Spoilers The Walking Dead Season 10

[TREK_GOD_1]

Personally I find Dante very creepy at best, if not all-out repulsive at worst. There's something about him that is throwing up some serious red flags in my head.

He's the most obvius new character designed to become a problem; there's no way they would have some lustful lowlife continue to exist among the communities without facing serious consequences.

I was wanting the whole episode to be Negan vs. Beta, at all levels, both physical and psychological. What we got there was truly excellent and glad it didn't wrap up too early with the inevitable confrontation. Beta clearly feels threatened by him and is trying to deflect it by declaring him a "threat to the group". Alpha obviously sees this and will be deciding whether or not Negan may be qualified to be a "new" Beta. Negan's playing them all and it's absolutely beautiful!

Beta is weak minded, only getting by on brute strength and triggered to murder on the spot; from Negan's viewpoint, Beta is easy to exploit based on how quickly he was rattled by Negan just talking and worming his way into Alpha's mind. On the other hand, Alpha is no mastermind, but she's not stupid, either, and probably has a number of plans for Negan in mind no matter how much he helps her cause.

Meanwhile, a plague is plaguing Alexandria, presumably as a result of the Whisperer's poisoning the well with Zombie guts. I hope Rosita doesn't die, but they haven't been making very good use of her lately, which is not a good sign.

Thinking about Rosita's future...yes, she has not been a part of much this season, but that usually means the writers have something else in store for her. I only hope she does not share her comic counterpart's fate.

I'm also getting a kick out of Dante's political incorrectness, so I hope he doesn't turn out to be a Whisperer mole or a leftover Savior or something.

Based on his comment about Rosita, he's a sexual sleaze who gives the finger to her relationship (ironically enough, Eugene recently did the same thing), and is so immoral that I would not be surprised if he tried to force himself on Rosita while she's sick.

Also meanwhile, Euguene has made a friend by bouncing his waves off the ionosphere, and she is located quite a ways to the North. Is she with the black helicopter people? :unsure:

I thought it could be Gamma...but that would require a radio, and the Whisperers do not have mush of anything outside of Walker skins and unwashed clothes, so perhaps you're right.

Still meanwhile, the Carol and Daryl Roadshow is on the prowl for the Whisperer Horde so they can possibly destroy it and take away Alpha's power. Or was Carol planning to take another shot at Alpha? Or was she planning to take a Whisperer hostage? She seemed kind of more prepared for that than she should have been. If Alpha figures out what happened to her missing guardian, she might-- well, her plans to destroy everyone are already in full swing, so what difference does it make?

The difference is that as part of the retaliation, Alpha would keep Carol alive long enough to make her watch more suffering; she's already played that hand by talking about Henry calling out to Carol as he was being beheaded, so she (Alpha) knows its a knife to twist in Carol's mind, and she would do that again in a heartbeat, only the next time, Carol might have a front row seat to it all.

 

[Q2UnME]

As for the radio thing ... I'm thinking somewhere in Ohio, say Toledo perhaps.... I think this is the show's way of setting the stage for The Commonwealth storyline being introduced.

 

[137th Gebirg]

^^^ If true, then it's definitely way too far for a ground transmission to and from Alexandria, VA, even with a linear, and Ohio's way too close for an ionospheric skip using low-frequency RF. If it's supposed to be a legitimate introduction for the next chapter of the show, they totally muffed it from a technical POV. Because, of that, I'm still thinking it's Gamma nearby, pretending she's far away, using and manipulating Eugene has her willing pawn and source of intel for the Whisperers. I could be wrong, though. it's been known to happen.

I did some looking at the Commonwealth story line. Looks interesting. Curious if they are really going to do that. I wonder if Al's girlfriend she ran into in Texas is a part of that group, and also the owners of the many helicopters we've seen flying around since the beginning, and where Rick was taken (that we would see in the upcoming movie). That would tie everything together pretty neatly.

