Mercer's line--and all it promises was worth the wait.
Yes, but the end of the series means my patience in waiting for a blu-ray complete series box set will be rewarded...or at least I hope that's in already in production.
Spoilers The Walking Dead: the 11th and final season
- Thread starter TREK_GOD_1
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Mercer's line--and all it promises was worth the wait.
Yes, but the end of the series means my patience in waiting for a blu-ray complete series box set will be rewarded...or at least I hope that's in already in production.
So far, I have been mostly disappointed with the "final episodes".
The show has done a poor job of turning Pamela into some sort of fearsome villain, imho. In terms of villainy, Pamela can't hold a candle to the likes of Negan, or past baddies like the Governor, or even Alpha.
Negan was sadistic and wickedly brutal. He ruled the Sanctuary with an iron fist (a barb wired bat, to be more accurate). He ruled by fear, which hardly seemed like how Pamela has governed.
Also, I am finding some of the heroes, especially Carol, to be less and less sympathetic as characters, and to be more and more unlikable.
Hilltop, Alexandria, and the Kingdom were failed communities, for one reason or another. Pamela welcomed the folks of those communities to settle down in the Commonwealth and to enjoy all that the Commonwealth had to offer. For a supposed villain, Pamela demonstrated openness and generosity by welcoming outsiders to immigrate and to integrate into Commonwealth society.
I couldn't help but think how Pamela's openness contrasted with Maggie's xenophobia. When Maggie was in charge of Hilltop, she didn't trust nor wanted to take in any outsiders. So, who is exactly is the good guy?
The heroes gladly accepted refuge in the Commonwealth. And how have they returned the favor, by undermining Commonwealth stability. They are now on the verge of bringing it all down, so it seems.
Shortly before Daryl killed him, Hornsby posed some good questions to Carol. He asked Carol what were the heroes' plan for the aftermath, that is, after they take down Pamela. Were they just going to walk away afterwards, after the mess they will be making of the Commonwealth?
Hornsby pointed out that "the people who suffer the most in revolutions are civilians." He then explicitly asked Carol, "Will you let the Commonwealth burn?" Carol callously replied, "That's not my problem." Again, who exactly is the good guy and who is the bad guy?
From what had been shown (up until recent episodes), TPTB of the Commonwealth were not systematically abusing the people of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth residents were shown to be relatively happy. They enjoyed relative peace and prosperity and security. The had games, jobs, desserts, and other goodies like decent health care. The Commonwealth apparently provided its people with normality in a world of danger and despair.
Princess' analogy didn't ring true, imo. And I am going by the show's own portrayal of the Commonwealth.
In recent episodes, the show had undergone a dramatic shift, though. Recent episodes have tried to make Pamela out to be a ruthless dictator.
All of a sudden, the show brought up matters that tried to highlight Pamela's evilness. There was the matter of a woman, who had disappeared or been killed, and that Pamela had covered up, which led to protests. Imagine how Negan would have dealt with protesters. There was a lottery scam that Pamela was involved with. And there was the matter of Pamela forcing Hornsby to feed her zombie son. But it was too little and too late. Pamela is no Negan.
Of course, Pamela had a son who was corrupt and spoiled rotten. He ultimately got what he deserved, though. But didn't Carol bribe Hornsby to get Ezekiel to the front of the line for medical care? Talk about corruption.
Pamela and the Commonwealth are far from perfect. As Princess said, the place could be better. But so far, I just don't find the battle between the heroes and Pamela and her Commonwealth to be as compelling as it could have been.
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I will not shed a tear if Eugene is executed. I don't care about his pathetic love life. Eugene's speech didn't make him any less annoying. But what are the chances that the Commonwealth will successfully carry out his execution?
How many heroes have Commonwealth stormtroopers actually managed to kill? The stormtroopers perform more like the gang that can't shoot straight. For example, the warden of Outpost 22 couldn't even manage to executed Negan or his wife, even though, he had guns aimed and ready to fire at them. When was the last time a hero was killed, anyway? Btw, better people have perished, but Negan still lives on.
Throughout the series, the heroes have faced jeopardy. But recently, the heroes seem to have, metaphorically, acquired teflon. They have survived and won just about every encounter against hapless stormtroopers. In this regard, the show has lost a lot of suspense.
There are only two episodes left. I can only hope for the best.
The show has done a poor job of turning Pamela into some sort of fearsome villain, imho. In terms of villainy, Pamela can't hold a candle to the likes of Negan, or past baddies like the Governor, or even Alpha.
Negan was sadistic and wickedly brutal. He ruled the Sanctuary with an iron fist (a barb wired bat, to be more accurate). He ruled by fear, which hardly seemed like how Pamela has governed.
Also, I am finding some of the heroes, especially Carol, to be less and less sympathetic as characters, and to be more and more unlikable.
Hilltop, Alexandria, and the Kingdom were failed communities, for one reason or another. Pamela welcomed the folks of those communities to settle down in the Commonwealth and to enjoy all that the Commonwealth had to offer. For a supposed villain, Pamela demonstrated openness and generosity by welcoming outsiders to immigrate and to integrate into Commonwealth society.
I couldn't help but think how Pamela's openness contrasted with Maggie's xenophobia. When Maggie was in charge of Hilltop, she didn't trust nor wanted to take in any outsiders. So, who is exactly is the good guy?
The heroes gladly accepted refuge in the Commonwealth. And how have they returned the favor, by undermining Commonwealth stability. They are now on the verge of bringing it all down, so it seems.
Shortly before Daryl killed him, Hornsby posed some good questions to Carol. He asked Carol what were the heroes' plan for the aftermath, that is, after they take down Pamela. Were they just going to walk away afterwards, after the mess they will be making of the Commonwealth?
Hornsby pointed out that "the people who suffer the most in revolutions are civilians." He then explicitly asked Carol, "Will you let the Commonwealth burn?" Carol callously replied, "That's not my problem." Again, who exactly is the good guy and who is the bad guy?
I understood the point that Princess was making when she recounted her experience living in an abusive home when she was a kid. I assume the show's writer(s) wanted the audience to view life in the Commonwealth through the prism that Princess created. However, as an analogy between what Princess had to endure when she was a kid to what life is supposedly like in the Commonwealth, the analogy didn't work, at least not for me.
From what had been shown (up until recent episodes), TPTB of the Commonwealth were not systematically abusing the people of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth residents were shown to be relatively happy. They enjoyed relative peace and prosperity and security. The had games, jobs, desserts, and other goodies like decent health care. The Commonwealth apparently provided its people with normality in a world of danger and despair.
Princess' analogy didn't ring true, imo. And I am going by the show's own portrayal of the Commonwealth.
In recent episodes, the show had undergone a dramatic shift, though. Recent episodes have tried to make Pamela out to be a ruthless dictator.
All of a sudden, the show brought up matters that tried to highlight Pamela's evilness. There was the matter of a woman, who had disappeared or been killed, and that Pamela had covered up, which led to protests. Imagine how Negan would have dealt with protesters. There was a lottery scam that Pamela was involved with. And there was the matter of Pamela forcing Hornsby to feed her zombie son. But it was too little and too late. Pamela is no Negan.
Of course, Pamela had a son who was corrupt and spoiled rotten. He ultimately got what he deserved, though. But didn't Carol bribe Hornsby to get Ezekiel to the front of the line for medical care? Talk about corruption.
