I myself am quite unimpressed with the ending of an otherwise stellar well-written and well directed episode. This is because from my perspective as someone who enjoys writing, you never want to isolate your fanbase from that precious emotional connection that well constructed escapism can be, as an art form itself...

Let's not let the disappointing final seconds be what we take with us in regard to this thing as a whole. Personally bashing Kirkman, Gimple & more importantly Hardwick is just a disgusting behavior, we are all human beings. We all love the show for different reasons and have our own expectations, and hopes for the series and its characters... Expectations which set us up for disappointment, and the fault lies somewhere between ourselves and this epic hype that was completely lost by what I feel was taking an iconic and emotional scene, and turning it into a gimmick...

As someone who loves the comics and the series from the time of Darabont/Mazzara to Gimple and beyond, however, I honestly believe the last thing anyone wanted as a writer or cast/crew of this thing was to upset and enrage people. It would be nice and adult if there was some sort of a reply from the bigger guys in regard to the letdown that was the end of the episode and some form of personal responsibility other than a promise that season 7 will make it all better.

I think for most of the people I've spoken with about this, it just feels like a sad letdown for whoever gets Lucilled, as well as JDM who did wonderfully as Negan because unfortunately this really undercut his performance... we pretty much all expected this and Wanted for this to be an iconic point for the series as a whole. It still is, but for what I feel are the wrong reasons.

I'm not going to be tuning out of course, but I won't be watching the premiere live, because as much as it pains me to say it it reeks of a horrible marketing choice for money and stings like a slap in the face to all of us who have loved and supported this universe for so many years. I understand where /u/ChrisHardwick is coming from, reading his posts, the last thing anyone wants is to put up with personal attacks on them or their friends but you need to keep an open mind and understand this outrage is for many valid reasons. We deserve and want to be respected as fans just like they deserve and want to be respected as creative people behind the project.

The fact this emotional plot in the story is being overshadowed by #whoisit and the weird kerfluffle on Talking Dead is just embarrassing. For the first time since season 1 of Talking Dead I could barely sit through the episode. I feel bad for everyone on that couch and in the studio Sunday night.