There's also the teenage spinoff series - I'm kind of luke-warm on that one. Don't know if I'm terribly interested in a teen drama factory in the post-apocalyptic world.

 

[Morpheus 02]

As for the radio thing ... I'm thinking somewhere in Ohio, say Toledo perhaps.... I think this is the show's way of setting the stage for The Commonwealth storyline being introduced.

That is what I was thinking...with Maggie coming back later.

But I thought the crew knew she was going with Georgia...i would think they would have some idea where? And how old will her son be by now?

 

[theenglish]

Well then, you should be happy that this past episode it looks like Eugene is on the road to completely ignoring my advice.

Meanwhile, I'm actually fifty and my regrets are because I rook the exact opposite route, and instead of lasting friendships I don't even hear from them on facebook. I have nothing to show for either the romantic or platonic pursuit. That's why I said what I said.

The most lasting friendships I've had with women are ones that started out as friendships, where there was no romantic interest in either direction. I'll take those over a "Can't we just be friends?" situation any day.

Sorry to hear that--but don't blame yourself. People do drift apart, but at least you tried.

 

[The Wormhole]

And how old will her son be by now?

About six or seven. A few years younger than Judith, a year or so older than RJ.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Thinking about Rosita's future...yes, she has not been a part of much this season, but that usually means the writers have something else in store for her. I only hope she does not share her comic counterpart's fate.

I don't know what that is, but I probably agree.

Based on his comment about Rosita, he's a sexual sleaze who gives the finger to her relationship (ironically enough, Eugene recently did the same thing), and is so immoral that I would not be surprised if he tried to force himself on Rosita while she's sick.

Or he's just joking around.

I thought it could be Gamma...but that would require a radio, and the Whisperers do not have mush of anything outside of Walker skins and unwashed clothes, so perhaps you're right.

Yeah, I don't think they have access to any technology like that, so I doubt if it's her.

There's also the teenage spinoff series - I'm kind of luke-warm on that one. Don't know if I'm terribly interested in a teen drama factory in the post-apocalyptic world.

That's true. It could be a tie-in to kick off the new show. That never occurred to me.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Meanwhile, a plague is plaguing Alexandria, presumably as a result of the Whisperer's poisoning the well with Zombie guts. I hope Rosita doesn't die, but they haven't been making very good use of her lately, which is not a good sign.

Speaking of Christian Serratos, the woman behind Rosita...

Christian Serratos looks stunning as Selena in Netflix series

Its a limited series, but she's not just resting on TWD.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Good for her. She should strike while the iron's hot, and her character hasn't been eaten by Zombies yet.

 

[Trekker4747]

Speaking of Christian Serratos, the woman behind Rosita...

Christian Serratos looks stunning as Selena in Netflix series

Its a limited series, but she's not just resting on TWD.

We've seen her on Talking Dead enough to know how stunning she can look.

Anyway, finally got around to watching it and found it to be a good episode.

Carol and Daryl's little side-quest reminds me too much of what happened with the Saviors and the problems caused when people stopped following the plan and acting out on their own which lead to trouble. Carol and Daryl are here crossing the border knowing full well it have consequences at the Whisperers are everywhere and easily conceal themselves. (They'd seen all the previous times the border was crossed even when the Whisperers were thought to be gone.)

A lot of what is making things more interesting in the show again I think is just having Negan back on some level where we get to give JDM some scenery to chew.

I wonder what the long-game (story wise) is with the bug at Alexandria, anything like the "swine flu" the impacted the prison? The mortality rate doesn't seem to be there yet, but it's seems odd to repeat this particular kind of plot-thread.

Enjoyed the stuff with Eugene and the other radio user.

We're going along nicely here, wonder what the mid-season cliffhanger/hook will be.

 

[137th Gebirg]

But...but... it’s Carol and Daryl! What could go wrong?

 

[theenglish]

We're going along nicely here, wonder what the mid-season cliffhanger/hook will be.

