The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live |1x05| Become

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We always say The Walking Dead Universe allows you to be the person you were meant to be. This episode spotlights what The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live has been trying to show us the entire time: The Walking Dead Universe allows couples to Become what they were meant to be, too, in all their unique forms. Jadis had her day and - with the help of Father Gabriel Stokes - Anne Stokes found grace.

🎬We left so much on the cutting-room floor, including a zesty pre-show, tons of material in the middle, and an insiders-only post-show. Stream the raw version of this episode by either tipping us on Ko-fi and/or joining a membership tier on either Ko-fi or Patreon.

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David Cameo:
Rachael Burt:
Sherrandy Swift:
Bridget Mason-Gray:

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• NEW DESIGNS Available for purchase in the Merch Store, but the banter of how (some of) these designs came about is free:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 🎖️SURVIVORS Tier Member Aliza Jones' Birthday Shoutout and the birthday video compiled by 🤫WHISPERERS Tier Member Aidan Atkin:
  
  
  
• The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is doing so well, it's being advertised on Smart TVs!
• Why we didn't receive screeners for the final two episodes: Father Gabriel's Return! We had just talked about Suddenly Seth in our Instagram group chat, last week, with a bunch of attendees of The Camp. Seth Gilliam's nickname is derived from the several amount of times we've seen him just show up (like God, he's everywhere) at conventions and around Senoia, GA, but never officially invited as a guest.
  
  
  
• Video Game Adaptations to TV and Movies: There's a character in Fallout whose background story is eerily similar to that of Father Gabriel's (and Fallout came out first). We go into why video game adaptations were classically bad and why they're starting to be good now: obviously The Last of Us on HBO and touching on the TV series Halo on Paramount+ a bit, as well.
• The Execution of Father Gabriel's Introduction: Sherrandy loved the way they cinematically introduced Gabriel, from starting at his feet, the crunching of the leaves as he stepped, and the silhouette that kept you guessing. Beats introducing another new character they're just going to kill off in the same episode.
  
  
  
• The Tracking of Ramen Wrappers and Dead Walkers: Though we loved Pollyanna McIntosh's performance this episode, Sherrandy's suspension of disbelief did not extend to being able to track Rick Grimes & Michonne via slain walkers and Tasteful Noods ramen wrappers. We chalk it up to Richonne's carefreeness. It's also somewhat of a parallel to Hope Bennett leaving a trail for Felix Carlucci and Jennifer "Huck" Mallick to follow at the very beginning of The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
  
  
  
• Appreciating World Beyond Flashbacks: because some of us really loved that limited series and the flashes to Anne "Jadis" Stokes' confidant, Huck, was validating.
  
  
  
• The Tension Between Maintaining Your Own Humanity and Saving Humanity: It's something Dave brought up in the last episode, to blank stares (mostly). The show further explores the possibility that maintaining one's own humanity might come at the expense of future generations. Rachael chimes in that one can certainly do both, which is what Michonne says out loud to Anne when the latter asks if they are going to leave The Civic Republic Military be. This is also something that came up, frequently, during our World Beyond Season One recap with Brains Gone Bad and Aim for the Head podcast.
  
  
  
• The Last Light and Portland: It seems unfathomable to Sherrandy that the Civic Republic would stand up to the CRM, once the truth of what they've done is revealed, since the military has all this might. Dave asks and answers his own question: what would be the point of wiping out The CR, unless they had a backup plan in the form of Portland, whom they are now dangerously close to (even though the kids in World Beyond have probably already warned them that they are moving against them). Or smaller settlements, sure. The point is, that would rid The CRM of the CR.
  
  
  
• The Beauty of Jadis' Story and Redemption: Watching Anne's story with Gabriel and Richonne taking her first/final confession was moving. When she finally admits that she should've died an artist, while showing flashbacks of her making art in the heaps and zooming in on the portraits of hers she commissioned for Maggie Rhee took us all emotionally by surprise. It's relatable: the struggle of working hard to make amends and taking the easy way out and doubling-down. It's easy to forget her story arc, especially a character who is not in the comic book.
  
  
  
• Lighthearted Moments with Rick and Michonne: Touching again on their care-free nature, this episode. Rick is making up for lost time by wanting to get souvenirs for the kids, replacing the 'M' pendant she lost, and preparing the booze for later.
  

  The “M” necklace
  byu/TwilightZone1751 inTheOnesWhoLiveonAMC

• Gabriel and Anne Stokes: Thus begins the great debate over the depths of their connection. Dave heavily argues, effectively, that near the end of the flashbacks with he and she, that he married her (and she accepted). Bridget merely thinks he has love for her, especially within the context of them bonding over how they the sort of outcasts of our group of survivors in Season 9 of The Walking Dead. Rachael sort of thinks the same and breaks even with Gabriel being in love with Anne, but not so much the reverse. Sherrandy thinks the kiss between them was more of a goodbye to what might've been. Sherrandy brings up a good question: how did they even find each other? Dave responds: they both were visiting the spot where Rick met his "demise" on the anniversary of its occurrence and decided to meet each other there on an annual basis.

