That gunfight was so weak. Dumpster gang had guns pointed at everyone - they should have all been killed and the show ends. How the hell does the tiger know who to attack...and get that close without anyone seeing it? The gun battle showed people galloping around and firing aimlessly - without any emotion. It was like a toy gun battle - no looks of anguish or fear - just kinda shooting with limp wrists. Directing was bad.
I think the dream sequences were meant to show what happens upon death and turning - I didn't mind that as a way to show death, and I frankly didn't see that coming (should have though).
I dunno, maybe Ezekiel trained the tiger to attack on command. They have dogs that will rip you to shreds on command, what's a tiger?
Who cares. That stuff is nothing, I'm not going to complain about shit like that. Suspension of disbelief is part of any TV show that isn't grounded in realism, and a zombie apocalypse show is the furthest thing from an exception.
The gunfight being terribly directed, as you mentioned, is however a huge complaint. The end of it was so confusing I had no idea what was happening and who was who. Most of it was just people aiming guns and shooting, like you said. Truth be told we hardly saw anyone get hit besides a few Saviors or maybe they were trash people, I have no idea. That's what I meant by it was so unsatisfying. 15 and a half episodes of our heroes being beaten into the dirt, I'd like to think they could have an epic gunfight/battle where our heroes emerge victorious where it actually FEELS like they inflicted some damage. This was a great opportunity to dispense some justice, yet somehow Negan, Simon, and even Trash Lady who is probably a throw-away villain all escape unscathed. Riiiiiight...
I daresay, it'd have been better if it just played out how Rick planned- with them bombing Eugene and the Saviors, successful ambush, Rick wins a decisive battle as the Kingdom and Hilltop arrive and rout them and the war begins. Sure, far fewer twists and turns that way and we don't get the great scene of Negan about to kill Carl, but...
I don't know. Put me in a room for an 8 hour work day and I'd write up that battle to where it'd be ten times better and more effective, then of course it'd be up to the directors and actors to actually make it work too but.
I may be in the minority but I really do love Andrew Lincoln as Rick.