The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 8 "How It's Gotta Be"

 It's more than just hope.

Rick calling over the walkie for the snipers to report. Flashback to Rick chasing after Carl. Carl is mad at Rick for not helping Siddiq. "There's gonna be something after the fight is over." Rick replies, "Not for everyone." Rick and the Scavengers walk up to Sanctuary. The Saviors begin to shoot at them. The Scavengers run away leaving Rick alone. Carol pulls up in an SUV and Rick hops in. Carl asks Rick, "Why are we fighting them? We're fighting so that it's all of us working together for something more than just killing other people. It's more than just hope. Finding some way forward, that's harder. That's something more. Dad, that's how it's gotta be." Rick sits in the car crying. Close up of Carl, Carol, Ezekiel, Jerry, and Maggie. We hear Negan whistling. He laughs.

Enid and Aaron make their way down the road. She says, "They have to talk to us right? After coming all this way?" (They being Oceanside). Aaron is slow to respond. This reminds him of trips he took with Eric to recruit people for Alexandria. It's a risk since Oceanside shoots strangers on site but it is a risk he is willing to take. Enid says they should be bringing guns for Oceanside but Aaron says they need the guns. He offers to let her drive. She says she is a better driver than Carl. Aaron asks why she is turning down the wrong road. She says she wants to check something out so they can bring Oceanside something they can use. They drive past a sign for a distillery. Michonne tells Judith she will bring back Rick. She kisses her good-bye. Daryl is there and tells her his plan worked. She apologizes for not being able to be a part of their plan. Carl writes something on a sheet of paper. He folds it and writes "Dad" on it. He looks at the note Enid gave him that reads "just survive somehow." Tara tells Rosita that the plan worked. Rosita says that they will now finish it. She brought some grenades and other items. Tara says they should take it with them to redirect the herd. Rosita hands her everything. Tara struggles to carry it but has a good humor about it.

Aaron and Enid drive up to the woods outside of Oceanside. Aaron is driving a truck from the distillery. Night falls and Aaron notices someone by the distillery truck. He slowly gets out of the car with his rifle at the ready. Enid follows him. Natania hits Aaron and says he shouldn't have come. Enid shoots her. Several of the Oceanside women aim their weapons at them. Cyndie weeps for her dead grandmother. Carl puts something in the sewer. Michonne finds him and asks what he is doing. He says he is helping a traveler. They are interrupted by Negan calling over a megaphone, "You lose. It's over." He begins to whistle. Carl tells Michonne to follow him into the sewer. She doesn't respond because she is shocked to find Negan got out of Sanctuary. Carol, Rick, and Jerry all drive in their own cars. Jerry drives down the road and her car is hit.

Ezekiel sits on the darkened stage. He reads a note that says, "Your Majesty, I had to bounce. We said we'd do it and we can't flake. I want to be there when we win. And I want to be here too, man. Deuces. Jerry." A ruckus gets his attention. He runs on stage and hides. Several Saviors enter the theater. Jesus and Maggie drive. He asks if the Saviors will surrender. She says they will eventually. They just run out of food, water, and choices. Maggie orders him to slow down. There is a tree blocking the road that wasn't there before. She knows it's the Saviors. It's the same thing they did to them on the night Glenn died. She calls over the walkie for her group to turn around but nobody responds. Maggie turns around and sees several cars behind her convoy blocking the road. A big truck drives up in front of them. Some Saviors come out of the back. Several Saviors climb out of cars towards them. The Saviors have Jerry and they make him get out of the truck. Two Saviors place a box with holes on Maggie's car. Simon comes out. Carl orders his group to make it look like they left Alexandria. They will then get guns and meet a a rendezvous point. Some go to the infirmary to help the injured escape. Carl says they have to let the Saviors take Alexandria. He is in charge. Gavin is at Kingdom. "The Kingdom and everyone in it now belongs to Negan." They will also be sent to Sanctuary to repair it and the Saviors are moving into the Kingdom.

The Saviors surround Maggie's envoy. Simon says they need to hand over their guns and if anyone tries anything they will shoot Jerry. Jesus hands over their guns. Negan calls out to Rick, "All you had to do was follow some simple rules." Carl says Rick's not home. Negan says he is proud of Carl for being a big boy. Carl says there are families and kids in Alexandria. Negan counters that there are kids at Sanctuary. Carl says they can figure something out and stop this. He cries. Negan wants apologies and punishment. Carl tells Negan to kill him. Negan asks if Carl wants to die. Carl says he doesn't but he will. "And if me dying could stop this, if it can makes things different, for us, for you, for all those other kids, it'd be worth it. Was it supposed to be this way? Is this who you wanted to be?" Negan looks on and says nothing. A bunch of cars pull out and drive through the walls of Alexandria. Dwight and some Saviors follow the convoy. Negan orders his people to fire and they shoot some explosives at Alexandria.

Carl goes down the ladder as buildings start to burn. He sets off smoke bombs as he goes. The church explodes. The car he was heading to explodes. Gavin says that Ezekiel needs to answer for everything that has happened. He knows Ezekiel is there but no one will tell him where. He threatens that if no one answers it will turn traumatic but the people say nothing. We see Ezekiel sneak away. Maggie asks Simon how they got out. He says they just figured it out. He tells her Kingdom and Alexandria are being take over by the Saviors. The Hilltop has "been chosen to keep producing." He says Gregory messed up and he hopes Maggie will make things right. He tells her that Eugene helped them escape their situation.  He says it can go in two ways. They will kill Jerry and place Maggie in the box with holes. Then she will be taken to Hilltop where she will be killed in front of her people and her body will be placed on a spike. They will then lead the herd to Hilltop. Or she can return home and keep growing crops. But they will still have to kill one of her people. Simon shoots. He kills the man in the backseat. He is about to order Jerry's death but Maggie yells no. She wants to ask Simon a favor. She wants the box so they can use it to bury Neil (the man he just shot). Simon agrees.