  

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• Gabriel and Rosita Espinosa: credit to Takeerah's spoiler-ridden live tweeting of this episode at 3am, she suggested that this may have been the reason why Gabe felt he could no longer be with Rosita by the time they made it to The Commonwealth.
  

  I guess we finally know why Gabe and Rosita were broken up in season 11 #theoneswholive

  — Kera (Noir&Nerdy, TWD TOWL Podcast) (@ConnieDixon4Lyf) March 24, 2024

• The Importance of Choice, but Rolling It Back: Even though she was so close to staying and being her true self with Gabriel, Anne pulls away and commits to upholding the last light with The CRM; however, making that choice means having to waste Father Gabriel. In the end, she doesn't do that, which is a reciprocation of Gabriel gesture of faith and love in the form of what would've been Rick's wedding ring to Michonne.
  
  
  
• Rick and Michonne Weren't Married, but It Doesn't Really Matter: Gabriel informs the audience that Michonne and Rick were never actually married. Everyone agrees that marriage in the zombie apocalypse just means being together and surviving. Dave only brings this up because a certain contingent of fans has suffered severe online harassment when anyone seems to make this distinction. Why Dave even brings this up in the first place is that, as podcasters, these are the kinds of distinctions we try our best to get right; however, on top of it not really being that important, the harassment we've seen has been a factor in why we've never broached the topic.
  
  
  
• Handfasting and A Marriage in Two Phases in Judaism: This was a great opportunity to discuss beautiful alternatives to contemporary marriages, based on ancient traditions.
• Hell is Repeating We Can Do Anything: Sherrandy revisits the trauma (a la Fear The Walking Dead's final season) of telling the audience, repeatedly, what Richonne is capable of (spoiler alert: everything). Dave thinks the writers are intentionally getting you to doubt them, especially when you consider the bittersweet lyrics of Tony Bennett's The Good Life playing in the background in the scene following the title sequence: the song basically alludes that nothing good lasts. The Walking Dead Universe often finds a way to make that happen.
  
  
  
• Beautiful Storytelling and The Fragility of Survival: Rachael praises Michael Satrazemis' ability to direct a great story. Dovetailing from nothing good lasts and we can do anything, will Rick falter once he sees The Echelon Briefing? It seems like even strong-willed 'A's like Command Sergeant Major Pearl Thorne fall in line once they do. Moreover, the way the camera zoomed in on Anne's portrait of Glenn Rhee, TWD's heart, might be foreshadowing tragedy. Through much childish laughter, Rachael also thinks the geysers around Yellowstone National Park are a foreshadowing of pressure being built up that will explode in the next episode.
  
  
  
• Calcified Walkers and Gorgeous Cinematography: One thing we know Satrazemis is great at is incorporating great b-roll and thoughtful shots into the narrative to create excellent visual storytelling. All of it reminds Dave of his younger days, traveling the countryside and sleeping under the stars on top of a picnic table near Green River. Sherrandy ties this to The Last of Us when Joel Miller finally reunites with his brother, Tommy Miller, in Jackson. The appearance and explanation of the calcified walkers (a product of their environment) was such a treat.
  
  
  
• They Were Lucky: Michonne muses on their encounter with the three survivors on Three Pines Trail and how not only how one of them managed to get caught in a snare, but why she and Rick aren't more cautious. Dave thinks that these people may have belonged to either Omaha or Campus Colony and were lucky enough to be away from it when the CRM destroyed it. Rachael immediately thought of Carl Grimes and how, even after all these years, walkers can get you with a single bite. We also absolutely loved Will Brill's humor in his role as Dalton, one of the three survivors (accompanied by Red and Tina), who peed himself when faced with the possibility of retribution for trying to take all of Richonne's stuff.
  
  
  
• Clearing Up Timeline Confusion:
• The opening scene deliberately contained no time signifier to keep you guessing as to whether Jadis actually enacted her contingency. In reality, it is She and Gabriel's initial encounter 5 years after the bridge collapse (and Rick's departure from TWD). The tell is Gabriel's facial hair.
• Gabe mentions the ham radio: which isn't the super-powered one that Eugene Porter uses to maintain contact with Stephanie (Maxxine Mercer) throughout TWD Season 10, but the initial iteration Gabriel himself finds in Season 8 with Harlan Carson.
• The people Michonne is trying to help resettle at The Hilltop are Yumiko Okumura, Connie, Kelly, Magna, and Luke Abrams.
• All of the prior points relates to the 3 years ago meet-up, all of which are fine. This is where things become confusing. In the 2 years ago meet-up, Gabriel says, The group we were in conflict with [THE WHISPERERS], they compromised our walls. Food is scarce. Children are hungry [The very end of The Whisperers War, moving into the bonus episodes of Season 10]. He then he proceeds to ask for help, which causes Jadis to check-out, he apologizes, and gives her the ring. Dave lays out several reasons why this time placement is wrong (the long time span from the first encounter of The Whisperers all the way until the Beta's demise at the end of the war was definitely more than a year, plus the ages of Coco Espinosa, Judith Grimes and RJ Grimes), but the most airtight evidence was when Michonne left, which amidst the final throes of the conflict and took a year to recuperate from the Chlorine Gas. Even the most generous interpretation of events doesn't place what Gabriel describes as happening two years ago, but one year ago.
• Had he not mentioned it there, and said that they were starving in the One Year Ago meet-up, it not only would've been correct, but would've heightened the tension when Jadis pulls a gun on Gabriel to tie up a loose end after he loses his cool and asks for help once more.
• Redditor u/DeadCalamari1, loosely supports some of what Dave is saying in their own Reddit post:
  

