45 thoughts I had watching The Walking Dead Here’s Negan

I’ve been a little anxious about this episode of The Walking Dead ever since it was announced that the season 10 finale would be an episode diving into Negan’s backstory.

I am the Morton salt girl when it comes to Negan and I am not ready to let go of my grudge against him for killing Glenn. I can acknowledge that he helped the group with the Whisperers and I appreciate how kind he is to Lydia and Judith, but that doesn’t wipe away his past sins for me.

So when it was announced that Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s real-life spouse Hilarie Burton Morgan was going to play Negan’s wife Lucille I knew that this was going to be a tough episode for me because those two performers are so talented that it would be nearly impossible to not be enraptured by their work telling this tale.

I didn’t think I was ready to see Negan as a complex character with a backstory and not a clown who murdered one of my favorite characters in such a horrific way that I still can’t watch that episode all these years later. And I wasn’t. I tried really hard to dislike this episode but there’s no way to dislike it. It’s probably one of the best episodes of the entire The Walking Dead series.

So let’s get into my reactions while watching The Walking Dead season 10 finale “Here’s Negan” for the first time:

1.       Coming for our feels right away with Maggie and little Hershel

2.       Awkward

3.       Smooth things over?! HA HA HA HA HA no.

4.       Better than you deserve for sure.

5.       Love that smile. Carol is the apocalypse Queen now and always.

6.       Introspection. Who knew you had it in you?

7.       Just seeing him makes me nauseous. #JusticeForGlenn

8.       YES. 100 % FACT.

9.       This is going to an uncomfortable place.

10.   Here come the tears.

11.   Remember Carl Negan?

12.   Have to admit I’m loving this. Damnit.

13.   Jeffrey Dean Morgan is one HELL of a performer. Good Lord.

14.   I’m having a flashback from this. #JusticeForGlenn

15.   Big Nebraska vibes. You know who was pivotal in that episode? GLENN.

16.   People have always been the biggest threat.

17.   Blast from the past! Hey there!

18.   It’s impossible to take your eyes off JDM. Just an incredible performer.

19.   I don’t know what I expected but this is so much better than I expected.

20.   I would watch them for hours and hours and hours.

21.   This feels so raw and authentic.

22.   Perfect casting. As usual.

23.   That’s the opening for Negan’s redemption. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.

24.   I’m not ready to like him. But I like him with her.

25.   Oh no. Oh no no no no.

26.   My dude, never tell a woman to calm down. Don’t you know anything?

27.   I stan Lucille. Hilarie – you’re freaking amazing.

28.   Hilarie. That’s it. Just Hilarie.

29.   Slay. Queen.

30.   This is my surprised face.

31.   You know who would never have cheated on his wife? GLENN.

32.   The legend is born. Interesting.

33.   Survival means making tough choices.

34.   I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Even you Negan.

35.   Lucille is a certified badass and I love her.

36.   I feel sorry for Negan. It’s happening. Damnit. It’s happening.

37.   Never thought I’d cry in sympathy with Negan but here we are.

38.   I was so mesmerized by JDM I didn’t even write anything down in that scene.

39.   He really loved the sound of his own voice all the way from the start huh.

40.   No one can deliver a 20-page monologue like Negan.

41.   Wasn’t ready for THAT. #JusticeForGlenn

42.   Only took you 12 years…

43.   This feels cathartic but I’m not ready to forgive.

44.   SHOOT. HIM. IN. THE. KNEE.

45.   YASS Carol! The Queen is BACK.

And so ends season 10 of The Walking Dead by setting up some major conflicts to come in season 11, the series’ final outing. I still hold a grudge, and I’m not ready to allow Negan redemption until he takes responsibility and makes amends to Maggie, and Hershel.

But there’s no way to watch this episode and not be moved. “Here’s Negan” is an absolute tour de force episode for both of the Morgans.

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