This week, we saw Rosita attempt to escape the Whisperers while Eugene is hiding. Carol is asking Daryl to watch over Henry while he is in Hilltop. Also, Daryl has a dog named Dog. 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
- Hey, they actually answered the question in regard to Maggie’s whereabouts. We know that Herschel and Maggie are with Georgie and learning about building up a community. Since then, Jesus has begrudgingly accepted the role of leader of the Hilltop. Are you satisfied with the Maggie story? Should Jesus maintain his role as leader of the Hilltop?
Bob: It’s a weak story, basically copping out. At least it wasn’t drawn out through the season. (I’d say that is about it as far as silver linings go.)
Chris: Not satisfied with it, but how else were they going to explain it? Where was she going to go, Detroit? (I hope someone gets this reference.). Jesus seems like the logical choice as leader. (I tried looking up the quote. The closest thing I found was Naked Gun 2 ½. Next week, let us know what the quote is from.)
Raylene: I would think they would elaborate more on where she exactly went like very vague with details. Jesus is not happy as the leader so perhaps pass the torch to someone who seems to want to deal with shit, everyone’s less favorite would be Tara. (I hate to say it, but Tara should be the leader. She clearly is organized and does most of the work anyway, without the title. WIth Kent dead, there’s nobody named Kent to run against her.)
Kent: I am happy that we got an answer. I think it is logical since they didn’t want to kill her off. Was it weak? Yeah, but she didn’t give them many options and I am not sure that there were better options. Tara should be the leader and let Jesus do what Jesus does best. That pains me to say that, but she seems to be on top of things, and I am sure she has good relations with Oceanside and probably Alexandria/Kingdom.
- Speaking of Maggie, what is the point of contention between her and Michonne? The last we saw, they seemed to have an understanding. Michonne seemed eager to find ways to manifest Carl’s vision. Now it seems like Siddiq is the only one pushing for Carl’s dream. What happened, or what do you think caused such friction?
Bob: I… Don’t know.
Chris: She may harbor some resentment regarding Rick. Maggie’s decision lead to a series of events that caused Ricks “death.
Raylene: I think Michonne may feel that because Maggie didn’t help much with Ricks vision and now that he seems to be gone she blames her for him sacrificing himself to save them
Kent: I struggle with this question. I think that Chris and Raylene have to be onto something in regard to Rick’s “death”. The thing is, who really knew that Rick was in a rush to get back to Alexandria aside from Daryl and the one girl on the radio? Daryl wouldn’t have said much I feel. I feel that there is a good chance that Michonne has no idea why Rick was where he was. I think this is something that needs to be addressed really bad considering how much it gets brought up.
- Carol wants Daryl to basically watch over Henry at the Hilltop. Would Daryl be your first choice out of the remaining characters? Obviously, Carol and Ezekiel are not eligible as choices.
Bob: Daryl is my first choice for survival, Eugene if you really want to lord your brain over others and Maggie if you want to be a Machiavellian ruler. (I hadn’t considered Eugene, which is surprising to me. He was a teacher, and he does have survival skills. Now you have me thinking about this possibility of an alternate reality.)
Chris: I think so. Daryl is a survivor and Carol trusts him 100%. (It really is about the trust.)
Raylene: Jesus seems to be a pretty good choice to me cool under pressure, has many skill sets as in fighting, gathering, recruiting does seem to think things over before acting at times. (Also, Jesus isn’t such a broody ass at times. Jesus hasn’t lost many people, that we have seen. Perhaps he’s too busy getting tackled by Aaron. Gracie should grow up to be absolutely terrifying as a fighter at the very least.)
Kent: I hate the fact that I am saying this for my answer a second time, but Tara would also be a reasonable choice. She already lives at Hilltop. She clearly has patience and is good at teaching, Eugene is a fine example of that. I feel that Daryl means well, but he is always the first guy that has to go out on a rescue mission. He loses a lot of people, which may be unfair, but it’s true. But it comes down to Carol’s trust in Daryl and that outweighs any other variables.
- Daryl has been searching for Rick’s body or at least was for a while. This indicates that nobody heard the helicopter. Do you find this reasonable?
Bob: Yes, everyone would be deafened by the explosion. (Your answer makes me regret asking my question the way that I did. Thanks for that.)
Chris: After the explosion, I could see the helicopter noise not being noticed. (Hell, even if you thought you heard something, it would be very easy to dismiss it knowing that your hearing wouldn’t be very accurate.)
Raylene: Depends I guess on how far he washed downstream that water was moving pretty hard. (And this is why we need a map. This is the 5th season that I have been requesting a map.)
Kent: Logically, I can see it due to the explosion. I am going to be stubborn here. I still have to call BS on this. Everything seems to be noticed by everybody until it’s convenient for a story. Not one single person looked in the sky? It’s not impossible, but I am inclined to say improbable. Although, my original question is if people heard it, so that part is reasonable.