  TOWL and Here's Negan contradict eachother on the timeline.
  byu/DeadCalamari1 inthewalkingdead

• Satrazemis' Love Letter to FearTWD: The Three Pines gift shop was eerily reminiscent of McNeill's Bait and Beer (what Sherrandy refers to as Bill's - Bill McNeill) which had several mounted fish which reminded us of the singing Big Mouth Billy Bass that John Dorie had in Season 4. The whole place had a take what you need, leave what you don't vibe that we got from that series.
  
  
  
• Yellowstone National Park and Here's Why You're Wrong: After ribbing Dave for saying that Three Pines Trail/Cabins/Gift Shop was near Yellowstone in Wyoming, he discovered that it makes complete sense and provided a map with annotations for the final edit of the episode. One interesting tidbit is that Yellowstone is just north of Bridger-Teton National Forest, which is reminiscent of Bridgers Terminal in New Jersey, which is all a play on Rick's final moments on TWD.
  
  
  
• It Could've Ended Here(?): Save for (arguably) Episode 3, almost every single episode in the series was a film unto itself and could've ended the season/series. Dave disagrees though because, like the geyser, there is too much build-up to not want the next episode. It is definitely an example of another cool thing each episode did: the episodes were constructed in a way where the end of each episode could've happened somewhere near the end, but just kept going to give us more great story.
  
  
  
• Blessing This Marriage in Advance: Gabriel's yearly pilgrimage to the site where Rick "met his demise" was a holy one. He was making holy water from the waters that would've been beneath the bridge. If the ring is a symbol of faith and love, and we know prayer starts with intent, then Father Gabriel blessed their union way ahead of the ring reaching Michonne's finger.
• Will it Wrap-up in Six Episodes? Bridget expressed tremendous doubt while Dave reminds everyone that the other spin-offs somewhat managed to do so while adequately setting up their already announced Sophomore Seasons.

  

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• Anne's Death Parallels Huck's: Michonne manages to drive an axe into Jadis' side, similar to how Jadis shivved Huck's side during their final fight in World Beyond.
• Saving The People From the People: This prescient National Parks sign's message plays out, in its various forms, throughout the entire episode, most notably in the way it foreshadows Richonne's decision to inform The CR (the people) of The CRM's dark machinations.
  
  
  
• Red's Red Gun: Even the look of Red's janky colored red gun was humorous. We (really don't, but it's funny to) think they somehow found the bucket of nail polish the kids used in World Beyond to power the raft they constructed to cross the Mississippi.
  
  
  
• Looking After Oneself: Along with the toothpaste and Jadis waking up the lovebirds up like Paul "Jesus" Rovia did in Season 6, these nods are a great entry point into the overall sentiment it tried to impart on our survivors, which is how you can't save everyone. You can try to leave no man behind, but sometimes you have to prioritize saving yourself. Michonne, in particular, tried to impart this wisdom to Heath and he learned it in the hardest way possible in the very same episode. It also reminds us of a great conversation that we had with Benjamin Scotford of Just Keep Walking podcast. But, in the end, what does it all mean? Are they telling us that one of them will be forced to save themselves?
  
  
  
• Sippin' Whisky While the World Starves: We enjoyed the good life Rick & Michonne were having, but the 3 survivors they meet are a reminder of the state of folks out in the wild. It transported us back to One More (TWD 10x19), wherein a tipsy (ironically enough) Father Gabriel and Aaron were drinking Duane Jones whiskey just before they meet Mays, who is an excellent reflection of the state of people who are out there for a little too long.
  
  
  
• Jadis' Already Has A Day: the transliteration (from Old French) of Jadis name. Today was that day: the very day that she and Father Gabriel we supposed to meet was where she met her maker(s). The end result, though, is that she left this world fused with all her selves and finally became who she truly was meant to be.
  
  
  

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[RECAP] Season 9, Episode 2 of The Walking Dead, "The Bridge"

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By Carolina Gallardo (@carolgallardo)

The second episode of Season 9 of The Walking Dead is all about bridges...literally, figuratively, in every which way.  Hence the title "The Bridge" which continues to ask the question: Can people truly come together?  Or will there always be conflict?  At least between Saviors & Non-Saviors?  Can a bridge between these once warring parties ever truly be created?  

