Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S11 E20

On this week’s episode of The Walking Dead…we see the true nature of Pamila, while also seeing the power of friendship.

What’s Been Lost

On this 20^th episode of the series finale…we know for sure two things: our beloved Ninja warrior, Carol (Melissa McBride) is at her best while under attack…and that Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura) has a decision to make: save Eugene or save the people that have been kidnapped per orders from Pamela (Laila Robins).

Pamela has shown her cards in this episode. Not only does she intend to keep Walker Sebastian with her (does she intend to feed other residents to Sebastian?), but she has given the order to capture all of Team Daryl’s people. Rosita, Ezekiel, the children…everyone! Luckily for us, Carol and Daryl avoid the capture, but now need help to find their people. Who can help them?

Connie (Lauren Ridloff) tries to persuade Yumiko to do the right thing, even Eugene (Josh McDermott) is resigned to his fate, but Yumiko knows that her people will die if she doesn’t follow Pamela’s speech for the press conference. Yumiko is supposed to announce that she will be prosecuting Eugene and Max.

Carol

After faithfully watching all eleven seasons of TWD, I have come to love Melissa McBride’s Carol the most. The evolution arc of this character is amazing. Carol went from abused spouse to a freaking Terminator, and I am loving every second of it. Although we learn later that even Negan and Ezekiel were overcome by the kidnappers…Carol was able to fight the Pamela’s assassins off and escape…later…she convinces Daryl to get help from Lance (Josh Hamilton).

Now, I always tell people that leopards don’t change their spots…and never trust a snake, but when Carol and Daryl go to rescue Lance, he is a pitiful sight to see. He is covered in his friend’s blood and Walker Sebastian is eyeing Lance as a tasty snack.  After they are separated from Daryl, Lance leads Carol into an abandoned tunnel where they are surrounded by walkers. He purposely led Carol into a trap, but our Ninja plays it cool. Daryl comes to the rescue as Lance and Carol are ready to be shot by stormtroopers.

Yumiko

I love when secondary characters are allowed to show their stuff, and in this episode, Yumiko comes through on the letter of the law. Yumiko follows one of Pamela’s henchmen to see if he can lead her to her captured friends, but she almost gets caught.

Conclusion

Pamela is desperate to keep the illusion that the Commonwealth is doing okay. She is planning a kangaroo court to execute Eugene, thus satisfying her revenge for the loss of Sebastian, and also to let the people think that justice is blind…but thank goodness for Yumiko. She not only reminds the people at the press conference that her brother is a wonderful surgeon, but then she breaks the news that she will be defending Eugene. Oh, Oh! If looks could kill. Pamela is pissed.

Let’s get back to the coin flipping Lance. He surprises Carol and Daryl with the news that the Commonwealth has a train. The hope was to use that train to travel between communities…or more likely to capture more people. Lance thinking that he and Carol or best of buddies, is surprised when he gets the news that he isn’t wanted anymore. With a sad puppy dog face, Lance walks away and we think that maybe he will turn his life around like Negan did and play nice….but hell no! Like a true rattlesnake, he tries to kill Carol and Daryl, but he forgot who he was dealing with. Ninja Warrior 1…Lance 0

The series ended on a sad note when we see our friends drugged and bound and on a bus heading to someplace very bad. Let’s hope that Carol and Daryl will save the day. At least Team Aaron is still safe…

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Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S11 E17

I am a week late with my review…so sorry my little zombie snacks. I was busy playing with the great grands. But I am finally catching up and let’s just say that The Walking Dead is tying up loose ends with a big bang.

Lockdown

I’ve been reviewing The Walking Dead series for eleven seasons…that is a long time. The cast is considered family and, as such, I am dreading that last episode. Yes, I know there will be shoot offs from the original, but it is not the same.

I don’t have AMC+ so I am limited to watching the episodes as they come out every Sunday, but that said…let’s talk about Lockdown. Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton) has proven himself a worthy opponent. He is ruthless, and he is getting the job done even with the combined efforts of Maggie, Daryl, and Negan.

Pamela Milton (Laila Robins) runs a tight ship but that newspaper article about the missing people and Milton’s son has riled up the normally obedient townsfolk. Pamela is forced to put the town on lockdown…she is not playing around, either because she opens the gates to allow a few walkers to help with her stormtroopers attempts to disperse the crowd of protesters.