A clock turns to midnight. Eugene turns his light on. He stares at the wine bottle. He pours himself a drink and knocks it back. He cries in bed. Carl looks around. Tobin is also throwing smoke bombs as he gets people out of Alexandria. Carl picks up his hat and walks to a house. Explosions go off around him. He runs and the house explodes along with the house next to it. He limps down the street. Tara and Daryl are in the woods. Tara says Negan got out because of what they did with the truck. Rosita says it was just a mistake. Vehicles are heard coming so Daryl throws a smoke bomb. It is Dwight and the other Saviors. The Savior with him tells him to stop because he is leading all of their trucks into a trap. Daryl and the others begin to shoot. Dwight begins to shoot the Saviors. The Savior that was with him shoots him in the arm. She realizes he was the traitor. She wants him to tell Daryl and the others to stop but he won't. The Saviors break through the gates of Alexandria. Negan laughs as he views the destruction. He knows Carl is still in Alexandria. He orders his people to find Carl but not kill him. They are to blow up all of Alexandria but he wants Carl. Carl limps away from Alexandria. Two Saviors spot him so he sets off another smoke bomb and is able to hide in the sewer.

Eugene wakes up Doctor Carson and Gabriel. He is there to inform them that the guard at the north gate is not at his post since he slipped some Ex-lax into his coffee. When Gabriel asks why he is helping Eugene says he plans to sleep that night. Gabriel wants him to join them. Eugene won't go with them but he "drops" some keys to a car they can use to escape. Gabriel tells him he is doing the right thing. Ezekiel sets some barrels on fire and they explode. Gavin orders some of his people to check it out. Ezekiel drives up in a school bus. Nabila hits a Savior and takes his gun. The people run out of Kingdom. Carol gives Nabila instructions on where they are to meet later. She runs to the gates just in time to see Ezekiel. He orders her to save his people than the locks the gates. A Savior punches him. Maggie pulls up to Hilltop. She walks up to the holding pen. Gregory begins to talk to her but she tells him to shut up. She orders her people to take out a Savior. She gets a gun from Kal and says this is the Savior that tried to kill Jesus. Alden (blonde Savior) tells her not to do it but she shoots the Savior anyway. The Saviors killed one of her people so she killed one of them. She is going to make one last stand. She cries as she walks away.

Dwight sits by his car surrounded by dead Saviors. He calls out to Daryl and the others to say it is over. They come to him with their guns pointed at him. He says he drove his people there. He can't go back because the female Savior got away so his secret isn't safe. He tells them the Saviors escaped because of Eugene. He wants Negan to die. Daryl takes back his vest. Michonne says they need to get back. Rosita walks up to Dwight and helps him up. The Hilltoppers place the dead Savior in the box. Maggie writes on it, "We have 38 more. Stand Down." She orders her people to leave it somewhere the Saviors will find it. Gavin calls out to Ezekiel. Morgan walks along the gate to Kingdom. Gavin says the Hilltoppers will see their king dead. He orders his men to grab the supplies. Daryl opens up a manhole cover and goes down. The others follow. Dwight apologizes to Michonne and then enters the sewer. She looks at the ruins of Alexandria. Rosita calls to her but Michonne closes the manhole cover. Rick makes his way into Alexandria. He opens the door to his house and quietly calls out for Carl, Judith, and Michonne. Negan hits him from behind. He plans on cutting Rick up into pieces and killing him in front of everyone. Negan tells him Carl volunteered to die. Negan likes Carl. Rick hits Negan and grabs Lucille. Negan gets Lucille back and Rick grabs for his gun. Rick gets pushed out the window and runs away. Michonne walks down Alexandria killing zombies. Rick runs down Alexandria. A Savior grabs Michonne from behind but she stabs him in the face and then continues to stab him until Rick stops her. He asks her where everyone is. She leads him to the sewer. They join up with the survivors including Siddiq. Close ups of Maggie and Jesus. Rick walks past Rosita and Tara. Close up of Carol and Ezekiel, and Morgan. Rick passes Dwight. Close ups of Eugene and Gabriel. Rick walks up to Siddiq. Carl tells Rick he brought Siddiq there. He says, "That's how it happened." Then he shows Rick a zombie bite mark on his stomach. Both Rick and Michonne are in shock at this revelation.

Final Thoughts
- Gavin seemed reluctant to kill someone at Kingdom. He was willing to do it but it is interesting to see another lieutenant that doesn't like how Negan "motivates" people to comply.
- You would think the Saviors would prefer to live in Alexandria versus Kingdom since they have nicer houses but I suppose Negan wanted to destroy everything that belongs to Rick.
- Re-watching the scene where Carl is talking to Negan has new meaning now that we know that he has been bitten. When he says that he doesn't want to die but knows it will happen is more poignant. 
- Carl and Negan had a moment during their conversation at the gate. Negan took pause when asked by Carl if this was the person he wanted to be. I don't think anyone else would have asked him that question. I think Carl must remind Negan of some of the kids he used to work with before the apocalypse.
- On the Talking Dead Yvette Nicole Brown made an interesting remark about Negan's reaction to seeing Lucille in Rick's hands. She believes Lucille is named after someone in Negan's life from before. I think she could be right.
- I'm going to assume that Morgan will help rescue Ezekiel.
- Will Father Gabriel die from his infection or will he be able to get medicine in time?
- A few episodes back there was a scene where Rick was crying and quoting Siddiq. I now believe that has to be a reaction to the loss of Alexandria and the future loss of Carl. All Rick has been trying to do since he got his family back was to protect them. He couldn't save Lori and now he can't save Carl. Will he lose his mind again?

The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 7 "Time for After"

All I want is for you to do the right thing.

Rick sits in the container. The door opens in the sunlight stands Jadis with some of her men. Rick says his offer still stands. "Join us or you can die." Jadis takes a photo of him. She orders him to turn. It looks like one of her men is sketching Rick. She takes another photo. Rick asks why she is photographing him. Her response, "Sculpt you, after."

Eugene paces nervously in his room. He holds a notebook in his hands. He opens it and begins to write. He has three columns titled: What I Know, What I Know I Don't Know, and Things I Am Unaware of Wholly. Eugene knocks on Dwight's door. He says, "I am well aware you're the fifth columner. Green duffel, red paint, workers' guns." He calls Dwight a traitor. He lets Dwight know that Negan's tasked him with finding the traitor. He asks Dwight to cease and desist. "In exchange, I offer to keep what I know from Negan and the others." Dwight sets Eugene down on a a chair and says that the Saviors, Negan, and Sanctuary are all finished. Food and water are running low. Dwight continues, "This place is gonna fall. And all you have to do to be on the winning side is stand down. All you have to do is nothing. Can you do that? You've seen what happens here, heard the screams, smelled the burning skin. You don't got blood on your hands yet, but that's comin'. Once you do those things you become those things, and there's no going back." All Eugene wants is to be safe.   He says he is Negan and they are Saviors. They save. He says he will stay quiet as long as no one in Sanctuary is hurt.

