The Strolling Useless “The Rotten Core” was written by Erik Mountain and Jim Barnes and was directed by Marcus Stokes, whose different credit embrace 9-1-1, The Flash, and Prison Minds, which didn’t encourage a whole lot of confidence in me. Because the title guarantees, the episode begins to essentially reveal the rotten core of the Commonwealth and Stokes does a high quality job of directing – thought certainly the present is a finely oiled machine at this level… The episode options some terrific performances with a shout out to Norman Reedus (Daryl) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Negan) particularly.
The episode begins primarily the place we left off – with a pleasant shut up of the folks Carlson (Jason Butler Harner) threw off the roof. Remarkably, a few of them are turning – and I adored how the episode circles again to this. In the meantime, Carlson is on the roof, organising communications with Hornsby (Josh Hamilton). Hornsby is completely happy to listen to the constructing is safe, however Carlson tells him they’re nonetheless in search of the weapons. Hornsby is surprisingly considerably sympathetic – although extremely condescending – and completely ironic as he compares them to rats who don’t know proper from incorrect. Carlson goes to ship “legislation and order.” However undoubtedly not justice. However, we’ll circle again to that…
As soon as once more, the present ramps up the stress by slicing forwards and backwards between storylines. Daryl is reporting for work (apparently just a little late) and runs into Carol (Melissa McBride) who he was in search of. He asks if she’s heard something about dwelling, and she or he says type of however doesn’t have time to elaborate. They make a “date” for lunch on the diner. I couldn’t assist however consider Yvette Nicole Brown when Daryl referred to as it a date!
I beloved that Rosita (Christian Serratos) teases Daryl about being a cliché by consuming a doughnut! After which eats half of it. Their boss – Vickers (Monique Grant) assigns them a sector collectively. Sebastian (Teo Rapp-Olsson) is within the station bragging about how good he’s at killing walkers. He calls on Daryl to say how good he’s with the Rotters. The best way Daryl says, “oh yeah… it’s good… stuff” after which does a lame thumbs up and clap is priceless – and clearly will get the message throughout! Rosita smirks and Sebastian’s girlfriend (Courtney Dietz) stifles amusing too.
As Rosita and Daryl head out, Alves (J.R. Adduci) and Crowe (Henry Bazemore Jr) cease them and inform them they’ve been re-assigned to assist with a swarm exterior the partitions. Rosita factors out that they’re solely presupposed to be on patrol, however they insist and out rank them, in order that they go.
Again within the residence, Maggie (Lauren Cohen) and Aaron (Ross Marquand) are clearing a room when Annie (Medina Senghore) seems to get the drop on them, however it’s really Elijah (Okea Eme-Akwari) and Lydia (Cassady McClincy) who get the drop on her. Maggie tells her that they’re their to assist. Annie asks who she is – and Negan interrupts to say Maggie. Negan defuses the standoff by telling everybody to place their shit again of their pants and zip up – I’m so glad we didn’t must miss him for lengthy!
Negan says hi there to Lydia first, and she or he asks what he’s doing there. He strikes nearer to Annie and says that they stay there. It’s clear there’s greater than friendship between them. Lydia is clearly completely happy to see him, however nonetheless damage that he left. Negan tells them that the others don’t have Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) and takes them by the hidden doorway within the closet to the others. Gabriel is completely happy to see all of them, and there are hugs throughout.
Maggie asks in the event that they took the weapons, and Annie declares she’s sick of them asking! Negan says he’s too, and challenges them to “ball up” and simply name her a liar. Aaron factors out that their boss had skulls on his wall, so he’s inclined to name bullshit. Maggie clearly does consider her and says it doesn’t matter, they must get them out. Annie received’t depart with out the remainder of her folks. Maggie asks her what she desires to do – I’m wondering if Maggie is being influenced by what Lydia stated final week about Maggie merely deciding for everybody. Annie suggests splitting into groups and rounding everybody up and discovering a approach out collectively. Negan is able to go, however Annie tells him to remain as a result of the others want somebody they belief defending them. I beloved the look on Aaron’s face and the smug look on Negan’s. Maggie goes with Annie.