While trying to hide the children, Jerry and Carol dodge Shira and Roman. Mercer (Michael James Shaw) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) ride out with a few troopers to detour the herd of walkers coming their way…It is unsuccessful to say the least as the walkers practically rip troopers into tiny pieces. I have a question. These walkers shouldn’t be strong enough to rip a human apart. Am I correct on this?

Team Daryl send Negan to the Commonwealth as a Trojan Horse. I freaking love Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and I love Carol’s (Melissa McBride) expression when he tells her that he will soon be a daddy.

Conclusion

Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) bring the fight to Hornsby, but we are left with a standoff at best with all guns drawn and Daryl holding a knife to Hornsby’s throat.

We have been put through the wringer with every nasty, evil, antagonist in the past eleven seasons, but I have to admit…Hornsby is right up there with the Governor…and he is a worthy adversary. Negan once held that title, but a little girl named Judith (Cailey Fleming) turned Negan into a hero.

Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S11 E16

Why do I feel that TWD universe is on a parallel path as the war between Ukraine and Putin? It sure feels that way in this week’s episode of The Walking Dead.

Acts of God

The season finale did not disappoint. I knew where this was headed. Maggie saw the demon in Lance Hornsby, and she didn’t bite the damn apple. Maggie knowing that Lance would return with the sole purpose of destroying Hilltop, Maggie, Elijah, and Marco take Hershel to a safe place. Negan and his tribe are hiding in an abandoned Whisperer hole in the ground.

Negan and Maggie have finally come to terms. There is a guarded respect between these two enemies. Maggie has trusted her child to Negan, and we all know that Negan is very protective of children. Maggie and her group along with Lydia plan to track down Lance….what she doesn’t know is that Lance has an extra ace up his sleeve.

While Maggie sets on her journey, Daryl, Aaron and Gabe are pretending to help the Commonwealth troopers search for apartment dwellers but they know it’s a trap. Lance wants them dead.

Back at the Commonwealth, the revolution is growing, and Max must risk her life to get information from Pamela’s files. Connie has a newspaper to put out, and they must find out what has happened to missing citizens.

Conclusion

Maggie lost another good friend, Marco, after Leah made her appearance on the scene. Was Leah’s hate so strong that she would trust Lance to allow her to live if she succeeded in killing Maggie?  Leah does capture Maggie with the intent of torturing her, killing her, then killing everyone Maggie loved…but at the last moment, after a well fought battle, it was left to Daryl to put an end to Leah.

Poor Daryl didn’t have much time to grieve for his ex-lover because Lance and his men had arrived at the scene. Daryl does get a good wounding shot in at Lance before he and Maggie escape and return to Negan’s hideout…but things will never be the same.

Lance is a corrupt, little man. He wants to conquer everyone who stands in his way. I almost thought that his boss, Pamela was different, but when it comes to greed or using extra money towards a scholarship for the poorer children at the Commonwealth…Pamela’s greed won out.

Lance had conquered Oceanside, Hilltop, and Alexandria. Maggie’s explosion at Hilltop did not kill the invader. It just made him angrier. The Commonwealth banners now drape the walls of the three compounds. The lives of the citizens of Oceanside all hinge on the flip of a coin.

Like I said in the beginning, The Walking Dead final season has been mirroring what is happening in real life between Ukraine and Putin. Lance wants to conquer and control his world, while Putin intends on taking over all of Europe and then some. I have a bad feeling that Lance won’t hesitate to commit genocide with that flip of a coin…and we have all witnessed the atrocities committed by Putin on the Ukrainian people. When a world leader resorts to the rape and assassination of infants…it’s time for that person to be put down. PERIOD!

Fortunately, in TWD universe, Eugene, Max, Connie, Kelly, Magna and Ezekiel are planning on taking down Pamela and Lance with their first headline. Let’s pray that NATO grows a pair of balls as big as Maggie’s and hits Putin with everything necessary to save Ukraine.

Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S11 E15

I think I am reaching a point in my many years of watching and reviewing The Walking Dead, that I am totally exhausted and just want to see my favorite cast members make it out alive. I want to see Daryl and Carol together. I want to see Negan forgiven. I want to find out what happened to Rick and Michonne. In this week’s episode, Lance wants to hunt down the people who killed his troopers and stole his supplies…and this leads to him knocking on Maggie’s door.

Trust

Before I go into my review of S11 E15, I want to talk about Ukraine. Putin is the monster, the invader, the zombie that craves flesh and power. This week, Putin committed the worst crime a person can commit in a war: genocide of men, women, and children. The world morns for the people of Bucha, Ukraine.

