Happy Monday TV fans! After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season 9 episode 1 season premiere, I learned that a new beginning doesn’t necessarily mean that the past is left behind entirely. Even though change is possible, there is always something or someone threatening to bring the old ways back. So what do we do when that happens? Do we erase the warning signs and pretend like it doesn’t exist or do we stand up and make a point to show that we mean business? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “A New Beginning,” the group heads out on a field trip to the state capital. Meanwhile, Maggie quickly begins to realize that being the leader is not easy, Daryl wants a change in scenery, and Rick finally feels happy and lucky to have Michonne by his side. My top 5 moments from The Walking Dead season 9 episode 1 season premiere are:
5
“Put that thing away.”
Well Carol definitely deserves a king of sorts, especially since her former husband, Ed, was one of the worst people on the planet. During the episode, we learn that Carol and Ezekiel are together romantically, but this was almost put on hold when Ezekiel was skating on thin ice at the capital museum. Luckily he made it out OK and will live to see another day. Ezekiel asks Carol to marry him and she is beyond shocked. She hilariously tells him to put the ring away and further explains that “this is not happening on a horse.” Ezekiel is fully supportive of Carol and tells her that he will keep it until she is ready. While I’m not necessarily on board for these two just yet, I do think that Carol absolutely deserves a chance at happiness, but there is someone else I am rooting for instead. Team “Caryl” anyone?
4
“We are still Negan.”
During the episode, we learn that Daryl is in charge of leading The Sanctuary and that Rick has made quite an impression on everyone there. Rick has been showing up with food and supplies and is trying to keep everyone happy, which is a difficult job to do. Even though everyone seems happy and one man even says, “Bless you Rick Grimes,” a resistance may still be brewing within the factory walls. Rick notices that someone wrote, “We are still Negan” on the wall and they want it painted over. While I understand that they want to keep this type of messaging out of here, I’m not sure that painting over it like it doesn’t exist will make the threat go away. Daryl further tells Rick that he doesn’t want to be the one leading these people anymore and feels that he is better out in the open. Rick reminds Daryl of his importance there, but Daryl is not buying it any longer. Daryl tells Rick that “everyone’s everywhere” and that there is “no us anymore” and maybe he’s right. Daryl much prefers the idea of a small group and says it’s what he knows, but that’s also what Daryl understands as his family and purpose. While this disagreement between Rick and Daryl definitely foreshadows a possible divide, one cannot ignore the threat that “The Saviors” might be waiting in the wings to take advantage of any sign of weakness from Rick’s group.
3
“If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s you.”
Swoon! I have been missing these absolutely beautiful moments between Daryl and Carol and this was a great one for sure. Daryl truly cares for Carol and just wants her to be happy, but he does say that he doesn’t like not seeing her. Carol agrees to take over for Daryl for a little while even though that means leaving Ezekiel behind, but she recognizes that it is something she needs to do for her great friend and to support the group. Carol opens up to Daryl and explains that even though Ezekiel is corny, “Corny is nice after Ed.” Daryl is someone that Carol can always trust and count on, but I have to admit that I am still shipping these two together and hope that they can make it work somehow. No offense your majesty.
2
“How’d I get so lucky finding you?”
“The famous Rick Grimes” is back, but we know that it is only a matter of time before we say goodbye to him forever. I’m not ready to cry just yet; however, and I love the fact that Rick is finally embracing the people around him even after losing Carl. There is a beautiful moment when Rick is watching his daughter, Judith, painting a picture of her and Carl while Michonne helps. Rick, Michonne, and Judith have really become a watercolor painting of a beautiful family and it seems like everything is almost too perfect to be true. Rick recognizes how lucky he is and Michonne tells him that it’s time they both won a little and I couldn’t agree more. However, we know that happiness is often short-lived on TWD and I am not looking forward to seeing this happy family separated forever. I guess ignorance is bliss for now.
1
“I made this decision but this is not the beginning of something.”
During the episode, we learn that Maggie was voted the leader of Hilltop over Gregory and we meet her beautiful son, Hershel. It seems like everything is going well, but Maggie quickly realizes that being a leader is no easy task and she has to deal with the consequences that come her way. During their run, Maggie loses Ken and his parents are absolutely devastated. Maggie clearly feels awful, but understands that this is probably not the last time that something like this will happen. Gregory takes this opportunity to plant a seed and tries to manipulate Ken’s father by bribing this sober man with alcohol. If that wasn’t bad enough, Gregory tells Maggie that he saw someone defacing Glenn’s grave to catch her off guard. Maggie is attacked by a man in a hood and I was horrified when the baby carriage turned over and her son was on the ground screaming. Seriously this was absolutely horrible to watch. With the help of some of her people, Maggie is able to get away OK and we learn that the hooded man was Ken’s father, but Maggie quickly realizes that the man behind the curtain is Gregory. Maggie confronts Gregory and tells him “you tried to have me killed because you’re too chicken shit to do it yourself.” Gregory tries to attack Maggie, but when she turns the tables on him, there is fear written all over his face. Rick later goes to see Maggie and clearly feels bad about what happened, but asks if she will consider giving more food to The Sanctuary. Maggie wants something in return and reminds Rick, “I survived worse but it has to stop.” Maggie makes the decision to have Gregory hung for his betrayal in front of the group. She takes complete ownership of her decision, but also tells her people that she doesn’t want this to continue. Maggie has given Gregory so many chances and he continued to try and betray her and I think that some sort of punishment is fitting, although I’m not sure that we want to resort back to the days of public hangings. Especially when some of the children witness what is going on, it really puts things into perspective.
While the group needs to start over, that doesn’t mean that they get to decide who lives and who dies and even Michonne recognizes that they all need to have some rules and agreements put in place before all hell breaks loose and she is absolutely right. That being said, Maggie is a pillar of strength and is one to watch for sure. She could have been broken and defeated after being attacked, but she chose to stay strong and make a point to her people. Whether it was the right call or not, I’m not sad to see Gregory go. It will be interesting to see how these three groups work together and how long it will take before they are divided again when they don’t agree on something. Either way, I’m looking forward to see how it all unfolds. Stay tuned!
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The Walking Dead below in the comments section. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Stay up to date on upcoming premieres of horror TV series @ 12nightsofhorror.com/horror-series-coming-soon
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
@TV_Fanatic_Girl
[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]
If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!
I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available! If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I hope you enjoy!
When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.
Want to read more? You can click the link directly below for a free preview. Thanks for your support!
Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!
The Search for Alice is available here!
