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True to form, “The Walking Dead” springs back to life in its penultimate episode in 2016. After a shocking and grotesque premiere followed by multiple dead-end detours, we reconnect with the main storyline, and the result is a fairly well-paced episode. Several relationships are advanced as we touch on multiple characters in the ensemble. Although the episode ends too abruptly, leaving all the resolution for the midseason finale, “Sing Me a Song” stands out as one of the better efforts of the half-season.

Notice how well this episode moved, compared with last week’s Tara-centered slog through Oceanside. The characters on this show are not deep, so the series works best when we enjoy a few short moments with each person instead of an hour of one-note repetition.

This season, RedEye will chart the Walking Dead (characters making positive moves), the Stumbling Dead (characters who took a step back) and the Dead Dead (R.I.P.). We’ll also hand out BRAAAAAAAAAAINS to the episode MVP and NO BRAAAAAAAAAAINS to the person who blew it the hardest.

WALKING DEAD

Negan: Believe it or not, this was Negan’s best episode. For the first time, he displays the ability to mitigate his sadism, and it makes him somewhat relatable. Yes, he’s a horrible monster, but by taking Carl on a tour of The Sanctuary, we get a better view of why he clings so tightly to the rules. That kind of power is seductive. Negan is most interesting when showing some reluctance to punish or when he realizes he’s gone too far. It’s one thing to make Carl and Olivia cry, it’s another thing to recognize a possible mistake and apologize, even if half-heartedly.

If “The Walking Dead” makes Negan more complex, he has the potential to become one of the most interesting characters on television. As it is, he’s just one step removed from a predictable B-movie villain. Yet, there is potential. The prospect of Negan seducing Carl to his side could be the greatest storyline in the show’s history. Could Carl come to resent his own father for his weakness? That’s the kind of emotional storytelling rarely explored on this series, but we can hope for such complex turns down the road.

What makes Negan so effective in this episode is the implied threat of violence, rather than the actual act. When he shoves a red-hot iron to Mark’s face, that’s the same old Negan doing the same old thing. But when he taunts Carl to tears only to chastise him for cowering and not being a “badass,” that shows greater depth. When Negan sits joyfully on the porch, holding Judith and being polite, it’s far more unsettling than anything he’s ever done with Lucille. It’s reminiscent of the most unsettling shot in the great Robin Williams thriller “One Hour Photo.” Williams’ character works in a photo lab and stalks the family whose photos he develops. Eventually, he breaks into their house when they’re not home. In one shot, he’s seen sitting on their toilet in peaceful defecation. That violation of personal space is far more terrifying than all the knives, guns and barbed wire-wrapped baseball bats in fiction. As a psychological terror, Negan could be a revelation. As a bloodthirsty bully, he’s a bore. Let’s hope for more of New Negan.

Carl: Our young protagonist begins the episode on a real dumb streak, convincing Jesus to jump off the truck so he can attempt to ambush Negan’s entire army single-handed. You’re 17 years old, kid, you’re not Rambo. Having seen the sheer number of Negan’s force, Carl is basically on a suicide mission. Yes, he kills two Saviors, but that’s just a drop in the bucket. It’s interesting that Negan takes a shine to the boy, considering nearly any other character would have signed his death warrant with such a stunt.

Carl sees Negan’s “wives,” though we don’t get much in the way of the exploration of his feelings about that. The show missed an opportunity to explore what a 17-year-old boy would think of a room full of well-groomed women. Yes, it’s morally reprehensible, but Carl has a full set of raging hormones, and it would be easy to see how Negan’s situation might be more preferable to him than puppy love from weird loner Enid. How would Carl react if Negan had offered up one of his “wives” to take his virginity?

During Carl’s low point, he’s forced to remove his eye bandage and to sing “You Are My Sunshine.” Interestingly, it’s not long before he bounces back and barks some threats at Negan. He’d do well to remember that such spirit is what’s keeping him alive. Carl manages to play it cool for the rest of the episode, wisely aware that while Negan holds Judith, he should avoid any sudden outbursts. It will be interesting to see if Carl realizes Negan is trying to seduce him. That knowledge could make for an interesting double-agent situation down the road. But, as evidenced by his kamikaze mission at the episode’s beginning, we shouldn’t expect much high-level thought from our one-eyed wonderboy.

Sherry: Dwight’s former wife has been around Negan long enough to know she has to play the game. She dutifully sucks face with the monster, even as Dwight enters the room. It’s interesting to see she’s willing to stand up to Negan to a certain point. Appealing to his ego seems to be the most successful strategy. Sherry is playing the long game.

