Is Rick's end nigh? Review: #TWD S9:4 THE OBLIGED #TWDFamily #TheWalkingDead

Review: S9:3 WARNING SIGNS

Another fabulous episode, written by Geraldine Inoa ~ could the excellent cliffhanger mean the end for Rick?  Hmm...like when Glenn got trapped under Nicholas in S6:3 Thank You, I'd be willing to bet my Daryl's Walker ear necklace soap-on-a-rope that the writers would not despatch any of the Atlanta Five with so little ceremony! 

But Episode 5 looks like it might be the final curtain...more later. 😢

 
I hate seeing Daryl and Rick at each other's throats, but the oft-employed 'trapped together in a hole and forced to talk it through' plot device was well-used here, in a great scene with some perfect dialogue.  And maybe Rick sees that Daryl is right...

'I'd die for you.  I'd have died for Carl.  

But you're chasing something for him that ain't meant to be, man.' 

When Daryl talked about the debt Rick owes to Glenn, was he really talking about his own debt, because he thinks he caused Glenn's death?  I'm guessing our Daryl's pre-Walker life didn't include much navel-gazing with therapists, though, so he's not too in tune with his own motivations.  Anyway, it was great to see them as brothers once again 😊

...though as soon as Eugene said that the two Walker herds showed no sign of merging, I thought, I'll take that as 'they will', then.... Rick, you should have known!  But, nevertheless, he tries to lead the Walkers away from the camp, because he is not yet ready to destroy his bridge.

 😯😮😱

Terrific Michonne stuff in this episode - I loved the start, the comparison between the Carl's dream-type plans for new world building, and the necessary savagery of the world outside Alexandria's walls.  Best of all, though, I liked how she wasn't taking any shit from Negan, when he tried to tell her that they were alike, and that her inner warrior is glad to be unencumbered by those she loved.  But she's one of the very few who won't let him get to her.... like Daryl and Maggie, she won't forget this....

.... and you're not getting Lucille back any time soon, matey.  Yes, you both do what you have to do to get shit done, but the difference is that you get a kick out of it.  Now eat your sandwich and know that Michonne has got you sussed....

Meanwhile, back at the falling apart bridge metaphor, Carol shows Judd Savior who's boss in a great 'you go, girl' moment, which was nicely left hanging for next week.  She's right: the Saviors have had enough opportunities and must now go their own way... I felt that this scene was, like various with Michonne, setting the two of them up in Rick's mind as worthy leaders when he's gone (this is following my perhaps naïvely optimistic theory that he's going to leave rather than die, of course!).

 
And what of Maggie's mission to Alexandria?  The 'Father Gabriel of the Hilltop', Jesus, gave us another reminder that Georgie wants Maggie to join her gang.  As soon as Rick got Rachel (aka Princess Negan) on the walkie, it was obvious that Maggie would not be stopped at the gates... I liked that Rachel was reading an old teen mag, incidentally. Nice touch.

 
Finally... I'm not 100% convinced by Jadis-Anne's turnabout; those scenes were, for me, a bit like the weaker moments of Seasons 7 and 8.  But yeah, I suppose if she felt that she would never fit in at Alexandria, given all she had done before... I'm guessing it's necessary for the coming of The Whisperers, anyway, so I'm good, as they say.

Brilliant season, AMC!

 >Spoiler Alerts< 

Now, for anyone who would like moderate spoilers:
On IMDb he shows as being on until Episode 8, but I just saw This Tweet
(click for link; includes excerpt of Ep 5!)
 

 

'No exceptions' ~ but lots of surprises... Review: #TWD S9:3 WARNING SIGNS #TWDFamily #TheWalkingDead

Review: S9:2 The Bridge

In praise of S6, and thoughts on Rick's departure 

Thank you, Corey Reed (writer), for the reminder of one of TWD's greatest strengths ~ it is never, ever predictable.  Definitely the best episode so far this series, and one of my favourites for ages.  Lots to ponder on, indeed.

There was me thinking that the 'Final Warning' amongst all those road signs was a suggestion of menace to come (and you know who I mean).  Turned out it was just Simon...so the Justin killer was Cyndie and co, all the time.  Great bit of backstory, and I always thought it was a bit weird that Arat could be forgiven for all she's done...

Looks like they've been too soft on one-time double-dealer Jadis-Anne, too ~ I think the voice on the walkie sounded like Ryan Hurst, soon to play Beta (first appearance in S9:6), so it could be she who brings about The Whisperers.... and Rick really did see that helicopter last season, after all.