While Ezekiel (Khary Payton) tries to lift the darkness away by organizing a secret hospital for the Commonwealth citizens who don’t make enough money to rate medical care, Daryl, Aaron and Gabriel try to bullshit their way through Lance’s questions on how they survived at Riverbend. Tricky Dick Lance is suspicious, and rightfully so. He knew how efficient Carlson was, but he begrudgingly accepts the story given by Team Daryl.

Josh Hamilton is an amazing actor, but he plays a despicable character, and he plays this character so well…that he sends chills down your spine whenever he smiles. Lance wants to go to Hilltop to see if the bad guys went there…so off they march to talk to Maggie.

Mercer (Michael James Shaw) is having his own melt down over the last atrocity that Sebastian got involved in. Mercer was forced to kill two of his own men. He wants to share his secret with Princess (Paola Lazaro) but he has to trust her first. A visit from his sister, Max (Margot Bingham) further stresses out Mercer. His sister wants him to do the right thing for the citizens of the Commonwealth. He needs to rat out Sebastian.

Maggie

Maggie was right about Lance and about the Commonwealth…she wants nothing to do with them even though Hilltop is suffering. When Lance and his Star War troopers show up at the gate. Maggie trusts Daryll and that is the only reason that she opens the gates.

Conclusion with Spoilers

Ezekiel, with support from Carol, convinces Tomi (Ian Anthony Dale) to do an appendectomy on a poor patient. Things get really hairy with Carol jumping in to be a scrub nurse, and Ezekiel taking the place of anesthesiologist by pumping oxygen into the patient. Things have to change, Tomi knows this, but his hands are tied because the poor can’t get proper medical treatment…just like America. You know I’m right. Ezekiel trusted Tomi to do the right thing, and Tomi did not disappoint. There is a special love between Ezekiel and Carol, although she jokingly reminds him that they are not getting together again. They still love each other, just in a different way.

Mercer finally breaks down and puts his trust in Princess. I love that Mercer and Princess are together. If anyone can help Mercer heal, Princess can…and if anyone can help Mercer deal with Sebastian…Princess can. Mercer’s sister Max is also placing her trust in a worthy person. Eugene will not let her down.

Lance made the mistake of questioning Herschel (Kien Michael Spiller). This boy has been born and raised during the apocalypse. He doesn’t fear Lance, and he doesn’t answer his questions…but Lance has his dad’s cap. Luckily Elijah (Okea Eme-Akwari) steps in, and this leads to a nasty situation with everybody pointing weapons at each other. Daryl drops the F word, and Lance knowing that he might lose…stands down.

The good news: Lance leaves without finding the biggest treasure at Hilltop…Negan and his team.

The bad news: Lance finds Leah and he wants her to work for him….

Like I said in the beginning…I am exhausted from the many years of war and losing beloved characters, but this is nothing compared to what is happening in the real world. Bucha is a real place with real people. They might not be fighting zombies, but they are fighting monsters…monsters much worse that any character from TWD.

Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S11 E12

On last week’s episode of The Walking Dead, Eugene was betrayed by Stephanie, Mercer’s prisoner goes missing, and Carol plants herself into Lance’s inner circle. But who is the real monster at the Commonwealth? Is it Pamela or Lance? More importantly, what was that list of names?

The Lucky Ones

Well, well, well! In this episode, we learn that it was Pamela Milton’s assistant, Max (Margot Bingham) who had found some old radio parts and put a radio together. It was her who was speaking to Eugene all the time…She is Mercer’s sister, so you know that she is a good person. She was not behind the ruse but needed to keep silent in order to protect her and Mercer. She honestly doesn’t know what Lance and Pamela have planned for Alexandria and Hilltop. Eugene is not ready to hear the truth. I do hope that he reconsiders.

Lance (Josh Hamilton) and Pamela Milton (Laila Robins) go to visit Alexandria. Aaron greets her and takes her on a tour. Daryl confides in Mercer that he was once one of the leaders of Alexandria. Pamela asks about the former leader, Deanna and how she died. She is upset about the way Deanna died. Pamela next visits Rachel at Oceanside and learns that Oceanside will not honor the trade agreement unless Hilltop does. Is this the apocalyptic version of Brexit? Lance is not happy.

Pamela and Maggie meet for the first time…two powerful women standing their ground. I love this. Maggie wants to know why Aaron and Daryl trust Pamela, but they don’t…just feeling their way. Lance and Pamela ask Maggie to go hunting with them. Pamela is dressed up like a big game hunter. Pamela wants to restore the natural of order. Will Maggie take up her offer?