Fat Joey: Everybody’s favorite Savior delivers Lucille to Negan and puts up with his lame jokes, surviving yet another day.

Spencer: This guy is the worst, but at least he was useful in this episode. His conversation in the car with Gabriel was his best moment of the series. Spencer more thoroughly explored his hatred for Rick and allowed Gabriel to provide some counterpoint. Yes, Spencer, your mom was awesome. Rick is a different kind of leader. It’s OK to resent him, but you don’t have to sulk about it like a petulant child. Spencer made off with a giant haul of supplies thanks to the zombified hunter in the tree stand who kept a list of his own private stash. Why was the note in Latin? Literally no reason except to make Spencer seem smarter, we guess. Anyway, enjoy your one episode contributing something, Spencer!

Jesus: Yeah, he fell for Carl’s totally lame ploy to get him to jump off the truck, but then he somehow got to The Sanctuary and got back on top of the truck, then vanished, then handed Daryl a secret note with some jailbreak supplies. Next week: Water into wine?

Rick: He’s on a supply run with Aaron and seems to have found a nice stash, except it’s on a houseboat on a pond filled with zombies. Good luck getting those next week, we guess!

Aaron: He’s standing adjacent to Rick on the supply run.

STUMBLING DEAD

Dwight: Walked in on his former wife kissing Negan. Had to be reminded of his own gross face by watching Mark have his melted off. Did some light henchman work. Not Dwight’s best day, but not his worst, either. (See also: Melted face.)

Amber: Has to be one of Negan’s slave-wives. Has to watch her boyfriend have his face melted off.

Mark: Has his face melted off in front of his girlfriend. Pees himself in front of all his friends.

Daryl: He’s forced to mop up Mark’s urine after the face-melting incident. Although he attempts to threaten Negan and is thrown back into his cell, he does get the “get out of jail free” card from Jesus. Will he use it?

Olivia: Our pudgy pantry supervisor suffers some fat-shaming from Negan but bravely slaps his face when he suggests they should have sex. It’s interesting how this Negan laughs that off, while Glenn had to die when Daryl essentially did the same thing in the season premiere. This Negan is more interesting. Anyway, Olivia does slap Negan and makes a nice pitcher of lemonade.

Rosita: She’s a total jerk to Eugene, but at least she’s got her bullet. Now, if only she would be willing to coordinate her efforts with the other Alexandrians, she’d stand more of a chance. The Carl and Michonne solo missions have had a success rate of zero so far. You’re going to follow in those footsteps without help.

Eugene: This guy is all heart. He really crumbles when Rosita yells at him, but he follows through and makes her that bullet she asked for three episodes ago. It’s nice that Eugene refuses her half-hearted apologies. He’s a man of principle.

Savior Lady: Michonne gets the drop on this woman when she stops her car to investigate the body pile roadblock. Although she attempts to outsmart Michonne with her own ambush, the gambit fails and now she has to drive Michonne to Negan.

Judith: Run, Judith, run! Can you run yet? If not, learn how! Then run! Negan is bad. Can you say “bad”? At least throw up on him or pee on him or something. Then run!

Tara: Remember how you had that entire episode to yourself last week? Where were you this week? That’s how much of a nobody you are. Take your neon sunglasses and go find Heath.

DEAD DEAD

Two Saviors: It must really suck to get killed by a one-eyed teenager. Oh, well.

BRAAAAAAAAAAINS

Father Gabriel: Yes, it is possible to have a thoughtful discussion in the zombie apocalypse. This season, Gabriel has managed to rise above the horror of the situation to contemplate life’s complexities. In his conversation with Spencer, he talks about Rick’s impact on him and how Spencer’s thoughts are not sins, but his actions may be. It’s refreshing to have dialogue on this show that isn’t entirely functional, and Father Gabriel reminds us of that. Now, it’s not entirely wise to saunter back to Alexandria on foot for no particular reason, but it takes a real all-star to make Spencer seem even vaguely interesting.

NO BRAAAAAAAAAAINS

Michonne: Like Carl and Rosita, Michonne seems determined to get herself killed on a solo suicide mission. Attempting to kill Negan on his own turf seems like an awful idea when there are plenty of opportunities to catch him when his guard is down. Heck, if Michonne were in Alexandria right now, she could sneak up behind him and gouge him with the pointy end of her sword. Michonne may want to consider collaboration instead of heading off on this solo revenge fantasy.

“The Walking Dead”
Season 7, Episode 7
3 stars (out of 4)

Ben Bowman is a RedEye contributor.