Spoilers The Walking Dead Season 10

[TREK_GOD_1]

The Walking Dead
Season 10 - Episode 8 - "The World Before"
MID-SEASON FINALE

Michonne / Judith: Judith keeping a diary of their lives...reads like a sign of a future to come where she's one of the few left.

Virgil lives on a Naval base in the Tangier Sound--two days away by boat. Its understandable that Michonne needs to investigate, but his line about mercy being in short supply was an alarm, as one should assume he's talking about the world he comes from--not the local problem. Her going on this risky mission--leaving Judith and RJ behind...there's all kinds of darkness implied in that decision.

Daryl / Carol: Carol's "I don't think she wants to be found," countered by Daryl's "are we talking about her, or talking about you?" Timely, loaded question that deserved an answer, and at long last, Carol dropped the "Iron Lady" act to reveal she does not knw how to "get off that boat."
Daryl is right about most things, of course: Gamma/Mary's information should be considered a trap, but Carol is too hotheaded to even slow down to consider that, which is odd, after all of the conflicts she's lived through where many of the their best laid plains occasionally failed in a big way...and it happened again.
Daryl talking about their future was one of the moments of the episode--or season 10 seasons of their unique relationship was in that line. That is how a series should build characters.

Father Gabriel / Rosita: Don't screw with a mother. She made short work out of Dante, and managed to put down zombie-Siddiq. Rosita was always supposed to be tough, but her recent training scenes was setting up this scene.

Gabriel's service for Siddiq was touching and truthful, and yes, he was a little short with Rosita, but the urgency of recent events leaves no time for a patient ear. I know some Rosita/Eugene shippers are hoping this conflict will draw her to the eternal nerd, but that would not only be bad fan-service, but unbelievable.

...and its not going to happen as Rosita and Gabriel are still close*..

So, he considered Siddiq a brother. That's news, as it was clear they wee friendly, but the show never explored their relationship (much) beyond the Rosita connection.

...and damn. He just stabbed Dante to death.

How will this be handled in the long run? I am hoping it was a moment of madness and not a turn for the worst.

Dante: No remorse for this one; aside from his participation in the beheadings, killing Siddiq and poisoning the water, he was ready to kill Rosita in an instant. Dedicated terrorist, not a good guy "gone wrong."

NOTES: Great fake out: the teasers of the episode had everyone thinking Gabriel was going to open the cell and be overpowered by Dante. Were they ever wrong about that....

So, from the Dante video, they still interview new residents--the Alexandria tradition dating back to season 5.

Rosita and Ezekiel were talking about life: the former about being weak and dying at any time, the latter about thinking Siddiq would "live forever." On a show of this kind, one might be convinced to believe they are sort of putting a finger in the air and detecting their own mortality. It would be nice if they do not go out that way, or in Ezekiel's case, he has time to deal with his cancer.

The Teaser:

*The preview has that desperate loser Eugene still disrespecting relationships by trying to kiss Rosita, but I will go ahead and guess she will say one word and pour cold water on that, otherwise, it makes her look bad to jump from her longtime relationship to another, to....

Negan tells Alpha there's a spy among the horde, but is he being honest...to be dishonest as a setup to take over? Or is this part of a plan to take the communities?

Rosita sees a Whisperer close to stabbing her baby, but the editing played like a hallucination....

The trapped heroes won't be for long (that's proven by Judith making an alteration to Uncle Daryl's vest), but Jerry...could be his last stand.

GRADE: A. Best season in a long time, and still the best fantasy series of this century.

 

[Morpheus 02]

We got a bit of Dante's story … so he was indeed new to the Whisperers, so that's why she had no idea who she was. But what's the deal with Alpha trusting new people? But that really worked to his advantage...he wasn't so caught up, he could remember how to be normal.

yes, Dante deserved to die...but it should have been under the law established...as well as extracted any other info on the Whisperers...even if it's not direct questioning (i.e. make him talk something else, but getting intel on how they work or something) . The killing undermines Alexandria's moral authority, and could turn some people toward the WHisperers...or at least break the unity

Oh and I had no idea the actor was Latino-American....and they saved this last episode where he and Rosita get to speak Spanish.