Is her about-turn convincing?  Maybe 'Anne' is the person she was, and sometimes believes she can get back to; consider her wistful looks at the art stuff in the museum in Episode 1, and her delight when Morgan told her of Rick's invitation to live at Alexandria.   Has 'Jadis' been brought back just because of the first sign of trouble, or was she always lurking in the background?  As for those As or Bs (Alpha or Beta?), I think we can safely assume the 'A' is the stronger person, as Gabriel has shown himself to be ~ unfortunately for him.

Rick, of course, has always been an 'A' ~ thanks to @sharper_13 on Twitter for reminding me about it... 

I love this development; I thought Jadis was just going to merge into the background as a general member of Rick's gang.

Thing is, Rick, your ideals can become a reality, if everyone is as determined to make them so as you are.  But they're not.  Squashed tomato motif, and all that.

Other stuff I liked:

✧ Richonne ✧
The affection between them, the touching of Carl's handprint on the wall, Rick walking out to his vegetable patches in the early morning light (bit of S4 déjà vu there); yes, the stuff with Judith was overly cutesy, but TWD only ever does super-corny to contrast it with horrors about to unfold.  The 'family fun day' reminded me of the opening scene of S6:12 Not Tomorrow Yet, with Carol distributing her beet and acorn cookies before Rick returned to announce that they were going off to murder a whole bunch of strangers in their Savior outpost beds.

 
...for when Rick's reading the Wizard of Oz to Judith, along comes the lovely Scott to bring him back to reality.... (this is just an excuse for a pic of Scott, btw).

Could we see a baby Richonne in future seasons?  At the end of this article I gave my theory on Rick leaving with Judith rather than getting killed... how about Michonne finding out she's pregnant after he's gone?  Am I thinking ahead too much?  But he's now put out in the world the suggestion that she is the person to lead; having seen this episode, I can't help wondering if both he and Maggie will take their children off to live with Georgie The Key lady.

✧ Echoes of the past ✧
That conversation between Rick and Daryl was TWD dialogue magic, as they reverted to cop versus outlaw.  
'Is this the kind of shit you used to do?' 
'Why do they get a future, and Glenn don't?  Or Abraham?  Or Sasha?'
'Look past what has happened to what could happen... like not killing a guy who left your brother on a roof to die'.  
Nice one, Rick ~ but I wasn't sure about Daryl's facial expression afterwards.  Was it 'Yeah, I guess', or 'Shoulda done'?

Daryl said it all, though: 'Bringing all these people together, it was always going to happen'.  Carol knows, too... like she always does.  Listen to her now, Rick... or is it too late?  Maggie announced that her execution of Gregory was not the beginning of something, but she was wrong: maybe in that she was being as idealistic as Rick.  Trouble is, when people have nothing to lose and no one to whom they have to answer, they can afford to follow their gut instinct.

✧ Kal and Maggie ✧
Did anyone else think, oh, come on.... he's even been given some rather scant facial hair and a flopping forelock....!!!   I kind of liked it, though.  

This guy sitting beside me.... I feel like I know him...

Now, with the desertion of the Saviors, the brave new world is falling apart...there's no point in having a council, Rick, unless you're going to truly take on board what they say.

• Maggie was right: they should have given some (like Alden) the opportunity to join Alexandria, Hilltop or Kingdom if they wanted, and let the rest fend for themselves.  
• Carol was right: you have to end it before it begins.  
• Daryl was right: it was better when it was just their group, together.  

Questions:

• Did that mark on Michonne's arm have any sinister relevance?
• How has Laura Savior managed to get her hair so subtly and expertly re-highlighted?

As for what will happen when Daryl and Maggie get to Alexandria, we can only imagine....

Can't wait.... #TheWalkingDead Season 9 #TWD #TWDFamily

Just some pictures ~ and I've started watching Fear The Walking Dead now, too; I didn't like it first time round but am loving it now; thought I'd better start, now Morgan's in it. 😉 

Lots of horse and wagon action going on.... guess the petrol had to run out some time.  Glad to see Daryl's kept his share, though!

'My mercy prevails over my wrath' ~ Review: #TheWalkingDead Finale S8:16 WRATH #TWDFamily

Last week: Review: S8:15 WORTH


Lumps in the throat everywhere, with that very first scene of Rick and little Carl, many years ago .... I've been so looking forward to this episode, and it was worth the wait. 😃

A round of applause for everyone who sussed out that Eugene was secretly working against Negan (though maybe not from the start; I think he just couldn't see all his old friends killed, in the end) - I admit to not being among that number at first, but of course Gabriel's unintentional dodgy bullet had to be there for a reason.  As for the Last Battle ~ Negan's whistle never fails to be terrifying, especially when you can't see where it's coming from, and the sight of the Saviours appearing over the hill reminded me of Vikings, Braveheart, all those battle scenes in which the enemy appears over a hill in far greater numbers than expected ~ but as soon as the camera panned to Eugene's face I thought, ah yes, yes, he's done the bullet thing!

