Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Walking Dead” season 9 episode 5: “I Found Them”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season 9 episode 5, the moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, but it’s not the moment we truly expected.  Please note major spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “What Comes After,” Rick is severely wounded and desperately tries to get away from the persistent walker horde following him, as he slips in and out of consciousness, crossing paths with his friends in the afterlife.  Meanwhile, Maggie finally faces Negan and Jadis continues to talk to the mysterious man on the helicopter.  Please note that my top moments will all feature Rick, although I would like to point out that Maggie’s conversation with Negan was truly significant.  My top 5 moments from The Walking Dead season 9 episode 5 are:

5

“Goddamn cowboy, you look like shit!”

Rick is still holding on, but is in immediate danger.  He desperately tries to stay awake, but his mind continues to slip somewhere else, allowing us the chance to catch up with some of our favorite old characters who are no longer with us.  First up…Shane!  Shane is my absolute favorite character of the entire series and I was devastated after his exit.  That being said, perhaps he knew that he was going to kick some serious ass as “The Punisher” so I guess it all worked out in the end.  Rick and Shane have always been like brothers and their reunion picks up right where they left off.  Shane even brings up Judith and asks, “How is my baby girl by the way?”  Shane has always been the “asshole,” but somehow their friendship is still natural and real despite all of the ugliness and drama between these two.  Rick is “looking for his family” and answers, but Shane reminds him to dig down and find the rage within him.  He tells Rick to wake up, as Rick continues to fight and try and escape the walkers that keep coming.  In a way, Shane represents that anger and rage that Rick has had to release on multiple occasions to stay alive.  While Rick has not always made the best decisions because of it, it allowed him to survive.  Perhaps he needed a reminder about that now.

4

“My girl, she’s strong and my grandson…he’ll only make her stronger.”

After scraping by the next obstacle, Rick continues on with his vision quest of sorts and is with Hershel on the farm.  The sun is absolutely breathtaking in the sky and everything seems so calm and peaceful here.  This scene was difficult to watch, especially since Scott Wilson recently passed away, but Rick has always looked to Hershel as his own kind of personal moral compass.  Hershel has always been wise and reminds Rick that Maggie will be OK on her own and tries to tell Rick that he only thinks he needs to find his family.  Hershel clearly represents loyalty and family to Rick, inspiring him with goodness and faith to keep going.

3

“You did your part like I did mine.”

After Rick flashes to some kind of afterlife, surrounded by corpses, he crosses paths with Sasha.  Sasha tries to remind Rick that he did his part and that every single one of them gives us strength.  Sasha further explains, “We help each other.  We make each other better and it never ends.”  Rick is still confused and says that it feels like the end to him, but Sasha reveals, “Little things do end, but it’s never the end of everything.  It’s about all of us.  Your family, they’re not lost.  And you are not lost.”  This part really resonated with me, as Sasha tries to get through to Rick about what it’s all about.  Life is about the people we care about and our actions do matter.  We can all continue to inspire one another and even when we’re gone, we can live on in memories and in the lives of those we have touched.

2

“Because you’re a fighter and you never give up.  Fight for me.”

After Rick’s horse finally abandons him, Rick continues on foot and tries to make it to the bridge.  He imagines all of his friends coming to his rescue, but he is there alone.  Rick creates a conversation with Michonne in his mind, who tells him that she loves him because he is a fighter and never gives up.  Michonne keeps Rick’s love and hope alive here, as he continues to stay true to himself and fight.  I was surprised that we did not see Carl, Glenn, or Lori at all, but I do think that each character we did see represented a part of Rick, reminding him about who he is and what he can still do.

1

“I found them.”

As Rick makes his way to the bridge, his friends now finally catch up to him and try to help him.  Daryl continues to keep the walkers away from Rick, one arrow at a time, and Michonne tries to run toward him, but Rick tries to tell them to stay away.  Rick spots the dynamite and knows what he must do to protect his family.  He lures the walkers on to the bridge and takes out his gun, staying true to who he is…a hero.  Rick blows up the bridge to save his friends and should have gone out in a blaze of glory.  Michonne and Daryl’s reactions were truly heartbreaking, as my own heart shattered as well.  However, there is always some kind of twist on TWD. Rick is somehow OK and washes up to Jadis, formerly known as Anne.  Jadis wants to help Rick because he has helped her in the past and tells the man in the helicopter that she has a “B.”  Again, what makes an “A” or a “B?”  I have no idea, but Rick is taken away on the helicopter and actually makes it out alive!

I don’t know about you, but I was actually really disappointed with this.  As much as I love Rick Grimes and want to see him alive, this sort of felt like a cop-out to me.  Rick had the chance to save all of his friends and leave this world as a true hero.  We know that Andrew Lincoln is leaving the show and will now appear in some Walking Dead movies so I guess that’s a positive, but where does that leave the series?  To make matters even more confusing, we get a time jump that shows bad-ass Judith saving people from walkers while wearing Carl’s hat.  While it’s great to see that she takes after her father and brother, I’m not sure I’m ready to invest in another time jump.  I kind of just want to follow that helicopter and see what’s going on with Rick.  Either way, the episode was done brilliantly and I appreciated the seamless transitions into Rick’s mind.  Rick will always be the very essence of this show for me.  We will all miss you Rick Grimes, but I guess we’ll see you soon in your movies!  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!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