Crowe and Alves deliver Rosita and Daryl to a hill overlooking some outdated mansions that are surrounded by a swarm. They ask the place everybody else is and are informed there isn’t anybody else. Sebastian exhibits up and tells them that he desires them to interrupt right into a home, and a panic room, and get cash for him as a result of “his bitch mom” has reduce off his line of credit score. There’s clearly no love misplaced between this mom and son! Alves and Crowe received’t do it as a result of they will’t shoot as a result of all of the rounds are tracked. He says that they’d in all probability get “canine piled and suffocate” – and actually? Does he not understand that they’d get torn aside and eaten?!?!? Or does he assume he can really sugar-coat it to Daryl and Rosita? He tells them that he believes in them.
Reedus is simply fabulous on this scene. He cuts Sebastian off and tells him that they aren’t doing it. Sebastian has introduced a walker which he has killed in order that they will slime as much as get by the horde – they’re doing it. Daryl says “or what?” After which Sebastian makes what is nearly the most important mistake of his life when he asks Daryl how his children are and if Coco is strolling. Daryl pulls his knife and goes proper for Sebastian’s throat. I beloved how this scene was shot with them framed in opposition to the blue sky and horizon on the highest of that hill. Daryl glares straight in his eyes as he tells him if he threatens his children once more, he’ll intestine him. Sebastian again peddles – however clearly doesn’t actually comprehend how a lot hazard he’s in. He says nobody was threatening to harm children, however he could make their life simpler. Alves pipes in with ‘or make them orphans.’ It’s Rosita who breaks first as she asks – if we do that, that’s it? Prefer it ever can be – and Sebastian’s “completely” is clearly insincere.
Rosita and Daryl do goo themselves up and head in. They get into the home and discover the facility off. There are additionally recent walkers – and so they discover April (Wynn Everett) locked within the panic room. She was in debt within the Commonwealth and a person confirmed up at her door someday providing her a approach out of it… There have been initially 12 of them, however solely 3 made it inside, and she or he acquired locked within the room when the generator went out. Daryl goes to seek out the generator and Rosita stays with April. FYI – April Kelly was one of many names on the listing with Tyler Davis that was given to Connie (Lauren Ridloff).
Negan strikes round his folks, reassuring them, and Lydia takes the chance to confront him about leaving with out saying something. He tells her that he left as a result of he ‘gave a shit’ – it’s what everybody wanted. Aaron asks about Annie – and Negan simply holds up his hand – he’s MARRIED to Annie! Lydia is stunned, however Aaron simply jumps proper over it and says it suits, asking if Negan helped put any of the skulls on that wall. Negan counters, “says the man who rolled in with the Gestapo!” Gabriel rapidly says that they didn’t know. Gabriel tells him that the place they’re residing now isn’t like anyplace else they’ve lived. Lydia interrupts to show that she’s a eager observer. She tells them the Commonwealth is rather like the Whisperers – they might put on completely different masks however they only wish to swallow up different communities.
They’re interrupted by Annie checking in on the walkie. Negan is clearly apprehensive about her, and it’s straightforward to assume that he’s simply apprehensive about what Maggie may inform her about him. As Negan appears to be like out the window, he says “oh shit” – and we reduce to a trooper who has Hershel (Kien Michael Spiller) who had been hiding within the truck. Negan crowbars him from behind after which drives him by the face as Hershel watches.
Maggie and Annie disguise from the troopers as they attempt to transfer by the constructing to get the others out. Annie is nibbling on ginger and explains to Maggie that she’s pregnant – 12 weeks – and it’s his. Negan interrupts them to inform them he’s discovered Hershel. Maggie instantly desires to come back to him, however Negan tells her to remain focussed and to stick with Annie. He guarantees that something that’s going to occur to Hershel must occur to him first. We already know that Negan would by no means damage a toddler. Annie tells her that he’s in good arms, and Maggie tells her that he’s within the arms of the person who killed his father. Annie tells her that he is aware of who he’s and what he did. Clearly, Negan was solely involved for Annie’s security – not that she would study something about him. Maggie is shocked that she’s nonetheless with Negan. Annie factors out that none of them have clear arms – and she or he’s not incorrect. She’s says that every one they will do now’s attempt to be higher – like him. Maggie says she simply must overlook. Annie tells her what issues to her is who he’s now.