Zombies pound on the doors of Sanctuary. Eugene looks out the window. He asks one of the Saviors how long it will be before the zombies get in. She thinks a day or two. Dr. Carson asks Eugene to come into the infirmary. Gabriel isn't doing well. He has more than one infection and they are attacking his organs. He has no medicine to give him. Eugene replies that he wishes Gabriel hadn't been involved in trapping the Saviors in Sanctuary. Doctor Carson asks Eugene to stay with Gabriel while he looks for herbs to try to use at treatment. Eugene says Gabriel is his traveling companion not his friend. But he doesn't want Gabriel to die. Gabriel coughs and tells Eugene to sit. Eugene gives Gabriel some water to drink. Gabriel wants to know if Eugene is going to help him get Dr. Carson out. Eugene says the only way to do that would be to use the zombie intestines again and that is what has made Gabriel sick. Eugene reminds Gabriel, "I am a small person that does not stick his neck out for anybody else." Gabriel says, "All I want is for you to do the right thing." Eugene doesn't know what is the right thing to do. Gabriel says it requires faith. "Believing that God is inside you, guiding you, and knowing that he has a plan for all of us." Eugene says it's absurd and Gabriel points out that not too long ago Eugene would have found it hard to believe that the dead could walk. So maybe he could know what the right thing is when the time comes and act accordingly. Eugene looks at the paint stain on his hand.

Morgan looks through a sniper rifle at Sanctuary. He hears on the walkie that someone has spotted a truck. He uses binoculars and looks out to see Daryl. He says into the walkie that it is one their own. Tanya knocks on Eugene's door. She says it's been a week since she gave him her boombox to fix. He says that its' not ready and asks if she is distressed at all by the fact that they are trapped by zombies. She says she was already trapped. As she goes to leave he asks for the bottle of wine that was to be his payment. He says he needs it to help him sleep. At first she says no but then she turns around and says she understands. She reminds him that he works for Negan and that she and Frankie came to him asking for help to kill Negan. "You could have changed this place into something else. Something better. But you took care of you. And now you've got to live with that." She leaves him the bottle and walks away. One of the Saviors comes to his door saying that Negan wants to see him.

Daryl looks though a scope. Tara says that their people will be at Sanctuary soon asking for the Saviors to surrender. The plan is for Rosita and Michonne to provide cover fire while Daryl and Tara crash the garbage truck into Sanctuary allowing the zombies to enter and feast on the Saviors. Rosita wants to know what will happen to the workers. Daryl says they are on the other side of the building so they should make it out alright. Michonne is worried the Saviors will see them coming. Morgan joins them. They can use him and the other snipers. "Saviors see you coming we got you covered. Whatever it takes. I want it done. I want them done." Rosita wants to know why they can't wait. Daryl says they no longer have the Kingdom to help fight against any Saviors. Rosita says that is why Rick went to make a deal with the Scavengers but Tara doesn't trust them after they lied and attacked them. Rosita says, "I believe in Rick Grimes." Tara wants to act because she feels guilty about keeping Oceanside a secret. She is going to do this with or without Rosita. Rosita says she is out. Michonne decides to stay. Rosita tells Michonne, "You think it's easier to come out here and risk than stay back there and wait. . . Sometimes you just have to wait. Sometimes you don't get to know. I just wish it didn't take seeing Sasha walk out of that coffin to realize it." She walks away and they get into the truck.

Negan sits at his conference table with Lucille. Eugene sits down. He says a lot of people will die if things don't get fixed soon. He adds, " I'm livin' no matter what. I am too good at this shit." He doesn't want to see his people get eaten, that includes Eugene. "This place is about pooling and organizing strength. And you my friend, are strong. . . I just want make sure that you know that I know that." Eugene says they are on the same page. Negan puts his hand out to shake Eugene's hand but Eugene almost kisses it. Negan says a handshake is a mutual sign of respect. Not many people get that from him. Eugene says there's work that needs to get done.

Eugene works on the boombox. He stares at a part of the speaker and closes his eyes. We see him looking through a storage area. He finds the coffin where Sasha made her defiant stand against Negan. He flashes back to her coming out as a zombie. He opens the coffin and pulls out the MP3 player. Morgan looks through his scope at Daryl's truck. He tells Daryl over the walkie to cut the engine or he will draw the walkers to himself. Tara gets out but Michonne sits there staring. Daryl asks if she is up to the task.  She replies, "I came here 'cause I wanted to see things for myself. I wanted to know that things were gonna work. But you know what? I don't get to know that. None of us do. What I do know is that things are working now. So maybe, we just need to trust that things are gonna keep working because this, what we're about to do, it's not worth risking us." Daryl replies, "It is for me." She says she hopes it works but she can't do it. He tells that then she shouldn't do it. She gets out of the truck and walks away. Tara tells him they can do it because they have Morgan and the snipers. He replies, "We will."

Eugene sets something up on the roof. He records something on a tape deck. He has made an audio glider and is testing it. Dwight comes up behind him and cocks his gun. Tara makes her way behind the zombies. She says she is in position over the walkie. Morgan and the other snipers are ready. Daryl pulls up with the truck. Dwight tells Eugene to walk away from his glider. Eugene looks scared and says he is trying to save people. Killing him would kill many innocents. He is going to use the glider to lead the zombies away from Sanctuary. Dwight says then Negan will kill Rick and all of his friends. Eugene says they are former traveling companions nothing more. Dwight says he is working with Rick to keep them and the people of Sanctuary alive. "We can get rid of Negan. Just Negan. And we're almost there." Eugene says that Negan isn't the dying type. Dwight says that Eugene is the dying type. Eugene agrees.  He has has two choices: step away from the glider and the zombies kill people and Negan kills him, or risk having Dwight shoot him but not before he bites him. He bends down, presses play and lets the glider go. Dwight just stands there pointing his gun. Daryl takes off. Dwight shoots the glider. Tara beings to shoot as well as Morgan. Daryl drives towards the herd. He places a cinder block on the gas pedal and jumps out. The truck goes through the door and zombies begin to spill into Sanctuary. Saviors shoot the zombies but many are starting to get eaten. Eugene goes down and sees the attack. Dwight is also there.  More and more zombies just keep coming. Eugene freaks out. He goes to the infirmary and tells Gabriel he will not be a part of his plan. He will not end up like Sasha. "Staying safe means staying alive." He is willing to do anything to stay alive. So he will not betray Negan. He will make sure Dr. Carson stays at Sanctuary. And he won't feel bad about it because he will survive. It's all he knows how to do.