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!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Walking Dead” season 9 episode 3: “Every Life Counts”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season 9 episode 3, I almost felt like I was playing a game of “Clue,” as Rick and the others try to figure out who is responsible for Justin’s death.  Was it Daryl with an arrow in the woods?  Seems too obvious, especially since we know that Daryl is not one for hiding his true intentions.  I’m not sure there is a candlestick lying around, but someone should be able to get to the bottom of this.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Warning Signs,” tensions continue to run high between the communities, as everyone learns that former Saviors are being targeted.  Meanwhile, Rick tries to have a nice day off with his family, but quickly learns that the bridge is not the only thing in danger of collapsing, as friendships are tested.  My top 5 moments from The Walking Dead season 9 episode 3 are:

5

“Thank you for you.”

In the beginning of the episode, Michonne confides in Rick and tells him that “everyone isn’t all in yet,” recognizing that Maggie and Daryl are still angry.  Rick tries to stay positive and tells her that “they’ll get there…just like we did,” but does he really think so?  Richonne has a beautiful moment together, as they spend the day with Judith and Rick once again takes a moment to thank Michonne for everything she has done.  Rick tells Michonne, “I can think of another way to build for the future,” implying that he is ready to have another baby.  After last night’s episode, we know that Rick Grimes has only two more episodes remaining.  I guess this would be a way for the famous Rick Grimes to live on, creating a legacy after he is gone.

4

“Us means all of us.”

Well sure it’s a nice sentiment, but I’m not sure that the communities can continue to sing “Kumbaya” when people are turning up dead or missing.  After discovering that Justin is dead, tensions continue to run high, as everyone begins to point fingers at each other, assigning blame and escalating the situation.  It’s only a matter of time before this turns into a riot, but can Rick continue to keep the peace?  When we see walker Justin headed out to the woods, there is a message written on a house that says, “Final Warning.”  This is not the first time we have seen writing on the wall this season, but our culprits don’t seem ready to step out into the open just yet.

3

“I need to honor them.”

Since we know that Rick’s time is limited, it has given us the opportunity to finally understand what is going through his mind, as he is more inclined to share than he used to be.  Rick talks about not killing Negan, even though he may have initially wanted to, reminding us that “every life counts.”  Rick talks about remembering everyone they have lost before and he feels a need to honor them and to build life, rather than take it.  It’s “us or the dead,” but I’m not sure that everyone else is ready to embrace this outlook on life.  However, I can absolutely appreciate where Rick is coming from, as he desperately tries to keep his future going, holding on to even the smallest glimmer of hope in the middle of all this darkness and chaos.  Will anyone try to continue this vision after Rick is gone?  I’m hoping so, but it seems like the people closest to Rick are not necessarily on board yet.  Will it take Rick’s death for them to finally see it all or will all be lost once he is gone?  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

2

“I lied to him for you.”

As things continue to escalate, blame is thrown Anne’s way, but Gabriel lies to Rick and tells him that she was with him all night.  Gabriel desperately wants to see the good in Anne, but he is no fool either.  He follows Anne/Jadis back to the dump and discovers that she is talking to someone over the radio.  Anne had spotted the mysterious helicopter and we know that they have another place to go, but I’m not sure we got too many answers here.  Anne/Jadis tries to ask the man over the radio if he was responsible for taking the people, but is told no.  Anne is informed that she needs to provide him with an “A,” but what really is an “A” or a “B?”  After trying to get Gabriel to go with her willingly, Gabriel says no and explains that he cannot betray Rick and the others.  Jadis decides to take him with her anyway against his will, commenting that she didn’t realize he was an “A.”  So if it is not predetermined, does it have something to do with someone’s moral compass?  If Gabriel just agreed to abandon his friends and go with her, he would be a “B,” a follower.  But since he stood up to her, he is now considered an “A,” a leader?  I’m just guessing here, but I’m looking forward to a further explanation about everything we just witnessed.  The Walking Dead tends to stretch things out as long as they can, but I’m looking for some concrete answers now.

1

“Why do they get this future and Glenn don’t?

As the game of “Clue” continues to escalate, Rick speaks to Daryl and tells him that the wound resembled an arrow wound.  Even though he doesn’t believe that Daryl did this, he still wants to find out the truth.  Daryl asks Rick why the former Saviors get a chance at this future when Glenn, Sasha, and Abraham will never see it.  While Rick is trying to honor everyone who died with his new future, Daryl has a different idea on how to do this.  We eventually learn that some of the Oceanside people, followed by Cyndee, are responsible for Justin’s death.  They are looking to get their own form of justice and Maggie and Daryl carefully listen to both sides.  Maggie and Daryl ultimately decide to walk away as the next former Savior is killed, which now creates a much bigger divide.  It’s one thing to have the communities on edge, but Maggie and Daryl are like family to Rick.  Now that they have chosen a different path, everything is about to change.  Maggie comments that they gave Rick’s way a chance and that they are off to see the Wizard…no wait to see Negan.  I thought I’d throw that in there especially since Rick was reading “The Wizard of Oz” to Judith.  Now that everything has changed, it’s only a matter of time before Rick gets caught in the crossfire.  Stay tuned for Rick’s last two episodes!

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!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

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!

The Search for Alice Cover