Service (The Walking Dead)

"Service"
The Walking Dead episode
Episode no. Season 7
Episode 4
Directed by David Boyd
Written by Corey Reed
Original air date November 13, 2016 (2016-11-13)
Running time 60 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

"Service" is the fourth episode of the seventh season and 87th episode overall of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on November 13, 2016. The episode was written by Corey Reed and directed by David Boyd. The episode aired in an expanded 85-minute time slot.

The episode revolves around Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and the Saviors' first visit to the Alexandria Safe-Zone.

Plot

As the grieving survivors struggle to come to terms with life under Negan's (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) rule, Negan and the Saviors arrive at Alexandria days ahead of schedule for their first offering; they take a majority of their furniture, medicine, and all of their guns. Rick (Andrew Lincoln) informs the survivors that he is no longer in charge and they must learn to live by Negan's terms. Rick attempts to convince Michonne (Danai Gurira) to accept the way things are but she later finds that the Saviors have burned their mattresses by the road and becomes angered. Rosita (Christian Serratos) finds a shell casing and brings it to Eugene (Josh McDermitt) in order to make copies of it for a gun she stole off of a walker in the woods.

Reception

Critical reception

Jeffrey Dean Morgan received mixed reviews for his performance as Negan in this episode.

"Service" received mixed to positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 66% rating average with a score of 7 out of 10, based on 32 reviews. The site's consensus reads "Though the pace is slower than desired, "Service" systematically sets a foundation for a frightening future while furthering the story of life under Negan's rule."[1]

Kelly Lawler of USA Today reviewed the episode, saying, "Jeffrey Dean Morgan's villain is still just as boring, just as non-threatening as he was before. An extra-long episode that was basically just the IKEA trip from Hell doesn't really do anything to further his character."[2] Erik Kain of Forbes also reviewed the episode, saying, "All told, this was the weakest episode of the season so far by a long shot. I hope the showrunners tighten things up going forward, and give us more action, more intertwined storylines, and less Negan and his endless chatter."[3]

Ratings

The episode received a 5.4 rating in the key 18–49 demographic with 11.40 million total viewers.[4] It is at the time the lowest rating the show has had since "Dead Weight" from season four.[5]

References

  1. "Service". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  2. Lawler, Kelly (November 18, 2016). "'The Walking Dead' recap: Apocalypse now". USA Today. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  3. Kain, Erik (November 13, 2016). "'The Walking Dead' Season 7, Episode 4 Review: 'Service' Is New Season Low". Forbes. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  4. Porter, Rick (November 15, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Westworld' ticks up as 'Walking Dead' slips a little more". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  5. Bibel, Sara (November 26, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Homeland', 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Witches of East End' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
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