This week, we had the much anticipated final Rick Grimes episode, and it was a doozy. He’s not dead, he’s on a helicopter riding off with Anne to a soon to be made film on AMC. We had guest appearances by Shane, Herschel, and Sasha. It was a very emotional episode. My name is Kent, and I ask 9 episode-specific questions, and 2 bonus questions, and that’s how we get the 9 Deuce. Any comments in BOLD are written by me. I hope you enjoy and if you or someone you know may want to do this blog, contact me, leave a comment, whatever. The contact info is at the bottom of this blog.
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The 9
- Let’s talk about how Rick pulled himself off of the rebar. Do you think that you could ever will yourself to do that?
Bob: Though in most circumstances, no, I can imagine a few scenarios in life that I would rip myself right off the rebar – for my kids in particular. If Rick has that much love for his society, yeah maybe he could do it. (He clearly has the love for the society, but that’s a lotta love for it.)
Kristi: Chuck Norris has some competition. Rick pulled off some crazy stuff. I’d like to believe I could but realistically, I’m getting eaten by walkers. (You and I are in the same boat. I got no doubt that I’m dead in that scenario.)
Chris: I could do it. If it meant saving my son, it would take more than rebar through my stomach to stop me. (As a person with no kids, I can’t make any kind of similar statement.)
Raylene: I would say yes but then I’d pass out from all the blood since I can’t handle the sight of blood so it would’ve been a pointless endeavour. (Yeah, you and blood don’t mix.)
Kent: We all know the answer here. The walkers are going to feast off of my tubby ass. If it wasn’t as long as it was, I’d say adrenaline could get me through it, but I truly have my doubts. Just keeping it real.
- Maggie confronted Negan in a very unique and sad scene. Do you agree with Maggie’s decision to leave him as he is? Do you have any sympathy for Negan?
Bob: Maggie wanted vengeance. I think she has it. I have empathy for Negan’s original loss but it is certainly not a license to be like he was. (At least you have empathy.)
Kristi: I do believe she did the right thing. He is suffering. This is what he deserves. I do not have empathy for him. He was an asshat. He deserves this. (The swift justice is real.)
Chris: It’s hard to feel sympathy for Negan after what he’s done. I completely agree with Maggie’s choice. Killing Negan would be giving him what he wants. He will suffer more alive than in death. (At this point, isn’t everybody kinda suffering or do you feel like there is a sense of thriving?)
Raylene: Yes I agree with Maggie because Negan is suffering more being locked up with only his thoughts. I can’t ever have sympathy for him though. The Ginger still lives strong in my heart and mind. (I wonder what Rosita would have done in that situation.)
Kent: I think I would back Maggie’s decision no matter which way given her personal circumstances and loss. Yes, I do have sympathy for Negan. It’s not like our “heroes” on the show haven’t done some bad stuff. I feel that most of the survivors at this point have done some things that they have justified for survival. Negan had a tactic that worked. In the ZA, the rules do change, mostly for the worse.
- Rick kinda had this Ebenezer Scrooge moment. First, he was visited by visions of Shane. Did this make you miss Shane on the show? Was this the best part of the episode for you?
Bob: Wow, I missed Shane even though I wasn’t sad to see him go originally. I really like Rick eating the french fry with a bloody hand. (Those fries looked good.)
Kristi: I did enjoy this but seeing Hershel was it for me. Tears and such. (I feel ya homey.)
Chris: Shane was a great character. He was the perfect nemesis to Rick. His death was a pivotal moment on the show that was needed, but his character is so awesome! If he was still alive for the Governor….. (The Governor wouldn’t have made it to season 4. Negan would most likely be dead. So many interesting things if Shane doesn’t lose his shit.)
Raylene: Shane was my man loved him he was perfect for the show. My favorite part was when he asked Rick how’s my daughter doing damn it again I just read your response after I answered. I also enjoyed Rick calling himself an asshole. (Their chemistry was something that I don’t always feel on many shows. On TWD, there are a handful of examples, but Rick and Shane were always on point.)
Kent: Out of all of the characters in the show that I would have liked to see live longer in some alternate universe, I think Shane is usually my go to answer. I loved the comment about Judith being his. The whole conversation, it was certainly the high point for me as far as entertainment value. So many solid lines.
- Next, Rick was having visions of Herschel. For me, this scene hit me the hardest. Give me your thoughts on this wonderful scene.
Bob: It was a nice scene and I was left a little confused by it, maybe I wasn’t listening to it well enough. I liked the imagery used, it matched Herschel. (The imagery was really perfect. I think it was meant as a callback to Rick having the talk with Carl up in the barn.)
Kristi: As previously stated, tears. HERSCHEL!!!!!!! (Yeah, out of everything, this is the one that got me too.)