Hershel tells Negan that his mother informed him to avoid him and asks why. Negan tells him that’s was one thing dangerous that occurred a very long time in the past. Hershel asks if he’s a foul man, and Negan tells him that he was. Whereas Negan turns away, Hershel pulls a gun and says that his mother informed him a foul man killed his dad and asks if Negan is that man. Negan doesn’t deny it. He sits to be eye to eye with him. He tells him that there’s nothing he can say to make it higher – at this level the folks within the subsequent room understand that one thing is going on and are available to the door. Negan doesn’t plead for his life, however he factors out that if Hershel pulls the set off, he’ll alert the troopers and get everybody else killed. Morgan is nice on this scene (regardless of having forgotten that his cellular phone was in his again pocket), and Negan tells Hershel that whereas he might need to die, the others don’t. Hershel lowers the gun and Lydia takes it away from him.
Daryl finds the generator and some extra walkers. It appears to take him just a little extra effort than regular to kill all of them, and with the flashing lights it’s exhausting to make sense of the battle. Nonetheless, he kills all of them – leaving us questioning the place these ones got here from – and will get the generator operating.
They get into the panic room and April instantly hugs Rosita. An alarm begins going off and Rosita makes it worse – attracting the horde exterior. Daryl works on the secure and slightly than merely pulling the wires out of the wall, Rosita smashes the alarm together with her helmet. It’s straightforward to listen to that the horde is inside the home, and Rosita and Daryl block the door with a heavy desk. They get able to attempt to get out with the blood they’ve, giving a few of their armor to April.
Immediately, there’s gunfire, and so they open the door to seek out Carol – who acquired apprehensive when Daryl didn’t present up for lunch – and Mercer (Michael James Shaw)! Anyone – I couldn’t catch the identify, however I believe it was Alves – informed Mercer that they’d are available to steal cash. Daryl informed him that didn’t occur. Mercer asks in the event that they’re looting homes now. Rosita tells him that Sebastian made them by threatening their children. April tells him her story. Mercer appears to be like pissed – however not stunned.
All of them head out into the now full home, strolling slowly, eyes down. April is clearly terrified, trying round. You already know there’s no approach that she’s making it out. It’s ridiculous, nonetheless, when she will get caught on a walker due to the armor. They find yourself clearing the room of walkers, however April dies anyway. Rosita and Daryl have each misplaced their armor by now – however Rosita makes certain to deliver the cash.
Again on the residence, Carlson tells the troopers that they discover the weapons in an hour or burn the place to the bottom. Maggie and Annie come out of a room. Maggie radios in and tells Aaron that they’ve a plan… In the meantime, Carlson, who’s carrying a bottle of alcohol, and his troopers search the room exterior the hidden room. The others depart, however Carlson whistles them again when he sees a footprint. He’s about to open the curtain, when he hears Gabriel.
Carlson chases Gabriel and Aaron to the roof. He solely has two troopers with him. All three are centered on Gabriel and Aaron, as Carlson questions why they’d activate the Commonwealth. In the meantime Elijah sneaks up and takes out the troopers. When Carlson turns his gun on Elijah, Aaron smashes his wrist along with his mace. Carlson tries to name all the opposite troopers to the roof, however they’re in any other case occupied defending themselves. Carlson rises to his toes – he appears to be like drunk at this level. He tries bargaining – issues simply acquired just a little out of hand… he tells them to take a breath as Annie and Maggie be a part of them on the roof. He says that they only want to speak issues out – and Aaron unloads Carlson’s personal gun into him. Carlson falls off the roof – and fortunately isn’t fairly lifeless but! The walkers he created end him off. It’s delightfully satisfying!
