I've had a week to chew on the premiere...and today read people's opinions of episode 2.
I makes me very glad I have chosen not to watch this show until an entire season is over.
First off, the show just isn't very good anymore. The writers are seemingly fucking with the viewers. The premiere wraps up last season's cliffhanger. Episodes 2-6 are mostly just shit filler with hints at the upcoming "mid season cliffhanger". Episode 7 will move at a good pace and 8 will be nothing but a cliffhanger. Episodes 9-16 will rinse, repeat.
I watch a show like Breaking Bad, or Game of Thrones, or now Westworld and I get to see good writing, shows filled with plot/acting vs just stupid time crunching filler. With Game of Thrones and Westworld, there's no absurdly stupid "mid season" break that is now the norm with network television (something I loathe)...
TWD is now a popcorn flick at best. I'll finish this season when the entire thing hits Netflix and not a second sooner.