Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead Series Finale s11 e24

Well…I loved the walker themed commercials that ran throughout The Walking Dead series finale…but I truly feel that this finale should have been a whole two hours because it left me feeling like I got stood up on a blind date. Let’s chat!

Rest in Peace

In the finale episode, it seems that Pamela Milton (Laila Robins) was a nastier Governor than the original Governor. Her actions almost cost Judith (Cailey Fleming) her life. Daryl (Norman Reedus) faced down the horde of climber walkers to get our little Ass Kicker to the hospital inside the Commonwealth, but he was injured in the process. I have to say that Judith is truly a Grimes because she climbed off the stretcher and kept those walkers from making her and Daryl an afternoon snack.

Rosita (Christian Serratos), Eugene (Josh McDermitt), and Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) managed to save Coco and a few other infants from the walkers, but then found themselves surrounded with a drainpipe as the only escape available.  Rosita falls with her daughter in her arms…I want to tell you this one truth, nothing, and I mean nothing, will stop a mother bear from protecting her cub. Rosita, who was covered in walkers, jumped up fighting. She did manage to get her and the baby to safety…but she was bitten. Very sad, as was the death of Luke (Dan Fogler) and Jules (Alex Sgambati). At least Rosita had time to say goodbye to everyone, and she got to die in her bed.

Daryl saves Judith’s life by giving her his blood until Tomi (Ian Anthony Dale) could do surgery on her. Mercer (Michael James Shaw) is rescued by Princess (Paola Lazaro) and Max (Margot Bingham), and the big surprise of the night…Maggie and Negan made their peace. Maggie didn’t hold back as she told Negan what he stole from her and her son. There will be days when Maggie will find it hard to look at Negan, but there is a truce of sorts. Negan understood and his apology was heartfelt enough for Maggie (Lauren Cohan) to allow Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) to help her take down Pamela.

Conclusion

Our group survives because that is what they do. They are the ones who live…right? Judith also admits to Daryl that she did not tell him that Michonne was looking for Rick and that the whole family was supposed to be reunited, because she didn’t want to lose him too. The love between Daryl and Judith made me cry. He is really a father figure to that little girl.

There is a one-year-jump at the Commonwealth where we find that Ezekiel (Khary Payton) is the new governor, and Mercer is the lieutenant governor. Eugene and Max have a baby. In Alexandria we seen that Ninja Carol (Melissa McBride) has taken over Hornsby’s job. Maggie is hinting that she wants to see what’s out there beyond their communities. Carol and Daryl say a tearful goodbye. Carol is also in charge of keeping Judith and RJ (Antony Azor) safe until Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) are found.

Before we go into the surprise ending, I need to rant about Carol and Daryl. It was nice to see that there are true feelings of love between these two warriors, but I am not the only one who wanted to see at least one passionate kiss between Daryl and Carol. I was hoping, like the rest of the entire universe) that Carol and Daryl would have rode off together…but Melissa McBride was not able to do the Europe thing where Norman Reedus will be working in the spinoff. NOT HAPPY!

I know there are spinoffs coming, but this series and the people who worked on this show for the last eleven years are family to me. I worry about them. Will they find other acting jobs now that the series is done? Will we see guest appearances as Daryl, Maggie, Negan, Rick and Michonne do their thing on the spinoffs? I don’t know.

Speaking of spinoffs, just when we thought that the series would end without us seeing Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne…we learn that Rick is being tracked by a CRM helicopter. He throws his backpack that includes his diary and phone onto an abandoned boat before capture. Michonne dressed in the best kick ass Ninja outfit and riding a horse has apparently found said diary and is now writing messages to Rick as she continues to search for him

I don’t know about you, my little walker snacks, but I don’t handle loss very well, and even though there will be new shows…it is not the same. I will still continue to write my posts on the spinoffs depending on which one I finally decide to choose as my favorite. I will not say goodbye to The Walking Dead. They are family, and I will drop in and visit, and…I will share my thoughts on the spinoffs with you my dear followers. WE ARE THE ONES WHO LIVE! Love you all.

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Gilbert Speaks on the Walking Dead S11 E23

As each episode of The Walking Dead brings us closer to the finale, I sit in dread of which of my favorite characters will die. We know which ones will go on to live in spin-offs, but what about the ones that are left behind. The Walking Dead cast, and crew have become family to me, and so the title of the episode is so fitting of this review.