Pamela and the Commonwealth are far from perfect. As Princess said, the place could be better. But so far, I just don't find the battle between the heroes and Pamela and her Commonwealth to be as compelling as it could have been.
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I will not shed a tear if Eugene is executed. I don't care about his pathetic love life. Eugene's speech didn't make him any less annoying. But what are the chances that the Commonwealth will successfully carry out his execution?
How many heroes have Commonwealth stormtroopers actually managed to kill? The stormtroopers perform more like the gang that can't shoot straight. For example, the warden of Outpost 22 couldn't even manage to executed Negan or his wife, even though, he had guns aimed and ready to fire at them. When was the last time a hero was killed, anyway? Btw, better people have perished, but Negan still lives on.
Throughout the series, the heroes have faced jeopardy. But recently, the heroes seem to have, metaphorically, acquired teflon. They have survived and won just about every encounter against hapless stormtroopers. In this regard, the show has lost a lot of suspense.
There are only two episodes left. I can only hope for the best.
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Pamela holds more power and control than any of the antagonists you listed, which makes her more dangerous; Negan attempted to run a fiefdom bolstered by raids / forced cooperation on small, neighboring communities. The Whisperers were a death cult with an inherently suicidal way of life that would never absorb or take over any other communities. The Governor made an impact (via sadism) on a group (Rick's) that was relatively inexperienced at the time of the conflict, but he overstepped his reach, leading to his own death as well as people from the two groups he commanded.
The Commonwealth boasts a population over 50,000, which also has a standing army, still-functioning vehicles, and associations with other cities. Being that close to the way the old world existed grants a level of power no other town, wild pack of forest-dwellers or even a would-be dictator would ever match or know. Put it this way: if any of Negan's scouts (e.g., Simon) caught a glimpse of people in an area (the Commonwealth or a satellite community), believed them to be lambs for the taking, reported back to Negan, who in turn, wanted to send a small army to the lambs' gates, what would happen if they discovered--too late--that there's armored soldiers of a massive city supporting their intended victims?
Considering how cold and protective Pamela is of the structure of her city, she would either turn the tables on Negan, Simon, et al., or let the Saviors know--by example--that their paths should never cross again, as the Saviors simply were not a match for a city's worth of military-level power.
Being a sadist (like The Governor or Negan) does not necessarily make you a greater threat. Further, having a greater level of responsibility to others thanks to sheer size of the organization makes one more offensive-minded and calculating, because you have more to lose (the infrastructure and the power it grants).
Generosity in one hand, a knife in the other; Pamela is not a benevolent leader just opening her doors. She runs a dressed-up caste system, including--but not limited to--using anyone or group for slave labor, kidnapping, executed people when they became a threat, separated families and instilled a climate of underlying fear (note how Yumiko's brother was hush-hush and nervous to even discuss the way the Commonwealth functioned from the moment he reunited with his sister)
I couldn't help but think how Pamela's openness contrasted with Maggie's xenophobia. When Maggie was in charge of Hilltop, she didn't trust nor wanted to take in any outsiders. So, who is exactly is the good guy?[/quote]
Carol killed Hornsby, not Daryl. Hornsby was attempting to manipulate Carol (of all people) to one--get usable information from her, as he had every intention of escaping to return to Pamela, and two, the "mess" will be a necessary outcome of Pamela and Hornsby's corruption. If the Commonwealth was truly a fair, welcoming city, no one would be subjected to the kind of abuses--on a scale far greater than any earlier WD threat to date (and combined) seen in the city, beginning with forced interrogations which can lead to executions or slave labor.
The analogy princess made was the "well, its better than out there / better than nothing" variety. She was physically abused, but her mother justified the abuse by making a false contrast in order for her daughter to accept an unacceptable situation. That is the argument against the Commonwealth, for its life of seemingly plentiful material comforts is no substitute which would allow the acceptance of imprisonment, execution, separation of families, etc.
You seem to have some resentment of the Carol character. Her business with Hornsby was to save a friend's life, not relentlessly abuse the residents and system through an unearned position like Sebastian. There's no comparison between the actions of Carol and Sebastian whatsoever.
He escaped execution, thanks to Mercer, but in the coming battle, he may not survive, but if he dies, he--at least--had his redemption arc, as he's a far different character than the cowardly user seen from seasons 4 up to 9 (roughly).
Do youneed a hero to be killed? One could ask the same question of any TV series or movie franchise and come up with similar answers for similar reasons, but of all 21st century entertainment franchises, The Walking Dead has--arguably--killed off more main characters over the course of its run than any other franchise.
Reasons.
That's been my problem with Pamela as well, she's basically a warmed-over version of the Governor, who is probably still my favourite Walking Dead antagonist.
The narrations at the beginning of these final episodes have been particularly interesting, seeing quick little flashes of the road traveled.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the finale.
The narrations at the beginning of these final episodes have been particularly interesting, seeing quick little flashes of the road traveled.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the finale.
Oops. You are correct. Carol killed Hornsby.
Hornsby was flawed, but he was also shrewd. The issues that Hornsby brought up to Carol, were valid points, regardless of his motives. His questions to Carol were insightful. He put the conflict and the stakes involved into context.
Also, Carol's callous response was a revealing moment about Carol.
Carol bribed Hornsby to get Ezekiel to the front of the line. It is corruption. Besides, I doubt that the people, who honestly waited their turn for medical care or who may have been harmed by Carol/Ezekiel's line jumping would appreciate Carol's blatant dishonesty.
I was being somewhat facetious with my comments about Eugene. Eugene is annoying. ymmv. And I am not referring to his manner of speaking. I chuckle when he says things like "7 o'clock of the pm". It is everthing else about him that grates.
You are right about Eugene's redemption arc. If only Eugene would find some way to redeem himself for being annoying, maybe I would give a hoot.
The Commonwealth and Pamela were not quite like past TWD villains. With the Commonwealth and Pamela, the writers created a much more complex and nuanced antagonist. The distinction between good guy and bad guy were not always so clear cut, imo.
However, the show's writers resorted to turning Pamela into a female version of the mustache twirling villain and to turning the Commonwealth into the evil empire, with prison camps and whatnot suddenly popping up near the end. It came across as a bit contrived.
I guess the show needed to clearly distinguish the heroes from Pamela and her minions, in order to give us a worthwhile dramatic showdown between the two sides.
As far as tv villains go, Pamela can't match the notoriety of Negan. Pamela, the character, has a bureaucratic dullness. Negan was in-your-face sadistic and wicked. I do not admire the character, but I have to say that Negan had charisma. The character is unforgettable. I can only imagine what the world would be like if Negan had the firepower that Pamela had.
Pamela probably did have more firepower at her disposal than Negan ever had when he ruled Sanctuary. Superficially, the Commonwealth army appeared very formidable. We really never got to see the backstory of the Commonwealth, though.
But in so many of the encounters, that we were shown, between stormtroopers and heroes or stormtroopers and walkers, the stormtroopers perform more like keystone cops. Stormtroopers, despite their armor and weaponry, too often wound up on the losing end. The scene at the city gate was a good example. One walker managed to climb up the guard tower, and then it easily feasted on the guard, who was so bumbling, that during the attack, he accidentally pushed the lever that opened up the city gates to the horde of walkers.