Negan says Eugene's plan will take a lot of bullets. Can he fill his guns back up with bullets? Eugene says yes. He asks if Eugene realizes that Negan will get his revenge on Rick for this. Eugene says he understands. Negan asks, "How does it feel to be the second-most important person here? How does it feel to save these good people?" Eugene replies, "It feels great." Just as he is about to rat Dwight out the lieutenants come in to report on the situation. Negan tells them Eugene has a plan to stop the zombies and some other big news. Eugene looks at Dwight and then says he can fix the intercom system. Negan is not impressed. Eugene sits in his room listening to the gun fire. He cries. He grabs the bottle of wine and drinks. Then he throws up in his sink. He drinks some more.

Rick is pulled out of the container. He is taken to the center of the Scavenger arena and placed on his knees. Jadis has one of her people lead a zombie wearing a spike helmet on it towards Rick. She says, "Time for after." Rick hits the Scavenger behind him and then gets the zombie away from the other Scavenger. He takes the zombies head off and then knocks Jadis to the ground. Her face is right by the zombie head that chomps blindly. Rick says, "I'm walking out now. Me walking out means all of you die. My people, there's a lot of them, won't attack today, but we will attack. You can play your games, draw your picture, sculpt whatever shit you want, but I am leaving! After that, maybe you should just run." Jadis signals for her people to put their guns down. Rick asks her, "We done?" Then he gets up and helps her get up. She says she will join them. What now? He tells her the Sanctuary is surrounded by zombies. "You come with me there. We'll wait for the others to meet us. When they do, we'll ask the lieutenants to surrender. All of us, together. Then I kill Negan, me alone." She says she will agree to the deal as long as she gets all of the Saviors' things when it is over. He says she'll get a fourth. She counters with half but he insists it's a fourth. She agrees to a fourth if she can sculpt him after naked. He says no. He orders her to give him his clothes. She agrees to a fourth.

Rick and the Scavengers arrive at the meeting place. Rick goes ahead alone. He finds three zombies eating one of his snipers. Rick calls over the walkie but no one answers. He grabs the sniper rifle and climbs up the ladder to get a better look. When he looks through the scope he sees the courtyard devoid zombies.



Final Thoughts
- Why is this the first time anyone has gotten sick from the zombie guts? They've used them at least three times before without anybody getting sick.
- I am not surprised by Eugene's behavior. We already know that he does what he needs to do to survive and that surviving is his main priority. However, it is clear he is feeling guilt over the choices he has made to become a Savior. He won't be able to function much longer if he is drunk or sleep deprived. I don't believe him when he says Rick and the gang were just traveling companions. If not he wouldn't be drinking his feelings away.
- Was Eugene already making bullets for Sanctuary?
- I'm not sure why Dwight hesitated to kill Eugene. He has killed before. His plan would probably have worked better with Eugene out of the way. Now he has to hope that Eugene will continue to keep his secret.
- I understand Daryl and Tara's desire to do something to end the war immediately, especially since Rick's plan involved trusting the Scavengers. I just wish they would have waited. I didn't think their plan would work even while I was hoping it would. Impatience never works on this show. It only makes things fall apart.
- Who will die in the the mid-season finale? Tara? Her reckless behavior and guilt over keeping Oceanside a secret could lead to her death. Or will it be Gabriel? He is sick with no medication. Will Negan allow him to be given medication if they get some?

The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 6 "The Kind, The Widow, and Rick"

 We have to make sure what's left is worth what we've lost.

Wheelbarrow loaded with an old microwave and other junk. Rick opens up the door of the microwave and pulls out a sheet of paper. He walks down a deserted street. Some of Rick's group return to Alexandria. Daryl rides alone. The people of the Kingdom mourn their loved ones while Carol cleans her gun. Two people hand her notes. Michonne and Rosita gets notes from Tara and Scott. Aaron arrives at Hilltop and hands a note to Maggie. Then he brings out baby Gracie. We hear voice overs of Rick, Maggie, and Carol giving accounts about what happened to their groups. I am assuming that is what is in the letters. Rick says the plan is still on and they are onto the next step. Zombies surround Sanctuary. In two days they will all meet at Sanctuary to end it. Rick says, "It's not like we haven't fought before. We fought every step of the way to this place, to this moment. The path has led us here, to who we are to each other, to now. And we're so close. This can be our last fight." Jadis makes a wire statue dressed only in an apron. She is interrupted by banging on her door.

The Savior hostages sit tied up along the fence. Jesus hands each one of them some turnips and water. Maggie comes out and yells at Jesus. She doesn't like that he is giving away their food. Gregory tells Jesus to build a gallows. Maggie orders Gregory to go inside. She isn't happy about the hostages and is leaving open the option of killing them. Jesus says, "We have to make sure what's left is worth what we've lost." Carol knocks on Ezekiel's door. Jerry tells her that he is not receiving visitors. Carol says they need to meet Rick. They have to take anyone who can fight. When she doesn't get a response she walks away. Henry offers to go with her but she tells him not to follow her. Rick is face to face with Jadis. She mentions she shot him. Rick says it was just a graze. He wants the same deal as before. "We need you and you need us." She says this is a trick. Rick assures her it is not. Rick shows her the Polaroids of the dead Saviors. He says that Negan and the Sanctuary are surrounded by walkers. He is here to offer her a better deal, switch sides and be a part of the new world he will build with the others. She can join them or be destroyed. Yes or no? She smiles and says no. Rick is escorted from her presence.