Family With Spoilers

In this week’s episode of TWD…Judith (Cailey Fleming) has grown to be a pint-sized warrior, but like Carl and Rick…she is looking to the future. She wants a brighter future for her little brother, and also for the other children. When the protective Daryl tells Judith to stay behind with the kids, she says no, and after a most adult conversation between the two…Daryl agrees to let Judith come on the mission. Judith takes her talisman weapons (Michonne’s sword and Rick’s gun) but leaves Rick’s hat with RJ (Antony Azor) and that my friends frightened me a bit. That hat is her only connection with her dad. That hat is almost a magic shield…and if Team Daryl hopes to break into the commonwealth, they are going to need all the magic they can lay their hands on.

While Pamela is having her own issues with the new and improved walkers, Mercer is doing all in his power to set things right. He is gathering faithful troopers, and with Eugene safely hidden, he can now concentrate of the walker horde…but Pamela is one smart cookie and has a spy working for her. Who is this mysterious B17 that Pamela is trying to reach?

Negan and Maggie need to work together, but even though Negan offers, Maggie shuts him down. Later, Maggie overhears Ezekiel and Negan talking and I believe she has seen the light. People can change. Isn’t it strange how we have gone from hating Negan to rooting for his success? This was a character arc that set the world upside down.

Team Aaron

Aaron and his team, which include now includes Luke and Jules, are trying to escape the horde heading towards the Commonwealth. Most of them make it inside the trailer, but not everyone. Lydia is seriously wounded and is forced to make a decision. Also, are there a few whisperers still alive…and are they also hiding within the horde…or…and this is really scary…are the climbers also regaining the power of speech? Who said, “Get to the trees.”

Conclusion

Things are not going well for any of our comrades. Team Daryl is ambushed by Pamela’s soldiers and Pamela shoots Judith. Lydia loses part of her arm to save her life. Mercer is betrayed by Pamela’s spy, Vickers…maybe? She doesn’t look to happy when Pamela decides to leave the citizens abandoned while she saves the estate.

Daryl swoops Judith up in his arms and he and his team try to escape the horde that has broken into the commonwealth and Pamela’s soldiers. Judith calls Daryl, “daddy” before passing out.

I have, over the years, come to think of The Walking Dead cast as family. They have encouraged me to keep going even when life threw some nasty hand grenades at me. Carol, Maggie, Michonne, and Rosita have reminded me that women are true warriors, especially when the men get it wrong.

I don’t know what is going to happen to my Walking Dead family, especially who lives and who dies in the final episode…but even when the world tires of zombies and TWD universe…I know that the actors and crew did their best to remind us that even during an apocalypse…good people can survive and that the unselfish love for humanity can make us better than we are.

See you, for the series finale.

Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S11 E22

My apologies for not posting a review last week. I was fighting a sinus infection…and I figured that this week’s episode would mirror what happened in E21. On tonight’s episode of The Walking Dead, we deal with Eugene’s kangaroo court, Team Ezekiel surviving a cruel warden, Team Aaron joining a walker horde, and Maggie desperately searching for her son. This post is packed with spoilers so don’t read until you’ve watched the episode.

Faith

I love how each episode in this final season starts with Judith’s memories. There are two storylines within this episode, and both have to do with good people taking a stand against tyranny. While at the labor camp, Negan tries to get Ezekiel to join forces against the evil warden (Michael Weaver). Ezekiel has too many bad memories when it comes to Negan, but in the end, Ezekiel agrees to work with Negan.

Back at the Commonwealth, the trial has begun, and if Yumiko expected a fair trial, she realizes soon enough that Pamela holds all the cards. Pamela’s tears over her son may be real, but she is definitely playing to the audience packed inside the court room. When Yumiko mentions the recording of Sebastian talking about the Lottery, Pamela claims it was fake. Yumiko pleads with Mercer to help Eugene and is surprised that Mercer already knows about the missing people. Mercer won’t budge in his duties, but Pamela doesn’t trust him and has one of the guards spy on Mercer.

While the trial is going on, Team Aaron (Lydia, Jerry, and Elijah) bump into Luke and Jules who break the bad news that Oceanside has been taken over by the Commonwealth. They decide to head towards Alexandria…but then notice that troopers are leading a huge horde towards the Commonwealth. Why would the troopers do this? Lydia comes up with the idea of blending in with the walkers via Whisperer style.