I noticed plenty of times this season, during confrontations between heroes and stormtroopers, walkers would happen to show up, and then they would proceed to attack the stormtroopers, thus saving the day and leaving the heroes free to escape. What a coincidence, over and over again. In this regard, the show had lost a lot of suspense this last season.
In any case, I am anxious to see how this series concludes.
Man. Since this wasn't on amc+ yet I missed the chance to catch up. On my phone so I will be brief (and try to catch up later... such as the varying thoughts on Pamela...and I see both sides).
The previous episode seemed like a filler episode as opposed to at least the 2 precious. For example, Mercer's ending line turned out to be a nothing burger.
I am surprised no one picked up on Colonel Vickers telling Pamela what Mercer did in moving troops was normal....yet 5 minutes later she arrested him.
I wonder if Vicker is actually supporting Mercer and protecting him from Pamela's wrath should the rebellion fail.
Now.... who will die?
Obviously Pamela....
Either Gabriel or Rosita... but not both. If Rosita lives she will have a Hugh rank in the army under President Mercer. (Mercer's care for the people and his humble.lifestyle will come into play).
Either Tomi or Miko but not both... probably directly from Pamela in revenge
Possibly Carol... that takes her way out if play for the Darryl series. Possibly Ezekiel if Carol doesn't...I would rather have them together, and Carol finally keeping someone she loves... but we will see
Possibly Connie ... gives Darryl reason to leave the United States. Obviously we won't know if she will be in the Daryl series. I would hope so if she lives..and maybe her sister???
Possibly Max, so that Eugene's victory seems empty to him. She too would be Pamela's revenge and in that case immediately destroyed by Mercer (with his "bone blades"...and kept alive long enough to turn. But I would be happy for a happy ending here.
Lydia didn't survive just to die so quick (yes, I remember Glenn...). Elijah, on the other hand..
Jerry I think will survive. If he does I am going to write and try to submit a story for Tales of the Walking Dead. "The Fate of Jerry"
I really doubt they will kill Judith...but will they showbthe reunion with Rick and Michonne here??? Seems out of the blue, and would that take out the steam of the miniseries??
Will they have time to introduce the Civil Republic?? Will they be Hornsby's final revenge? (And does anyone else still confuse his name with Bruve Hornsby? I guess that's just the way it is...
The previous episode seemed like a filler episode as opposed to at least the 2 precious. For example, Mercer's ending line turned out to be a nothing burger.
I am surprised no one picked up on Colonel Vickers telling Pamela what Mercer did in moving troops was normal....yet 5 minutes later she arrested him.
I wonder if Vicker is actually supporting Mercer and protecting him from Pamela's wrath should the rebellion fail.
Now.... who will die?
Obviously Pamela....
Either Gabriel or Rosita... but not both. If Rosita lives she will have a Hugh rank in the army under President Mercer. (Mercer's care for the people and his humble.lifestyle will come into play).
Either Tomi or Miko but not both... probably directly from Pamela in revenge
Possibly Carol... that takes her way out if play for the Darryl series. Possibly Ezekiel if Carol doesn't...I would rather have them together, and Carol finally keeping someone she loves... but we will see
Possibly Connie ... gives Darryl reason to leave the United States. Obviously we won't know if she will be in the Daryl series. I would hope so if she lives..and maybe her sister???
Possibly Max, so that Eugene's victory seems empty to him. She too would be Pamela's revenge and in that case immediately destroyed by Mercer (with his "bone blades"...and kept alive long enough to turn. But I would be happy for a happy ending here.
Lydia didn't survive just to die so quick (yes, I remember Glenn...). Elijah, on the other hand..
Jerry I think will survive. If he does I am going to write and try to submit a story for Tales of the Walking Dead. "The Fate of Jerry"
I really doubt they will kill Judith...but will they showbthe reunion with Rick and Michonne here??? Seems out of the blue, and would that take out the steam of the miniseries??
Will they have time to introduce the Civil Republic?? Will they be Hornsby's final revenge? (And does anyone else still confuse his name with Bruve Hornsby? I guess that's just the way it is...
Some quick reaction to the episode...definitely need to watch it again, there was so much to absorb
Lots of callbacks from "Lil Ass Kicker" (and now a response of "Big Ass Kicker"), to recreating the scene of Rick in the hospital...and my wife seemed to recall Rosita (or someone?) previously clming up pipes the way Rosita did.
Rosita's fate.... very sad, but she at least had a goodbye, and made a lot of sense.
The last group to join our heroes... didn't they lose someone when Judith discovered them? So, that is how they wrapped their arc up? Sad, but "full circle"
[spolier] Ezekiel as governor and Mercer at Lt. Governor? Works for me. (As does Juanita's cheerful outburst) [/spoiler]
Pamela getting the Negan treatment... good for the heroes on this. This and the conversation afterward makes the Negan/Maggie series make more sense.
Eugene and Max now parents... but whose baby was that? They renamed her ROsita, obviously in honor (great character moemnt between her and Eugene, and makes total sense ending the arcs), but that kinda erases her identity???
So where did everyone wind up again? It was confusing, as they were all visiting each other...
So Ezekiel, Mercer, Max, Eugene, Juanita and Carol at COmmonwealth?
Jerry, Darryl, Judith, RJ at Alenxandria?
Maggie, Aaron , Elijah and Lydia at Hilltop? With Negan?
Rick and Michonne at the end simply seemed like an extended trailer tacked on rather than any :to be continued"
it's a good thing that the one thng the Commonwealth did not carryover from the old world was Child Protective Services.... Judith has been so negelcted, bouncing from guardian to guardian.
I will write more later, like how the season felt.... while nice little special effect, the ending didn't feel as big as it should have... I mean, you cant get any bigger than what Fear did at the end of the Teddy Arc.
Lots of callbacks from "Lil Ass Kicker" (and now a response of "Big Ass Kicker"), to recreating the scene of Rick in the hospital...and my wife seemed to recall Rosita (or someone?) previously clming up pipes the way Rosita did.
Rosita's fate.... very sad, but she at least had a goodbye, and made a lot of sense.
The last group to join our heroes... didn't they lose someone when Judith discovered them? So, that is how they wrapped their arc up? Sad, but "full circle"
[spolier] Ezekiel as governor and Mercer at Lt. Governor? Works for me. (As does Juanita's cheerful outburst) [/spoiler]
Pamela getting the Negan treatment... good for the heroes on this. This and the conversation afterward makes the Negan/Maggie series make more sense.
Eugene and Max now parents... but whose baby was that? They renamed her ROsita, obviously in honor (great character moemnt between her and Eugene, and makes total sense ending the arcs), but that kinda erases her identity???
So where did everyone wind up again? It was confusing, as they were all visiting each other...
So Ezekiel, Mercer, Max, Eugene, Juanita and Carol at COmmonwealth?
Jerry, Darryl, Judith, RJ at Alenxandria?
Maggie, Aaron , Elijah and Lydia at Hilltop? With Negan?
Rick and Michonne at the end simply seemed like an extended trailer tacked on rather than any :to be continued"
it's a good thing that the one thng the Commonwealth did not carryover from the old world was Child Protective Services.... Judith has been so negelcted, bouncing from guardian to guardian.