They have covered quite a few issues of the comics story in the first half of the season, which is a little unusual for for the series. I am wondering how the series will depict, or if it will alter, what is coming up.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Carol and Daryl's little side-quest reminds me too much of what happened with the Saviors and the problems caused when people stopped following the plan and acting out on their own which lead to trouble. Carol and Daryl are here crossing the border knowing full well it have consequences at the Whisperers are everywhere and easily conceal themselves. (They'd seen all the previous times the border was crossed even when the Whisperers were thought to be gone.)

If any Whisperer finds out Carol kidnaped one of their members, expect Alpha--with Negan's help--to make the reprisal worse that whatever the original plan was. That could be the mid-season cliffhanger.

A lot of what is making things more interesting in the show again I think is just having Negan back on some level where we get to give JDM some scenery to chew.

With only two episodes left this year--assuming that includes the mid-season finale--there's that random factor of the clip of Michonne pointing Lucille at someone (in the summer teaser). Danai Gurira does not have many episodes left, so it makes one wonder if her Lucile scene has anything to do with the full-on Whisperer Wars, and if she uses it against Negan. That, of course, would be the ultimate irony--that Rick and Michonne spared his life for so long, but in the wake of a betrayal of the kind that might be on the way, the only thing left to do to each him that final lesson is to kill him with the bat he used on Glenn and Abraham.

I wonder what the long-game (story wise) is with the bug at Alexandria, anything like the "swine flu" the impacted the prison? The mortality rate doesn't seem to be there yet, but it's seems odd to repeat this particular kind of plot-thread.

I would hope its not to get rid of a bunch of Red Shirt residents, since unlike the prison, we do not even see many around at any one time (perhaps as a production concern about paying extras?)

There should be a resolution to the Dante (sleazy Hilltop doctor) sub-plot, and Siddiq coming up soon, since the latter is going to have more emotional outbursts as seen on Talking Dead.

One thing about the idea of Siddiq might have participated in the beheadings is that all of his flashbacks always center on Enid's last stand--not Henry, Tara, or anyone else. Its always back to Enid, so this makes some believe his guilt is directly tied to her death, more than the others.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

The Walking Dead
Season 10 - Episode 7 - "Open Your Eyes"

Daryl / Carol: Carol thinks she has a master plan, but there's a disconnect between wanting to redirect the horde and having the means to do it--and not know how many Whisperers are among the horde at any point in time. She's more reckless than ever before and cannot see how her maneuvering is--as Gabriel stated--going to bring what they cannot handle.

Alpha / The Whisperers: Alpha told everyone she killed Lydia, but with Dante being the resident Whisperer spy, surely he would have informed the group (if not made to give reports in private), thus blowing her appearance of being a cold leader.

Gamma's connection with Aaron is interesting; we are made to believe she's slowly trying to regain her humanity, but she--like the captured Whisperer--is too far gone with all of their cultish chanting, and a rejection of what was, even as Alpha's own words (about Aaron being a liar) now apply to her as she set eyes on Lydia.

Speaking of the prisoner, his telling Carol about not seeing the world (for what it is/trying to tell her) is eerily similar to what Terminus Mary said to Carol (5A) moments before she died. The "new world order" of barbarism.

Lydia: She was justified in hitting Carol, who has been overstepping bounds and not caring about the teen's fragile state of mind. Lydia going back to where she belongs seems like she will run into her protector--Negan--and between Lydia thinking Carol is just like Alpha, to Negan filling her in on the "crimes" of the heroes, she might be in line to be another Alpha.

...that is, if Gamma is having a change of heart, and is smart enough not to confront Alpha about the lies...

Rosita / Father Gabriel: Not sure if she was merely teasing Siddiq, or was she ready to jump ship from Gabriel?

Siddiq: So, Dante is not only a Whisperer spy, but forced Siddiq to watch as his friends were beheaded. Horrible.The preview for the mid season finale shows Daryl punching someone, but its not clear if its Dante (who will be locked in the cell), or another man.