Princess recognizes another prisoner at the labor camp. Tyler Davis was the boy who tried to warn people about the labor camps. He is too afraid to help. Negan gets into a fight with the guards after he spots his pregnant wife doing heavy lifting. In the shuffle, he loses the escape plans. The Warden wants Negan to reveal the ringleader in exchange for Annie’s safety. Will Negan betray his friends to protect Annie?

Team Maggie have found a way into Alexandria to save their friends and to find the missing children. Maggie and Carol are both strong women, but when it comes to their kids…they are the proverbial grizzly bear mammas. It was really good to see these two Ninja warriors comfort each other. While Team Maggie work their way through the sewers, Negan is brought before the Warden again. While there, Negan notices that the Warden is a bastard even with his own men. Soldier 197 has a sick brother, and 197 requested a transfer to be close to his dying brother, but the Warden refuses….hmmm…I see a mutiny coming.

Conclusion and Spoilers galore

There are only a few episodes left, and believe it or not, I am not ready to say goodbye. Eugene, against Yumiko’s advice, gives a brilliant speech. He should have died long ago, he insists, but for the love and loyalty of good people. Although the judge is definitely owned by Pamela, the citizens of the Commonwealth are not and they don’t want Eugene to die. This might be why Pamela has ordered her men to bring in the horde. If the citizens get too angry, she can call for a lockdown claiming she is protecting them.

The ending of this episode had me jumping all over the place. Negan, to protect Team Ezekiel and Annie, tells the Warden that he is solely responsible for planning the escape. Negan knows that this is a death sentence, but he wants to protect Annie. Living up to TWD script for bad guys, the Warden decides to give the order for both Annie and Negan to be killed by a firing squad. Ezekiel, realizing that Negan protected him and the others, stands in front of Negan and Annie. One by one, all the other Alexandrian citizens join Ezekiel, but this only angers the Warden who orders them all shot.

Remember that soldier, 197, well this trooper is sick and tired of the Warden and the Commonwealth cruelty. He is not shooting a pregnant woman, but he does pull his gun on the Warden. The Warden, being the slime bucket that he is, grabs Kelly. Daryl saves the day when Daryl knocks out the Warden.

Team Maggie finds little Hershel, but unfortunately for Rosita, her baby is nowhere to be found. Desperate to find her infant she questions the Warden who laughs in her face…that is until Rosita shoves the walker into the Warden’s face. I guess it was too late for the Warden to understand that you never, ever mess with frantic mothers.

As for Team Aaron, there is a new walker on the scene, and it will be curious to learn if the new and improved walker, now referred to as Climbers, will know how to use Lydia’s knife.

This episode ended on a high note as Eugene is being escorted back to prison, Mercer is there with a message, “It’s time to fuck shit up!”

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 E9

They’re back! The Walking Dead has returned picking up where we left off so many months ago with Maggie, Gabe, Elijah, and Negan trying to escape the Reapers, but will Eugene be bringing unexpected company to Alexandria? Will Carol be baking up some of her apocalyptic cookies for S11 E9?

No Other Way

What we need to remember is that a show about the apocalypse was filmed during an ongoing apocalypse. Scary right? Maggie has been dealing with loads of internal struggles that have caused people to die, not intentionally, but shit happens when you can’t let go of revenge. Negan knows that it won’t be long before Maggie turns on him, but he has proven himself in my eyes. In a world where a virus has caused civilization to circle the drain, even good guys do bad things.

So many people died helping Team Maggie get the needed food for Alexandria, but while Team Maggie and Team Leah try to off each other, Alexandria is under siege by walkers. Judith and Gracie are trapped in a flooded basement and although Judith lives up to her nickname, “Little Shit Kicker” she is outnumbered until Aaron shows up for the rescue.

Maggie is out to protect her people, and will do anything to accomplish this, and I think that is what Negan was trying to tell her when he said that he should have killed them all. Negan was protecting his people, too. In a world of death, you will do unthinkable things to protect the living…your people.

Daryl wants to believe that people can change, Negan did, so why not Leah, but again, even though they love each other Daryl’s and Leah’s first duty is to their tribe. Even GOD has taken a back seat to the apocalypse when Gabriel and the Reaper Preacher chat about forgiveness…that is until Gabriel kills the preacher. I think Gabriel has decided that GOD should stay in the back seat from now on.

The fight scenes in this episode are amazing, but especially the ones between Carver and Team Maggie. Daryl decides to use Carver as ransom with Leah, but Leah has a sniper in her deck.

