Despite being an episode with multiple different scenes being showcased (as has probably been made clear as an element that takes away in the past), “Something They Need” still manages to be a rather interesting episode of The Walking Dead.
1. The Devolution of Gregory’s Leadership
Over the course of his tenure on the show, Gregory has been, at best, rude, and at worst, completely incompetent. The latter seems to be on display in this episode, on top of his cowardice. First, he cannot bring himself to kill Maggie in cold blood, something that is actually pretty decent of him, and is not entirely chocked up to being just cowardly. However, his insistence that he couldn’t have survived as long as he had without killing a Walker (which he actually had not ever done), coupled with his lie being put on display to his own townspeople when they walk by, seems to show further erosion of his power base. Will whatever he wanted to do with Kal reverse this trend? Unlikely, but perhaps he will grow a backbone of immorality instead.
2. Semi-Decency of Negan
Negan’s decision to kill David, who was about to rape Sasha (revealed not to have been killed in the attack she attempted), shows his moral code may not be entirely toward evil or just connected to manipulation and sadism. While Gavin’s morality around the death of Benjamin some time ago hinted at some humanity amongst the Saviors, this act, which actually saved Sasha rather than manipulating her into a situation where she could have to be saved (as is the case when they send Walkers toward others), shows that perhaps Negan actually can consider himself not to be a monster, as he emphasized to their captive. He even seems to understand what he did to Abraham and Glenn was something that she held against him, and to see her attacking his group as somewhat justified from her perspective.
This does not make him a good person by a long shot, and he is still crazy, but perhaps it is a way to show that working under him is actually understandable on some level, much like why Eugene decided to work with him in order to be treated with respect.
3. Sasha’s Miscalculations
Sasha’s attempts at manipulation for Eugene were very good, with her doing very well at acting upset, but her lack of certain information led to the failure of the plan to get a weapon for herself. In particular, Eugene seems to have remembered the fact that the wives had faked wanting suicide pills for Amber in order to poison Negan, and perhaps had those pills still with him. Giving the medication to Sasha proved useless for her plan, and she seems momentarily doomed to be forced into helping Negan destroy Rick’s burgeoning offensive before it has time to start.
4. Darkening of Alexandria
The siege of Oceanside marked a very dark moment for Rick and his Alexandria Safe-Zone crew. Of course, it pales in comparison to what happened to Gareth’s group after the fall of Terminus, but their actions, sneakily destroying Oceanside’s defenses, seem dangerous for their morality. Especially notable was Rick standing before the people of Oceanside on their knees, telling them that they have what he needs, much like how Negan cows those he takes over. Natania seemed to figure out how close to the Saviors the group is, hence her utter refusal to work with them, but it stand to reason that perhaps Rick isn’t in his right mind about the coming war.
Tara has an in to Oceanside, but perhaps her holding Cindy and Natania at gunpoint destroyed that connection, empty or not. What happens after to Oceanside if they survive the coming battle up in the air, but will they stay friends with her? Unclear.
5. Face to Face
Dwight was indeed the one Rosita saw when she was escaping the Sanctuary. From the look of the small cut above his eye, he didn’t get out unscathed, but he appears to be willing to fight to destroy the Saviors once and for all. Will he be able to work with Daryl, his former captive and victim? That eventuality depends upon whether or not Rick will listen to him and put away his pistol (which is very likely).
