You would think that The Walking Dead would stop repeating their mistakes over and over again. But that is not the case with tonight’s mess of an episode titled “For Blood.”

That is because the tired gimmick of a “cut to black” cliffhanger was used again here! It comes off as the writers not knowing how to finish the first half of the final season. Sure, there may be some context to why the abrupt ending happened like this on the production side. But for the casual viewer that watched this show for years, it is enough.

Did The Walking Dead learn from past cliffhangers not to do this again? In fact, most of this season’s episodes ended in a cliffhanger that did not move the plot forward at all. If I had to sum up the first half of the final season of this world renowned series, I would say that Maggie and her friends went on an RPG video game-esque side quest to get food. That is the general summary.

On to the episode itself, the only scene I actually liked was the opening minutes. Negan and Maggie killing those reapers in the style of The Whisperers is badass. There are also some parts in Alexandria that I do like too. From Rosita killing those walkers, to the storm, there is some good stuff. But then, my brain turned on.

How could the storm happen in Alexandria but not yet to where The Reapers are? Both scenes are at night so I do not know the explanation at all. And as good as Rosita killed those walkers, the way she knocked the door was too casual for someone who is desperately trying to get back in the house. It took me out of the moment. However, the shot of her once the door opened is really cool.

Then we are back with The Reapers. A field of landmines and firecracker arrows along with Pope’s anticlimactic death just fueled the laughter in me. Pope talked all the game about how much of a leader he is with his religious ideologies and military background. All of that for him to be killed from Leah like that. And now I am supposed to believe Leah is a threat? Pass! Maybe Leah realized that she was with the wrong family. But she talked a big game about family before she even killed Pope. Tell me what is making sense anymore please!

I do not mean to crap on this mid season finale of The Walking Dead, But I believe it deserved this criticism. Everything with The Reapers has been wasted potential and I do not care to see them again. It is the final season and we got the same formula again when it is time for the 8th episode. And how will they even open the next episode? It does not matter now because AMC premiered their 11B promo this week ahead of the cable airing of “For Blood.” When the The Walking Dead returns in 2022, please continue everything with The Commonwealth because that has been more interesting (Along with the Connie’s Horror House) this entire season so far. An unsatisfying mid season finale cliffhanger that can be outclassed by a local high school theater play is my lasting memory of The Walking Dead for the rest of 2021.

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