Conclusion and Spoilers

Maggie doesn’t believe in taking hostages, but after Gabriel scores with the sniper and changing Leah’s game plan, Maggie allows them to leave without Carver…but Maggie…gives new meaning to “holding a grudge.” She kills everyone and injures Leah who gets away.

Maggie can’t forgive, and Negan knows this, so he leaves, and that sucks because he saved Maggie and Elijah from Carver. It was a literal “Saved by the bell” moment. Maggie was too late to save Alden…but we knew this would happen. Daryl decides to let Leah live after finding her. They were lovers, after all. Sometimes you have to just let go and let live. I hope that Leah returns that favor in the future.

The happy ending with Team Maggie returning with the much-needed supplies, was turned upside down with the arrival of unexpected dinner guests…Eugene brought Lance Hornsby and a platoon of Commonwealth troopers to the gate. Hornsby offers sanctuary at the Commonwealth…will there be any takers?

Why is God’s name would Daryl join the Commonwealth? Why Daryl? Why?

Gilbert Speaks on The Walking Dead S10E17

I am sorry that I’m late with the post, but I am fighting a bad case of pneumonia. I am so happy that my favorite show about death, zombies, heroes and the apocalypse if back. I truly believe The Walking Dead mirrors real life and especially 2020 and 2021. Maggie is back in town and there is a new threat.

Home Sweet Home

Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and her small tribe, including her and Glenn’s son Hershel, have returned to find that Hilltop is a smoldering disaster…all thanks to the Whisperers. Judith is in her glory to have Auntie Maggie back, and oh by the way, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is now one of us. The Stink Eye that Maggie gives Negan was worth watching this episode. The look of surprise or disbelief is palpable when Carol (Melissa McBride) reveals that she allowed Negan to escape. He was their best chance at destroying the Whisperers. Seven years have passed since Maggie left with Georgie and the twins, and now that she is back, Team Rick is barely a skeleton of its former self. Maggie has had her own battles to fight with a group called the Reapers. This nasty group has killed most of the new people Maggie has befriended on her travels.

Maggie has two new bodyguards: Cole (James Devoti) and Hoodie Ninja. If you are any kind of a horror show aficionado, then you will immediately equate masks with Michael Myers from Halloween. But with the help of Kelly, we find out that Hoodie Ninja aka Elijah (Okea Eme-Akwari) is really a nice guy who has been traumatized by the loss of his sister.

Reapers with a spoiler

We don’t know much about the Reapers, but it seems that they have followed Maggie and her team. The other half of Maggie’s team, which includes her son, have been attacked. All that’s left are two charred bodies. Where is Hershel? Did the Reapers take him? Daryl (Norman Reedus), who has a special bond with Kelly, tells Kelly to go with Cole and Elijah while he and Maggie track the survivors of this latest attack.

All I am going to say is if this lone Reaper dressed in a ghillie suit is an indication of what S11 will bring us…then we are in for a treat. The Reapers must be military because lone Reaper is an excellent sniper and kills off more of Maggie’s group. He eventually overcomes Daryl and Maggie…and when he is injured and captured…gives Maggie a message from Pope. Who the hell is Pope? We never find out because lone Reaper is not in any mood to chat….KABOOM!

Conclusion

Luckily, we get to meet little Hershel (Kien Michael Spiller). My granny spider senses are telling me this little tyke is a miniature Glenn. He even wears a baseball cap like his dad. He was smart enough to hide from the Reaper, and I am pretty sure that Maggie has taught Hershel everything from her bag of Mommy tricks for surviving the freaking apocalypse.

I like how Kelly is growing in her role and how she and Maggie get to bond over the loss of family. Maggie encourages Kelly (Angel Theory) to keep looking for her sister. Once they safely return to Alexandria, Maggie ignores Negan as her team walk past him. I don’t think Maggie will ever forgive Negan, but Negan has a way with kids, and maybe he will make things right for Hershel.

I don’t know what to expect in The Walking Dead world, because in our world we are fighting our own zombie apocalypse (Covid) and we have our own monsters…Nazi sympathizers within our own ranks who tried to overthrow our government. It would be interesting to see who survives this year. Any bets?

Gilbert Speaks on “The Walking Dead” S09 E03

Last week’s episode of “The Walking Dead” was all about bridges: the kind you use to cross over troubled waters, and the kind you use to build trust. This week’s episode focuses on the mysterious disappearance of Saviors.