignores Jesus. Then she says, “There’s someone here,” as Rosita shows them Dwight (Austin Amelio) a top lieutenant of Negan. Dwight having arrived at Alexandria in an attempt to broker a deal with Rick against Negan.
It’s near the beginning of the season 7 finale when Jesus finally learns about Sasha. “They have Sasha, if she’s even alive,” Rosita says, as Rick, Daryl (Norman Reedus), Jesus, Tara, Michonne all look at Dwight. “Why didn’t you say something? He (Dwight) could be our only chance to get her back,” Jesus implored. “Because I don’t trust him. But I trust Daryl,” Rosita answered, as Daryl wanted to kill Dwight. Even so, Rosita’s reply to Jesus lacked exigent concern for Sasha.
The betrayal of Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh), leader of the Scavengers, was masterful. Yet for a ninety minute episode it should have come earlier. This would have allowed more scenes for Maggie’s people of Hilltop and King Ezekiel’s people of the Kingdom as they saved the day to be more action packed. The season 7 finale could have been better paced, and Sasha could have taken out more Saviors in a gun battle before her death, instead of the lame manner as a walker by killing only one Savior! Still a good episode, yet it deservedly could have been more memorable by unleashing Sasha’s deadly talent to the fullest. Which correspondingly, would have made Sasha’s loss poignantly heartfelt. Therefore, I give The Walking Dead season 7 finale three stars out of five.