Rosita, Carol, Daryl and Mercer arrive again on the prime of the hill. Mercer tells Crowe and Alves that they may have used their assist. Alves tells Mercer that they don’t reply to him – and ask if the cash is within the baggage. Carol asks what number of others had been despatched in earlier than. They don’t even know, saying perhaps 30 or 40. Mercer shocks everybody by capturing each of them within the head! And it’s abruptly clear whose facet Mercer is actually on – YEAH!!!!!!!!! I completely love Michael James Shaw and need him firmly on OUR staff!
Mercer tells them that they’ve to present Sebastian the cash or he’ll come after them. Mercer tells the that he’ll carry the luggage by the gate as a result of they received’t search him. He’s nonetheless firmly on their facet.
Again on the station, Sebastian is as irritating as all the time – can we please shoot him, throw him off a constructing and feed him to the walkers quickly? Please???? Rosita, Daryl, and Mercer are there, however it takes Sebastian fairly some time to appreciate that his two henchmen are lacking – and he doesn’t care that they didn’t come again. He leaves them with “their reduce.” Daryl simply appears to be like at Mercer – and Mercer appears to be like again. They each learn about getting together with the wealthy white of us… It turns into clearer why Mercer was so fascinated about the truth that Daryl held a management place in Alexandria. The Commonwealth might have all of the “comforts” of recent society, however it has not one of the political and societal benefits of Alexandria.
Hornsby is frantically making an attempt to lift Carlson on the radio. He’s interrupted by Carol as he goes again to work. He tells her it’s late and asks the place she’s been. She tells him that she was serving to some pals out of a jam. She tells him about what Sebastian is as much as. He sounds involved that Sebastian despatched her pals. However when he asks in the event that they acquired the cash – each Carol and ourselves begin to understand that he knew in regards to the others that had been despatched in as he says lastly. She asks why he despatched the opposite folks. He tells her that they put themselves in silly locations – normally by failing to “play by the principles.” He tells her that the Commonwealth works as a result of everybody performs their half. Everybody suffers for those who don’t or received’t play alongside. They’ll’t let the system break down. Carol tells him she understands – persons are both a part of the issue or a part of the answer. And we all know Carol effectively sufficient to know who she sees as falling into each camps. Hornsby’s please that she will get it and tells her that it’s good to have the ability to discuss to somebody who sees the massive image. He’d higher fear if she brings him a plate of cookies!
Again on the residence, Negan approaches Hershel and tells him that they’ve unfinished enterprise. He tells Hershel to go dwelling along with his mom and assist her rebuild their dwelling. In a number of years, when he’s grown up a bit, come discover him, and Negan guarantees that they’ll settle it. Maggie arrives on the finish and asks what he stated. Hershel doesn’t inform her – that is between the lads.
Maggie tells Gabriel and Aaron that they will’t return to the Commonwealth – however they must. Additionally they have the instant downside of what to do with the brand new group – it appears apparent that Maggie take them in, however will that embrace Negan and Annie? Gabriel factors out that they nonetheless don’t know who really took the weapons – and that’s nonetheless an issue. We get a flashback to 2 weeks in the past – and the vicious destruction of the convoy. Was anybody stunned that it was Leah (Lynn Collins)? I used to be a bit stunned by how feral she regarded although.
This was one other actually nice episode. It feels just like the present is coming a bit again on monitor as we head to the top. Nice performances from Morgan, Reedus, and Cohen. All of us knew that the Commonwealth was too good to be true, however I beloved how Lydia described it. It’s rotten to the core – however we’re beginning to see the allies achieve power. Leah is certainly a wild card. Does she have a brand new group? We additionally begin to see how Daryl and the troopers are going to finish up exterior Hilltop’s partitions. I’m betting they’re there for Annie and Negan’s group. Better of all, I believe, was the tremendous satisfying loss of life of Carlson… What about you? What did you consider the episode? What stunned you? Let me know within the feedback under?