Rosita and her relationships...I know Father Gabriel (is he really called that by his denomination, and not a nickname?) is a leader and has to deal with Dante and the fallout...but man, super duper cold with Rosita. She has a history of jumping around, and this last 2 things with Gabriel, along with grief, could easily push her to Eugene. As even more socially awkward then he was, he clearly showed actual care for Rosita, and has this whole time.

Well, we will have at least one more episode with Michonne...then she leaves for the movies? Interesting to see how it plays out.

Ezekiel missed his chance to be honest with Carol...it could have checked her reckless behavior by stopping and caring about Ezekiel's potentially fatal condition (at least from their perspective, as they have NO doctors in ANY of the communtiies now..not even a med student). I am assuming the coming Commonwealth storyline could change his expected fate. (Though it would be interesting for a non murder and non Walker caused death... my wife had her thyroid removed, so I wonder how long she would survive in the ZA).


For next year...hope Jerry does NOT die. That would hurt a lot. Hope it's just another fake out. But with all of those guys out there in the trap...I am sure SOMEONE will die. And Carol ought to be blamed.

 

[Admiral2]

So, he considered Siddiq a brother. That's news, as it was clear they wee friendly, but the show never explored their relationship (much) beyond the Rosita connection.

...and damn. He just stabbed Dante to death.

Is it wrong that the only time I ever - and I mean ever, like since he first appeared - had any respect for Gabriel was watching him hate-stab Dante to death?

Well, I don't care if it's wrong. Good on ya, Gabriel. That one almost makes up for some of the truly stupid shit you've pulled over the years.

 

[The Wormhole]

Really great episode. Right off the bat, we get some backstory on Dante which addresses some of the points we were discussing last week, specifically why Lydia wouldn't recognize him. Although I know why they didn't do this for various reasons of plot necessity and whatnot, I think a cool moment would have been if while Dante and Rosita were fighting, Walker Siddiq attacked and killed Dante there, sort of allowing Siddiq to avenge himself. Could have been a cool moment. But Gabriel killing Dante, damn. That was quite literally a very amazing moment, and one I totally did not see coming. At all. Very well done.

Michonne and Judith meet a stranger at Oceanside who has been stealing stuff, and manages to convince Michonne to let him leave so that she can accompany him to his island home on an old naval base and take some military grade weapons back to fight the Whisperers. While I know this is not Michonne's departure, this seems to be setting the wheels in motion which will lead to her departure. Judith slashing Virgil's leg, making him fall so she can hold her sword to his throat is such an awesome moment.

Daryl and Carol lead a group into Whisperer territory to take out the mega herd. After the location Gamma said it would be turns out to be a bust, Carol ends up chasing Alpha leading her and the group into a trap in a cave where the mega herd is in fact hidden. At this point, I'm really hoping Carol and Alpha have a showdown so that they can move on from this Carol's single-minded obsession with killing Alpha. At the very least, when they get out of this situation, even if everyone in the group survives, which realistically speaking, I'm thinking someone's going to be killed, I get Daryl's going to have some serious reservations about Carol going on any further missions in the field, given she's basically jeopardizing herself and her team every time she goes out.

The killing undermines Alexandria's moral authority, and could turn some people toward the WHisperers

I don't see that happening at all. Given half of Alexandria wanted Negan immediately executed when he accidentally killed Margo while protecting Lydia, I doubt there are many who are going to care Gabriel killed a Whisperer spy who was working towards the downfall of the communities, had poisoned Alexandria's water and murdered two of its citizens without due process. Even if there are those who object to Gabriel taking the law into his own hands, I really don't see anyone having a serious enough objection that they decide to leave Alexandria and join the Whisperers. That certainly won't happen at all.

