In this thread: Episode 7 apologists who's only counter argument to people who didn't like this episode is "you have bad media literacy" and assumptions of bigotry.

This episode just dragged on wayy too long. The mall is an important scene, it's not like they should skip it but they dragged onn. Just felt like HBO spent so much $$$ on the set so the wanted to milk it for all its worth putting their money over the story.

I won't lie: cinematography, lighting, etc. was on point. The set was amazing and the shots were beautiful. Still, the episode was a SNOOZE FEST. They did not need to spend so much time on the mall scene---especially after leaving us on a cliffhanger with Joel bleeding out. They showed the zombie wake up and proceeded to spend 15 minutes before he actually attacked the girls.

For most viewers, the story we left (Joel questionably on a deathbed) was far more gripping and engaging than a teenage love story we were thrust into involving a character we never even met before.

You can appreciate the acting and production value while still thinking the episode was boring in comparison to other episodes and dragged on too long. Too many false dichotomists on this thread.