I will write more later, like how the season felt.... while nice little special effect, the ending didn't feel as big as it should have... I mean, you cant get any bigger than what Fear did at the end of the Teddy Arc.
That was actually a pretty good finale. They set up the three spinoffs and managed to really get some emotional performances out of most of the cast. Especially Lauren Cohan, JDM, and Josh McDermitt.
This show has never really made me emotional, but I teared up twice. That really caught me off guard.
This show has never really made me emotional, but I teared up twice. That really caught me off guard.
Right, it's done. Now The Simpsons.
A disappointing final series and finale. Pamela wasn’t a big massive baddie and the Commonwealth was the nicest place to ever live in TWD! I wish they did a 5 or 10 year jump instead in the final episode to wrap stuff up. It would’ve been better to show the scarier zombies that could use tools and even run etc, like the French cutscene at the end of the miniseries. On a plus side, I enjoyed seeing Rick again and am glad the actor has agreed to come back.
One weird twist ending would’ve been Rick waking up in hospital and it’s just a dream,
One weird twist ending would’ve been Rick waking up in hospital and it’s just a dream,
Great episode and solid ending to the series. Definitely a perfect tribute to a series which has run over a decade and at various parts throughout the episode it perfectly represents everything that the fans have loved about this show over the years. As series finales go, this is the way most shows could only hope to end their run.
One complaint I will make is they totally channeled Peter Jackson by having five different final seasons (yes, I know that's an exaggeration). As much as I liked it, I probably would have left the Rick and Michonne epilogue out as it does feel a bit indulgent and is mostly just a means of promoting their forthcoming spin-off. If they had have ended it with the shot of Darryl driving off in his motorcycle, then cut to that scene with Judith and RJ looking off into the future so to speak I feel would have made a far more suitable ending and tighter narrative for the episode.
But then, no one woke me up in the middle of the night seeking my input on how to end the episode or the series.
One complaint I will make is they totally channeled Peter Jackson by having five different final seasons (yes, I know that's an exaggeration). As much as I liked it, I probably would have left the Rick and Michonne epilogue out as it does feel a bit indulgent and is mostly just a means of promoting their forthcoming spin-off. If they had have ended it with the shot of Darryl driving off in his motorcycle, then cut to that scene with Judith and RJ looking off into the future so to speak I feel would have made a far more suitable ending and tighter narrative for the episode.
But then, no one woke me up in the middle of the night seeking my input on how to end the episode or the series.
The Walking Dead
Season 11, Episode 24 - “Rest in Peace” - Series Finale
Judith narration: With Judith being the voice—or storyteller of this season, but has passed out from her gunshot wound, its fitting that there’s no opening narration.
Daryl and Judith: Dixon, carrying the limp body of Judith; makes his way to the hospital, only to find it abandoned—with the exception of Troopers stealing supplies. After laying Judith on a gurney, Daryl is knocked out by a Trooper—left for dead as walkers try to force their way into the hospital. Judith—hearing the walkers’ growls, struggles to her feet to shut, lock or block the doors with a table, until she passes out from her loss of blood.
On the streets, Jules is bitten and completely mobbed / devoured by walkers as a screaming Luke watches..and is bitten on the calf. The heroes are split up, with Luke’s original companions—Connie, Yumiko, Kelly and Magna carrying the man to the hospital, where his bitten calf is amputated, as Daryl and Carol helplessly look on. Luke—incoherent from blood loss--asks his friends to keep the music going with his harmonica--and dies, as his fiends sob uncontrollably, before putting him down.
Daryl finds an IV tube and creates a makeshift means of providing his own blood to the unconscious Judith. When Carol warns that the blood types must match, he noted that he’s a match for everyone, as Merle used to make him sell his blood for money when they were kids…
Yumiko, Magna, Connie and Kelly fight to prevent more walkers from streaming into the hospital; Carol joins the effort and notices walkers are now using rocks to break glass doors (SEE NOTES), Daryl worries over Judith, who’s in and out of consciousness, but has to help fight off walkers, but not before barricading her in the room with racks and a gurney (SEE NOTES).
Eugene, Father Gabriel and Rosita: The trio race into the ward where the children are held; more like a force of nature than a person, Rosita slaughters walkers to rescue Coco and another child. The reunion is short as they are chased outside, and forced to climb to the second story of a building. Rosita tries to make the climb, but falls into the waiting arms of a sea of walkers, apparently meeting her end…until the walkers are tossed back in every direction by Rosita with her weapon. Walkers fall as she makes her way on top of an ambulance, and eventually up a drain pipe to Gabriel and Eugene.
As Gabriel leaves to join the others in the coming fight, Rosita is finally enjoying her reunion with Coco. Eugene explains how he feared she would be bitten as she fell into the walkers, and as it turned out, she was—behind the shoulder. Although she asks Eugene not to cry, he cannot help himself. Still, she tries to reassure him as her own tears flow…
Mercer, Max and Princess: Princess and Max break into the prison, rescuing Mercer. They join Maggie (who still refuses Negan’s offer to partner up to kill Pamela), Negan, Ezekiel and the recently arrived Aaron and Lydia, all piling into a covered military van (along with more of Mercer’s Trooper loyalists) ostensibly to get Judith to a makeshift safe house where Tomi & the other doctors have set up a clinic, but Ezekiel and Aaron—hearing screams coming from their destination—plan to attempt a rescue of the abandoned citizens, now at the locked gates of Pamela’s gated community, aka The Estates.
Clinic: Minutes later, the heroes arrive at the clinic, where Tomi begins to work on Judith.
Aaron gently tells Lydia about the effects of her amputation---that on occasion, she will feel—through the nerve endings—her missing arm. Lydia (after learning what happened to Luke & Jules), believes Elijah is dead, and has lost hope in the idea of any sort of stable society.
Maggie and Negan, Pt. 1: Negan steals the rifle Maggie prepped for Pamela, but is caught by Maggie, who has had enough of Negan’s interference:
Maggie: “You were going after Pamela?”
Negan: “Yeah…look, what’s it matter as long as it gets done?”
Maggie: “Why can’t you just leave me alone? What is your angle?”
Negan: “Angle? There is no goddamn angle, Maggie! There is no angle. I am doing this for you. You take Pammy out with this thing, Hell is gonna rain down on you. And you ain’t gonna come back. And you have to come back. So I’m gonna do it.
Last night, when I was down on my knees, about to lose my wife…my—I was about to lose everything. And I finally understood what you must’ve felt. Look, I know I probably owe you more than this, but I am so sorry for what I took from you, and what I took from your son.”
Maggie is speechless, then manages to take the rifle and ask Negan if he’s coming along.
Clinic: Judith has come through the surgery, and admits to something she never told Daryl before: during her last radio call with Michonne, she learned her mother believed Rick was alive and was trying to find him. Daryl and Carol exchange looks…
The Estates: Pamela, flanked by Vickers, and a large number of Troopers, stand guard at the gated entrance to The Estates, as dozens of “lower class” residents are at the gates, begging to get in before they are killed by an advancing horde or walkers. From a nearby building, Mercer sees residents shot as they try to climb the gates, pushing him into action. He tells the others to take the gassed-up trucks and head for home, as the fight with Pamela is not theirs. Ezekiel disagrees, and vows to help the innocent fight—a promise verbally supported by all in the room.