So ends the suffering of Siddiq. Truth be told, he would have been better off if Carl never tried to reach out to him, as there's a universe of agony he would have never faced, and who knows, he could have wandered into Savior territory where his skills would have given him a little bit of security...

NOTES: Another tight episode. This season is the strongest, most well-plotted in some time, perhaps since 5A, with all of its horrors (and occasional character missteps).

Next week: the mid-season finale.

GRADE: A.

 

[Morpheus 02]

I disagree with @TREK_GOD_1 on a few things, but would give it the same rating.

I am disappointed with Carol... at first, i was excited when her "torture" was yummy food. But looking back it felt like it was a "token" gesture. Personally, i would have taken the spit, and left the stuff (minus dangerous objects like the knife).Let the goodness simmer and soak in. ANd then with Lydia... had they simply TOLD her what they learned about the lie about Lydia...give her a chance to respond... it might have been possible she would have come to the same conclusion, and would have OFFERED to show herself. Had they just let her own that decision, they could have gotten good results, and NOT lost her.

With SIddiq, I am glad that we FINALLY resolved this storyline....but VERY SAD that he wound up dying.
I disagree that it would have been better if Carl never found him. I doubt he could have survived the Saviors. His death really hurt because it DOES feel like a "waste", similar to how Glenn survived so much, from the VAtos, to the "prison flu" to the dumpster, just to die. With Siddiq... his becoming a part of the community certainly made Carl's sacrifice worth it....but with Enid ALSO dead, it feels like the end of Carl's influence/legacy on the community. I thought he was a good guy, and very sorry about his murder. He was smart enough to piece things together...but did anyone find out what he learned? Hopefully ROsita noticed how he was looking at the water, and ran away. Did anyone else learn of the water problem at that point?. By the way, i could see Avi Nash playing Jesus or some other biblical character. Definitely interested in whatever role he plays next. Sad to see his best episode so far had to be his last.

With Dante...as creepy as he was, this episode was making me start to like him. He SEEMED to actually care about SIddiq. I have to rewatch that last scene... it SEEMEd like he was espousing what our heroes were trying to do in the community, but makes me think...is that ALSO how the WHisperers see themselves. The accusation with the Hemlock that Siddiq did it was well played -- i thought Siddiq legitimately made that mistake.

By the way...it seems that "medical professional" has become the new "more than 1 black man" as a critieria for killing people.


Oh, and to to back to a previous conversation...even more than a law enforcement officer, the communities need an HR manager! WHo would have guessed THAT role would be so important in the Zombie APocalypse

 

[Admiral2]

I am disappointed with Carol... at first, i was excited when her "torture" was yummy food. But looking back it felt like it was a "token" gesture. Personally, i would have taken the spit, and left the stuff (minus dangerous objects like the knife).Let the goodness simmer and soak in.

Nah, I'm totally cool with Carol ring-beating the mug's face in.

Oh, and to to back to a previous conversation...even more than a law enforcement officer, the communities need an HR manager! WHo would have guessed THAT role would be so important in the Zombie APocalypse

Nobody, because having somebody to manage tolerance seminars is nowhere near as important as keeping prisoners in cells, preventing grand theft of supplies and stopping violent crimes.

 

[The Wormhole]

The Siddiq/Dante stuff definitely kept me guessing throughout the episode. Granted, now we know Dante is a Whisperer spy it makes it clear it likely was him who drugged the water, killed the Whisperer prisoner and other stuff, but damn, the possibility that kept popping up that it was indeed Siddiq who unknowingly did this stuff in his PTSD blackouts certainly added an unknown factor to the storyline.

And I guess Alexandria is screwed on doctors now, with Siddiq dead and Dante not likely to be practicing medicine much longer. I guess it's possible Kingdom might have had a doctor who is now at Hilltop, but otherwise all the communities are getting screwed, medically speaking.

The scenes with Aaron and Gamma certainly were interesting, in that it seems Gamma seems to be starting to question her devotion to the Whisperer cause, and now she's likely completely disillusioned upon realizing Lydia is alive and Alpha lied. Be interesting to see how this develops.

