The Walking Dead #TBT: Not making a decision is a big decision

Negan taught us all a life lesson on decision making during The Walking Dead’s season 7 premiere in the most universally captivating scene on the show.

In the spirit of Throwback Thursday (#TBT), we’re looking back at the best and most iconic episodes in The Walking Dead’s nine season run.

The Walking Dead’s scene in which Negan asked Rick Grimes to cut his own son’s arm off will likely never be topped. The pinnacle, apex, and gold standard of the series that made you sit on the very edge of your seat even if you never watched a single episode of the show. There was no background needed, no prior watching or reading of the comic book required, not even an interest in zombie fandom culture. The scene stood on its own, frozen in time, and forever etched in our minds. Simply put, a masterpiece.

Picture Negan marking down a straight line on Carl Grimes arm as he lays in gravel, an eyepatch already covering half his face. Already vulnerable, forever scarred by decisions past, now reduced to further helplessness. A distraught Rick Grimes pleading with a man he’d just met to spare his son, utterly bewildered about what’s taking place. Then the nightmare continues unraveling, Negan plays with his emotions, telling Rick he’s not doing anything at first.

Rather, it’s Rick that’ll be picking up the axe. The “famous” Rick Grimes reduced to a marionette. No longer the leader, not even of his own life. For the first time since Joe and The Claimers, there is no exit door. He’s already personally witnessed what happened to Abraham and Glenn, what’ll happen if he doesn’t go through with Negan’s request.

Rick Grimes is not just physically disarmed but emotionally disarmed. He literally can’t advance forward to action of any sort, no moves left. Checkmate.

It’s then Negan’s infamous words ring, “Not making a decision is a BIG decision!”

It’s true and absolute, hesitation leads nowhere in life. When was the last time procrastination hasn’t diverted from your own life’s goals? Negan reminds Rick about the consequences that’ll befall his son and group if he keeps him waiting. A life and death guidance counselor if you will, scaring him straight. Negan even adds a slap to sober Rick up, adding a countdown as Saw-esque high pressure suspense music paints the scenery.

Carl tells his father “just do it, just do it” as Rick is trapped in a lose-lose situation, every moment of non-action only delaying the inevitable or worse. Crying and pleading, broken as a father and a human being, Rick picks up the axe as Negan calls out the number three like a drill instructor. Finally, as Rick is on the cusp of actually doing the unthinkable, Negan crouches down as Rick looks back in dire hopes of a change. Negan makes certain Rick now belongs to him as Rick’s confidence and ego has crumbled into a million pieces. Negan tells Rick, “That is the look I wanted to see,” to complete the life-changing moment in the show’s history.

The scene was so mesmerizing in fact, a few select viewers couldn’t recover from its realistic picture-perfect depiction, leading to some social media complaints that most likely changed the course of the show. The Walking Dead seemingly never returned to this level of true horror again, overly listening to the vocal complainers rather than continuing the atmosphere established on the historic premiere.

They would follow this 10 out of 10 episode with a slow building, calm, introductory episode of the kingdom afterwards when it undoubtedly should have been “The Cell” where Daryll hears “Easy Street” looping in his makeshift prison cell. Another high point, Clockwork Orange style, and crowning achievement of season 7.

Negan seems to be getting overly humanized these days, changing almost into Home Improvement’s neighbor Wilson. Rather, than the unpredictable, terrifying force he once was. Bring back the Negan of the season 7 premiere!

There is only one other scene that compares to the Mount Everest level reached during the Negan, Rick and Carl scene. The Governor’s attack on the prison that includes an all time legendary Rick monologue speech followed by the word that said it all… “Liar!”

Stay tuned for more on the The Governor’s iconic ambush on the next The Walking Dead #ThrowBackThursday!

Check out The Walking Dead cast and alumni Thank Andrew Lincoln in a heartfelt video.