We start off the episode with a voice over from Rick discussing how they are evolving, building and growing.  We see the fruits of his labor in terms of various members of the community going about their day to day tasks and responsibilities, romantic relationships, all illustrating a sense of normalcy in this dangerous world.  We even see young Henry kiss Carol before running off to his own errands, as she and Ezekiel look on proudly (awww).  We come to realize eventually that this Rick voice over is because this is all being explained to Negan (yes, he's still very much alive, lest you forget) by Rick, as he visits his jail cell.  Rick greatly advocates on how it is in people's nature to come together while it is obvious that Negan greatly disagrees and believes that it is in people's nature to DISAGREE and to engage in conflict.  Rick's annoyance with Negan's disapproval almost gives off the impression that he WANTS to convince Negan of his way, that he CARES what he thinks.  These jail cell conversations will likely continue in the episodes to come (especially you're at all familiar with the comics *ahem*).

In any case, we see in the episode that Michonne ventures to visit Maggie at The Hilltop, as she is trying to tame and redeem a wild horse (metaphorical, no?), in an attempt to appeal to her kinder inner self and convince her to supply the Saviors with food.  Maggie is quick to point out that she has not received the requested ethanol fuel from their camp but Michonne says that the convoy that was to bring over the supplies has gone missing.  

This point comes up again in a conversation between Alden and Rick regarding worker Saviors, therefore we can quickly infer that SOMETHING is going on that these Saviors are being picked off (particularly in light of how the episode ends).  But we'll revisit this topic at the end.

Maggie continues to stand her ground and Michonne begins to question her on what is going on with Earl, the blacksmith.  Turns out that Maggie has him locked up in one of her cells, but because this is a new experience for her, she is not at all sure how long would he be jailed for, what the terms are etc.  Maggie does not want to simply just let Earl go, considering he conspired to kill her, but it is clear Jesus has reservations on her decision.  This is particularly since Earl's wife Tammi implored Jesus to convince Maggie to let her see her husband.  She is incredibly compelling in her distraught in not only losing her son, but now losing her husband in a way, to being jailed.  This interaction certainly seemed to make an impression on Jesus who does try to bring it up to Maggie (in the most gentle way possible of course, considering she did hang a guy, let's not forget).  Maggie is doubtful but it's clear that she values Jesus' opinion and is giving it some thought.

Also, it is worth noting that apparently Georgie (the woman who gave Maggie the handbook "The Key to the Future") has been in regular contact with Maggie on the progress at the communities and has tried to convince Maggie to come and JOIN her.  But, join her...where?  Well, if you're a comic book fan, you likely have an idea where Georgie's from but only time will tell if that's accurate.

Eventually, we see that Maggie ends relents and allows Tammi to have a tender moment with Earl down in the jail cells (which ironically he helped build).  From their heartfelt conversation, Maggie and the audience learns that Earl had a drinking problem.  Maggie ends up having a one on one conversation with Earl regarding his past and ultimately, this allows her to come to the point to decide to set him free to live and work in the community as he once did...but under supervision (a sort of post apocalyptic probation, if you will).  She also decides to have food sent to the Saviors.  An incredibly grateful Michonne asks why the change of heart and Maggie says that it was primarily because her father (the late, great Hershel) also had a drinking problem but HE was redeemable and contributed to the good of so many.  She still stands by her decision to execute Gregory though because to Maggie, he had plenty of opportunities to change and he squandered them all.  Essentially, he was past any redemption.  

The question then becomes, who has the RIGHT to make that call?  On who is redeemable and who isn't?  That's still left to be determined.

On another note, we see a romantic/lustful relationship blossom between Anne/Jadis and Father Gabriel.  Anne seems to have a closer friendship with him than with anyone else and even works on a portrait sketch, based on Gabriel's recollection.  Turns out that this was a sketch of his church organist who he happened to have strong feelings for.  Finally during his night watch, while sitting on a bench, Anne finally makes a sexual move on Gabriel (damn, pretty aggressive Anne), who FULLY reciprocates after he explains that he's Episcopalian, meaning no celibacy for him (damn Gabriel with the smooth words).

What is the MOST interesting however, is what happens AFTER their little stolen moment: As Anne now stands in now as apparently the Watch (holding one of her little wire creatures, I may add), she looks up...and notices the black helicopter flying overhead, causing her eyes to widen as large as saucers.  

Clearly this helicopter is always hovering nearby in some sort of regular observation.  But who is manning it?  Georgie's group?  Someone else altogether?  I have a feeling that we'll finally get a firm answer to these questions this season.

But the focal aspect of this episode all revolves around the bridge, and the repairs needed to be completed in order to unify the areas and also be ready for when a potential roaming hoard eventually comes there way.  We see that both Saviors and Non-Saviors are working on the bridge but the tensions are very high between both sides.  Things come to a head when Justin (one of the Saviors) decides to push young Henry aside in order to gulp up more water than he should, since one cup is being rationed to each person.  Henry decides to take it upon himself to knock Justin down with his stick, something that he does not take lightly.  As he goes to attack Henry, Daryl stops him which becomes an all out brawl between the two men, only to be broken up by Rick.  In a tent scene very reminiscent of a scene out of M*A*S*H (actually, all of the tent episodes felt like scenes from M*A*S*H), Daryl very clearly expresses how he feels that The Saviors are all past redemption.  