I couldn't imagine how Negan's end was going to come, but Morgan talking earlier on about Rick going back on his word should have been a clue... Rick lulled Negan into a false sense of security, pressing his buttons by talking about Carl, and then... slash!!!  And at last we saw what really happened under the swinging stained glass, and what he meant by 'my mercy prevails over my wrath'.

Negan should have done his research before he came out; Rick did similar when killed Shane in S2:12 Better Angels.  Just like he stood in front of Negan, looking as though he was going to collapse/cry/beg, he let Shane think he was weak, and pretended he wanted them both to back off.  (The scene below is so worth watching again, by the way!)

So we finally had the promised wrap-up of many storylines, but this is The Walking Dead ~ there can be no happy ending without a sinister threat lurking down the road, and this time Rick might need to watch out for his own family.  Will Maggie really turn against him? If so, I'm totally on Team Richonne.  The proposed fate for Negan, ie, sitting in a cell for the rest of his life, watching the rebuilding of Rick's new Utopia, is a far more suitable punishment than a quick death.

...but is Maggie right?  This is Negan we're talking about, not any old prisoner; he's streets ahead of most in cunning, intelligence and manipulation, and I can imagine him persuading someone to let him out, sometime.  He may pretend to have changed ... pondering on this made me think of Crighton Dallas Wilton in S6:4 Here's Not Here; I still think Negan is a complete psychopath who will say and do anything to get what he wants, and wonder if Maggie, like Morgan's cheesemaker chum Eastman, will be the only person to see through him. 

Either way, I hope the writers don't overplay this.  Daryl going along with Maggie I can understand, as he hasn't been his lovely self since he (thinks he) caused the death of Glenn (and feels he owes Maggie), but I don't quite get the inclusion of Jesus in the secretly mutinous trio.  Isn't Jesus the peacemaker?  That evil nod he gave as she outlined her plans was a new expression for him.  Although I've never cared much for Maggie, it's totally feasible that she feels the way she does ~ hell, millions of us want to avenge the death of Glenn! ~ but it's going to have to be subtly done to work.  Don't want any sudden changes of character, with previously decent people taking on Negan/Governor-like qualities.

'It's not over until Negan's dead!'

But back to the finale ~ looks like Siddiq has been accepted into the fold now, and Rick probably sees that in honouring his new pal's mom, Carl was also honouring Lori, but... nah.  Still doesn't seem right without Rick looking for Coooorrrrl all the time....

 'Daryl could have washed them before he handed them over...'

I'm super pleased that Dwight got away, and hope he will carry on into future series, and assume Jadis-Anne will become a fully paid-up member of the gang.  You never know, maybe we will, one day, get to see the super-mega-zombie masher in action again.....

.... and talking of useful bits of kit, I suspected that an escape would be made from Hilltop via Sasha's log store tunnel, and that Oceanside would show up in the nick of time, so no surprises there.  Also predictable (but not in a bad way) was that Morgan would need to go off on his own, now to be seen in Fear The Walking Dead, I've since discovered!  So I might have to start watching that; I wasn't that impressed by Season 1 but have been told it gets better.

I hope our people are not all going to split up too much ~ looks like Carol's staying at the Kingdom (cue cosying up with Ezekiel?), Richonne and Gabriel appear to be at Alexandria, but I hope Tara, Eduardo and Rosita were only dropping off the glass and don't stay too long at the Sanctuary ~ which is in good hands, now that Tanya and Frankie have exchanged Negan-Wife LBDs for Hilltop Chic.  

 'Never mind the poison pills, can you make us some workshirts and jeans?'

 😲😲😲😲😲

My prediction is that Maggie will get together with Alden; such initial overt hostility is usually an indication that clothes will be shed and love will follow.  And she was pretty crappy to Glenn at first, if you remember!

Still feel so sad about Glenn, it's just not right that he's dead; I want this!

...with Abraham and pregnant Sasha in the background...

 
I loved Rick's speech at the end, an echo of the one he gave in episode 1 of the season, and the reminder that the real enemy is that massive herd down the hill ~ or, for Rick, is it going to be nearer to home?  Now the wait until Season 9 ~ I've read that Heath may be back, which I'm pleased about, and that Maggie may not be around for much longer ~ apparently, S9 will deviate from the comic book story.  Okay.  One more thing: please, writers, now that the wings are back on the right person, can we have the old Daryl back?   Come on, Dixon, Rick's your brother....

ps, saw Jerry in this film Den of Thieves the other night, it's a terrific film!