The Walking Dead season 11 preview: The beginning of the end

Buckle up for The Walking Dead season 11. I had a chance to preview the first two episodes of the show’s final season, and they pack a punch from the first moments and don’t let go until the very end. TWD might be ending in season 11, but if the first two episodes are any indication, the show is going out on a very high note.

“Acheron Part 1” and “Acheron Part 2” set the stage for what’s coming in this first segment of season 11, which consists of eight new episodes. Alexandria is struggling after the Whisperers and the horde decimated the community and left nothing but ruin in their wake. Maggie knows of hidden caches of food, but it’s possible the Reapers are out there somewhere, and they’re not a lot to be trifled with.

Eugene, Yumiko, Ezekiel and Princess are still trying to figure out what’s happening after being captured in the train yard. They’re taken to another undisclosed location and introduced to Scientology-inspired “auditors” who will assess them and determine if they make can continue on to the next phase. Yumiko is well-suited for their interrogation; as a lawyer in her previous life she can handle the pressure. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for poor Eugene.

As these two groups move forward on their separate journeys, their pasts come back to haunt them. The tension between Maggie and Negan is palpable as Negan guides the group through the old DC Metro system. Daryl chases after Dog and discovers remnants of the people who once sought refuge there. The auditors dig up secrets from Eugene and stir intense emotions in Ezekiel. None of these characters can move forward without looking backwards.

The Walking Dead season 11 starts out on a high note

After 10 seasons, it’s impressive that The Walking Dead can still find new ways to excite fans. As a longtime fan of the series (I started watching during the hiatus between the first and second seasons) I get excited about the strong writing, creative plot devices and character development. When a character is able to open up about his or her past, it’s exciting to me because I’ve been invested in this franchise for a long time and I like the little details. These first two episodes deliver on all fronts.

For the fans who tune in to see fights with walkers, these episodes will make you very happy. Greg Nicotero and his team once again manage to introduce walkers that fans haven’t seen before, and seeing the group killing them in the tight quarters of a Metro tunnel is a lot of fun.

One thing that stands out in these first two episodes is that you can really see how the writers made use of their pandemic lockdown to give the characters stories that matter. Everyone goes on a deeply personal journey in these two episodes and they probably come out stronger for it.

And while it’s subtle, It’s also possible to detect how COVID-19 protocols changed the production process. Characters are spaced out and there aren’t a lot of up-close walker fights. There’s a great scene of Daryl moving through a subway car killing walkers; there’s no question it was set up that way because of safety protocols, but it’s such a beautiful scene that it’s hard to imagine it any other way.

Based on these episodes alone, season 11 already feels bigger than previous seasons. The stakes are higher than ever as food runs low and the question of survival comes into play. Again. There’s a lot riding on the success of these two missions.

The Walking Dead season 11 premiere divides and conquers

“Acheron Part 1” and “Part 2” cover two stories with two groups of characters, and they were both so compelling it was almost an annoyance to have to leave one for the other. I could have had two solid hours of Metro adventures or the Commonwealth and it wouldn’t have been enough. The stories are that good.

To be perfectly honest, I’m a little worried about the massive scope of the season and the ability of the show to have the kind of resolution fans want. Sure, there are 24 episodes in season 11, eight more than a normal season, but will that be enough?

While finding great stories isn’t a problem, there is a lot of ground to cover and a lot of work to do in order to bring the series to a close. These first two episodes offer a lot of hope; the writers have had a lot of time to reflect on how to build this season out in a way that celebrates the show’s past while looking ahead to the franchise’s future. There’s no question that these final 24 episodes will play into future spinoffs and potential cameo appearances in other TWD series, and I hope the stories continue to be strong.

The Walking Dead season 11 kicks off on August 22 on AMC, and new episodes will premiere a week early for AMC+ subscribers.

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