Something They Need
- Episode aired Mar 26, 2017
- TV-MA
- 43m
A group of Alexandrians embark on a journey; One member of the group must make a heartbreaking decision.A group of Alexandrians embark on a journey; One member of the group must make a heartbreaking decision.A group of Alexandrians embark on a journey; One member of the group must make a heartbreaking decision.
- Carol Peletier
- (credit only)
- Morgan Jones
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNorman Reedus said Oceanside had a completely different vibe than Alexandria. It reminded him of a beach in Costa Rica.
- GoofsDespite a main plot point being the scarcity of ammunition, Rick's group uses automatic fire to stop a few walkers.
- Quotes
[just as David is about to rape Sasha in her cell, Negan interrupts]
Negan: HEY! What the hell are you doin' in here?
David: Negan, sir...
Negan: [interrupting him] D'you REALLY think I need you to answer that? I can see that you're tryin' to rape this woman. You... were tryin' to rape this woman, weren't you? Ah... this is some unacceptable behavior. Rape is against the rules here. I wouldn't wanna be somewhere where it wasn't. Someone in charge... who lets somethin' like that fly...
[he exhales and pulls out a massive knife]
Negan: [whispering] David... you really crossed the line here.
David: [whimpering] I'm sorry, sir.
[Negan looks at David for a moment, then stabs him through the neck]
Negan: You know what? I do not accept your apology.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Talking Dead: The Other Side (2017)
Potential that was not lived up to in "Something They Need" and this is not how to do a penultimate episode for anything. It was to me a case of two main stories in one, with one being much better than the other. One was promising and carried by a great performance from the character it centres primarily around. The other was pretty weak with a couple of things saving it. "Something They Need" is not a terrible episode and is not a 1/10 episode that has been given out too easily and with malice, but we have seen numerous times that 'The Walking Dead' can be brilliant and we saw glimpses of that in a couple of Season 7's episodes and this had too many flaws to be that.
"Something They Need" does have good things. The best thing about it is the powerful and justifiably never-universally praised performance of Sonequa Martin-Green, her conflicting emotions being conveyed very movingly and her conflict being written with uncompromising tension and pathos. Negan is menacing and poses a genuine threat, he's not caricaturish in the way that he was in other episodes of 'The Walking Dead' (a prime example being "Service"). The character interaction between the two fascinated and chilled. The only downside of that story was the completely unnecessary sequence with Dave and the gratuitous outcome.
Furthermore, the whole episode is well made visually. It's stylish and atmospheric and one doesn't have to worry about cheap green screen junkyard settings and even cheaper CGI deer. The music is also suitably haunting and the performances all round are strong, especially Martin-Green.
The Oceanside story was less good. Really appreciated that it tried to make Tara more interesting and give her development and overall it is one of her better appearances. It does have moments of intrigue. Unfortunately, it is let down by a severe lack of tension, very draggy pacing that too often makes the story too aimless and padded and far too much talk (the worst of it making Negan's long winded monologing that keeps popping up since he was first introduced tight in comparison).
As well as some very off characterisation, especially Rick acting no better than Negan yet it is rammed down the throat that he's a hero and always right and also Tara's contradictory and too willing attitude towards the plan. Very jarring compared to what is already known about her. The ending felt rather anti-climactic and the action less than thrilling.
Concluding, disappointing and wildly uneven penultimate episode to a mostly underwhelming season. 4/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 28, 2021
Details
- Runtime43 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix