The Walking Dead | Season 7 | Episode 9 | Rock In The Road [AMC] [SPOILERS]

NUTZZ

The Walking Dead - Season 7

Episode 9 - "Rock In The Road"

Airdate - February 12th on AMC at 9/8c | February 13th on FOX UK at 9PM

*This is an extended 73 minute episode, including commercials.

Rick and the others are led to a new community, where they meet the residents and their ruler.

Promo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkf2VCb-8FA

Extended Promo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDZ4eAH7fhc

Sneak Peek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X36ppGPN1e8

NUTZZ

7

New promo;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmELUQn5J0w

Producer Greg Nicotero on episode 9;

“I’m very excited,” said Nicotero. “I think episode nine is one of the best of the season, by far, in terms of storytelling, in terms of performances, in terms of audience expectations of seeing the band back together and putting our group back on their feet again. It’s very exciting and quite a bit of fun, and the season builds and builds up to an absolutely thrilling finale.”

alchemist33

4

Being the best of the season wouldn't be too hard - it's only got competition from eps 1 and 8. I hope we don't get a long lull between the first and last episodes again.

NUTZZ

7

New sneak peek;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI2jxWRKiyo

The Talking Bread

That came around quick!

Kirby

So.....Was Ricks grin because he recognised somebody in the horde pointing their guns at them?

Or was it because he knows that whoever they are, they can help defeat the Saviors?

Hmmm.......

white apples

8

Kirby wrote: »

So.....Was Ricks grin because he recognised somebody in the horde pointing their guns at them?

Or was it because he knows that whoever they are, they can help defeat the Saviors?

Hmmm.......

Has to be Jesus' mates!

yabadabado

Kirby wrote: »

So.....Was Ricks grin because he recognised somebody in the horde pointing their guns at them?

Or was it because he knows that whoever they are, they can help defeat the Saviors?

Hmmm.......

Was wondering the same I suppose it could be he knows he has found a new ally.
I presume Gabriel some how found out about them and gave them food to help them out.

Lucas Hood

7

I enjoyed it.
Bit the cars taking out loads of walkers was cool.

Think Rick was smiling because there's more people to help beat the saviours.

tvnutz

Best episode of the season, which wouldn't really be hard to be honest. I assume his smirk was he saw a potential army he could use.

Tigger

tvnutz wrote: »

Best episode of the season, which wouldn't really be hard to be honest. I assume his smirk was he saw a potential army he could use.

thats what i thought

D0NNELLY

8

Surely that was carol covered up at the end pointing the rifle. Same rifle she was carrying in the woods earlier.

How she came to be matey with Tara's lesbian troop is another question.. Though it would answer why she wants nothing to do with the kingdom&alexqndria if shes skulking off to them every now and then and doesn't want kingdom/hilltop/Alexandria to know....

flashback episode next?

Tigger

D0NNELLY wrote: »

Surely that was carol covered up at the end pointing the rifle. Same rifle she was carrying in the woods earlier.

How she came to be matey with Tara's lesbian troop is another question.. Though it would answer why she wants nothing to do with the kingdom&alexqndria if shes skulking off to them every now and then and doesn't want kingdom/hilltop/Alexandria to know....

flashback episode next?

i thought there were men amongst them
thatys not carol unless shres wearing a wig

Lovely Bloke

definitely men in the group

Mr.Nice Guy

1

I'm 16 minutes into this episode. Not sure I can take much more of this. This scene with Ezequiel is f*cking wretched. They've totally lost their minds.

DoozerT6

Ezekiel's wig tho....

NUTZZ

7

I'm going to spoiler this just to be sure, even though I wouldn't really consider it a spoiler.

In relation to the group at the end of the episode, producer Greg Nicetero and Andrew Lincoln said this in an interview;

"Very quickly, we get introduced to a new group and Rick has to think very much on his feet as to how to deal with this unique community because it's not like any other community he's met before," Lincoln said.

As for whether or not they are friend or foe, Lincoln is reluctant to admit with absolute certainty. He does tease, however, that we will "find out very quickly."

Nicotero, on the other hand, was more revealing in his description of this new group. "Of course the end of the episode, when they get surrounded, and Rick smiles," Nicotero said. "He's smiling because there's his army. However you cut it, he's gonna make sure that those people are on his side."