Maggie twirls Hershel's watch while Gregory rambles on about how being a leader isn't easy. He says everything he did was for the best of the community. He did it without bullets. Maggie says he did it to save his own hide. He says, "I can help. You need someone to tell you it's okay to follow your gut. I'm that guy. . . At the end of the day, you're the shepherd. And you can't have wolves wandering around amongst sheep." Michonne gets in a car and Rosita tells her she isn't supposed to leave. She is still healing. Michonne starts up the car and Rosita gets in. Michonne says that Rosita is still healing from being shot. Rosita tells her to just drive. Daryl stands outside Tara's house. Tara tells him he was right for not killing Dwight. She says, "But after this, I'm gonna kill him. I want it to be me." He says, "Maybe it can be you and me both. Maybe we don't got to wait for so long." Jesus looks through the walls of Hilltop at some of the Hilltoppers. They are building something. Dillon (the blond Savior) asks if Jesus signed up for this. He says he was by himself until he found a safe place with the Saviors. He didn't care as long as he was getting fed. He is good with his hands and helped build a fence at the outpost. Jesus says, "Don't pretend that any of us are innocent." He says,' I'm no angel. Never said I was. Ain't no such thing."

Michonne loads her weapon as Rosita drives. Rosita asks, "Why did you need to come out? Michonne  says, "It's like this siren's been going off in my head. I can't turn this off. I helped get this started . . . So I just need to see it. Turn the alarm off in my head, turn around, and go back home." Rosita just says okay. Michonne orders her to stop the car and listen. We hear music. They walk into the woods. They come upon a building with some abandoned cars. The music seems to be coming from the building. A zombie reaches for a plastic bag hanging from a tree. It is impaled on a branch. Carl sneaks up on it but the guy he and Rick found among the abandoned cars kills the zombie. Carl calls out to the guy and says his dad just fired warning shots. He introduces himself. The guy has a knife and looks wary. He says his name is Siddiq. Carl brought him food and water. Siddiq wants to know why Carl is helping him. Carl says Siddiq mentioned his mom told him to help people. Carl says, "And my mom told me that you got to do what's right. It's hard to know what that is sometimes, but sometimes it's not." Siddiq thanks him. Carl say he is glad he found Siddiq. He begins to ask him the three questions. Siddiq's killed 237 zombies give or take. He's killed one person because the zombies tried to kill the man but didn't succeed. Carl asks if the walker traps are how Siddiq has killed so many. He said his mom hoped that killing the zombies would free their souls. Carl asks if that makes things harder for him to survive. Siddiq says they have to honor their parents. Carl says if he was honoring his dad he wouldn't be talking to Siddiq or taking him back to Alexandria. Henry fights off two zombies with a staff. A shot rings out. Carol shoots the zombies. She gets mad at him and says, "Do you  know what happens when kids wander off into the woods? They never get seen again. And if they do they're monsters." He says he's not scared. She calls him stupid. Henry says he needs to go after those who killed his brother. She gives him a gun and tells him to stay close.


Enid comes out and tells Jesus to bring in the hostages. Jesus sees a holding area with barbed wire has been built. He orders the Saviors in two at a time. Maggie says they will feed the prisoners but only with full cooperation. Gregory says they can't let people they don't trust where they live. Maggie says he's right. She knows all about sheep and wolves. Two Hilltoppers escort Gregory into the pen with the Saviors. Gregory falls and hits his head and cries. Jared (long haired Savior) tries to run and Maggie hits him with her rifle. He says, "You're gonna get these people killed." Dillon thanks Maggie. She says, "Don't make me regret it, or you will." Carl and Siddiq make their way through woods. They stumble upon some zombies eating a deer. They get their knives ready and kill the zombies. Several more zombies approach. Carl goes to help Siddiq with a zombie when he gets pushed to the ground by another zombie. He now struggles to kill two zombies while Siddiq kills another zombie. Carl finally shoots both zombies. Carl says he is responsible for Siddiq now. Siddiq doesn't want to cause any trouble especially with Rick. Carl replies, "Sometimes kids have to find their own way and show their parents the way."

Michonne and Rosita walk into the building. They hear voices. Two Saviors discuss what they happened at Sanctuary. The woman refers to the truck with a bunch of speakers in the back as the Fat Lady. Michonne and Rosita go off in two directions. Michonne accidentally kicks a tennis ball and the Saviors notice. They raise their weapons. Rosita aims her gun. They start to fire at Rosita and as she runs away she drops her gun. The Saviors begin to whistle. Rosita looks for a weapon. She finds a hot glue gun and throws it to lead the Saviors away from her. Michonne fights with the female Savior. She struggles to fight because she is still recovering. The female Savior yells at the man to return to Sanctuary. As he approaches the truck Rosita comes out with a bazooka and tells him to stop. He says she won't use it and she blows him away. The woman drives off with the truck but she is hit by an garbage truck. Daryl jumps out of the driver's seat. Tara follows. He shoots the Savior. The Saviors were planning on using the music to lead the walkers away from Sanctuary. Tara asks why Michonne and Tara are out there. They say they need to see the Sanctuary. They ask why Daryl and Tara are out there. Daryl says, "We got a lot more work to do. All of us."

Carol returns with Henry and tells Jerry to stand next to Henry. She orders them to cover their ears as she aims her rifle at the door but Jerry stops her by saying the door isn't locked. She enters the auditorium and Ezekiel says he knows what he should be doing but he can't. She tells him his people need him. He says, "Who the hell was I to choose for them?" She says he's their king. "'Cause I said I was a king. I played a part. And early on, I was shown that the stakes were these people's lives. And I still played the part. I knew. And yet I smiled. I can't do it no more. I can't be what they need. So please just leave me alone." She walks away but turns around and asks why he kept visiting her. He says he wanted to make sure she was okay. She wants to know the real reason. It made him feel real. Not a fiction. Real. She cries and says, "You are real. To me. To the Kingdom. Those people need their king to lead them." He says she can lead them. But she says it has to be him because he inspired them. He has to help them grieve and move on. He owes them that. Henry needs him. The people need King Ezekiel. She says, "And if you can't be the king, then do what you do best and play the part. I have to act every day. It used to bother me. But this is who I am, and I am still standing. I just have to act like everything is normal until it is. It's what they need, and it's what you have to give them." He says he can't.

