[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I sort of saw the Eugene double double cross coming, but I wasn't positive, and he sold it very well when Gabriel got out of the car that he was actually willing to kill them, that his encounter with Rosita and Darryl had steeled his resolve in that regard. But I wasn't surprised when it happened. I was surprised that Negan was one of the people shooting, I think it would've been more fun if the climax had him and Rick at the height of their powers duking it out, but that's not a major gripe.

The decision not to kill Negan, as it's presented, is actually a pretty effective punishment for him. Negan's not insane. He believes his own story, that his way is actually the best way to survive and thrive and create a functional mini-society in the world as it's become. He actually thinks he's saving people. If Rick and Co. lock him up and then go on to create a fully functional, prosperous and flourishing "new world" in the region, that illusion is shattered and he has to face the fact that he's done horrible horrible things that aren't in any way justified. That, I think, is more likely to cause him harm than dying a self-righteous death.

Ironically, if Maggie succeeds in creating discord between Hilltop and Alexandria, she might end up proving Negan right. You wonder if that's how Lauren Cohan gets written off the show. She still doesn't have a deal for another season.