Its not long before Mercer, his Troopers and the rest of the heroes confront Pamela, who orders Vickers to arrest Mercer (just as Maggie aims at Pamela’s head).
Pamela (to Mercer):“Traitor!”
Mercer: "No, you are Governor. You disappeared hundreds of citizens…led the dead to our doorstep. You shot a child. And now you’ve left thousands out there to die.”
Father Gabriel cannot take much more of the pleading crowds essentially left to feed the dead, so he marched to the gates—
Father Gabriel: “We’re opening the gate and letting these people in. I’ll kill anyone who tries to stop me.”
Vickers aims her gun at Gabriel, trying to order him to stand down or she will shoot, but Carol promises they will fire back. As Gabriel begins to work on the gate’s lock, a Trooper points his gun at the back of Gabriel’s head...
Daryl (to Pamela): “Stop! What the Hell you doing? We all deserve better than this. You built this place to be like the old world. That was the fuckin’ problem--”
Pamela: “If I open the gates, the dead will get in, not just the living!”
Daryl: “If you don’t, you’re gonna lose everything anyway. We got one enemy. We ain’t the walkin’ dead.”
Vickers—struggling with Pamela’s plans all along—lowers her gun, orders someone to give Gabriel the key to the locks, then relinquishes her authority, now recognizing Mercer as the general.
Mercer arrests Pamela for high crimes against the people of the Commonwealth, placing her in cuffs; Negan sees this, asking Maggie (ready to shoot Pamela) to wait, saying for a person like Pamela, her fate is worse than death.
Gabriel and Daryl open the gates, letting the panicked citizens into The Estates; among their numbers are Jerry (who learns his family is safe at Alexandria) and Elijah, who runs straight to a relieved Lydia. Although the gates are locked again, the problem of dealing with so large a group of walkers remain. Pamela, all of her bravado drained from her, stares at one walker, and realizes it is the reanimated Hornsby, violently snapping, staring at her alone. The deposed governor is both shocked and broken, to the point she inches toward walker-Hornsby with the intent to let him bite her. Judith—knowing it was Pamela who shot her—still asks Pamela to help the rest of the citizens she left behind, but Pamela is not listening, but ready to die, but walker-Hornsby is stopped by Maggie’s bullet.
Mercer quickly devises a plan to eliminate the entire walker horde…and bring a physical / symbolic end to Commonwealth’s caste system: ordering groups to rig music to attract the walkers into The Estates, while others wire dynamite and fuel tanks (pouring gallons into the sewers). The population wrangles the walkers into the heart of the Estates, and once all survivors are clear, the explosives are detonated, causing a massive inferno on the surface and beneath the streets, destroying the walkers, and every property at the Estates.
Now in her prison cell, Pamela warns Carol and Daryl about the price of leadership:
Pamela: “It’s not easy having so many lives in your hands. There are decisions you’ll have to make that are ugly. How do you pick who does the jobs no one wants? Who gets the nicer house?”
Carol: “We already had to make an ugly decision…we kept you alive, after everything you’ve done, ‘cause we’ve all done things. We’ll figure it out. I’ll make sure of it. And at least we don’t have worry about who gets your house.”
Maggie, and Negan, Pt 2.: The following day, Negan sits alone, tossing his Whisperer mask into a fire. Maggie approaches him…
Maggie: “I’ve been thinking about what you said. I want to thank you. I can stop wondering if you’ll ever say those words. And if I can ever forgive you. ‘Cause I know now, I--I can’t. Glenn was beautiful. I’ll never love anyone like that again. I remember his smile. His goodness. And the way he made me feel. But when I look at you…all I see is that bat coming down on his head…blood running down his face. I hear him. I hear him calling for me, and I hear you mocking him while he’s dying.
So, I—I can’t forgive you. Even though I’m grateful that you saved my son. Even though I know you’re trying. I’m trying too. Because I don’t want to hate you anymore. I don’t want to hurt like that. And I don’t want my son to see that anybody has that kind of hold over me. If you ad Annie want to stay, you have earned your place. But if I can’t look at you some days, if I can’t work with you, and if I can’t move on…that’s why. Because all I have are my memories. And I don’t want to remember Glenn like that. “
Maggie walks off, leaving Negan a very broken figure.
Celebration: Back at the main housing area of the Commonwealth, the heroes finally have a moment of peace, eating, and laughing (even Dog is there, being fed by Judith). Eugene is lost in thought glancing at Rosita, who whispers what has happened to a devastated Gabriel.
Negan is outside, knowing he’s still not exactly welcome, but he looks up to a window to see Daryl watching him; both acknowledge the other—perhaps what they’ve overcome—with a nod.
Rosita: Carol and Maggie walk the ailing Rosita to a bed, where Coco rests. Each woman gives her a loving, tight embrace, with no words needed. Daryl stands by, watching, also remaining silent.
Father Gabriel sits by his tearful wife’s side for the last time, holding her hands up to his face and prays for her soul as she nears the end of one life, to start the eternal one:
Father Gabriel: “Receive her into your arms of mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints and light. May her soul and the soul of all those departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Rosita listens, while caressing her daughter. She kisses Coco goodbye, with Gabriel—forcing a sad smile--promising Rosita: “We’ll see you again, someday.”
Gabriel picks up Coco and leaves the room, as Eugene enters. Sitting beside her, he reminds her:
Eugene: “I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t met you.”
Rosita tells him she’s glad he was there in the end, then dies. Expectedly, Eugene breaks down.
The New Commonwealth II: Eugene kisses his fingers, which he places against a memorial plaque bearing Rosita’s name. Walking over to Max and their daughter “Rosie” (obviously his nickname for Rosita), the family join a seated crowd, listening to the new leaders of the Commonwealth: Governor Ezekiel and Lieutenant Governor Michael Mercer (that announcement much to Princesses’ delight), with an emphasis on the community’s bond as a family.
Judith receives the compass she once gave to Negan, with his note—a hope that the compass will guide her to her dreams.
Returning to Alexandria, Aaron did not believe they would ever be able to have a thriving community again, but Gabriel (with a now walking Coco) observes that it was their effort—the family’s effort which made the restoration possible.
Daryl meets with Maggie, the latter setting up her spin-off by saying ”There’s a lot out there to find out about.”….
Sitting by a lake, Daryl and Carol are in a semi-somber mood because Daryl is preparing to leave, albeit temporarily. Carol has taken Hornsby’s job, and according to Daryl, made it her own—which will ”..make everything better.”. Carol cannot help but feel heartbroken that her best friend is leaving.
Daryl says his goodbyes to Ezekiel and the Grimes children, asking Judith to keep an eye on Carol, and promising if he sees or hears anything about her parents, he will find them and bring them home.
Judith tells her uncle that he deserves a happy ending, too.
At long last, Daryl and Carol proclaim their (platonic) love for each other, and with that, Daryl races off to parts unknown on his motorcycle.
The couple are writing to loved ones—at different periods of time: Rick to Michonne sometime in the past, Michonne to Judith & R.J. in the present. Michonne has Rick’s boots & the leather satchel he once used. In the past, we see Rick had the satchel, and is barefoot (while walking on the shoreline).
