Religion
Season 11 • Episode 22
[WARNING: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 11, Episode 22, “Faith.”]
Hey, Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) made it by way of this one, too!
Earlier in Season 11 when “Acts of God” aired, loads of followers figured it could be curtains for “Father Not the Father.” Then, this near the tip of the AMC collection, with an episode titled “Religion,” hypothesis bubbled up once more — and once more, Gabe beat the percentages. However simply because he’s not in an excessive amount of hazard on this episode doesn’t imply there’s security for all of the survivors; in actual fact, this installment entails an honest quantity of peril for the primary group, particularly Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
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Whereas the entire “religion” facet of the episode facilities round Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and his potential to encourage others to do the precise factor, Negan finally winds up staring down the (metaphorical) barbed-wire baseball bat. Nonetheless a member of the work camp even in Alexandria, he and Ezekiel have cobbled collectively a plan to overthrow the warden and free the prisoners. However when Negan lashes out and will get himself captured, the warden suspects him of being a part of an rebellion… and presents him a reward. If he rats out the would-be revolutionaries, he and his spouse can dwell in peace.
Outdoors the gates, Daryl (Norman Reedus), Carol (Melissa McBride), Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Rosita (Christian Serratos), Connie (Lauren Ridloff), and Gabriel work out find out how to get into Alexandria. Gabe and Rosita keep behind to function sharpshooters and lookouts because the groups of Daryl-Connie and Carol-Maggie make their manner inside. After some tense sequences of sneaking round and a heart-to-heart about whether or not it was “egocentric” of Maggie to convey her son Hershel (Kien Michael Spiller) into the world (no manner, says Carol), they do find the lacking baby. Nonetheless, the opposite kids, together with Judith (Cailey Fleming) and Rosita’s child Coco, are nowhere to be discovered.
Negan, as an alternative of giving anybody else up, takes full credit score for the rebellion to forestall the warden from attending to the others. For that, he faces a firing squad. He doesn’t trouble begging for his life, however that modifications when his pregnant spouse Annie (Medina Senghore) is pulled from the group of fellow prisoners and onlookers. The warden plans to kill them each, thus totally brushing out any spark of rebel. Negan pleads for mercy for his spouse, the troopers purpose, the air takes on a lethal cost — and Ezekiel steps ahead, placing himself between Negan, Annie, and the yet-to-fly bullets. Impressed, extra of the prisoners be a part of them, together with Nabila (Nadine Marissa) and Kelly (Angel Concept). Ezekiel turns to the troopers. “You don’t have to do that,” he says. “This world is damaged, however we don’t need to be.” Satisfied, they activate the warden. However earlier than they get an opportunity to take out the officer, Daryl comes up and stabs him from behind.
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By this time, Rosita’s made her manner into Alexandria. She’s determined to know the place her daughter is, and she or he’s not above resorting to torture to seek out out. Dangling a walker in entrance of the warden’s face, she asks the query — and he received’t reply. She permits it to tear into his flesh, killing him.
Additionally, we do lastly discover out what occurred with Oceanside on this episode… sort of. It’s not proven onscreen, however Luke (Dan Fogler) and his girlfriend, Jules (Alex Sgambati), seem as Staff Aaron (Ross Marquand) heads for the neighborhood. They inform their associates that Oceanside’s been taken over by the Commonwealth and that at Rachel’s (Avianna Mynhier) request, they received out to warn the others earlier than it received worse. They determine to make use of the ol’ guts trick to mix in with a horde of walkers, thus going undetected by the Commonwealth troopers. When one in all them drops a knife, a variant walker picks it up. Yeah, that’s unhealthy information.
On the Commonwealth, Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura) proceeds with Eugene’s (Josh McDermitt) protection. One drawback although — the trial is just about rigged. What a shock! Governor Pamela Milton (Laila Robins) lies on the stand to show the tide in her favor, and it appears Eugene’s destiny is sealed. Their final greatest hope is Mercer (Michael James Shaw), however he received’t publicly testify in opposition to Pamela. Unsurprisingly, the responsible verdict is handed down, and Eugene’s led down a darkish hallway… the place he meets a revolution-ready Mercer. “Time to f–ok s–t up,” the soldier tells him with a smile.
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Different Observations
- It’s good to know what (may need) occurred to Oceanside, however given how lengthy it’s taken the present to get there, I nonetheless marvel if there’s one thing extra happening. Was this actually only a Commonwealth takeover, or was the Civic Republic Navy (CRM) concerned someway? I maintain pondering Lance Hornsby’s (Josh Hamilton) line about “alliances,” however possibly he was solely referring to Oceanside.
- …or did it simply take this lengthy to get right here as a result of Fogler was filming the most recent Unbelievable Beasts movie?
- AGAIN, MAJOR 11C SPOILERS: I totally remorse having seen the 11C trailer. The foremost query the episode leaves is, “The place are Coco and Judith?” however we already know Rosita will get her daughter again (she’s seen with Coco in a yet-to-air scene from the trailer) and we all know Judith returns (she’s additionally seen in a yet-to-air scene from the trailer).
- I loved the courtroom scenes greater than I assumed I’d. Pamela is actually a snake, and whereas her son Sebastian (Teo Rapp-Olsson) made it out alive within the supply materials, I’m doubting she’ll take that storyline.
- I’m betting nothing occurs between Daryl and Connie till the finale, which is baffling contemplating how lengthy the present has teased their relationship. Until she goes with him to France — didn’t sound prefer it, from the present description — their romance may actually start and finish in a single episode. Oh, effectively.
- Ranking: 4/5. “Religion” marks a step up from most 11C episodes thus far. The scene with Negan within the “lineup” was wonderful, though the stress sank as a result of we knew he’d survive. Ezekiel will get one other good second, and Rosita displays scary badassery. The Commonwealth storyline holds its personal, and finally, we’re given solutions about Oceanside.
The Strolling Lifeless, Sundays, 9/8c, AMC