Father Gabriel (is he really called that by his denomination, and not a nickname?)

Yes, Gabriel is Episcopalian and Episcopalian priests are addressed as Father.

 

[Starkers]

Well the best bit was probably Rosita beating the shit out of Dante. Dante is an odd one, I can only presume he was pretty fucked up even before he met Alpha given he seemed a very new arrival to the Whisperers which does explain how Lydia didn't recognise him. A gamble for Alpha to trust him with such a mission when she hadn't had much time to brainwash him.

Call me naïve but I think Mary/Gamma did point them towards where she thought the horde was (and maybe is if they're underground) that said kinda convenient Alpha was there, though she did seem a trifle surprised to see Carol and co.

There's something off about Virgil but I can't quite figure out what it is. Somewhat concerned at Michonne heading out there alone!

 

[kitik]

Using remnants of "civilization" to beat the Whisperers is a logical ending to that story.

Dante following Alpha's orders despite being so new to the Whisperers that Lydia didn't even know him is not logical. Especially after living nice and comfy behind Alexandria's walls for months. (I think they said 4 months?) I suppose Alpha spotted that he was a psycho-killer, and figured he'd never really fit in or last anywhere?

Also, I'm glad they explained that water switch again, because I totally didn't get it last week.

 

[Starkers]

I didn't get it last week either!

 

[The Wormhole]

Call me naïve but I think Mary/Gamma did point them towards where she thought the horde was (and maybe is if they're underground) that said kinda convenient Alpha was there, though she did seem a trifle surprised to see Carol and co.

What I suspect happened is the horde was there, but between Gamma telling Aaron and Daryl and Carol's team arriving Alpha arranged to have it moved, possibly as a reaction to that guy going missing. Since he was so ultra loyal, Alpha probably figured his disappearance was a result of being captured and so she arranged to have the horde moved as a precaution in case he did spill its location.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Okay, I'm not sure about the strategic value of trapping the horde in the cave. Even if Daryl and the others are trapped, they're not in any immediate danger and the horde is no longer a threat to Alexandria. I guess I'm missing something.

Siddiq rising from the dead and threatening the baby while Rosita struggled with Dante was one of the most horrifying sequences on the show. It struck me as very Dawn of the Dead-ish. Rosita is a soldier, so she must have been weak from her illness for Dante to last that long, but I'm glad he didn't kill anyone else or escape.

Uncle Daryl is getting to be quite a wise man in his old age, given his talks with Carol and his remarks about keeping a cool head in the wake of Dante's outing. With Michonne leaving soon, he's going to have to step up as the leader-- with Ezekiel kind of floundering around, there's really no one else.

This fortified island is interesting. Virgil seems on the up and up, but I wonder what Michonne will really find out there. We know she's leaving, but presumably the show wants to leave the door open for her return as it did with Maggie and Rick, so I'm very curious to see what they have in mind.

And Father Gabriel. Holy Mackerel. Holy Toledo. Holy Cow. Holy Homicidal Priest, Batman.

 

[Trekker4747]

Okay, I'm not sure about the strategic value of trapping the horde in the cave. Even if Daryl and the others are trapped, they're not in any immediate danger and the horde is no longer a threat to Alexandria. I guess I'm missing something.

The strategic value? Ummmm... It keeps them hidden so they cannot be tampered with? They got INTO the cave so there must be a way to get them out when she wants to unleash them. And if Daryl and the others are truly "trapped" in there then your horde is now several bodies stronger.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I suppose there must be a back door to the cave, because it didn't look like they were going to be getting out of that pit.

 

[The Wormhole]

I suppose there must be a back door to the cave, because it didn't look like they were going to be getting out of that pit.

