Spoilers The Walking Dead Season 10
- Thread starter JD
- Start date
Well, that was certainly a bad day for Daryl. Luckily he seems to have inherited Rick's leading-man invulnerability, because blood squirting three feet into the air from your leg is an indication that you need a quick trip to the ER. 
Nevertheless, he survived and beat Alpha, despite her Zen oneness with the Zombie Apocalypse-- unfortunately, her near death experience has only exacerbated her psychosis. "The end of the world is here." I hope that's a sign that the Whisperer thing is coming to an end. It's already drawn on longer than my interest in it.
Beta is also a formidable force, but not so much for cold implacable intelligence, but because he's a freakin' Frankenstein monster. I did get a kick out of him pushing himself up out of the ground in classic Zombie style. And creating Zombies within the walls of the city was a good tactic. Luckily one that they won't be able to use again.
Now I'm most worried about Rosita and Gabriel. She's wounded and the trip to Hilltop makes her vulnerable, and Gabriel's increasing hawkishness is a sign that he might be heading over the edge. I'm afraid they might be our next major casualties.
Nevertheless, he survived and beat Alpha, despite her Zen oneness with the Zombie Apocalypse-- unfortunately, her near death experience has only exacerbated her psychosis. "The end of the world is here." I hope that's a sign that the Whisperer thing is coming to an end. It's already drawn on longer than my interest in it.
Beta is also a formidable force, but not so much for cold implacable intelligence, but because he's a freakin' Frankenstein monster. I did get a kick out of him pushing himself up out of the ground in classic Zombie style. And creating Zombies within the walls of the city was a good tactic. Luckily one that they won't be able to use again.
Now I'm most worried about Rosita and Gabriel. She's wounded and the trip to Hilltop makes her vulnerable, and Gabriel's increasing hawkishness is a sign that he might be heading over the edge. I'm afraid they might be our next major casualties.
The Walking Dead
Season 10 - Episode 11 - "Morning Star"
Daryl / Judith: She continues to be the standout character this season; her being so open with her "uncle" Daryl. Yes, she can fight, but she's wise enough to understand why Daryl cannot put her in harm's way. Their bond is one of the sweetest on the series, rivalling her relationship with Michonne.
Alpha / Negan: I cannot help thinking that she's not a fool, and realizes Negan signed-up a bit too quickly to be legitimate, even after dirt sex and the punishment ritual.
The sling / fire-arrows were a clever form of attack, just primitive enough for a group like the Whisperers.
Lydia / Carol / Ezekiel: The writers really playing up Lydia's isolation, with her running her fingers against the H&L heart carved into the beam. She's grown a bit, when telling Carol if she killed her mother, she would not think of her. I hope this is not a sign Lydia is still holding out hope that her mother (despite calling her a monster) ight be reached.
On Carol's side, it was effective to see her making the rounds, trying to make peace with Daryl and Ezekiel. I did not expect the once-married couple to be intimate again, but it was a nice touch, removing his fear that she divorced him not only due to Henry's death, but her connection to Daryl.
Rosita / Eugene: Unexpected outcome. Rosita inviting Eugene to kiss her--but he could not--was the test he passed (he referred to her as his BFF), so he has real feelings for the woman on the other end of that receiver. A sixth sense tells me there's the risk of Eugene ending up being heartbroken because she's not what she seems to be.
NOTES: The season is not suffering a drop in its high standards.
GRADE: A.
Season 10 - Episode 11 - "Morning Star"
Daryl / Judith: She continues to be the standout character this season; her being so open with her "uncle" Daryl. Yes, she can fight, but she's wise enough to understand why Daryl cannot put her in harm's way. Their bond is one of the sweetest on the series, rivalling her relationship with Michonne.
Alpha / Negan: I cannot help thinking that she's not a fool, and realizes Negan signed-up a bit too quickly to be legitimate, even after dirt sex and the punishment ritual.
The sling / fire-arrows were a clever form of attack, just primitive enough for a group like the Whisperers.
Lydia / Carol / Ezekiel: The writers really playing up Lydia's isolation, with her running her fingers against the H&L heart carved into the beam. She's grown a bit, when telling Carol if she killed her mother, she would not think of her. I hope this is not a sign Lydia is still holding out hope that her mother (despite calling her a monster) ight be reached.
On Carol's side, it was effective to see her making the rounds, trying to make peace with Daryl and Ezekiel. I did not expect the once-married couple to be intimate again, but it was a nice touch, removing his fear that she divorced him not only due to Henry's death, but her connection to Daryl.