Ezekiel learns that he has a cancerous tumor, but even though he is on the list for treatment, he is puzzled as to how he got on that list. He questions Carol about it. He wants to know what Carol had to do to help him.

Conclusion

Rosita comforts Eugene on his and Stephanie’s breakup, but she is happy being a Cop and having a future. I am so relieved that Eugene didn’t rat out Max. Daryl was permitted to visit Alexandria and Hilltop without his Star War Trooper outfit, but Mercer reminds him that it was only to smooth out the visit. Food and supplies are offered to the communities and the troopers help fix the water tower. Pamela and Maggie protect each other against walkers, so will there be some trust between the two? Right now…I am trusting Pamela a lot more than Lance. While Lance talks to Maggie about the possibilities of growth, a swarm of walkers arrives with everyone fighting. Mercer puts a quick end to the fight. Thank you, Mercer. But in the end, Maggie turns down Pamela’s offer because…everything costs something.

My thoughts on this: Beware of the Trojan horse. If Commonwealth is doing so well, why force Team Alexandria, Team Oceanside, and Team Hilltop to join. I don’t trust Lance. I’m not sure about Pamela, but right now…I trust her a little more after this episode. Mercer’s warning to Daryl that they are always being watched, may have something to do with that list that was given to Connie. Not everyone feels like Maggie, and she loses a few members to the Commonwealth.

As for Eugene, he apologizes to Max. They talk. There is hope.

Please keep Ukraine and President Zelensky in your prayers. If Ukraine fall, so does the rest of Europe.

Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S11 E11

On last week’s episode of The Walking Dead, we learned that there is a revolution brewing…David against Goliath? In a week where the reality of the real world has crushed our global spirits because there is a real David fighting a dangerous Goliath aka Zelensky vs Putin…my heart was not on reviewing tonight’s episode, but maybe it is best to have the two worlds collide.

Rogue Element

Not everything is peachy fine at the Commonwealth even though Governor Pamela Milton wants everyone to think so. Eugene is in love with Stephanie, but when he tells her that he loves her…she vanishes. Eugene is in a panic and his only clue is a plumber who is anything but a plumber. Who is Roman Calhoun and why was he seen at the complex where Stephanie lived? Eugene would put Law and Order to shame the way he gathers evidence to find his true love.

Connie is also playing detective after the Tyler Davis incident. What did the ex-soldier mean that he was punished after Princess beat him up? Where is he? Connie finally gets Mercer to talk. The woman that Davis held hostage was Mercer’s sister, but she had nothing to do with his disappearance. If Connie is going to get Mercer to talk…she’ll have to get him alone.

Carol is doing her own investigation as she gets closer to Lance, who we realize isn’t all that happy with the Commonwealth and might be dealing opium on the side…but is also making sure to stock the local pond with fish. Carol lets Lance know that one of his lieutenants is robbing his staff…pocketing the raises that Lance designated for the workers.

Conclusion

I am really liking Mercer (Michael James Shaw). Connie (Lauren Ridloff) asked the right questions about Davis. Mercer knew that the man was in the hospital under guard, but when Mercer goes to check on Davis…he is gone. Davis was moved without Mercer’s knowledge or permission…who gave the order? Was it Mercer who slipped the paper of names under Connie’s door?

Eugene (Josh McDermitt) and Princess (Paola Lazara) get caught at Roman’s apartment building and things could have gone downhill for both of them, but Lance steps in to save the day. Lance (Josh Hamilton) not only listened to Carol, but he also gave Eugene and Princess a free ticket out of jail. Eugene, who was writing his first science fiction novel, has a new hobby…finding Stephanie…and boy does he! Oh my God! Stephanie (Margo Bingham) is really Shira and yes, she was using Eugene to get them to the Commonwealth, but hey! She loved reading the first few chapters of Eugene’s book. So, whose side is Shira really on? And is Lance the dark underbelly of the Commonwealth? What does this mean for Alexandria and Hilltop?

Okay, I am done talking about TWD, let’s talk about Ukraine. Right now, we need to send all our support to this country. Yes, the gas prices are going up, but take a bus! Walk! Carpool! Do what we need to do to pull away from reliance on Russian oil. I truly believe that we are already in World War 3, and like the walkers that just keep coming…Putin will not stop at Ukraine. To me, Zelensky is Rick Grimes, and he is fighting the Governor (Putin)…let’s be Team Daryl and stand by Ukraine.