Presumably there's a way down into that pit besides dropping Walkers down, since depending on the angle they fall, if they hit their head it would kill them and the Whisperers would lose some of their precious "Guardians." The only real snag with the cave is that it's likely impossible for more than a handful of Walkers to leave at a time, but presumably Alpha's only looking at this for the short term in that she's likely only going to need a handful to send on her continued attacks against the communities.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I imagine there must be a method to her madness, but mosh pit of Zombies just didn't scare me.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Siddiq rising from the dead and threatening the baby while Rosita struggled with Dante was one of the most horrifying sequences on the show. It struck me as very Dawn of the Dead-ish. Rosita is a soldier, so she must have been weak from her illness for Dante to last that long, but I'm glad he didn't kill anyone else or escape.

Agreed.

Uncle Daryl is getting to be quite a wise man in his old age, given his talks with Carol and his remarks about keeping a cool head in the wake of Dante's outing. With Michonne leaving soon, he's going to have to step up as the leader-- with Ezekiel kind of floundering around, there's really no one else.

This makes me wonder if Judith and RJ will remain on the show after Michonne leaves. Sure, she could leave them with Uncle Daryl until she returns in the Rick movies to wrap up their entire arc, but Daryl would have a hard time being the leader while this Whisperer war is right around the corner.

And Father Gabriel. Holy Mackerel. Holy Toledo. Holy Cow. Holy Homicidal Priest, Batman.

His dealing with murder has to be addressed as soon as 10B begins, since there will be not time-jump (thanks to the cliffhanger). It is possible he will reason that it was an impulse crime/revenge, and not indicative of his true nature (my hope), or the series will pull an about-face and have Father Gabriel now become dark and/or threatening, just as Rosita and her child need him the most.

I imagine there must be a method to her madness, but mosh pit of Zombies just didn't scare me.

I'm not certain it was meant to be frightening--just a threat, since the previews indicate the Whisperers have a path leading to the heroes, which means someone might end up pushed into a sea of walkers. It could be Magna, as she's the one being attacked in the teaser...

 

[Morpheus 02]

Agreed.



This makes me wonder if Judith and RJ will remain on the show after Michonne leaves. Sure, she could leave them with Uncle Daryl until she returns in the Rick movies to wrap up their entire arc, but Daryl would have a hard time being the leader while this Whisperer war is right around the corner.



His dealing with murder has to be addressed as soon as 10B begins, since there will be not time-jump (thanks to the cliffhanger). It is possible he will reason that it was an impulse crime/revenge, and not indicative of his true nature (my hope), or the series will pull an about-face and have Father Gabriel now become dark and/or threatening, just as Rosita and her child need him the most.



I'm not certain it was meant to be frightening--just a threat, since the previews indicate the Whisperers have a path leading to the heroes, which means someone might end up pushed into a sea of walkers. It could be Magna, as she's the one being attacked in the teaser...

I am thinking Judith will stay... RJ will be in the background somewhere...MAYBE mentioned..MAYBE seen liek once or twice until the RIck movies resolve everything. I wonder if they will film them all at the same time (for th emost part), so they can get it all sorted and settled.

There are plenty of families to leave the kids with... Aaron maybe (since he has his own, right?)... or maybe Jerry, since he has a full family, and thus very experienced... hoping he will last. i only think Darryl will be interacting with Judith briefly.

With Father Gabriel... i think this turn to darkness and obsession with leadership will either make him look back to who he is SUPPOSED to be, or crack him the wrong way. The way he coldly dismissed ROsita, who literally put down her baby's daddy after being threatened with death herself. Umm... maybe a momentary lapse in judgment (i have had a few moments like that)... but we shall see.

The horde in the caves.... i think that was to flush out the spy. i think the Whisperers prefer to have the Horde in the open...but the caves hide the true location... as well as being a trap.

I woulnd't mind Magna dying... but hope it is not Jerry (ALSO teased in the preview)... we shall see.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

There are plenty of families to leave the kids with... Aaron maybe (since he has his own, right?)

.I imagine he will be busy with the coming war--Jerry too.

i only think Darryl will be interacting with Judith briefly.

