"The First Day of the Rest of Your Life" is the sixteenth and final episode of the
seventh season of the
post-apocalyptic
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction in which the Earth's (or another planet's) civilization is collapsing or has collapsed. The apocalypse event may be climatic, such as runaway climate change; astro ...
horror television series ''
The Walking Dead'', which aired in the United States on
AMC
AMC may refer to:
Film and television
* AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain
* AMC Networks, an American entertainment company
** AMC (TV channel)
** AMC+, streaming service
** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company
*** ...
on April 2, 2017. The episode was written by
Scott M. Gimple,
Angela Kang
Angela Kang (born March 23, 1976) is an American television writer known for serving as showrunner on the AMC horror drama series '' The Walking Dead'' for the final three seasons.
Early life
Kang was born and raised in Irvine, California, the ...
, and Matthew Negrete, and directed by
Greg Nicotero
Gregory Nicotero (born March 15, 1963) is an American special make-up effects creator, television producer, and director. His first major job in special effects makeup was on the George A. Romero film ''Day of the Dead'' (1985), under the tutelag ...
.
In the episode,
Sasha Williams (
Sonequa Martin-Green
Sonequa Chaunté Martin-Green (; Martin; born March 21, 1985) is an American actress. She is best known for her television roles as Michael Burnham, the main character in the streaming television series '' Star Trek: Discovery'', and as Sasha W ...
) comes to terms with the decision to commit suicide while in captivity, in order to kill
Negan
Negan, later revealed as Negan Smith in the television series, is a fictional character in the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'' and in the television series of the same name. He was the leader of the Saviors, a group of survivors in the S ...
(
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (born April 22, 1966) is an American actor of television and film, best known for playing the character Negan in the AMC horror drama series '' The Walking Dead'' (2016–2022), for which he has received critical acclaim. He ...
) as a
walker
Walker or The Walker may refer to:
People
*Walker (given name)
*Walker (surname)
*Walker (Brazilian footballer) (born 1982), Brazilian footballer
Places
In the United States
*Walker, Arizona, in Yavapai County
*Walker, Mono County, California
* ...
. Brief flashbacks show her short-term relationship with
Abraham Ford
Sgt. Abraham Ford is a fictional character from the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'' and was portrayed by Michael Cudlitz in the American television series of the same name.
In both mediums Abraham traveled the country with his girlfrien ...
(
Michael Cudlitz
Michael Cudlitz (born December 29, 1964) is an American actor known for portraying John Cooper in the NBC/ TNT drama series '' Southland'' for which he won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2013 ...
) and her friendship with
Maggie Greene
Maggie Greene, later Maggie Rhee in the television series, is a fictional character from the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'', portrayed by Lauren Cohan in the television adaptation of the same name.
In the comic book series, Maggie beco ...
(
Lauren Cohan
Lauren Cohan (born January 7, 1982) is an American-British actress best known for her role as Maggie Greene in the AMC post-apocalyptic horror television series '' The Walking Dead'' (2011–2018; 2020–2022). Her other notable TV roles inclu ...
) as a reason to sacrifice herself to protect her friends. The episode also includes the build-up to the
following season's storylines.
This episode marked Martin-Green's final regular appearance in the series. Cudlitz reprised his role as Abraham in flashbacks.
Khary Payton
Khary Payton (born May 16, 1972) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as King Ezekiel on the horror drama series '' The Walking Dead'' and Dr. Terrell Jackson on the soap opera '' General Hospital'', as well as voicing Cyborg across v ...
,
Steven Ogg
Steven Ogg is a Canadian actor. He is best known for playing Trevor Philips in the 2013 video game ''Grand Theft Auto V'' and Simon in '' The Walking Dead'', and has also appeared on ''Better Call Saul'', ''Westworld'', ''The Tick'', and ''Snow ...
,
Katelyn Nacon
Katelyn Nacon is an American actress. She played Elisia Brown in the go90 web series '' Tagged'' (2016–2018) and Enid on '' The Walking Dead'' (2015–2019).
Personal life
Nacon attended Woodstock High School, in Woodstock, Georgia.