NUTZZ

7

I'm sure most people missed this in the opening scene...the second figure that pops up in the passenger/back seat of the car as Gabriel drives away...
(turn the brightness up! :pac:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2zgXoKb1kA

Mr.Nice Guy

1

I struggled through the rest of that episode and while it did finish better than it started, that has to rank as one of the worst episodes I've ever seen. The first 45 minutes or so...abysmal. For a returning show, albeit mid-season, it was a deep disappointment.

We start off with Rick and the gang trying to pressure Gregory into supporting him. I love how Rick has been scared of his shadow for most of this season but now that he's decided to take a stand he expects everyone else to follow suit. The people he did get to support him though...could that scene have been more phony? "Enid says you can show us the way, so we’re willing to entrust our lives in the hands of all of you, who we barely know, on the advice of this teenager as you confront those ruthless murderers." Rick must be delighted. With so many peripheral extras he might make it through the big battle ahead without losing any of his people.

We had a scene about ten minutes in where a walker was lying against a wall: literally background scenery. Had to be a joke at the audience's expense.

The King Ezequiel stuff - just woeful. First we have the guy on horseback speaking like he's from Westeros which was bad enough, but that scene where they meet the 'king': has to be a contender for worst scene in the history of the show. I was waiting for Rick to say can we cut the cosplay sh*t and get down to some real talk here. That's what we have: a f*cking apocalypse with a dude playing cosplay. And let's remind ourselves that this is a part of America that today would be considered Trump country. I'm supposed to believe that Americans here have decided to get behind a black guy pretending to be a British king from a few centuries ago? It's bullsh*t, even without the CGI tiger. Even the actors are embarrassed by this crap. And rightly so. It's a damn tragedy that Shane is no longer on this show just so he can laugh at the absurdity of all this.

'I invite you all to sup with us', 'I shall deliver my decree in the morn.' Dude, it's a f*cking zombie apocalypse can you drop the cosplay for just 5 minutes please? People are dying while you do your King Booker WWE shtick.

Then we have more absurdity, Carol - the former housewife who went on to become a Solid Snake style assassin - runs into a guy ironically dressed like Snake. She gives him advice: 'heel, toe, heel, toe, keep quiet.' I heard you sneak up on me she says. Oh yeah, where'd you learn those skills, Carol? In 'Nam? Where you there? Funny I thought you were a former battered housewife like I saw in season one.

Then more absurdity late on as Rosita conveniently reveals her bomb disposal skills. Man, that's convenient. Maybe Carol taught her over a coffee.

It took us 45 minutes to get some walkers that posed any sort of threat, but the threat turned out to be minimal. The scene with the wire looked too far-fetched to be taken seriously and even when Rick and Michonne were surrounded by them, you never felt like they were in danger. The walkers are now just part of the furniture while we play out the increasingly ludicrous and boring political intrigue. Which band of crazies will reign supreme? Do you care?

As I said, things picked up near the end a little. Simon as I mentioned a few episodes back seems to be one of the few villains that can exude a genuine air of menace. I like him when he's in scenes. I'd have rated this episode a 1 without his involvement. The cliffhanger at the end was fine.

Overall though this was just a terrible episode of television with moments of stupidity that would be unforgivable in an amateur dramatics production. The fact that a TV show on a significant channel can turn out this sort of pap is mind-boggling. And judging by this thread, which is deader than the career of the actor who plays Carl once this show ends, it seems fan patience is wearing thin.

2/10.

Dirty Dingus McGee

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I struggled through the rest of that episode and while it did finish better than it started, that has to rank as one of the worst episodes I've ever seen. The first 45 minutes or so...abysmal. For a returning show, albeit mid-season, it was a deep disappointment.

We start off with Rick and the gang trying to pressure Gregory into supporting him. I love how Rick has been scared of his shadow for most of this season but now that he's decided to take a stand he expects everyone else to follow suit. The people he did get to support him though...could that scene have been more phony? "Enid says you can show us the way, so we’re willing to entrust our lives in the hands of all of you, who we barely know, on the advice of this teenager as you confront those ruthless murderers." Rick must be delighted. With so many peripheral extras he might make it through the big battle ahead without losing any of his people.