They need more scenes together; earlier this season we saw them just talking, as its clear she was raised to see him as an uncle figure she can confide in (and considering how much he has done for her since the prison, one would think Daryl would always have an interest in her welfare).

With Father Gabriel... i think this turn to darkness and obsession with leadership will either make him look back to who he is SUPPOSED to be

I hope that's the case.

The way he coldly dismissed ROsita, who literally put down her baby's daddy after being threatened with death herself. Umm... maybe a momentary lapse in judgment (i have had a few moments like that)... but we shall see.

He was little short with her,, but again, the situation was tense, leaving no time for a comforting moment. The fact Rosita stood with/cozied up to Gabriel as he burned Dante's corpse was enough to show there was no hard feelings between them.

The horde in the caves.... i think that was to flush out the spy.

Bad move, since Gamma was not with the group, and Alpha already knows the others are just enemies.

I woulnd't mind Magna dying... but hope it is not Jerry (ALSO teased in the preview)... we shall see.

Yeah, and I share the feeling that Magna meeting her end would not be an issue. She's such a round-the-clock asshole that she does not leave room for anyone to even care for a redemption arc.

 

[RJDiogenes]

This makes me wonder if Judith and RJ will remain on the show after Michonne leaves.

I think Judith is too cool (and popular) for them to abandon. My namesake is pretty much just a prop at this point, but I'm sure he'll stick around in the background, too.

His dealing with murder has to be addressed as soon as 10B begins, since there will be not time-jump (thanks to the cliffhanger). It is possible he will reason that it was an impulse crime/revenge, and not indicative of his true nature (my hope),

He was clearly traumatized by his own actions, but it was also clear that the killing was premeditated. He went there armed and let himself into the cell for no other reason than to kill him.

I'm not certain it was meant to be frightening--just a threat, since the previews indicate the Whisperers have a path leading to the heroes, which means someone might end up pushed into a sea of walkers. It could be Magna, as she's the one being attacked in the teaser...

Maybe. I guess we'll see. But it wasn't really the best cliffhanger ever.

 

[RPOW0614]

Carol chasing Alpha blindly through the woods, lame. Old Carol was smarter than that.
Falling into a cave full of walkers but everyone is on a raised platform safely above the walkers, lame.
Father Gabe going all feral and killing Dante, unexpected but still lame.
The "I need to go with him and get weapons" line to excuse Michones leaving, lame.
The dumbass in the library not even checking to see if there are any walkers in the building, lame.
This show just keeps getting worse.

I am in "I always finish the book" mode with this show and hope it gets better.

Seth Gilliam was very funny on the Talking Dead as was Juan.

 

[crookeddy]

Carol chasing Alpha blindly through the woods, lame. Old Carol was smarter than that.
Falling into a cave full of walkers but everyone is on a raised platform safely above the walkers, lame.
Father Gabe going all feral and killing Dante, unexpected but still lame.
The "I need to go with him and get weapons" line to excuse Michones leaving, lame.
The dumbass in the library not even checking to see if there are any walkers in the building, lame.
This show just keeps getting worse.

I am in "I always finish the book" mode with this show and hope it gets better.

Seth Gilliam was very funny on the Talking Dead as was Juan.

You're in the huge minority here. I think everyone else on this board agree that this was the best season in a few years. Maybe since 5?

 

[The Wormhole]

Carol chasing Alpha blindly through the woods, lame. Old Carol was smarter than that.
Falling into a cave full of walkers but everyone is on a raised platform safely above the walkers, lame.
Father Gabe going all feral and killing Dante, unexpected but still lame.
The "I need to go with him and get weapons" line to excuse Michones leaving, lame.
The dumbass in the library not even checking to see if there are any walkers in the building, lame.
This show just keeps getting worse.

I am in "I always finish the book" mode with this show and hope it gets better.

Seth Gilliam was very funny on the Talking Dead as was Juan.

You think the show is lame, but you're still faithfully watching it and Talking Dead? That's devotion.