This ends up coming up again when The Saviors go AWOL during a log endeavor that ends up being ambushed by a hoard of walkers.  Justin, the Savior that was supposed to be on call and let the workers know that they were coming, wasn't able to for reasons that he said were beyond him.  The result of this is a horrific accident where a log falls on Aaron's arm and essentially crushes it, only be saved by Daryl who rushes him to the infirmary while the rest of the camp fights off the walkers and diffuses the situation.  Aaron's arm unfortunately is beyond repair though and Enid, the new defacto nurse, has to end up making the executive decision that in order to save Aaron's arm, his arm will need to be amputated...and in a gruesome and cringe worthy scene, that is exactly what happens.  

A delirious with anger Daryl enters the tent to confront a non-remorseful Justin who's excuses fall on deaf ears.  Daryl attacks Justin with all the pent up anger in his being, only pulling back because he's forced to.  Eventually we see in the evening time, after dark, that when Justin once again mouths off at this time Rick, he pushes his luck to the point of no return and Rick banishes him back to The Sanctuary.  Justin doesn't bother to wait until morning and opts to head back right then and there...only he never makes it since he apparently sees someone he recognizes and we as the viewer then see that he appears to be knocked out by this said person.

So who this person that is apparently picking off Saviors left and right?  And who's way is right and who's way is wrong?  How can a "more perfect union" be achieved after a war?  And how do we govern moving forward?  It seems that this will continue to be a focus at least in the front half of the season.  The war's over...now what?  That was the easy part but what comes next?  Well, that's decidedly more complicated.

THE WALKING DEAD AIRS SUNDAYS AT 9:00PM EST ON AMC

[RECAP] Season 9, Episode 3 of The Walking Dead, "Warning Signs"

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By Carolina Gallardo (@carolgallardo)

Warning Signs" deals with the heavy and quite grim topic of honoring the dead...And how that all means very different things to many different people.
The third installment of the new season of "The Walking Dead" labeled "

We start the episode immediately where we left off and we see that our long haired Savior Justin has become Walker food and once turned, rises up, a now reanimated walker.  This allows us to see that his death was caused by some sort of puncture wound through the torso.  Hmmmm...the plot thickens.  I kind of thought that Justin was going to last longer than he did, but there you have it.

In the meantime, Rick is more than happy to just play house with Michonne and Judith for the day (aww) by turning Judith's doctor's appointment with Siddiq into a fun filled family day full of activities.  At the same time, in far contrast, we also have a group of menacing Saviors approach and question Maggie while on her way to deliver food to the Sanctuary.  Dead Justin hasn't been uncovered at his point and this group (that includes Arat) are on a mission to find him, hence them questing Maggie.  Eventually dead Justin is found and this leads to a frenzy of accusations back at the campsite, with the fingers pointing mostly to Oceanside, Jadis/Anne and Daryl.  Things escalate very quickly when Daryl raises his crossbow to answer to the looming threat but Rick rides in just in the nick of time to break it up.  From there on out, Rick puts back on his sheriff hat, figuratively, and starts trying to unravel the mystery of who the potential killer may be.  He acknowledges that Daryl COULD potentially be the culprit and goes so far as to "question" this potential suspect.  Daryl of course, denies it, but goes as far to say that if it WAS him, he wouldn't hide it for one minute.  He's right of course.  Rick also questions Gabriel on if he thinks Jadis/Anne is potentially up to anything but Gabe defends Jadis, especially since he knows where she was last night (*wink wink*).  After meeting as a group to determine next steps and how they will treat the perpetrator (will they receive a "Negan" punishment or a "Gregory" punishment),
everyone partners up for safety reasons and to attempt to uncover who's behind the Savior murders.

Among these couplings, we have Maggie and Cyndie from Oceanside who walk over to an abandoned cabin that Cyndie comments used to be an area where they once set up camp before having to scramble to the shore.  They attempt to clear out some of the walkers by the cabin but are quickly overwhelmed by the extent of walkers.  Fortunately for them, Rosita and Daryl quickly show up and save Cyndie in particular, who was barely keeping a walker at bay.  They wonder what happened with the other group that should've been in the area and they end up finding Beatrice apparently knocked out in the woods with her partner, Arat, now missing.  Yet another Savior abducted.

But in the midst of all this, we cant forget about our good friend Jadis/Anne (Anne just doesn't work for me, personally) who revisits the junkyard, her old stomping grounds.  And here's where things get very interesting: We see her grab a Walkie Talkie from the same concealed safe where she once got apple sauce after all her people were killed.  She then begins to communicate with a male voice on the other end who begins to question her on whether she has an "A" or whether she has a "B".  The more we hear, we can start to infer that they are talking about people and certain people fall into category "A" and some fall into category "B".  It appears that Jadis can obtain supplies or some sort of escape perhaps, if she can supply the people on the other end (who are the ones operating the looming helicopter) with human resources.  Until she can guarantee an A or B, however, she is out of luck.  Father Gabriel followed her and overhears this exchange and immediately confronts her.  She doesn't divulge much but she does acknowledge that this is some sort of human trafficking and she actually pleads for Father Gabriel to come with her and escape with these people to apparently much better circumstances.  Much to her dismay, he refuses and informs her that he has to let Rick know about this development.  Faced with this situation, Jadis states that she thought he was a B and knocks him out cold.

