Rather than be caught up with too many different elements, we stuck with Eugene and Dwight. Given the rather poetic final image of these two standing together, that's enough to suggest this episode was no calamity at all.
The episode, entitled "Hostiles and Calamities," directed by Kari Skogland, reverts back to Negan and life in his Sanctuary. In fact, it sheds light on the interior lifestyle of the Saviors - something fans haven't been privy to as of yet.
The show has previously explored Eugene's tendency to lie, his admitted cowardice and his survival instincts. Those three traits combine to make his arrival at the compound so successful.
Unlike many of the stand-alone episodes, "Hostiles and Calamities" actually felt like it had a point to make about how far Dwight and Eugene will sell themselves out to remain in Negan's graces.
With the focus on Eugene's moral downfall, the dispatch gave us a greater insight (to) Negan and the seductive lure of his regime than any number of gratuitous beatings.
Instead of beating us over the head with the fact that Rick has to harden his heart to lead, etc. etc., it shows us a man caught in the shifting winds of a personality that is changing as the world changes.
Last week was The Walking Dead finding the groove of its older, better self. This week was a slightly different riff: a more thoughtful version of the show that disappointed viewers during the first half of the season.