Raylene: This was definitely a heartbreaking moment he was a great character on the show and to know that he is gone forever just so sad. (Herschel/Scott were both amazing for various reasons. I’m just happy that he had an opportunity to do this.)
Kent: In some ways, I felt this was the emotional climax for me. Yes, fearing for Rick’s life was stressful. It’s the mixture of absolutely loving Herschel’s character and knowing that Scott Wilson is now dead and this being the last thing that he filmed. The videography, there was something so perfect about it, yet sad as hell.
- Finally, let’s talk about Sasha being the third person. Did this seem right? Out of all of the dead characters, did Sasha make the most sense for this scene? If not, who would you have preferred to replace Sasha?
Bob: When I saw Sasha, I was thinking, uhmmmm ok…….. Governor would have been WAY better! (Governor was so good when he taunted Tyreese. I fear this is why he wasn’t chosen, but I concur with you.)
Kristi: I mean, where’s Glenn? This was a pretty huge kill. Sasha made her choice. Glenn didn’t (Yeah, Glenn seemed like the likely realistic choice if we can safely assume that Carl wouldn’t have returned or been asked back. Him and Rick had a ton of moments and Glenn is the one who risked his ass to save Rick early on. He couldn’t have been THAT busy.)
Chris: I agree with Bob. Definitely should have been the Governor. I would have also taken Abraham, but mainly because of his great quotes! (I will say that we at least got to hear Abe ask about the wound like 5 second before Rick opened the one door in the hospital. Still, he could have provided some much needed levity and great lines.)
Raylene: It should have been Carl but I get why he wasn’t there. (Yeah, I get it, but it pisses me off.)
Kent: Sasha wouldn’t have even cracked my top 10 list. Yup, I’m going to give you 10 names I would have preferred, possibly in some semblance of order. Honorable mention goes to Dale.
- Bob – Bob was a cooler and more likable character than Sasha and was a moral compass.
- Andrea – It would have been a nice tie in with the comic.
- Sophia – Admit it, that would be a very interesting scene.
- T Dogg – One of the OG’s and never gets enough recognition.
- Tyreese – It would have been cool because of how his last episode was, it’d be a callback.
- Merle – He could call Rick Officer Friendly one last time and make us smile.
- Governor – He talked to Tyreese on his way out and him and Rick had such unique chemistry.
- Abe – Aside from the one liners, his death is really the true beginning of the war and sparked so many things. We did get to hear Abe though before Rick opened the door in the hospital.
- Glenn – He the was the guy that helped Rick after Morgan. There is so much history between the two. I suspect we may get a Glenn appearance at some point.
- Carl – I feel that this would have happened if Chandler didn’t leave the show under the conditions that he did. Still, he’s the reason that Rick has taken this approach for the community. I am really curious if they even offered him the role.
- We got some answers about Anne and the helicopter, and now Rick is getting medical attention. Wow, is this way better than you anticipated in regard to Anne and the helicopter?
Bob: Yes, it was actually nice to see Rick may have his life saved. It hasn’t really made a lot of sense to me yet. (I still want A & B details and plenty of other info.)
Kristi: I did not see this. I thought he was going to die. I’m pleased with this. (Yeah, I was convinced that he was dead given all the people from the past.)
Chris: I was happy to see Rick not die. But now it leaves sooooo many questions. First off, did he live? Where the hell is he? Doesn’t he try to get back to his family???? (Soooo many questions that we have to wait for the film. Maybe we can get some info, but I have my doubts.)
Raylene: It did seem that Ann has redeemed herself as for now but let’s wait and see what happens where they are taken. This could be another Beth situation where we fix you and now you are in our debt. I also immediately thought when I saw the helicopter Umbrella Corporation I was also hoping to see Albert Wesker piloting. (I mean, Wesker would be a hell of a character crossover. Not enough ammo or explosives to take him out.)
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Kent: This was way better, and I think most would agree with that. I am guessing that Anne is off the show now. I am not happy about that development. I love her character and her as an actress, but to provide another familiar face along with Rick made a lot of sense for the film. I’d be happy if we get an online story about her story the whole way from the beginning. That’s one of the backstories that I think would be most interesting.
- We will be introduced to 5 new characters next week. Comic fans are familiar with Magna and her group. Do you have high hopes for this new group or are you not looking forward to adding even more people to the show?
Bob: I am not familiar with this group. (Most likely you will find them to be mediocre, just a guess.)
Kristi: Not familiar but I am anticipating the new show. I feel like there are a lot of changes coming. I’m hoping they dont suck. (The thing is, at least you are excited to see what they do. I wasn’t sure if I’d be excited, so this is different and positive.)
Chris: New people need to be added. It’s the nature of the show. I’m excited for Magna and Yumiko. (I’m not sure that new people are truly needed. We already have too many characters one may say. I don’t think they will play that big of a role. I guess when the big upcoming sequence occurs, if they go that route, added characters will be a good thing.)
