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.

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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 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 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.