In alternating shots of the couple (and dozens of characters from across the series’ run), Rick and Michonne share similar thoughts about the strength they—and everyone in their group—have gained from the living and those long gone. In Michonne’s timeline, she gathers Rick’s belongings, and heads off on her search, but she will need to get through what appears to be thousands of walkers in the short distance ahead of her.
Rick rolls up a letter, stuffs it in a bottle and hurls out to sea. At that moment, a helicopter’s P.A. system addresses an instantly tense Rick, who throws his satchel aboard a derelict boat—
Voice: “Consignee Grimes! You have been located and are instructed to surrender! Remain in place and put your hands up! Come on, Rick. It’s like he told you, there’s no escape for the living.”
As the helicopter lands, Rick’s angry expression turns to a knowing smile as his voice over says, ”We’re the ones who live.”
We are treated to various voices all repeating that same affirmation--”We’re the ones who live”--against a montage of almost every major character (living and dead) ever to appear on the series, with said statement representing their lives and what they were striving to accomplish (SEE NOTES).
The final shot of The Walking Dead is of Judith, who tells her brother: ”We get to start over. We’re the ones who live.”
NOTES:
So it ends--the most significant fantasy TV series of this century comes to a close, yet there were the expected narrative doors left open the spinoffs.
Undoubtedly, over time, general and social media will play host to endless series assessments--what impact The Walking Dead had in the categories of:
Rosita was a candidate for the chopping block throughout the past two seasons, but when her time had come, Christian Serratos rose to the occasion, exploring every emotional angle she could with Rosita’s swan song—from the heroism a mother displays to protect her child, to her solemn demeanor when dealing with her mortality, to her quiet, final moments. At the end of it all, she left a memorable impression.
That most rare gem for fantasy TV—great, mature scripting—was not in short supply in this episode, particularly every scene between Maggie and Negan. The raw truth all laid out, with such a sober approach to the subjects of guilt, hatred, and murder. Lauren Cohan and JDM crafted a powerful, believable coda to their characters’ long conflict, and more than justifies how they could end up traveling together in the forthcoming Dead City.
The ”We’re the ones who live” montage’s message was clear, but its highly doubtful Shane shared the sentiments expressed in the repeated statement, considering he cared little for anyone other than Lori, Carl, and the then-unborn Judith.
Innumerable viewers believed Eugene—a man who had turned his life around and found true love—was in the series executioner’s sight, as his death would have been quite tragic—essentially, fate pulling its cosmic run out from under his feet when things were looking up for him. Thankfully, that did not happen; Eugene was never one of my favorite WD characters, but the showrunners did put the work into making him stand up not only for himself, but others, and despite fearing the threat of death, accepted it.
Next: In 2023, the spin-off series make their debut: Rick and Michonne, Dead City (with Maggie and Negan), and Daryl Dixon.
The only returning series—Fear the Walking Dead—heads into its eighth season.
GRADE: A+.
Season 11, Episode 24 - “Rest in Peace” - Series Finale
Judith narration: With Judith being the voice—or storyteller of this season, but has passed out from her gunshot wound, its fitting that there’s no opening narration.
Daryl and Judith: Dixon, carrying the limp body of Judith; makes his way to the hospital, only to find it abandoned—with the exception of Troopers stealing supplies. After laying Judith on a gurney, Daryl is knocked out by a Trooper—left for dead as walkers try to force their way into the hospital. Judith—hearing the walkers’ growls, struggles to her feet to shut, lock or block the doors with a table, until she passes out from her loss of blood.
On the streets, Jules is bitten and completely mobbed / devoured by walkers as a screaming Luke watches..and is bitten on the calf. The heroes are split up, with Luke’s original companions—Connie, Yumiko, Kelly and Magna carrying the man to the hospital, where his bitten calf is amputated, as Daryl and Carol helplessly look on. Luke—incoherent from blood loss--asks his friends to keep the music going with his harmonica--and dies, as his fiends sob uncontrollably, before putting him down.
Daryl finds an IV tube and creates a makeshift means of providing his own blood to the unconscious Judith. When Carol warns that the blood types must match, he noted that he’s a match for everyone, as Merle used to make him sell his blood for money when they were kids…
Yumiko, Magna, Connie and Kelly fight to prevent more walkers from streaming into the hospital; Carol joins the effort and notices walkers are now using rocks to break glass doors (SEE NOTES), Daryl worries over Judith, who’s in and out of consciousness, but has to help fight off walkers, but not before barricading her in the room with racks and a gurney (SEE NOTES).
Eugene, Father Gabriel and Rosita: The trio race into the ward where the children are held; more like a force of nature than a person, Rosita slaughters walkers to rescue Coco and another child. The reunion is short as they are chased outside, and forced to climb to the second story of a building. Rosita tries to make the climb, but falls into the waiting arms of a sea of walkers, apparently meeting her end…until the walkers are tossed back in every direction by Rosita with her weapon. Walkers fall as she makes her way on top of an ambulance, and eventually up a drain pipe to Gabriel and Eugene.
As Gabriel leaves to join the others in the coming fight, Rosita is finally enjoying her reunion with Coco. Eugene explains how he feared she would be bitten as she fell into the walkers, and as it turned out, she was—behind the shoulder. Although she asks Eugene not to cry, he cannot help himself. Still, she tries to reassure him as her own tears flow…
Mercer, Max and Princess: Princess and Max break into the prison, rescuing Mercer. They join Maggie (who still refuses Negan’s offer to partner up to kill Pamela), Negan, Ezekiel and the recently arrived Aaron and Lydia, all piling into a covered military van (along with more of Mercer’s Trooper loyalists) ostensibly to get Judith to a makeshift safe house where Tomi & the other doctors have set up a clinic, but Ezekiel and Aaron—hearing screams coming from their destination—plan to attempt a rescue of the abandoned citizens, now at the locked gates of Pamela’s gated community, aka The Estates.
Clinic: Minutes later, the heroes arrive at the clinic, where Tomi begins to work on Judith.
Aaron gently tells Lydia about the effects of her amputation---that on occasion, she will feel—through the nerve endings—her missing arm. Lydia (after learning what happened to Luke & Jules), believes Elijah is dead, and has lost hope in the idea of any sort of stable society.
Maggie and Negan, Pt. 1: Negan steals the rifle Maggie prepped for Pamela, but is caught by Maggie, who has had enough of Negan’s interference:
Maggie: “You were going after Pamela?”
Negan: “Yeah…look, what’s it matter as long as it gets done?”
Maggie: “Why can’t you just leave me alone? What is your angle?”
Negan: “Angle? There is no goddamn angle, Maggie! There is no angle. I am doing this for you. You take Pammy out with this thing, Hell is gonna rain down on you. And you ain’t gonna come back. And you have to come back. So I’m gonna do it.
Last night, when I was down on my knees, about to lose my wife…my—I was about to lose everything. And I finally understood what you must’ve felt. Look, I know I probably owe you more than this, but I am so sorry for what I took from you, and what I took from your son.”
Maggie is speechless, then manages to take the rifle and ask Negan if he’s coming along.