The Saviors walk around their pen. Jared tries to cut his bonds but Dillon stops him. He says, "You already screwed up once. I'm not gonna let you get us killed." Jared says, "Just keep it together, This place will be ours." Aaron tells Enid and Maggie, "I keep forgetting he's gone. I have this weight. There's moments when I think I'll see him, that I'll, uh be able to talk about how I'm feeling with him. And my mind catches up, and I remember that the pain is about knowing that it will never happen." Maggie holds baby Gracie in her arms She says she knows that feeling. It doesn't get easier. Jesus comes in and says she did the right thing. She says those Saviors might be bargaining chips they could use to get back some of their own. She says, "We can't let them live." Jesus looks disappointed. Aaron leaves. Enid follows him and asks where he is going. "To make sure we win." She wants to go with him. They need to win. He tells her to grab her stuff and food. Daryl and Tara are now joined in their truck by Michonne and Rosita. They pull up to Sanctuary. Rosita wants to know why Daryl and Tara need them. Daryl replies, "We need you to end this thing. Right now." Jadis writes an A on a metal container with chalk. Rick sits inside, naked with his hands bound.

Final Thoughts
- I am going to trust Siddiq for now. I like what he has said about his mom.
- I don't think things will end well for Daryl and his group. Or Aaron and Enid. Whenever one of them goes off on their own it ends badly (see Andrea and Sasha).
- Kids seem to be naturally attracted to Carol. No matter how harsh she is with them she is still a mom and I think they can sense that. Her trepidation with taking Henry is understandable. After Sofia, Mika, and Lizzie I'm not sure she could handle the death of another child.
- What is the Savior Jared planning? Will Dillon help him or choice to become a part of Hilltop? Right now Dillon seems level headed but he could just be biding his time until they can escape and then attack Hilltop.
- I don't think Rick should have bothered with Jadis again. She shot him and killed some of his people. He should have sent Tara to Oceanside and enlisted their help instead.
- The A written on the container where Rick is being held reminded me of container A our gang was held in at Terminus.

The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 5 "The Big Scary U"

What I fear is a fruitless death.

Father Gabriel prays in his church. He says, "I might die. I very likely will die. I'm not asking to live. You have given me redemption and it's that which make me no longer fear death. What I fear is a fruitless death. What I ask for, after you have given me so much, is a purpose." Gregory wakes up in Sanctuary. Simon brings homemade sorghum pancakes. He thanks Gregory for telling them what was going on. Simon says, "Listen, you came to see me. And though I was already away, dealing with that rank betrayal, which was unknown to you . . . You waited for me. . . . I'm telling you, you did the right thing." Gregory asks, "Why did you bring me here?" Simon answers, "We now stand on the precipice of greatness. You said you could solve the problem. Today's the day, Gregory. You fill your belly up with my love and then you solve it."

Gregory meets with Negan and his lieutenants (that now includes Eugene). He says he knows how to handle the big scary u which is the unknown. He doesn't like to kill people anymore than Negan does. To which Negan replies, "I like killing people. I say it's about killing the right people. So you kill the right people at the right time, everything falls into place. Everybody's happy. Well, some people more than others. But you kill one, and you could be saving hundreds more. And that, is what we are all about. We save people." Gregory says, "That's why your called the Saviors." Dwight goes to smoke. Negan wonders why he is choosing to leave at that moment. Dwight replies, "Tell me where to go what to do, I'll make it happen." Negan just waves him off. Gregory says, "I can stop it before it even gets started. I go to my people and tell them if you're joining with this misled crusade, you're no longer citizens of the Hilltop." Negan asks. "You're still this guy?  They still listen to you Gregory? Can you exile people?" Gregory says, "Hilltop is my house. I'm still the guy. I've always been the guy." Negan asks, "Then why the hell didn't you know about the Widow leading an army of your people straight up my ass in Alexandria? I think you're playing both sides . . . threading the needle with your thin, thin, dick." Gregory replies, "No, no. I'm not trying to do that. I wasn't aware of things until they were already in motion. No hesitation. Allegiance, right there, the whole thing. Simon says, "Gregory, I believe you. Now make Negan believe you." Gregory says, "The Hilltop is mine. I let a fox into my hen house. She and her people took advantage of my generous nature. I see that now and I will fix it." Simon says, "If we go in with the right stage picture, a thick and veiny show of force surrounding Gregory when he lays down the law. I think things go back to copacetic. If they don't we take a flyer on the place and kill everyone there. . . . Plan A. Plan B . . ." Negan slams Lucille on the table. "People are a resource. People are the foundation of what we are building here! Who the hell do you think you are talking to? Are you confused about who we are? Are you confused about who is in charge? Are we backsliding, Simon? Please, tell me we're not backsliding." Simon responds, "We are not backsliding. This is a pronounced event in a fragile moment." Negan says, "We need to win it all. Plan A is taking Rick, the Widow, and King Assface alive and making them dead in a very, very public and instructive way. We kill the right people in the most wrongest way possible, and we make them all watch!" He is interrupted by gunshots from outside. It is Rick with his group. Negan doesn't want to waste their ammunition since Rick's group is wearing armor. He wants to talk to Rick and wants Gregory to come with him. They step out the door.

Negan and Father Gabriel are in the trailer together. Negan tackles Gabriel and takes his gun. It still has a full clip. Gabriel didn't have enough to escape. Negan helps Gabriel sit up. He then sits down against a wall and waits. Zombies claw at the trailer. "You're friend Rick is an asshole." Gabriel responds, "You're an asshole." Negan answers, "Yeah. I am. But he's gonna get people killed." Gabriel answers, "By you." Negan continues, "See, I killed the Widow's husband and the ginger. But I didn't get them killed. That was your boy Rick. Big difference. You know I saw you stop for that Gregory idiot. You were there. You saw the whole thing. You heard his little speech. Why would you stop for that bearded prick?" Gabriel answers, "What I fear is a fruitless death. Negan chuckles and says, "The point of your life would be saving that dickhead?" Gabriel says, "There had to be some reason I did what I did. Maybe this is the reason." Negan asks, "What?" Gabriel says, "I think I'm here to take your confession." Then he smiles creepily.