We had a scene about ten minutes in where a walker was lying against a wall: literally background scenery. Had to be a joke at the audience's expense.

The King Ezequiel stuff - just woeful. First we have the guy on horseback speaking like he's from Westeros which was bad enough, but that scene where they meet the 'king': has to be a contender for worst scene in the history of the show. I was waiting for Rick to say can we cut the cosplay sh*t and get down to some real talk here. That's what we have: a f*cking apocalypse with a dude playing cosplay. And let's remind ourselves that this is a part of America that today would be considered Trump country. I'm supposed to believe that Americans here have decided to get behind a black guy pretending to be a British king from a few centuries ago? It's bullsh*t, even without the CGI tiger. Even the actors are embarrassed by this crap. And rightly so. It's a damn tragedy that Shane is no longer on this show just so he can laugh at the absurdity of all this.

'I invite you all to sup with us', 'I shall deliver my decree in the morn.' Dude, it's a f*cking zombie apocalypse can you drop the cosplay for just 5 minutes please? People are dying while you do your King Booker WWE shtick.

Then we have more absurdity, Carol - the former housewife who went on to become a Solid Snake style assassin - runs into a guy ironically dressed like Snake. She gives him advice: 'heel, toe, heel, toe, keep quiet.' I heard you sneak up on me she says. Oh yeah, where'd you learn those skills, Carol? In 'Nam? Where you there? Funny I thought you were a former battered housewife like I saw in season one.

Then more absurdity late on as Rosita conveniently reveals her bomb disposal skills. Man, that's convenient. Maybe Carol taught her over a coffee.

It took us 45 minutes to get some walkers that posed any sort of threat, but the threat turned out to be minimal. The scene with the wire looked too far-fetched to be taken seriously and even when Rick and Michonne were surrounded by them, you never felt like they were in danger. The walkers are now just part of the furniture while we play out the increasingly ludicrous and boring political intrigue. Which band of crazies will reign supreme? Do you care?

As I said, things picked up near the end a little. Simon as I mentioned a few episodes back seems to be one of the few villains that can exude a genuine air of menace. I like him when he's in scenes. I'd have rated this episode a 1 without his involvement. The cliffhanger at the end was fine.

Overall though this was just a terrible episode of television with moments of stupidity that would be unforgivable in an amateur dramatics production. The fact that a TV show on a significant channel can turn out this sort of pap is mind-boggling. And judging by this thread, which is deader than the career of the actor who plays Carl once this show ends, it seems fan patience is wearing thin.

2/10.

She was in the army so I don't think it's that much of a stretch to say she has skills like that.

jonon9

Not a bad episode but not great either. I actually prefer Simon over Negan I find him more menacing and interesting.

DakarVert

Okay so they moved all the cars.... No steering issues so assume keys were in them?

So why did they then have to hot wire them??

frozenfrozen

DakarVert wrote: »

Okay so they moved all the cars.... No steering issues so assume keys were in them?

So why did they then have to hot wire them??

just have to presume they they were all left unlocked from when they were moved into that formation previously

Utopia Parkway

Enjoyable enough first episode back (though not as gory as usual) but the first episode back after a break is usually decent. It's the the middle stretch of episodes that usually drag.

D0NNELLY

8

DakarVert wrote: »

Okay so they moved all the cars.... No steering issues so assume keys were in them?

So why did they then have to hot wire them??

Steering locks are easily broken.. (so I've heard!!)

sabhail

7

Hard to think of who it could be that Rick knows... people who've left that I can think of...

Gabriel, - most obviously
Carol,- rick etc dont know where she is
Heath, - we dont know he died for sure.

Two from series 1... Guillermo from the nursing home, and the guy who went to Birmingham with family, can't remember his name

So possibly its just a new group whom he reckons he can get to help.

Lovely Bloke

Wait, the cars in the road block were being moved by shunting and pushing - they weren't hotwired.

The cars that were hotwired were the two that Rick and Michonne drove with the cable to mow the Z's - and they drove in a straight line.

Lovely Bloke

Oh yes, that absolutely ridiculous "Checkov's Bible" that...wasn't.

Gabe reads his bible, gets inspiration, cleans out the pantry and leaves his bible down, face down open on a page.

Rick comes back "He left his bible on the floor!", picks it up and keeps his finger in the place where Gabe had it open, looks through it.