Career
...
, and
Pollyanna McIntosh
Pollyanna McIntosh (born 15 March 1979) is a Scottish-American actress and director known for her roles in films ''Exam'' (2009), '' The Woman'' (2011), ''Let Us Prey'' (2014), the first season of Joe R. Lansdale's ''Hap and Leonard'' (2016), ...
reappeared as guest stars before being upgraded to series regulars for the eighth season. Dedicated in memory of
Bernie Wrightson
Bernard Albert Wrightson (October 27, 1948 – March 18, 2017), sometimes credited as Bernie Wrightson, was an American artist, known for co-creating the Swamp Thing, his adaptation of the novel ''Frankenstein'' illustration work, and for his o ...
, the episode received positive reviews from critics.
Plot
Sasha listens to an iPod in a casket in the back of a truck, struggling to maintain consciousness and has daydreams of her now-deceased boyfriend
Abraham
Abraham, ; ar, , , name=, group= (originally Abram) is the common Hebrew patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is the founding father of the special relationship between the Jew ...
and friend
Maggie
Maggie is a common short form of the name Magdalena, Magnolia, Margaret.
Maggie may refer to:
People
Women
* Maggie Adamson, Scottish musician
* Maggie Aderin-Pocock (born 1968), British scientist
* Maggie Alderson (born 1959), Aust ...
.
At the Alexandria Safe-Zone,
Rick
Rick may refer to:
People
*Rick (given name), a list of people with the given name
*Alan Rick (born 1976), Brazilian politician, journalist, pastor and television personality
*Johannes Rick (1869–1946), Austrian-born Brazilian priest and mycol ...
and his allies question
Dwight Dwight may refer to:
People
* Dwight (given name)
* Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969), 34th president of the United States and former military officer
*New England Dwight family of American educators, military and political leaders, and authors
* ...
, a former member of the Saviors group, who warns them their leader
Negan
Negan, later revealed as Negan Smith in the television series, is a fictional character in the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'' and in the television series of the same name. He was the leader of the Saviors, a group of survivors in the S ...
has captured
Sasha and is preparing a major attack. Rick sends word to
Jadis and the Scavengers that their help is needed.
At the Sanctuary, Sasha convinces Negan to kill only one Alexandrian instead of three for their transgressions and agrees to help in his plan. Negan has Sasha secured in a casket on a truck as the rest of the Saviors prepare to march.
Eugene provides Sasha with an iPod and some water before the casket is closed. The Saviors encounter a roadblock set up by Dwight, giving time for the Alexandrians and Scavengers to take defensive positions. Before a fight can start, Jadis and the Scavengers turn their weapons on the Alexandrians, revealing that they double-crossed Rick's group after the Saviors approached them and offered them a better deal. Negan enters Alexandria and taunts Rick, before ordering Sasha's casket forward, saying that he will let Sasha live if Alexandria surrenders and turns over all its possessions. Rick demands to see Sasha, and Negan prepares to open the casket. A flashback shows Sasha took the
suicide pill
A suicide pill (also known as the cyanide pill, kill-pill, lethal pill, death-pill, or L-pill) is a pill, capsule, ampoule, or tablet containing a fatally poisonous substance that a person ingests deliberately in order to achieve death quickly t ...
Eugene had given her the day before. Now a
walker
Walker or The Walker may refer to:
People
*Walker (given name)
*Walker (surname)
*Walker (Brazilian footballer) (born 1982), Brazilian footballer
Places
In the United States
*Walker, Arizona, in Yavapai County
*Walker, Mono County, California
* ...
, Sasha attacks Negan, and the distraction allows the Alexandrians to fight against the Saviors and Scavengers. After subduing them, Negan prepares to kill
Carl Carl may refer to:
*Carl, Georgia, city in USA
*Carl, West Virginia, an unincorporated community
* Carl (name), includes info about the name, variations of the name, and a list of people with the name
*Carl², a TV series
* "Carl", an episode of te ...
in front of Rick, but is stopped by the arrival of forces from the Kingdom and Hilltop, led by
King Ezekiel
King Ezekiel, later revealed as Ezekiel Sutton in the television series, is a fictional character from the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'' and the television series of the same name, in which he is portrayed by Khary Payton.