Clinic: Judith has come through the surgery, and admits to something she never told Daryl before: during her last radio call with Michonne, she learned her mother believed Rick was alive and was trying to find him. Daryl and Carol exchange looks…
The Estates: Pamela, flanked by Vickers, and a large number of Troopers, stand guard at the gated entrance to The Estates, as dozens of “lower class” residents are at the gates, begging to get in before they are killed by an advancing horde or walkers. From a nearby building, Mercer sees residents shot as they try to climb the gates, pushing him into action. He tells the others to take the gassed-up trucks and head for home, as the fight with Pamela is not theirs. Ezekiel disagrees, and vows to help the innocent fight—a promise verbally supported by all in the room.
Its not long before Mercer, his Troopers and the rest of the heroes confront Pamela, who orders Vickers to arrest Mercer (just as Maggie aims at Pamela’s head).
Pamela (to Mercer):“Traitor!”
Mercer: "No, you are Governor. You disappeared hundreds of citizens…led the dead to our doorstep. You shot a child. And now you’ve left thousands out there to die.”
Father Gabriel cannot take much more of the pleading crowds essentially left to feed the dead, so he marched to the gates—
Father Gabriel: “We’re opening the gate and letting these people in. I’ll kill anyone who tries to stop me.”
Vickers aims her gun at Gabriel, trying to order him to stand down or she will shoot, but Carol promises they will fire back. As Gabriel begins to work on the gate’s lock, a Trooper points his gun at the back of Gabriel’s head...
Daryl (to Pamela): “Stop! What the Hell you doing? We all deserve better than this. You built this place to be like the old world. That was the fuckin’ problem--”
Pamela: “If I open the gates, the dead will get in, not just the living!”
Daryl: “If you don’t, you’re gonna lose everything anyway. We got one enemy. We ain’t the walkin’ dead.”
Vickers—struggling with Pamela’s plans all along—lowers her gun, orders someone to give Gabriel the key to the locks, then relinquishes her authority, now recognizing Mercer as the general.
Mercer arrests Pamela for high crimes against the people of the Commonwealth, placing her in cuffs; Negan sees this, asking Maggie (ready to shoot Pamela) to wait, saying for a person like Pamela, her fate is worse than death.
Gabriel and Daryl open the gates, letting the panicked citizens into The Estates; among their numbers are Jerry (who learns his family is safe at Alexandria) and Elijah, who runs straight to a relieved Lydia. Although the gates are locked again, the problem of dealing with so large a group of walkers remain. Pamela, all of her bravado drained from her, stares at one walker, and realizes it is the reanimated Hornsby, violently snapping, staring at her alone. The deposed governor is both shocked and broken, to the point she inches toward walker-Hornsby with the intent to let him bite her. Judith—knowing it was Pamela who shot her—still asks Pamela to help the rest of the citizens she left behind, but Pamela is not listening, but ready to die, but walker-Hornsby is stopped by Maggie’s bullet.
Mercer quickly devises a plan to eliminate the entire walker horde…and bring a physical / symbolic end to Commonwealth’s caste system: ordering groups to rig music to attract the walkers into The Estates, while others wire dynamite and fuel tanks (pouring gallons into the sewers). The population wrangles the walkers into the heart of the Estates, and once all survivors are clear, the explosives are detonated, causing a massive inferno on the surface and beneath the streets, destroying the walkers, and every property at the Estates.
Now in her prison cell, Pamela warns Carol and Daryl about the price of leadership:
Pamela: “It’s not easy having so many lives in your hands. There are decisions you’ll have to make that are ugly. How do you pick who does the jobs no one wants? Who gets the nicer house?”
Carol: “We already had to make an ugly decision…we kept you alive, after everything you’ve done, ‘cause we’ve all done things. We’ll figure it out. I’ll make sure of it. And at least we don’t have worry about who gets your house.”
Maggie, and Negan, Pt 2.: The following day, Negan sits alone, tossing his Whisperer mask into a fire. Maggie approaches him…
Maggie: “I’ve been thinking about what you said. I want to thank you. I can stop wondering if you’ll ever say those words. And if I can ever forgive you. ‘Cause I know now, I--I can’t. Glenn was beautiful. I’ll never love anyone like that again. I remember his smile. His goodness. And the way he made me feel. But when I look at you…all I see is that bat coming down on his head…blood running down his face. I hear him. I hear him calling for me, and I hear you mocking him while he’s dying.
So, I—I can’t forgive you. Even though I’m grateful that you saved my son. Even though I know you’re trying. I’m trying too. Because I don’t want to hate you anymore. I don’t want to hurt like that. And I don’t want my son to see that anybody has that kind of hold over me. If you ad Annie want to stay, you have earned your place. But if I can’t look at you some days, if I can’t work with you, and if I can’t move on…that’s why. Because all I have are my memories. And I don’t want to remember Glenn like that. “
Maggie walks off, leaving Negan a very broken figure.
Celebration: Back at the main housing area of the Commonwealth, the heroes finally have a moment of peace, eating, and laughing (even Dog is there, being fed by Judith). Eugene is lost in thought glancing at Rosita, who whispers what has happened to a devastated Gabriel.
Negan is outside, knowing he’s still not exactly welcome, but he looks up to a window to see Daryl watching him; both acknowledge the other—perhaps what they’ve overcome—with a nod.
Rosita: Carol and Maggie walk the ailing Rosita to a bed, where Coco rests. Each woman gives her a loving, tight embrace, with no words needed. Daryl stands by, watching, also remaining silent.
Father Gabriel sits by his tearful wife’s side for the last time, holding her hands up to his face and prays for her soul as she nears the end of one life, to start the eternal one:
Father Gabriel: “Receive her into your arms of mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints and light. May her soul and the soul of all those departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Rosita listens, while caressing her daughter. She kisses Coco goodbye, with Gabriel—forcing a sad smile--promising Rosita: “We’ll see you again, someday.”
Gabriel picks up Coco and leaves the room, as Eugene enters. Sitting beside her, he reminds her:
Eugene: “I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t met you.”
Rosita tells him she’s glad he was there in the end, then dies. Expectedly, Eugene breaks down.
One Year Later
The New Commonwealth II: Eugene kisses his fingers, which he places against a memorial plaque bearing Rosita’s name. Walking over to Max and their daughter “Rosie” (obviously his nickname for Rosita), the family join a seated crowd, listening to the new leaders of the Commonwealth: Governor Ezekiel and Lieutenant Governor Michael Mercer (that announcement much to Princesses’ delight), with an emphasis on the community’s bond as a family.
Judith receives the compass she once gave to Negan, with his note—a hope that the compass will guide her to her dreams.
Returning to Alexandria, Aaron did not believe they would ever be able to have a thriving community again, but Gabriel (with a now walking Coco) observes that it was their effort—the family’s effort which made the restoration possible.
Daryl meets with Maggie, the latter setting up her spin-off by saying ”There’s a lot out there to find out about.”….
Sitting by a lake, Daryl and Carol are in a semi-somber mood because Daryl is preparing to leave, albeit temporarily. Carol has taken Hornsby’s job, and according to Daryl, made it her own—which will ”..make everything better.”. Carol cannot help but feel heartbroken that her best friend is leaving.
Daryl says his goodbyes to Ezekiel and the Grimes children, asking Judith to keep an eye on Carol, and promising if he sees or hears anything about her parents, he will find them and bring them home.
Judith tells her uncle that he deserves a happy ending, too.
At long last, Daryl and Carol proclaim their (platonic) love for each other, and with that, Daryl races off to parts unknown on his motorcycle.
