After missile-based armageddon dominated final season’s finale, the return of Concern The Strolling Lifeless gives the proper alternative to combine issues up. A contemporary risk and a few new faces are simply what the present wants – lurching alongside because it has been, like a groaning walker ready to be put out of its distress. However on the premise of the primary two episodes supplied to critics, the writers suppose otherwise. Season seven, sadly, is extra of the vacuous identical.
With Teddy (John Glover) killed shortly after launching a set of warheads, Victor Strand (Colman Domingo) is now the principle villain. Now not a dabbler within the morally doubtful, he’s constructing a high-rise settlement that’s unique to those that earn his approval. After standout turns in Ma Rainey’s Black Backside and Euphoria, Domingo’s step into the highlight feels lengthy overdue. He’s clearly relishing the swap to deliciously depraved dictator, and it’s pleasurable to observe his capability for evil fulfilled to the max. Some may mourn the loss of nuance, however these new episodes are at all times higher when he’s on display screen.
But Strand is one of the few vivid spots. Regardless of Teddy’s nuclear assaults the season earlier than, it’s principally enterprise as regular within the apocalypse. The one distinction is the fuel masks, which our survivors strap on to guard themselves from poisonous fuel. A thick, yellow fog hides new radioactive zombies, however regardless of publicity to the blast and frequent provide runs into the open, Morgan (Lennie James) and Grace (Karen David) stay unhurt by their poisonous surroundings.
The unanswered logistical questions (the place have all these fuel masks come from?) and the reckless manner by which characters behave shatters any phantasm of raised stakes. Concern The Strolling Lifeless has usually lower corners to amplify thrills, however even followers will discover it troublesome to purchase into the silliness this season.
The overriding sense of déjà vu doesn’t assist. Each season begins with our survivors scattered in regards to the place. Then a new villain emerges, whereas a mysterious risk loiters on the periphery – this time roaming bandits known as stalkers – till they finally take centre-stage down the road. The Strolling Lifeless added complexities in latest seasons to the present’s profit, however Concern appears content material to show the identical web page again and again.
It’s ironic that the worst bit of the franchise is the one present not dealing with cancellation. Regardless of the radioactive clouds, Concern The Strolling Lifeless’s flaws have by no means felt clearer than in season seven – a present so inflexible and creatively bankrupt it gained’t blow up the components even after it’s blown up the characters. “I don’t wanna be right here anymore,” yells Grace into the wasteland throughout the brand new season. We fairly agree.
‘Concern The Strolling Lifeless’ season seven airs weekly on AMC from Sunday October 17 (Mondays at 2am within the UK)