Then....nothing.

A scrawled "B O A T" in the inventory book.

What?

Lovely Bloke

...and finally

Young Richard is going to die, and be the reason King Ezekiel changes his mind.

Fox Hound

5

The whole king thing is pretty awful in fairness...Its actually cringe watching it....I think Negan will put a stop to the kings make believe once he bashes a few skulls...
Somebody mentioned above about wishing Shane was still here to laugh at the ****e talk that was coming out of the King.,....I totally agree with that....King is by far the worst character in the whole show, and maybe the history of the walking dead, This show is so far removed from season 1 and the writers have lost the plot,...this show is on the verge of getting cancelled

Lucas Hood

7

Fox Hound wrote: »

this show is on the verge of getting cancelled

No it is not. It was renewed for a 8th season before any of this season aired.

stronglikebull

6

Fox Hound wrote: »

The whole king thing is pretty awful in fairness...Its actually cringe watching it....I think Negan will put a stop to the kings make believe once he bashes a few skulls...
Somebody mentioned above about wishing Shane was still here to laugh at the ****e talk that was coming out of the King.

Daryl kind of did. But yeah, the King is stupid, and a crappy storyline. I'm sure it probably comes from the comic books and therefore everyone wants it included in the show too. Doesn't mean it's not rubbish though. I had thought that the Kingdom were going to be a great addition when they first turned up at the end of last year, but what a letdown.

Pete Moss

3

Fox Hound wrote: »

The whole king thing is pretty awful in fairness...Its actually cringe watching it....I think Negan will put a stop to the kings make believe once he bashes a few skulls...
Somebody mentioned above about wishing Shane was still here to laugh at the ****e talk that was coming out of the King.,....I totally agree with that....King is by far the worst character in the whole show, and maybe the history of the walking dead, This show is so far removed from season 1 and the writers have lost the plot,...this show is on the verge of getting cancelled

In fairness, the writers are taking a lot of the material from the comics. Ezekiel is somewhat central and a standout character in the comics, for obvious reasons of him being a king and having a tiger, so they couldn't really bypass him in the show.

He was always going to be a divisive character, once transferred to screen. But, the writers could have definitely toned down his "kingisms"

Fox Hound

5

Lucas Hood wrote: »

No it is not. It was renewed for a 8th season before any of this season aired.

Well if the ratings keep dropping, then they will be putting themselves in serious trouble ....you have to admit it has be bad and this is not going unnoticed by fox or AMC

Fox Hound

5

Pete Moss wrote: »

In fairness, the writers are taking a lot of the material from the comics. Ezekiel is somewhat central and a standout character in the comics, for obvious reasons of him being a king and having a tiger, so they couldn't really bypass him in the show.

He was always going to be a divisive character, once transferred to screen. But, the writers could have definitely toned down his "kingisms"

Yeah I am a big Fan of the comics and The King comes across as a very good character in it,,,,But it just looks and sounds so forced and childish on TV,..It just doesn't work!!! the Tiger, the way he speaks, its Madness and is bringing the whole show down!....they must be regretting the King at this stage, and not toning him down...Like Negan is too much at times, they must of known that they didn't need the King to be so outrageous!!

Lucas Hood

7

Fox Hound wrote: »

Well if the ratings keep dropping, then they will be putting themselves in serious trouble ....you have to admit it has be bad and this is not going unnoticed by fox or AMC

It was the 3rd most watched show on TV in 2016.
Amc aren't going to cancel it anytime soon.

thegreengoblin

Fox Hound wrote: »

The whole king thing is pretty awful in fairness...Its actually cringe watching it....I think Negan will put a stop to the kings make believe once he bashes a few skulls...
Somebody mentioned above about wishing Shane was still here to laugh at the ****e talk that was coming out of the King.,....I totally agree with that....King is by far the worst character in the whole show, and maybe the history of the walking dead, This show is so far removed from season 1 and the writers have lost the plot,...this show is on the verge of getting cancelled

Lol no it's not. Not by a long shot.

I thought that was a decent return. It moved the plot on considerably. I don't mind Ezekiel too much even though I didn't like him in the comics.

But Gregory...jesus christ, I don't know if it's the actor (it shouldn't be, he's been around the block) or the writing or what....he's woeful. That scene at the beginning was painful. Is he meant to make the viewer laugh, cringe, hate him? All three? The sooner he's gone and Maggie takes over Hilltop the better. Speaking of which, what happened to her after that scene? Not another line!

The Carol thing has just lost me, just send her back to them.

I was glad we didn't see Negan. He doesn't need to be a visible threat. Less is more sometimes. I thought that was a nice idea to have him heard over the walkie talkie though, there was something evocative about it...it was like a little homage to that film Convoy and the 70s CB radio stuff. And Negan's tribute to the late Fat Joey was actually quite funny...'It's a goddamn tragedy' :pac:

The steel cable scene was enjoyable and I liked Rick's knowing smile at the end. It was far from vintage Walking Dead but it was encouraging.

Fox Hound

5

I have lost Patience with the walking dead...some terrible stuff!! I used to care about the characters...but at this stage I couldn't care less if Negan comes in and kills them all!!

The Talking Bread

Fox Hound wrote: »

I have lost Patience with the walking dead...some terrible stuff!! I used to care about the characters...but at this stage I couldn't care less if Negan comes in and kills them all!!

Grand! Sure copy and paste this for next week!

marvin80

Lucas Hood wrote: »

It was the 3rd most watched show on TV in 2016.
Amc aren't going to cancel it anytime soon.

Big viewer numbers but big declines happening the last while which is not surprising.

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/walking-dead-season-7-ratings-decline-1201941089/

Fox Hound

5

Lucas Hood wrote: »

Fox Hound wrote: »

Well if the ratings keep dropping, then they will be putting themselves in serious trouble ....you have to admit it has be bad and this is not going unnoticed by fox or AMC

It was the 3rd most watched show on TV in 2016.
Amc aren't going to cancel it anytime soon.

These are the 20 most watched shows of 2015-2016, between 18-45 year olds,
take away the Sports stuff and we are not left with a wealth of viewing, Maybe they wont cancel it after next year...I love the walking dead, ....just I was expecting so much more from this episode, and it didn't deliver,,,I keep watching hoping that it will get better, Unfortunately last nights episode hasn't filled me with confidence...am I the only one that feels like this? am I over reacting? please let me know!!

5starpool

7

Well given that there are so many people here who profess hatred for the show and slate every episode, yet still religiously watch it, I think it's safe for another couple of seasons at least.

DoozerT6

I wonder what Daryl will end up doing at the Kingdom - I would imagine he'll team up with Richard in some capacity, which may lead to a reunion with Carol perhaps? But overall, I wonder how that arc will play out.

The Talking Bread

Yeah, the great thing about Darryl is, as well as being a great character, he is also an original character so, as a comic reader, they are open ended in what they do.


This new crowd coming in that Rick just met are original characters also.

5starpool

7

What I'd like to know is why it takes 200+ people to surround 5?

silvervixen84

6

Rosita's snipe to Tara seemed unnecessary too. They were all smiley at each other at the end of the last episode.

Maybe there'll be some internal beef between the two?

I enjoyed the zombie cheese wire. Wasn't expecting it and it looked great as a wide shot.

I hope they don't start doing 1/2 character-centric episodes again like they did in the first half of the season. It's so painful waiting 6 episodes for anything to actually happen.

5starpool

7

We'll probably have to wait 3 weeks until we find out. Next week - Carol on her own. The week after - Morgan, Jesus and Maggie. I really hope they don't do that though and have taken heed of the feedback that surely got to them about that format.

The Talking Bread

5starpool wrote: »

We'll probably have to wait 3 weeks until we find out. Next week - Carol on her own. The week after - Morgan, Jesus and Maggie. I really hope they don't do that though and have taken heed of the feedback that surely got to them about that format.

the previews are already on youtube

LandoCalrissian

6

Thought that was decent enough, I obviously had lower expectations than some if you guys. Storyline moved nicely along for me

For what it's worth Ricks smirk for me totally
= "YOU are my army!!!"

Hande hoche!

4

Wish they had modified the king character in a similar way to the governor. That tiger is woeful.

Username exists

Hande hoche! wrote: »

Wish they had modified the king character in a similar way to the governor. That tiger is woeful.

The tiger looks brutal, plus it's massive what's it eating. Who was the large group at the end?