Raylene: New people are needed to push the story forward as long as it’s not too many at once. (Well, we get these 5 then at least 3 from the Whisperers. Plus, any of the kids growing up are kinda new characters in some regard.)
Kent: I am cautiously optimistic that they do more with these characters than they did in the comic. I feel like fans have even called out Kirkman in the past for seemingly forgetting them at times. New faces were needed for rescuing…..leading us to…….
- Judith Grimes, Little Ass Kicker, was such a revelation at the end. Does she provide you with more hope for the future of this TV show? Moving forward, should she be a main character that gets plenty of screen time?
Bob: I am all in for Judith now! She should get screen time, but not like Lincoln. (Yeah, I agree that she shouldn’t get Rick or Daryl level of screen time, but should be a featured character along the lines of Ezekiel.)
Kristi: Badass Judith is fun for me. I’m ready for our new Carl. He was a favorite for me. I see him in her but maybe a little more badass? I see Judith getting shit done. (Carl did get to learn from Rick and Shane a bit, but I’m not sure how many others really took him under their wing, aside from Negan wanting to. Judith I think gets training from the badass women on the show, plus I am sure Daryl and others. I want to see her interact with Eugene in the worst way.)
Chris: She should be a main character. It will be very interesting to see what happens with her considering a lot of the characters alive on the show are not the ones alive in the comics. (Yeah, and I think we have talked about this before, but that’s a good thing, usually, Carl being the exception. It’s nice to have something different, it keeps things fresh. As you know, there are just some stories that you want to see play out on TV as they were in the comic.)
Raylene: Judith yes should be the main character now but she’ll never live up to the potential that Riggs would’ve brought to the show. Only thing I was hoping for is that Michonne got knocked up because the Grimes bloodline is now gone without it. (Yeah, we didn’t see it, but it’s entirely possible. We also didn’t see Herschel Jr yet. So many possibilities.)
Kent: I think Judith should be one of the 10 or so featured characters moving forward. My list includes….I’m kidding. No more lists this week. She has this legacy to live up to, and she killed it in that small scene. While she can’t replace Carl, I want to see her carve her own path. I would love to know that Carol took her under her wing. I think that is a safe speculation, along with Michonne and Aunt Maggie. I want Judith and Carol scenes because they like to give Carol the kids, and this is a pairing that would be amazing.
- Did you see the preview of the rest of the season? Did you see Carol’s hair? What are you most looking forward to now? What character, aside from Judith, are you looking to see moving forward?
Bob: I have been waiting and waiting for the hair! I am not disappointed! I want to see her character now and Negan’s future… (Negan’s whole timeline is different and dramatically altered from the books, and that intrigues me. He’s one of those characters that is so charismatic, they really could make him a focus again by the end of the season.)
Kristi: I’m looking forward to seeing Eugene. I feel like he is going to be a big part of this. (Eugene isn’t the star, but for all intents and purposes, I feel like him and Maggie run stuff. Not that we will probably have to worry about it this season, but in the books, there is a character who dies trying to save Eugene. It will definitely be different on TV, mainly because the character is no longer on the show. I have really been thinking about who will get that pivotal death, or if it even happens. The lack of Rick and Carl certainly changes things, but I still think that death happens in some way.)
Chris: I’m looking forward to Negan’s eventual release/escape, and of course the Whisperers! (I’m very curious about Negan’s story. If I had to guess, Negan will probably share a house at some point with Daryl or Judith among all the chaos. You can make the argument for others, but I think they seem most likely.)
Raylene: WHISPERERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (You want to see Opie again, I get it. The Whisperers is a very exciting thing, and the producers/writers/creators are clearly excited as they keep bringing them up.)
Kent: Eugene and his new toy which may provide answers to a previously asked question. There’s a bunch. Really, I am genuinely curious how Daryl evolves as the face that runs the place. It looks like Eugene’s hair game may have a new challenger with what we saw of Carol. I’ll also say Gabriel, Dwight, and Rosita are all people that could use some good stories. Rosita is criminally under utilized. I am not looking forward to Henry replacing Carl in a certain story coming up.
Bonus Double Deuce
- Tell me your favorite Rick Grimes moment(s).
Bob: Killing Shane. (Too soon!)
Chris: His speech when the governor was about to attack the prison. My favorite speech on the show. (That speech is very underrated and you got me to rewatch it just to reminisce. I really forget how many things in that season I loved.)
Raylene: One that always sticks out is when he lost it when Carl killed Laurie I am an evil human who still laughs when I see him on his back like a turtle crying. Another is when they arrived to Alexandria and he did his video interview with Deanna, he was a beast. When he went hoss and killed the Walkers in Alexandria when they were going to banish him. That same episode he kills porch dick and Morgan appears again finally. (All were great moments. His interview was great.)