Rosita / Eugene: Unexpected outcome. Rosita inviting Eugene to kiss her--but he could not--was the test he passed (he referred to her as his BFF), so he has real feelings for the woman on the other end of that receiver. A sixth sense tells me there's the risk of Eugene ending up being heartbroken because she's not what she seems to be.
NOTES: The season is not suffering a drop in its high standards.
GRADE: A.
Damn, this episode was excellent! Most of it was set up for the forthcoming Huge Epic Fight, but through this set up we get some really well done and engaging character moments. This episode really sells you on the fact that some really huge shit is about to drop. And what character development we have. Carol and Daryl seem to be at an understanding after the incident at the cave, Carol's on speaking terms with Ezekiel again and he's told her about his cancer. Eugene's developing strong enough feelings for his radio friend that he's getting over his attraction to Rosita. Negan has gone full Whisperer and even has a mask now (though strangely his leather jacket is still kept in nice condition). In some respects this is sort of the calm before the storm, which next week's episode is sure to be.
I can't help but wonder, Negan's reluctance to go full massacre on the Hilltop with him suggesting to Alpha they try to recruit the people. Proof that Negan isn't 100% committed to the Whisperer cause and still wants to prove himself to the Communities, or is this a reflection of his style of leadership, his belief that people are a resource and that mass slaughter isn't really a preferable option? Though he's definitely yielding to Alpha's authority, given when she says she plans to make the people of Hilltop part of her horde, he just calls that a badass idea.
It is also kind of interesting how in a way everyone at Hilltop is getting what they want. At the meeting at the start, everyone wanted to abandon Hilltop, saying they can rebuild anywhere. Earl objected and wanted to stay and defend his home. They chose to abandon anyway, but all the roads out are blocked, meaning they have to stay and defend Hilltop anyway. But now Hilltop's burning, meaning they're going to need to rebuild it anyway..
I can't help but wonder, Negan's reluctance to go full massacre on the Hilltop with him suggesting to Alpha they try to recruit the people. Proof that Negan isn't 100% committed to the Whisperer cause and still wants to prove himself to the Communities, or is this a reflection of his style of leadership, his belief that people are a resource and that mass slaughter isn't really a preferable option? Though he's definitely yielding to Alpha's authority, given when she says she plans to make the people of Hilltop part of her horde, he just calls that a badass idea.
It is also kind of interesting how in a way everyone at Hilltop is getting what they want. At the meeting at the start, everyone wanted to abandon Hilltop, saying they can rebuild anywhere. Earl objected and wanted to stay and defend his home. They chose to abandon anyway, but all the roads out are blocked, meaning they have to stay and defend Hilltop anyway. But now Hilltop's burning, meaning they're going to need to rebuild it anyway..
Yep - fill the layers of a pinecone with it and lash it to a stick with rope or vine and you have a very long-lasting and semi water-resistant torch.
Line of the night goes to Eugene: "Let's get this over with-- I've got a date!"
Other than that, the episode was infused with a feeling of growing, ominous dread that paid off in a surprisingly brutal, creative, and successful attack on Hilltop. The blocked roads, fleeing rats, and approaching dust cloud across the countryside provided effective harbingers of doom, as did the various gloomy encounters between characters who were sensing death in the air. I'm really tired of these apocalypse-within-an-apocalypse showdowns, but they do get points for innovation this time (both the Whisperers and the showrunners).
It was at the beginning of this season (I think) that we first saw them practicing their Roman phalanx battle strategy, and here it was finally put to good use. But it almost immediately became obsolete in the attack of the Mapletov cocktails. If it wasn't for that, they probably would have done well. Zombies aren't good at climbing things, so cutting down the first half dozen rows of the horde or so should have effectively stopped or diverted them. They should have also dug trenches and done something to draw off the horde. Some Hilltoppers on horseback with bugles probably would have engaged the horde's attention more than a bunch of people whispering.
But now our people are trapped between a wall of burning Zombies and a wall of burning walls. And it's not even the season cliffhanger.
Other than that, the episode was infused with a feeling of growing, ominous dread that paid off in a surprisingly brutal, creative, and successful attack on Hilltop. The blocked roads, fleeing rats, and approaching dust cloud across the countryside provided effective harbingers of doom, as did the various gloomy encounters between characters who were sensing death in the air. I'm really tired of these apocalypse-within-an-apocalypse showdowns, but they do get points for innovation this time (both the Whisperers and the showrunners).