A Savior crawls and reaches for a rock. Rick walks up and points his gun at the man. He asks,"You're people, at the chemical plant, did you win?" The man replies, "No one did." Daryl asks, "The hell's that supposed to mean?" The man says, "Everyone's dead." Daryl doesn't believe him. Rick asks "There's no one else? You're the only one?" The man says, "Me. The King. The Axe-man. And a short-haired psycho lady. My people, your people, they're all gone. Damn. And now . . me, too." He dies. Rick takes his knife and stabs him in the head.

Negan says they can wait it out. He continues, "If my people think I'm dead a lot of folks are going to die in there." When Gabriel asks why he gets upset and says, "I don't have shit to confess. Let me ask you something. Why'd you become a priest?" Gabriel answers, "I love God and I love people. I wanted to bring them together. To help people through their difficult times. To help them through their weaknesses." Negan says, "I like to help people through their weaknesses too. Been doing it one way or another my whole life. You want to know why people are going to start dying in there? Because I'm not there to stop it." He begins to whistle.

The lieutenants sit around the table. Regina says, "We have to assume Negan is dead." Simon says "I'm Negan." Regina replies, "We should send the fence crew out.  They clear a path." Eugene interrupts. "Inadequate. The numbers you suggest are inadequate." They would all be dead in a few minutes. Regina says, "We use the workers as a distraction to get a small team past the herd.  They can warn the outposts and then come back with the Fat lady." Eugene says, "Add to the approach's slim chances of success, It's likely the play would lead to widespread unrest, pitting the workers against the soldiers when we're running out of food and fuel upsetting our already precarious apple cart." Regina retorts, "Maybe all we need to do is put you out there, Eugene. Maybe it would motivate the answer man to come up with a solution." Dwight intercedes, "He's right. The workers have the numbers, and we need to keep them on our side." Simon says, "We need to keep them in line." Gavin says, "Even if we get a few of ours out and somehow clear the crowd, they have snipers all around the building. So right now let's deal with the other part,. Someone in here made everything out there happen. . . They knows all and sees all. Sometimes it doesn't take a gun. The right kind of rat can kill plenty of people with just some talk." Dwight says, "But it is not gonna be us, and it doesn't have to be the workers. . . We get out. And I don't want to hear backbiting or pissing or moaning from you two. You can't lead the Saviors out of here I will." Simon says, "Yes, my boy. And we're gonna find that subhuman coward that did this to us, and we're gonna kill him very slowly in front of everyone here over the course of a a few very long days."

Eugene knocks on Dwight's door. Eugene brought Dwight pickles to thank him for backing him up. Eugene looks at the chess set Dwight has been making. He gets paint on his fingers from touching the wet pieces. Eugene asks if Dwight made them himself. He replies yes. Eugene tells Dwight he understands why he would be suspected of betraying the Saviors to Rick. He says, "I'm doubly grateful to have you watching my six." Dwight replies, "You were right back there. I didn't say anything more than that."

Walkers pound on the trailer. Gabriel asks, "You helped the weak before this?" Negan replies, "Kids. You don't show them the way, well, they turn out like garbage. Little assholes become great big ones. So you show them the way. Adults they need it too, the government, laws, religion, guilt. People are weak." Gabriel asks "Everyone?" Negan says, "Everyone." Gabriel says, "You're weak. Killing the innocent." Negan asks "I'm weak, but me 'killing the innocents'? That ain't why Gabey." The zombies begin to break through. Negan says,"We'll wait a bit longer and see if my people can pull it together." Gabriel asks, "Why are you weak?" Negan says, "That's the wrong question. It is how I am weak. You see, the thing is, I am also strong. Everyone is a mix. You use your weaknesses to drive your strengths, and obviously I am strong as shit.  I took this place and it was a damn free-for-all, a loose confederation of assholes, an army made up of gangs of animals, and I brought it all together. The last guy that was in charge, he wasn't in charge of shit. He allowed people to be weak. I don't. I made them strong, which makes this world strong. I'm gonna make you my new special project. Gonna find your special purpose." Gabriel replies, "I'm strong. And I've killed. I was at the satellite station. I was a part of that." Negan says, "Sure, Gabe. That's strong. But that's not what I'm talking about." Gabriel wants to know how Negan is weak. He continues, "We may be dead soon. You may be dead soon. Wouldn't you want to confess before all that happens? Wouldn't you want absolution before that? Forgiveness? Costs you nothing more than saying the truth aloud." Negan answers, "I haven't killed anyone that didn't need it." He doesn't consider his workers slaves. It's an economy. Gabriel asks about Negana's wives. Negan says all the women made a choice. Gabriel asks, "Was there a first? One before all this? A wife you promised to have and to hold forsaking all others? One you told that lie to?" Gabriel reaches for the gun. They fight. He runs to another room in the trailer. Negan kills some zombie with Lucille. "No one's coming for us. It's time to go."

Daryl climbs down to the Savior's overturned truck. He asks Rick to help him pull out the boxes with weapons. The first box has dynamite. He starts to fill a bag with dynamite. He tells Rick, "We can use these now." Rick says, "What?" Daryl replies, "Well, think about it. There ain't no Kingdom no more. We know what we gotta do. We blow open the Sanctuary let the walkers flood in. They'll surrender. It'll be done. Hell, we could end this by sundown." Rick says, "They have workers in there right? Families too. Are there?" Daryl says, "We'll hit the south side of the main building. The workers live in the north side. They'll be up the stairs before the walkers even get in." Rick asks, "What if they don't? There are people in there who aren't fighters. Doing this could change that. Make them pick up guns and stand by the Saviors. And if the Saviors don't surrender maybe everyone fights us. And we don't have the Kingdom anymore. We're not doing this." They stare at each other. Daryl says, "No. You ain't doing this." He walks away. Rick grabs him and says, "There's a plan. And everyone's sticking to it." Daryl says, "Not everyone. There's a lot of our people dead, Rick. Things change, man. Negan and that other group, this is on them. If people die it's their fault not ours. And we got our own people to look after." He walks away and Rick follows him. Rick says, "We're not doing this. I'm not letting you do this." Daryl answers, "This ain't your choice." They fight. Eugene plays video games. The power goes out. Daryl and Rick continue fighting. Rick throws the bag of dynamite back towards the truck. Daryl places Rick in a choke hold. The truck catches fire. They run away just as it explodes.