Epilogue: Rick and Michonne
The couple are writing to loved ones—at different periods of time: Rick to Michonne sometime in the past, Michonne to Judith & R.J. in the present. Michonne has Rick’s boots & the leather satchel he once used. In the past, we see Rick had the satchel, and is barefoot (while walking on the shoreline).
In alternating shots of the couple (and dozens of characters from across the series’ run), Rick and Michonne share similar thoughts about the strength they—and everyone in their group—have gained from the living and those long gone. In Michonne’s timeline, she gathers Rick’s belongings, and heads off on her search, but she will need to get through what appears to be thousands of walkers in the short distance ahead of her.
Rick rolls up a letter, stuffs it in a bottle and hurls out to sea. At that moment, a helicopter’s P.A. system addresses an instantly tense Rick, who throws his satchel aboard a derelict boat—
Voice: “Consignee Grimes! You have been located and are instructed to surrender! Remain in place and put your hands up! Come on, Rick. It’s like he told you, there’s no escape for the living.”
As the helicopter lands, Rick’s angry expression turns to a knowing smile as his voice over says, ”We’re the ones who live.”
We are treated to various voices all repeating that same affirmation--”We’re the ones who live”--against a montage of almost every major character (living and dead) ever to appear on the series, with said statement representing their lives and what they were striving to accomplish (SEE NOTES).
The final shot of The Walking Dead is of Judith, who tells her brother: ”We get to start over. We’re the ones who live.”
NOTES:
So it ends--the most significant fantasy TV series of this century comes to a close, yet there were the expected narrative doors left open the spinoffs.
Undoubtedly, over time, general and social media will play host to endless series assessments--what impact The Walking Dead had in the categories of:
- horror (not specifically televised horror)
- drama
- the handling of characters
- how its changed the perception of quite a number of genres to the average viewer
- legacy
- Where does adult TV fantasy go post TWD-franchise
Rosita was a candidate for the chopping block throughout the past two seasons, but when her time had come, Christian Serratos rose to the occasion, exploring every emotional angle she could with Rosita’s swan song—from the heroism a mother displays to protect her child, to her solemn demeanor when dealing with her mortality, to her quiet, final moments. At the end of it all, she left a memorable impression.
That most rare gem for fantasy TV—great, mature scripting—was not in short supply in this episode, particularly every scene between Maggie and Negan. The raw truth all laid out, with such a sober approach to the subjects of guilt, hatred, and murder. Lauren Cohan and JDM crafted a powerful, believable coda to their characters’ long conflict, and more than justifies how they could end up traveling together in the forthcoming Dead City.
The ”We’re the ones who live” montage’s message was clear, but its highly doubtful Shane shared the sentiments expressed in the repeated statement, considering he cared little for anyone other than Lori, Carl, and the then-unborn Judith.
Innumerable viewers believed Eugene—a man who had turned his life around and found true love—was in the series executioner’s sight, as his death would have been quite tragic—essentially, fate pulling its cosmic run out from under his feet when things were looking up for him. Thankfully, that did not happen; Eugene was never one of my favorite WD characters, but the showrunners did put the work into making him stand up not only for himself, but others, and despite fearing the threat of death, accepted it.
Next: In 2023, the spin-off series make their debut: Rick and Michonne, Dead City (with Maggie and Negan), and Daryl Dixon.
The only returning series—Fear the Walking Dead—heads into its eighth season.
GRADE: A+.
Nope. The Commonwealth was a caste system, also ruled by fear, kidnapping, slave labor and murder. Any system run like that has to be destroyed.
This is The Walking Dead, not Dallas.
That was good. As series finales go it didn't quite hit me in the feels the way some have, but I have to say I found myself gripping the sofa when Rosita fell into the zombies. Her escape did seem somewhat preposterous but obviously in hindsight she hadn't survived, at least Coco made it!
Seems a bit of a cheat that they brought Luke back just so they could have another named character to kill.
Not killing Pamela was an interesting move. Obvious echoes to Negan.
Talking of which, one thing I really have to commend the producers on is not completely redeeming Negan, at least in the eyes if others. They've never quite let him off the hook and even if Maggie's views might have softened, it's good that she'll never forgive him. That was a great scene for both of them, JDM said so much without saying a word.
And so TWD ends. It definitely went on too long, but I do think that the show perked up after Rick left and with the time jump, and it remained enjoyable to the end, even if, for me at least, it ceased to be "can't wait to watch" TV. I'm glad I stuck to the end. I will probably watch the spin offs. Need to work out if I can be bothered to finish FTWD though.
So re the Rick and Michonne bit, is that the boat Michonne found before she went off on her quest?
Re the spinoffs, am I right in thinking the Maggie/Negan one is a limited series as is the Rich Michonne ones? Is Daryl's the same or is that planned to be a continuing series?
Seems a bit of a cheat that they brought Luke back just so they could have another named character to kill.
Not killing Pamela was an interesting move. Obvious echoes to Negan.
Talking of which, one thing I really have to commend the producers on is not completely redeeming Negan, at least in the eyes if others. They've never quite let him off the hook and even if Maggie's views might have softened, it's good that she'll never forgive him. That was a great scene for both of them, JDM said so much without saying a word.
And so TWD ends. It definitely went on too long, but I do think that the show perked up after Rick left and with the time jump, and it remained enjoyable to the end, even if, for me at least, it ceased to be "can't wait to watch" TV. I'm glad I stuck to the end. I will probably watch the spin offs. Need to work out if I can be bothered to finish FTWD though.
So re the Rick and Michonne bit, is that the boat Michonne found before she went off on her quest?
Re the spinoffs, am I right in thinking the Maggie/Negan one is a limited series as is the Rich Michonne ones? Is Daryl's the same or is that planned to be a continuing series?
Minor in the grand scheme of things, as he was never as developed as the characters he traveled with when introduced.
That represented the "mercy" Rick embraced when sparing Negan's life (Carl's wish the way the future should be lived). All other villains were killed at a time before the "mercy" philosophy took root (e.g., The Governor, the Terminus cannibals, Joe's "Claimed" gang, the Wolves, initial fights against the Saviors, et al.). The only one to steer away from that philosophy was Carol, when she arranged a deal with Negan to kill Alpha, but its clear she's back on the "mercy" path by keeping Pamela alive.
Which was the mature way of writing her character. Negan finally apologized, but murder--particularly when it happens in front of a loved one--is not easily forgotten or forgiven. This should make their dynamic in the forthcoming series quite interesting. I just do not want to see Negan revert to the arrogance / swagger / threatening behavior toward any of the heroes who might guest star, as it would render his growth in TWD's series finale as pointless and dishonest on his part.
Not sure if its the same boat.
I'm sure viewers notice the three rings on the back of Rick's jacket. It makes me wonder if Anne/Jadis will return in the Rick & Michonne series.
I've always been under the impression that each spin-off was a limited series, with each show eventually coming together with some linked plot.
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For me, it was "he said the title." The Family Guy joke about when characters in movies speak the movie's title.One final thing. When Daryl said "The Walking Dead" all I could think of was Ryan George going "That's the name of the TV show!"
Rick said it first in season 5B's "Them", as part of his story about his relative.
Yep. And I thought the same thing back then too.
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