Lydia now on the run back to Whisperer territory seems a questionable decision on her part. I get she's pissed at Carol and perhaps fed up with life in Alexandria in general, but going back among the Whisperers seems more trouble for her. The revelation she is indeed alive is likely to fracture the Whisperers, but if she's found by Beta first, he's more likely to kill her himself to protect the unity of the Whisperers. I suppose Negan could find her and that would certainly branch the story off in an interesting direction, but eventually she'd realize he's using her for his own purposes, and she'd be just as pissed.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I disagree that it would have been better if Carl never found him. I doubt he could have survived the Saviors.

I don't see why his time would be short with them; until the 1st doctor was accused of helping Sherry escape (and subsequently killed by Negan), he was settled in. Siddiq could have functioned in the same way.

His death really hurt because it DOES feel like a "waste", similar to how Glenn survived so much, from the VAtos, to the "prison flu" to the dumpster, just to die. With Siddiq... his becoming a part of the community certainly made Carl's sacrifice worth it....but with Enid ALSO dead, it feels like the end of Carl's influence/legacy on the community.

This sort of makes my point; if Carl never tried to find Siddiq, he (Carl) would definitely be alive, and the same probably applies to Enid--the girl Carl really broke out of her shell (with some influence from Glenn) to became a true part of the communities. If you don't consider Michonne (who Carl supported as one of the prison group in season 3), two people helped / saved by Carl are both dead, thus his legacy has crumbled to dust. In the grand scheme of things, meeting Siddiq was the worst moment of his life--that man he unwittingly sacrificed himself for is now just another victim.

Hopefully ROsita noticed how he was looking at the water, and ran away. Did anyone else learn of the water problem at that point?.

I'm not sure. If the illness is under control, perhaps they did, but Aaron did see Gamma cutting on walkers in the stream (when she cut her hand), and knowing how dead bodies...you know...pollute water, he would have told Hilltop about the possibility of water contamination, and at least send a group out to check / remove bodies...perhaps set traps since the walkers were so obviously placed in the water.

The scenes with Aaron and Gamma certainly were interesting, in that it seems Gamma seems to be starting to question her devotion to the Whisperer cause, and now she's likely completely disillusioned upon realizing Lydia is alive and Alpha lied. Be interesting to see how this develops.

I thought she might question all of Alpha's lies, but if she's too far gone as a believer in the Whisperer philosophy, she could just as easily try to turn on Alpha and take her place, or prove that she's even more hardcore by killing Lydia.

Lydia now on the run back to Whisperer territory seems a questionable decision on her part. I get she's pissed at Carol and perhaps fed up with life in Alexandria in general, but going back among the Whisperers seems more trouble for her. The revelation she is indeed alive is likely to fracture the Whisperers, but if she's found by Beta first, he's more likely to kill her himself to protect the unity of the Whisperers. I suppose Negan could find her and that would certainly branch the story off in an interesting direction, but eventually she'd realize he's using her for his own purposes, and she'd be just as pissed.

All of what you said could culminate in Lydia being sick of both sides and trying to do something to destroy both groups (as impossible as that would be, but she's an angry/sad teenager, so...).

 

[Morpheus 02]

Just a quick response. But
Gamma is VERY aware of Alpha squashing ANY hint of rebellion...so while she left very emotional...she will get it together and attack Alpha at just the right time. Hopefully smart enough to have Alpha confirm a lie that will get some to rebel at the right time

 

[kitik]

That was a very good episode. Both the doctor vs doctor stuff and the Carol related stuff. This episode definitely felt like something we've been building towards for a while. I liked the little fakeout of the guy eating the delicious jam and looking happy for a few seconds.

Little bit weird that Carol said she would let Lydia decide whether to help or not, and obviously took her into the cell to reveal that she's still alive to the guardian. And yet Lydia did not seem to know that was the plan with Gamma at the end.