The mystery around Jadis and the helicopter continues and I am 100% HERE FOR IT.  The idea of Jadis being a covert secret agent or double agent is an exciting and intriguing one and we'll have to wait to see how this further develops.

The search for Arat goes on, however, and that leads to Rick and Carol to having a heart-to-heart on their thoughts on the Saviors and how regardless of the past, they are resources.  They are then confronted by the same group that confronted Maggie on her way to deliver food, led by Savior Judd.  He ends up taking Carol at knife point and threatening her but at Rick's urging, he lowers his gun and Carol stabs him in the shoulder (just a surface wound though, no biggie).  He's told to put some pressure on it and that he's been spared because "Every Life Counts".  Carol practically rolls her eyes 180 degrees into the back of her head as she utters those words.

Finally, in the episode's most heart wrenching moment, Maggie and Daryl come across an area with a walker that's been taken down and has a spear/arrow through them. Daryl immediately knows who's responsible for the Savior murders and Arat's disappearance.  They come back to the house where Maggie and Cyndie were before and they find some of the Oceanside women, lead by Beatrice and Cyndie, holding Arat at gunpoint, with her on her knees begging for her life.  Everyone is in tears and when Maggie and Daryl ask Cyndie if they were responsible for the Savior murders they admit that indeed they were, but solely because these particular Saviors were the ones that conducted the raid on their community and murdered all their husbands and sons.  Cyndie says that when Maggie gave the order to hang Gregory, they realized that some things truly are unforgivable and Rick's stance on forgiveness isn't necessarily the law of land.  Beatrice mentions how Justin murdered her husband and Cyndie tearfully retells the story of her 11 year old brother, how he was also held at gunpoint and how Cyndie begged for his life...from Arat.  Arat who was the one who coldly murdered her little brother because even a child was not above being murdered.  No exceptions.  Maggie asks Arat to verify if this story is true and once Arat tearfully takes ownership of her actions, while at the same time pleading with Maggie and Daryl that she had no choice and she is now a changed person, Maggie takes a moment to think about this...and then she slowly turns around and walks way.  Effectively giving Oceanside the order to execute.  Which they promptly do, as Arat continues to cry out to Maggie and Daryl for help.  Oceanside's revenge has been waged and is now over.

This situation leads Maggie to tell Daryl that as much she wants to believe in Rick's Utopian vision, she can't quite get past her OWN feelings of anger and revenge.  She states that they gave Rick's vision a chance but it's time to go visit Negan.  Daryl agrees.

The idea of "turning the other cheek" is an ideal that is difficult to hold up in today's society, never mind under the circumstances of what Maggie, Daryl and everyone at large has experienced.  So are they wrong for not being able to let go of that rage?  I, for one, can't say that they're wrong for feeling how they feel...but are they justified in wanting to go kill Negan?

THE WALKING DEAD AIRS SUNDAYS AT 9:00PM EST ON AMC

[RECAP] Season 9, Episode 1 of The Walking Dead, "A New Beginning" - SEASON PREMIERE

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By Carolina Gallardo (@carolgallardo)

By the end of the season nine premiere of The Walking Dead, Maggie Greene made a statement to the people of Hilltop and Alexandria and, in turn, new showrunner Angela Kang made her own definitive statement to the audience at large: This was going to be a very different kind of Walking Dead and it's never felt more exciting and reinvigorated.  Not only was this a fun episode to watch that called back to the good old days of the show, but it was also an episode with very little filler and a lot of substance, something we've been sourly needing for some time.

The very beginning of the episode gives us a brief synopsis of the conflict and eventual war with The Saviors, in the form of Rick recounting what occurred, almost as if he's explaining to a newcomer what happened.  We then join Alexandria, sometime in the near future (based on Maggie's baby and Judith, one can infer that perhaps 1.5 to 2 years has passed).  We see that society, more specifically Alexandria, has been rebuilt, it has been rebuilt with the resources now available, as well as with the guidance of Georgie's "Key to the Future" manuscript (remember that?).  We see that the wooden gates of Alexandria are made of spiked logs, there are solar panels being employed and there's of course, the infamous windmill.  And older Rick, Michonne and Judith seem to be living comfortably as they take in their new society with a relaxed happiness that hasn't been seen in some time.

At the same time, back at The Sanctuary, they do not seem to be fairing as well as at Alexandria.  We see that Eugene seems to have set up his post here, along with Daryl as they work to create fuel from the corn crops in the fields.  This is all in anticipation of a supply run in Washington DC proper that allows us to see various members of the different communities united at one time in order to pull off this ambitious feat.

Something to note in this episode that was a welcome change from previous seasons was that rather than segmenting story lines into episodes about SPECIFIC characters (otherwise known as "bottle" episodes), we get to see almost ALL our main characters in this ONE episode.  Obviously on a show where the cast has become much larger than the original group, this is not always simple to do, but the manner in which it was done in this episode was effective and effortless (at least in how it came off to the viewer).