Kent: Season 2 finale Rictatorship speech will probably stick with me forever. There was also a moment in season 3 or 4, I think 4, when Rick finally unleashed Carl to help him control the walkers during one of the Governor’s attacks. The way he talked to Gareth while tied up and still telling him that he was going to kill him. Joe’s throat bite scene is always solid. Just in general, I always loved Rick and Morgan’s on screen chemistry. Back at the prison when he met the lady with the “baby” who was going to attack him. Him seeing ghost Lori and flipping out on Tyreese and Sasha’s group. Rick and Negan after the lineup. And last but not least, when he brings Carl to get medical treatment after getting shot in the eye. Rick just goes outside and starts decimating walkers and you get that moment when everybody realizes that they have to fight and it was cheesy, but it gave me goosebumps.
- We now know that AMC is planning a whole big expanded TWD universe, which will include a made for AMC movie starring Rick. Do you think that AMC can possibly avoid overkill by using various storytelling mediums including movies, more shows, and online content? Are you excited about this?
Bob: Nah, not overkill, just right. I am anticipating! (Yeah, I think it sounds just right. It’s a good universe that started getting insulted by too many people, and like sheep, so many people followed suit. The show is still solid most of the time. It’s a good premise. I am excited.)
Chris: I’m excited. I’m hoping the movie about Rick will give us some answers! (If they don’t answer at least 7 of our questions, they will have done something wrong.)
Raylene: I think without this expansion the walking dead dies. (Look at how Mayans has revived love for Sons.)
Kent: I admit that I was negative about having 10 years of content. I know, it’s probably surprising to most of you that I would be negative. I really think that this plan can work and inject new life into the franchise. I think they earned some trust with me with how they handled Fear The Walking Dead and also with Angela Kang as the new TWD showrunner. I dig it.
- Did we finally see the Whisperers?
Bob: I don’t know…. (Yes, we did in the preview.)
Chris: I’m pretty sure the “evolving” walkers were the whisperers. (Yeah, because they aren’t mindlessly wandering anymore.)
Raylene: Oh yes we did “Where are they” you bet your sweet ass I heard that I have been waiting for any hints of them so no we aren’t crazy. WHISPERERS fuck ya…………………. (Yup, I knew this response was coming.)
Kent: Yes, I heard them whispering….I think. I’m not crazy, right?
- I know so many people have said that they would see no purpose to keep the show going without Rick. I think we all felt a bit empty upon first hearing the news about Andy Lincoln leaving the show. Do you feel optimistic that this can be salvageable or do you think that you will lose interest?
Bob: The show has renewed a lot of vigor I believe. The zombies changing is also very interesting. They were nearly forgotten I feel so this is a juicy element! (Renewed vigor is a great way to describe how I felt. The walkers were forgotten as a threat, by and large, it felt like, ya know, unless you’re Kent’s favorite character.)
Chris: I love Rick. But to be honest, I’m more interested now. Killing off THE main character is rarely if ever done. Where will it go from here? (They always had the Rick safety blanket. I am curious how this goes, but it’s such a huge show, people can fulfill certain storyline aspects.)
Raylene: I love Rick but stopped watching after Carl’s death I was enraged. We know why I got back into new characters were cast as Whisperers. (I fully expect the Whisperers to be involved in at least 2 of your responses moving forward.)
Kent: It didn’t go so well in other shows, but every show is different. Look at how bad The Office and That 70’s Show went once the leads were gone. This is a very different beast. The only time I can recall it working really well was with Ned Stark. I fully admit, I was sad and then I was rejuvenated in the oddest way. I didn’t expect that at all. They really surprised me.
Final Thoughts – You can either give me final thoughts or we can discuss the horse. How come that horse was cool with staying at the abandoned house while it was surrounded by walkers, but then it wasn’t cool? Explain the logic, please.
Bob: I asked that immediately. I can’t explain it, it made no sense at all. By the way, taking off that inner belt would have been much more brutal and difficult, I can hardly do it and I am not impaled. I thought Rick would have become a horse whisperer… (I knew that if I didn’t ask about this, there was at least a 75% chance that you would call me out on it. It was super silly. I don’t do well with belts, but I am slightly obese, so that affects things a bit.)
Chris: There was clearly a carrot somewhere in the house. (Hahaha, I enjoyed this response.)
Raylene: Stop riding horses Rick. (Yeah, Rick’s track record with horses is not stellar.)
Kent: As I am watching it, I said out loud, “Oh come the F*^% on!!!” I was by myself and I don’t like to yell at my TV but that was perplexing and I really felt that the horse deserved its own question. I am glad that I wasn’t the only person wondering about it.
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