It was at the beginning of this season (I think) that we first saw them practicing their Roman phalanx battle strategy, and here it was finally put to good use. But it almost immediately became obsolete in the attack of the Mapletov cocktails. If it wasn't for that, they probably would have done well. Zombies aren't good at climbing things, so cutting down the first half dozen rows of the horde or so should have effectively stopped or diverted them. They should have also dug trenches and done something to draw off the horde. Some Hilltoppers on horseback with bugles probably would have engaged the horde's attention more than a bunch of people whispering.
But now our people are trapped between a wall of burning Zombies and a wall of burning walls. And it's not even the season cliffhanger.
It amuses me that you can still see Negan's shit eating grin even through the mask 
Still surprised they don't have decoy noisemakers, however good the whisperers are at herding the Walkers we've seen them get distracted before. Why not have a big pit with fuck off loud sirens in it? Even if you don't pull all of them away you're going to divert a significant amount.
Still surprised they don't have decoy noisemakers, however good the whisperers are at herding the Walkers we've seen them get distracted before. Why not have a big pit with fuck off loud sirens in it? Even if you don't pull all of them away you're going to divert a significant amount.
Negan's Whisperer mask even has a cut-open smile, similar to Heath Ledger's Joker.It amuses me that you can still see Negan's shit eating grin even through the mask
In addition, they said on Talking Dead that Negan's Whisperer mask is cast from a mold of Norman Reedus's face!
Oh, that's hilarious.
Good, solid, episode. I was confused about the flammable stuff at first too, I thought they'd just soaked it some kerosene or some other fuel but, nope, some tree saps are flammable. Huh.
And I continue to adore the little girl that plays Judith. She's just awesome, loved her interviews on Talking Dead talking about Daryl's new wing on the vest and her drawing of the "Normacorn" during lulls in production. She's a stand out character in the series right now and a standout little actress. I hope she has a long, good, career.
I'm guessing Negan has fully flipped to the other side.
I wonder what way they're going to write our main characters out of this corner with the fire and the horde.
Still curious what's going on with Michonne and the group trapped in the cave.
And I continue to adore the little girl that plays Judith. She's just awesome, loved her interviews on Talking Dead talking about Daryl's new wing on the vest and her drawing of the "Normacorn" during lulls in production. She's a stand out character in the series right now and a standout little actress. I hope she has a long, good, career.
I'm guessing Negan has fully flipped to the other side.
I wonder what way they're going to write our main characters out of this corner with the fire and the horde.
Still curious what's going on with Michonne and the group trapped in the cave.
Good episode, good battle scenes.
As a former carpenter\house framer I can tell you that pine sap is insanely sticky and hard to get off. It was horrible on hot days when the pallets of lumber were just bleeding the stuff everywhere.
I never considered the flammability of it but nice make shift weapon.
But being a New Englander I thought "Why the hell is Beta making maple syrup?"
BTW, the only way I found to get that stuff off my hands was to use butter and then the fun part of trying to wash butter off of your hands. Lots of hot water. Works on Christmas tree sap too.
Looking forward to the conclusion as long as there are no "Glen hid under the dumpster" moments.
JDM asking to use Normans face for his whisperer mask, LOL.
As a former carpenter\house framer I can tell you that pine sap is insanely sticky and hard to get off. It was horrible on hot days when the pallets of lumber were just bleeding the stuff everywhere.
I never considered the flammability of it but nice make shift weapon.
But being a New Englander I thought "Why the hell is Beta making maple syrup?"
BTW, the only way I found to get that stuff off my hands was to use butter and then the fun part of trying to wash butter off of your hands. Lots of hot water. Works on Christmas tree sap too.
Looking forward to the conclusion as long as there are no "Glen hid under the dumpster" moments.
JDM asking to use Normans face for his whisperer mask, LOL.
But some good stuff? Can you maybe give the approximate time to pay superclose attention? ABout 27 more hours...
It's taken me a minute to catch up on the messages...
I really liked the Darryl - Ezekiel scene -- seemed long over due but, glad to see their mutual respect and love for Carol. And liked how basically he told Judith that Ezekiel WOULD be the one to take the kids (after they said the OTHER should do it if one can't make it)
oh not to be nitpicky, but this IS TREK BBS... but i thought Ezekiel only proposed to Carol, but she rejected his offer? Or was that just in the flashback, but she wound up marrying him? But then left after Henry died?
Really loving the season overall.
She didn't reject, she just didn't accept right away. But they did end up getting married at some point during the six year gap after Rick left.
Ok...I wasn't sure. It would have been a nice episodeto see... weird that it wouldn't have much conflict...but I think a lot of fun