In any case, we finally get to see our crew leave Alexandria and finally tackle a decaying Washington DC proper, with a decomposing Capitol Building and Washington Monument in the backdrop.  Our crew's goal is to pull some much needed supplies and tools from the Museum of Natural History in order to "Learn from the past to inform our present", a reoccurring theme in this episode.  Before entering the museum, however, we get to live vicariously through Rick and Michonne as they take out some Walker Senators, one still in suit and tie.

Not to get too political or anything, but in today's current political climate, that scene was downright therapeutic.  Am I right?

Eventually, Rick and team enter the building, separating into smaller groups, each group with its marching orders on what to find in the museum.  The main items on their list seem to be seeds, canoes, wagon and a plow.  During their exploration, we find out some curious little tidbits of information such as that Anne/Jadis (now going by Anne) was a teacher before the apocalypse; We hear Daryl have an actual conversation!  I, for one, almost forgot what his voice sounded like!  And finally, we learn that a formal election was held at The Hilltop and Maggie was officially voted as the leader, over Gregory.  It's during this time that we see Michonne gaze at a museum display related to the Civil War labeled, "A More Perfect Union".  Fitting, no? 

There's also a fun scene where Father Gabriel kills a walker by a wall mural that's supposed show the evolution of man.  Anne/Jadis jokingly comments how this is now an art exhibit for the De-Evolution of Man.  Ha.

The tension starts up when our team all work together to try and get all of the items on their list down the stone steps and over a glass trellis floor leading to the exit out of the museum.  If that weren't bad enough, the area underneath the glass floor is full of walkers in an area of the museum fittingly entitled "Manifest Destiny".  Most of these items are clearly incredibly heavy and our team has wrapped rope around each person's waist to keep them connected and to provide some additional girth and strength in pulling each piece across the floor.  As they go back and forth over the floor, we start to see cracks developing on the glass, adding to the tension of the scene.  Just when we think our crew was able to just make it, the floor shatters and King Ezekiel throws up the canoe and falls into the lower area, hanging over the horde of hungry walkers below.  Luckily, the rope pulley system is able to pull him up, over and back into safety...and into an embrace from Carol.  Well, that's one romantic relationship confirmed.

Our crew then heads out and back to Alexandria, with their new tools and supplies in tow, with Daryl paving the way and taking out any walkers that cross their path.  During this trip back, we meet some newcomers to our group (most notably the blacksmith's son, Ken) and even witness a proposal from Ezekiel to Carol (which Carol turns down, in typical Carol fashion).  Eventually, they come across Rosita who informs them that the bridge is completely out and they will need to find an alternative route of getting back.  At this point in time, it appears that they have developed a sort of system of passageways that they have labeled Route A, B, C, D, etc.  Regardless, Rick, as per usual, dictates the best course of action, something that Maggie seems to not entirely agree with but goes along with, as per usual.

In the course of this new direction, the group encounters a deep area of mud that causes the wagon to get stuck, to a point that the horses struggle to be able to pull the wagon.  Rick and crew all get out and start to work to push it over and through the mud, not realizing that a horde of walkers have started to meander toward them.  They get the wagon out of the mud just in time, however now they need to fight off the walkers that have descended upon them.  Michonne and Daryl get to work to start taking them down (Daryl now with not only a cross bow but some fun, fancy knife work as well).  Unfortunately, in the midst of all the chaos, the plow falls and breaks and young Ken is bitten by a walker and we are given the impression that his infected arm was cut off, in an attempt to save him.  Alas, it is to no avail, and he passes away, as Maggie tearfully kneels in front of him and finally stabs him in the head.

We see then that a part of group, specifically Rick, Daryl, Carol & Ezekiel enter The Sanctuary to meet with the now subjugated Saviors.  The relationship between Rick and The Saviors is still a very delicate one, as evidenced by those that are vocally appreciative of Rick's willingness to help them with food and supplies...but also by graffiti on the wall stating "Saviors Save Us; We are Still Negan".  At the sight of these words, Daryl immediately orders that the words are painted over and stares disapprovingly as Rick essentially makes nice with The Saviors.  The two longtime friends then have a private moment where Daryl confidentially tells Rick that he is not comfortable being at The Sanctuary at all and feels that he is more useful outside in the woods (Ah Daryl, ever the feral cat).  As much as Rick has high hopes that they can forge "a more perfect union" with The Saviors, Daryl has his doubts, pointing out that this location is a factory and nothing HAS been able to grow there, which is why Negan had people GIVE him things.  After some talking (if you can imagine, Daryl actually having a conversation!), Daryl states that he'll be joining Maggie and the baby at The Hilltop instead (a bit of a slap in the face to Rick).  Afterward, we see that Carol overhead this conversation and she will end up taking up Daryl's post at The Sanctuary, giving her some space from Ezekiel.