Rick tries to start his car but the engine won't turn. Daryl pulls up on his bike. Rick says, There's a plan. We gotta see it through." Daryl says, "We gotta win." Rick replies, "Yeah, we gotta. Choke hold's illegal asshole." Daryl replies, "Yes, it is." Rick says, "Looks like I'm walking." Daryl says yes and rides off in one direction while Rick walks off in the opposite direction.

Negan says they have Lucille and the gun to help them get into Sanctuary. Negan says, "We have each other. People are a resource. We make it inside, we live. We can take a chance, gut up, make it  . . . Or I can just kill you. What I want is for you to work with me." Gabriel answers, "I've killed before but that not my greatest sin. I locked my congregation out of my church when all this just started. I listened to them die. I failed them. I failed God. And every day I work to lessen that failure, to be of service and purpose. Now I offer you the assurance of a pardon, penance, and absolution. I will go with you. I will go will show you that working together as equals is the only true way to grace, to a future.  I will do this if you confess." Negan replies, "What you did, that is some horrible cowardly spineless shit. I guess that's what a confession is supposed to be, right? My first wife was a real wife. My only real wife. Till death did us part. Before this. I lied to her. I screwed around on her. And she was sick. And when she went. When she went it was during this. I couldn't put her down. That is how I was weak. That is what I will confess. Because yeah, maybe we do bite the big one here." Gabriel opens the door and says, "You're forgiven". Negan punches him. Negan says, "Thanks. You can keep your gun. You ever done this trick with the guts before?" Gabriel says he has. Negan asks "None of your people gotten sick from this?" Gabriel responds, "We're from Georgia." They begin to cover themselves with blood and intestines.

Gabriel and Negan begin to bang on the door. They open it and zombies swarm in but ignore them. They walk among the herd. Gabriel looks terrified. Gabriel trips. A zombie comes towards him but Negan hits it with Lucille. More zombies attack. Gabriel shoots while Negan swings Lucille. Zombies keep coming towards them.

Gavin says, "Now, we were due for a delivery today from my place. Chem outpost doesn't miss deliveries. Something happened. That Rick guy happened." The meeting is interrupted by a Savior. She says the workers are coming. Simon walks out and we see the workers have filled the hallway. Simon announces that the workers are bound to certain areas. One of the workers says it is too hot. Simon says the power cut is to conserve fuel. A worker talks back to Simon and they go for each other but Dwight intervenes. Dwight says, "Look, we're gonna get through this. We need some more time." A worker says, "We need some more water. There are young people, old people." Another worker adds, "We work you protect us that was the deal." Gavin says they all need to get back to the factory floor. A worker asks, "Where's Negan? Is he dead?" Simon yells for everyone to return to the factory now. One of the workers shoots. Regina kills him and says, "I'm Negan. Anyone else want a bullet?" Negan whistles. All of them kneel. Negan comes around the corner with Gabriel. He says, "I am guessing that a lot you fine folks thought I was dead. Here' a little refresher of who I am I wear a leather jacket and I have Lucille and my nutsack is made of steel. I am not dying until I am damn good and ready. I am in deep need of a sandwich and a shower . . . but after that, we have some serious business to attend to. Like talking to my right hand man. We gotta figure out how all this happened like it happened. And then we get back to doing what we have always done. We will save people." A worker says, "Thank you Negan. Thank God for you." He says, "And that is why I am here. Gentlemen, gently take him to number two. Gently." Two men escort Gabriel to number two. Eugene looks on.

Arat throws a bag on the table. They figured out where the guns came from.  A Savior says, "They're ours. Stolen from the armory." Simon says it's one of their own helping Rick. Eugene notices a smudge of paint on the bag that matched the paint from Dwight's chess set. Simon says, "We find when the ammunition went missing then we'll know who. We start with when." Eugene looks over at Dwight. Rick walks through the woods. He looks up. A helicopter flies overhead. He keeps walking. Negan says to Eugene, "Yo. Dr. Smartypants. Big, big chance here. You solve this thing . . . I will make you very, very happy. But you don't figure something out I assure you I will kill you quickly. I got your back either way. You got mine?" Eugene nods. Someone spies on Rick through a spyglass. We see the man whistle at someone. It looks like one of the Scavengers. Eugene knocks on a Gabriel's door. He has a pillow. He is there to formally welcome him to Sanctuary. He knocks again but gets no answer. He unlocks the door and finds Gabriel shaking. Eugene says he needs to see Dr. Carson. Gabriel says, "I do. That's why I'm here. That's why . . . It's the reason we're here. I think. Carson, is Maggie's doctor. We have to get him out of here."

Final Thoughts
- An interesting point was brought up by Lisa Edelstein on Talking Dead. She says that Negan kept asking Simon if he was backsliding. She suggested that this could mean that Simon was the leader of Sanctuary before Negan showed up and took over. We don't know how long Negan has been in charge of Sanctuary. We also know that if people comply with his requests he lets them live. It would be interesting to see a Negan flashback to an earlier time. I believe we are supposed to be getting one this season so only time will tell.
- Is Father Gabriel faking his illness or was he bitten? I am leaning towards him faking so that he can help rescue Dr. Carson.
- Can wearing the guts make you sick? Several characters have used that method without becoming ill.
- We found out why the Saviors are called the Saviors. They "save" people. Not sure that needed to be said but we got an official explanation.
- What do you think was Negan's job before the zombiepocalypse? He says he worked with kids. I'm going to guess little league coach.
- When will Eugene rat out Dwight? Will he have time to do so before Rick attacks Sanctuary?
- How long until the workers rise up for real? They were about to until Negan returned. Will they side with Rick if he comes back to attack Sanctuary? Or will there be a civil war within Sanctuary with some siding to stay with Negan and some with Rick.
- How long until Dwight gets killed? He's going to get found out some way. Will it be Negan, another Savior, or a zombie?
- Where did that helicopter come from? Army base or Rick's mind?
- Will Jadis and her group help Rick? Can he even trust them?
- I liked the shout out to sorghum.