Ezekiel is t ...
and Maggie, who help successfully fend off the Saviors and Scavengers.
When the Saviors regroup at Sanctuary, Negan asks Eugene how Sasha could have died, and he suggests she may have died from suffocation in the casket. Negan remains doubtful but accepts the answer, and tells the Saviors to prepare for war. At Alexandria, the combined group mourn their losses, including Sasha's sacrifice.
Daryl
Darryl is an English name, a variant spelling of Darell.
Male variations of this name include: Darlin, Daryl, Darrell, Darryl, Daryll, Darryll, Darrell, Darrel.
Female and unisex variations of this name include: Daryl, Darian, Dareen, Darell ...
finds a note from Dwight, explaining that he was unaware of the Scavengers' betrayal. Rick, Maggie, and Ezekiel agree to combine their forces in the war against the Saviors.
Production
![Sonequa Martin-Green and Michael Cudlitz 2016](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Sonequa_Martin-Green_and_Michael_Cudlitz_2016.jpg)
The episode marks the last regular appearance of
Michael Cudlitz
Michael Cudlitz (born December 29, 1964) is an American actor known for portraying John Cooper in the NBC/ TNT drama series '' Southland'' for which he won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2013 ...
as
Abraham Ford
Sgt. Abraham Ford is a fictional character from the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'' and was portrayed by Michael Cudlitz in the American television series of the same name.
In both mediums Abraham traveled the country with his girlfrien ...
and
Sonequa Martin-Green
Sonequa Chaunté Martin-Green (; Martin; born March 21, 1985) is an American actress. She is best known for her television roles as Michael Burnham, the main character in the streaming television series '' Star Trek: Discovery'', and as Sasha W ...
's final regular appearance as
Sasha Williams. Martin-Green explained Sasha's decision to sacrifice herself and felt that it was "right and complete".
She said, "It was quite poetic
..it was the perfect end to my story, the perfect culmination of my life. I felt like all of my roads had led to that moment
..I was still going to fight because I had realized my purpose."
Speculation had arisen over Martin-Green leaving the show to play the role of
Michael Burnham
Michael Burnham is the fictional protagonist on '' Star Trek: Discovery'' portrayed by American actress Sonequa Martin-Green. She originally appears as the First Officer of USS ''Shenzhou'' under Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) until she com ...
on ''
Star Trek: Discovery''. However, she dismissed these claims. Martin-Green said she was aware of the death of Sasha for a while, though was unaware of the details "until a few weeks before."
She said that writer
Scott M. Gimple had told her Sasha's death would be "heroic and sacrificial and that it would be
heperfect end to the story. He'd thought about it for a long time and had a vision of it for a very long time."
Although Sasha's brother,
Tyreese
Tyreese, later revealed as Tyreese Williams in the television series, is a fictional character from the comic book series '' The Walking Dead'' and was portrayed by Chad Coleman in the American television series of the same name. He is a prom ...
, is not mentioned, Sasha's death serves as a parallel to her brother's death scene in the
fifth season episode "
What Happened and What's Going On". Both episodes begin with a
flashforward
A flashforward (also spelled flash-forward, and more formally known as prolepsis) is a scene that temporarily takes the narrative forward in time from the current point of the story in literature, film, television and other media. Flashforwards a ...
of the deaths (although this is not known until the end) and feature re-appearances of dead characters, as well as the episode titles referencing time.
This episode was dedicated in memory of American
comic artist
A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comic book illustrators in that they produce both the literary and ...
Bernie Wrightson
Bernard Albert Wrightson (October 27, 1948 – March 18, 2017), sometimes credited as Bernie Wrightson, was an American artist, known for co-creating the Swamp Thing, his adaptation of the novel ''Frankenstein'' illustration work, and for his o ...
, who died on March 18, 2017.