Later we learn that Ken was a member of Hilltop, shedding light on why Maggie specifically took his death so much to heart.  As elected leader, this young life was lost on her watch and she takes it upon herself to sit with Ken's parents and explain to them what exactly happened.  As any parents would react after losing their child, they are angry and heartbroken at what they see as the fruitless death of their young son.  A remorseful Maggie offers to hold a funeral service for their son which they tearfully accept, but not without the bitter resentment of what has befallen them.  In a statement that likely speaks for many at The Hilltop, Ken's mother Tammy states "My son is dead, your son has no father and the Saviors eat our food".  Yikes.

A funeral is eventually held in honor of Ken, with Gregory giving what appears to be heartfelt eulogy.  Jesus himself even comments on what he feels is his authenticity.  We end up seeing that it was all a farce and that Gregory was just positioning himself in a sympathetic position to appeal to Ken's parents.  He then proceeds to liquor up his parents and convince specifically Ken's father that his son's death was all the fault of Maggie and that if he was still in control, this all could have potentially been avoided...but there is still a way out of all this.

In what is arguably the most climatic part of the episode, we see Maggie, still heavily burdened with the death of Ken, taking baby Hershel for an evening walk in his stroller.  Gregory runs into her and comments to her that while burying Ken, they noticed that perhaps accidentally, Glenn's grave was defaced.  This of course strikes a chord with Maggie, who proceeds to walk to the grave, stroller in hand.  It's at this point that we see a dark cloaked figure come out of the darkness and tip over the stroller, sending a screaming, wailing baby to the floor, and begin to viciously attack Maggie.  The combination of the baby helpless on the floor screaming and the fighting between Maggie and this assailant raises the level of horror, fear and tension to another level (maybe because I'm a mom?).  Maggie fights back with every inch of her life and at the sound of all the ruckus, Enid comes running only to be thrown to the side and to the floor.  Finally Jesus arrives with Alden in tow and they are able to hold down the figure who is revealed to be Ken's father.

After tending to Hershel, Maggie immediately goes to Gregory's quarters, fully aware that he was the one that orchestrated this assault.  At first he tries to discount her words because of her obvious head injury but as she angrily presses on, he ends up admitting to what he did and what's more, attempts to stab her himself, only to be overpowered by her and having the knife now turned on him.

In the cold light of day, Rick, Michonne and Daryl visit The Hilltop, primarily for Rick to discuss with Maggie the idea of using resources to rebuild the bridge and also borrowing food and supplies to tide over the Saviors for the time being until they can grow viable crops.  They are shocked to see Maggie's black and blue face, but her recent assault seems to be the last thing she wants to discuss.  With that in mind, Rick begins to discuss with her his plans and the things that he needs from her but Maggie has very clear terms: Labor is fine, Food is fine...but supplies will only be granted if the Saviors give up all their fuel and provide most of the labor needed for the bridge.  Rick implores Maggie to be more generous with them but she is firm in her stance that they lost the war and these are the repercussions.  Damn.  She also makes a point that she cannot solve their problems when she has her own problems here that she needs to figure out.  No handouts here from Maggie Rhee, clearly.

She then states what we have been seeing repeatedly in the trailer which is that Rick chose not to listen to her back when they defeated the Saviors but that all changes now.  Maggie then states that it's getting dark and it's time to put the kids to bed.  And we end up seeing for good reason.

It is now nightfall, and we see there is a large ominous gathering outside at the Hilltop (with Rick, Michonne and Daryl present), all with sullen faces and torches.  Maggie makes it clear that she doesn't want to have to do this but at the Hilltop "the punishment fits the crime".  She then turns and asks someone if they have any last words.  We then see that she is referring to Gregory, who has been positioned on a horse, with a noose around his neck, ready to be executed.  Gregory screams that they shouldn't do this and that she's only doing this at night because she's ashamed.  Maggie, unflinchingly, denies being scared and orders Daryl to proceed in pushing the horse, which he does to Michonne's horror because two children happened to run out just at this moment.  But it is far too late.  Gregory is promptly hung, as Maggie states for this to be a lesson to all and orders him to be cut down.  Damn Maggie.

Overall, this episode largely focused on what happens AFTER a war: How do we GOVERN?  How do we UNITE once divided factions into a contributing, functional society?  We have someone like Rick that takes on a benevolent, almost Socialist approach, ensuring that everyone's needs are met.  Then we have someone like Maggie who has a far more Authoritarian approach and believes that she needs to look out for the needs of her people FIRST, before she can solve the problems of others (particularly others that were once the oppressors).  Nowhere is their diverging styles more apparent then in their approach to Crime & Punishment: Negan murdered Glenn, Abraham and various others and was essentially granted life in prison; Gregory attempted first degree murder on Maggie and was immediately publicly executed as an example to all.

This new way of thinking about recreating a governing society in the backdrop of a wasteland is a captivating one, particularly when bearing in mind the natural human conflicts that occur when trying to form a "more perfect union".  The Walking Dead is heading into some uncharted territory for the first time in a long time and it is fascinating and exciting to watch again.  Maggie Rhee and Angela Kang have certainly made their point loud and clear to all.   

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