The Walking Dead season 7 episode 8 review: A blood-filled yet hopeful midseason finale

As sure as the sky is blue, The Walking Dead midseason finales are synonymous with shocking moments galore; this same stage last year saw Carl take a bullet to the eye in addition to the mass cull of the Anderson clan while the previous year saw Beth bite the dust.

With the past seven episodes so focused on establishing Negan's rule, it was a welcome surprise to see the overriding theme of 'Hearts Still Beating' - the final Walking Dead episode of the year - was the prevalent rediscovery of hope.

Each episode this season has centred on a specific set of characters meaning multiple appearances from several old familiars have been sparse (Carol, Morgan, Maggie and Sasha, to name but a few) - this group, once a thriving family, are further apart than ever. One such character is Rosita (Christian Serratos) who has made no secret of her plan to kill Negan using a bullet made by Eugene (Josh McDermitt). In this episode, we see Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) attempt to convince her otherwise: "We'll win," he tells her, "but we need to wait for the right moment or create it... together." If only he spoke these words seven episodes ago...

In many ways, the season's format thus far - while a bold one that's not always paid off - has subtly reflected the group's wayward state; this episode immediately sets to restoring their gusto, flitting from location to location, character to character in the opening half of the episode: Maggie at the Hilltop, Daryl at the Sanctuary, Carol at her new abode near the Kingdom and (terrifyingly) Negan in Alexandria

If it took two tragedies to tear the group apart, it takes two more to ignite the desire to fight back. This midseason finale is, of course, a bloodbath simmering with tension from the get-go. Front and centre of its talking points we have Spencer Monroe (Austin Nichols), the son of Alexandria's former leader Deanna.

Given a spring in his step after his haul is praised by the Saviours, he cleans himself up, dons a shirt, and sets to introducing himself to Negan, whiskey bottle in hand. After sitting on the porch sipping their drinks like old friends, the two indulge in a game of outdoor 8-ball. Surrounded by spectating Alexandrians, Spencer eyes his opportunity to dig the knife into Rick, expressing doubt over his leadership to Negan - Spencer instead believes himself to be fit for the role. It's not so much a power play than a suicide mission; accusing him of being a gutless soul, Negan - in Jeffrey Dean Morgan's best scene to date - takes a knife to Spencer's stomach and spills his innards on the floor in a scene to rival the eyeball-popping fatal blow dealt to Glenn.

It's this moment that sees Rosita's arc come to a head. Armed with the sole gun and bullet, she takes aim and fires - inexplicably denting Lucille instead of ending her target's life. Negan's animalistic incredulity - "Did you... just try to kill me?!" he bellows, leaping about in anger - is a truly frightening moment, his dropped facade of coolness providing Morgan with his finest work yet, the disarming clean-shaven grin wiped clean off his face.

Rosita is tackled to the floor and her refusal to reveal the bullet-maker inadvertently causes the death of another. "Kill somebody," Negan instructs his lieutenant who adds to the body count without hesitation; she immediately turns and fires her gun, the unlucky recipient being Olivia (Ann Mahoney). The entire sequence caps what's been an impressive display from Serratos as Rosita, a character who seemed redundant this time last season but now finally feels like a worthy big-hitter to be named alongside the likes of Daryl, Maggie and Michonne.

Perhaps it's the knowledge that whether or not they fight back, people will die that sees Rick change his stance on their situation. It's a consequence of this season's capsule episodes that positions this coda as one of the most heartfelt sequences the series has seen: Rick, Carl, Michonne, Tara and Rosita reunite with Maggie, Sasha and Enid - as well as a newly-escaped Daryl - at the Hilltop Colony. Considering the gruelling way it began, this was the reprieve fans needed.

They laugh and cry while embracing one another in a scene that manages to flawlessly provoke emotion bolstered by the love they display for one another (just try and stifle tears as Rick embraces his right-hand man, Daryl). While Bear McCreary's impressive score swells, the newly-invigorated set of characters embark upon Gregory's mansion to discuss the war that's to surely comprise the second half of season seven - restoring not only characters' hopes but fans' too.

For all of its tortuous moments, coming out of this episode feeling optimistic - slightly hampered by a post-credits sequence presenting what's sure to be a future threat - is the most shocking thing of all.

The Walking Dead season 7 returns 13 February.