Reception
In its initial airing, "The First Day of the Rest of Your Life" was seen by 11.31 million total viewers. Additionally, it received a 5.4 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, making it the show's lowest-rated season finale since
season two Season 2 may refer to:
* ''Season 2'' (Infinite album)
* ''2econd Season
''2econd Season'' is the second and most recent album by Atlanta-based rapper Unk.
Release
It was released on November 4, 2008.
Guest Performers
The album features gu ...
. The
review aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...
website
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
reported an approval rating of 83% with an average score of 7.5/10 based on 41 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, The First Day of the Rest of Your Life' overcomes sporadic doldrums with an action-packed battle sequence, satisfying and innovative storytelling, and impressively imaginative use of a tiger."
Jeff Stone of
IndieWire
IndieWire (sometimes stylized as indieWIRE or Indiewire) is a film industry and review website that was established in 1996. The site's focus was predominantly independent film, although its coverage has grown to "to include all aspects of Hollyw ...
gave the episode a grade rating of a "B−", summarizing the season finale as being poorly paced, but having "enough thrills to get by." Kevin Fitzpatrick of ''
Screen Crush
Townsquare Media, Inc. (formerly Regent Communications until 2010) is an American radio network and media company based in Purchase, New York. The company started in radio and expanded into digital media toward the end of the 2000s, starting wi ...
'' gave the episode a positive review saying that it was a "strong finish to an otherwise uneven season". Blair Marnell of
CraveOnline
Mandatory (formerly CraveOnline Media) is a lifestyle website based in Los Angeles with sales offices in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. The site is owned by media company Evolve Media, LLC. Mandatory focuses its contents into the male- ...
gave the episode a mixed review, stating that he felt the episode "gave Sasha a memorable send off
nan interesting way. But it went on for far too long."
Stuart Jeffries of ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
'' called it "a satisfyingly gaudy ending", while Kevin Yeoman of ''
Screen Rant
''Screen Rant'' is an entertainment website that offers news in the fields of television, films, video games, and film theories. ''Screen Rant'' was launched by Vic Holtreman in 2003, and originally had its primary office in Ogden, Utah. ''Scr ...
'' felt the episode was "a drag" but assessed that Sasha's death served as the episode's highlight. Elise Nakhnikian of ''
Slant Magazine
''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York ...
'' was critical of the ending but praised Sasha's scenes. She assessed the ending as being "disappointing" and "so badly botched that it did little to change the balance of power, functioning mainly as a prolonged teaser for the battle that will follow."
Writing for ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'', Noel Murray gave the season finale positives notes for its climax and ending.
Noam Cohen
Noam Cohen is an American journalist. He was a technology columnist and author of the "Link by Link" column for ''The New York Times'' from 2007 to 2013. He is the author of the 2017 nonfiction book ''The Know-It-Alls: The Rise of Silicon Valley ...
, from ''
The New York Observer
''The New York Observer'' was a weekly newspaper printed from 1987 to 2016, when it ceased print publication and became the online-only newspaper ''Observer''. The media site focuses on culture, real estate, media, politics and the entertainmen ...
'', gave a mixed review, stating that some scenes felt repetitive to previous episodes. Furthermore, the
New York ''Daily News'' journalist Dan Gunderman found the opening sequences of the episode to be "slow out of the gate", but once the episode arrived to the climax, he said it was "chill-inducing TV". Lastly, from the ''
Orlando Sentinel
The ''Orlando Sentinel'' is the primary newspaper of Orlando, Florida, and the Central Florida region. It was founded in 1876 and is currently owned by Tribune Publishing Company.
The ''Orlando Sentinel'' is owned by parent company, '' Tribune P ...
'', Hal Boedeker wrote that "The First Day of the Rest of Your Life" gave viewers "memorable twists and an unforgettable sendoff".
References
External links
"The First Day of the Rest of Your Life"at
AMC
AMC may refer to:
Film and television
* AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain
* AMC Networks, an American entertainment company
** AMC (TV channel)
** AMC+, streaming service
** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company
*** ...
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:First Day of the Rest of Your Life (The Walking Dead), The
2017 American television episodes
The Walking Dead (season 7) episodes