The Walking Dead season 8 episode 3 'Monsters' spoiler-filled review

‘Monsters’ may seem like a cryptic name for the latest episode of The Walking Dead season 8 but just one scene in and it becomes clear what message this third episode is attempting to send. Rather than implying the villainous Saviours or the rabid walkers infesting the world these characters live in, ‘Monsters’ places the microscope on our central group of characters and asks the question: who really are the bad guys?

It’s a conceit that’s been teased numerous times before, largely one albeit associated with the characterisation of leader Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), but with season 8 continuing to hurl us headfirst into All Out War, it seems the malevolence is airborne.

If The Walking Dead has fleetingly flirted with this very notion in several episodes from the fourth season onwards, this episode is entirely dedicated to it. Gone are the characters that once felt extreme guilt having to murder their adversaries - instead, in their minds, leaving 'no stone unturned' as it were, is a mandatory act.

This is pointed out initially by Morales, the season 1 character who made a surprise reappearance at the end of last week’s episode, who speaks about Rick like our gang would speak about Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a merciless dictator whose last resort - murder - is his only one. Rick refuses to accept this, almost pleading with his old friend to believe he's not like that.

The episode subtly sees the slipping of Rick's mask of resilience sparked by the mention of fallen loved ones and friends - Lori, Shane, Andrea and, of course, Glenn - and culminating in the second of Daryl's merciless slayings (he shoots a Saviour in the head after Rick promises him they will let him live).

As an arrow slices through his Morales' head courtesy of the latter's crossbow, the old Rick is momentarily drawn to the surface.

But it’s pointless - Rick now has an entire army carrying his bloodthirsty baton for revenge, following his commands to murder literally any Saviour that gets in their way, namely Tara (Alanna Masterson) and Morgan (Lennie James) who spend the entire episode resisting the urge to dispatch of surrendering Saviours in cold blood. Step forward Jesus (Tom Payne) who is intent on bringing their newly-acquired prisoners back to the Hilltop to consult about their next step with the colony's new leader, Maggie (Lauren Cohan).

“We can’t let them go," he tells the woman the Saviours refer to as 'the widow,' "but we can’t kill them.” It’s uncertain how this decision will pan out but, if they can convince this ragtag bunch of Negan worshippers that they're the stronger force, a Dwight-style betrayal to end all Dwight-style betrayals could be on the cards.

The episode’s most unexpected moment arrives when these differing ideologies come to a head and Morgan turns on Jesus - a shocking move for a character whose degrading mental state has thrown his fate into a cloud of uncertainty. Morgan is slipping back into the state we saw back in season 3 episode ‘Clear’ - which spells trouble for any Saviours who comes into his way. Let’s just hope he runs into Carol (Melissa McBride) in time to save her from what looks to be a spot of mortal danger in next week’s episode.

The episode is essentially part three of one episode, concluding the first initial battle against the Saviours and setting up the next one (which almost certainly looks to be fatal). If season 8 hasn’t been the thrill-ride fans were hoping for thus far, it’s certainly an enticing prelude to where it could go.

However, The Walking Dead’s decision to kill off Morales just as quickly as bringing him back will be a controversial one - with the character goes the chance for several intriguing encounters - and it lends fans’ criticism of the plot twist some credence; it ultimately served nothing other than to set up the episode's theme which isn’t exactly a complex one to wrap one's head around.

Such has been the nature of these episodes - aka balls-to-the-wall action - brakes have been consequently slammed on moving the story onwards in any real liberating way. As such, the jury is still out on this current season but ‘Monsters’ displayed a willingness to shine a spotlight on the themes that The Walking Dead has only touched upon in the past. Some may take this as a sign that the show running out of ideas to explore - and it could well be.

That said, The Walking Dead is no longer a TV series being made for those who merely put up with it - if you're still tuning in week after week, you’re most likely a longtime fan capable of forgiving its misgivings.

Watch the nailbiting trailer for episode 4 here

The Walking Dead season eight airs every Sunday in the US on AMC with the UK premiere arriving the following evening on FOX. It will also be available on NOWTV

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