- Are you at all skeptical that Daryl has basically been living out in the woods for 5+ years and avoided death? I know you all want to talk about Dog, so have at it. Is it reasonable that dogs have survived the 8 years of zombies at this point?
Bob: That dog could be 3 to 8 years old. I have no skepticism to offer on Daryl’s survival. (I’m hoping it is 9.2 years old.)
Chris: Sure. If he doesn’t have to protect a group, it probably increases his chance of survival. I could easily see a dog surviving just based on instinct. I can’t see one being friendly though. After so much time they would revert to being feral. (I hadn’t considered the friendly/feral aspect. I’d be thrilled to have a montage of Daryl training the dog for the traps. I feel most people would enjoy this. Are you listening AMC? No? Okay, good.)
Raylene: I say no that any dogs would be just out in the wild and sure he’s super Daryl he can survive. (I still say that a god can get by in this world since they have those instincts.)
Kent: I don’t discount that a dog could survive a great many things. I do wonder how it found drinkable water. Most of the water is incredibly contaminated. Does that matter? If the dog can handle eating all of the nasty things that it is eating, maybe the water isn’t as big of a deal. 5+ years, I don’t think that is realistic, but maybe. I think that no matter how good your system is, you will run into issues.
- Henry seemed eager to impress Enid. Is this a potential relationship that you want to see?
Bob: No. No. No. That would be a try-hard of the show…..
Chris: uuuuuggggghhhhhhhh.
Raylene: I really don’t care about Henry at this point of the story, but things may change.
Kent: I asked this question for these exact responses. I am pleased.
- Michael Cudlitz (Abraham Ford) made his directorial debut on this episode. Did you enjoy the vibe of the opening scene with Rosita?
Bob: Meh, I get they were trying to have us experience what she was going through but I would rather just watch it. (I must say, I liked the experience aspect. It’s different than what we are used to.)
Raylene: I am biased in my opinion here so I have to say an astounding Yes (This response shocks me.)
Kent: I really enjoyed it. I think that we get too comfortable and just want story after story. The show allows us to forget that this is a fairly terrifying thing that is happening. It’s important to have reminders.
- C Thomas Howell of E.T., the Outsiders, and Red Dawn fame, was one of the 2 no name guys from Hillside. Will we ever see them again?
Bob: I hope so. I remember him from “A Question of Faith.” (I went through his IMDB page, the dude has done so many projects. One of those guys.)
Chris: Maybe in background roles, but I’d say yes! (I like your enthusiasm.)
Raylene: Sure why not they didn’t die so perhaps as background characters (Why not a foreground character?)
Kent: I say yes. If I remember correctly, there are 2 guys from Hillside that are patrolling who have the Whisperers realization. I see no reason why it can’t be these 2 jabronis. I could be wrong because my memory sucks.
- Finally, will Jesus, Aaron, Daryl, Dog, and Eugene escape the barn and get back to safety unscathed?
Bob: Yes to all.
Chris: Midseason finales usually have a major death. I like all of these characters, so I will say that………. Aaron, Jesus, or Daryl (not likely) will sacrifice themselves to stop the Whisperers. Not Eugene, because, well, he’s Eugene. (You and I have similar thoughts on this. I am torn between the midseason finale having a death vs the people involved. Talking Dead will have a surprise guest as well. That sometimes is indicative of a death.)
Raylene: I hope for everyone’s sake Dog makes it out pets do not do well here. (I see an animal in these shows and just count down the episodes until their untimely demise. They have worse luck than doctors and moral compasses.)
Kent: Eugene can’t die. Daryl can’t die. I think that these are facts. That leaves Jesus, Aaron, and Dog. I think Dog is safe for now because he was just introduced to the show. Aaron has had such a horrible season, killing him just seems messed up. Jesus is the Hilltop leader, even though he doesn’t want to. I truly feel that Jesus is safe. Once again, what is the sense in making him the leader only to kill him off before we can see more of his struggles as a leader? Plus, Hilltop would be seriously lacking in characters that fans love if Jesus is gone. Aaron is the only possibility because he could be the impetus for Jesus to become a true leader. Still, I think they are all safe. I think the deaths will be the 2 patrolmen from question 8.
Final Thoughts – What is the significance of Michonne and Daryl’s scars? They keep focusing on them.
Bob: It’s scarification in honor of Rick.
Chris: Friendship scars?
Raylene: Organ donors but that’s very far-fetched or some weird tattoos in solitary of Rick being gone
Kent: I am to steal anybody’s responses as I didn’t consider any of these things. My hope is that we find out that other’s also have these scars. I think it would really be neat if there is a dark backstory to it. 5+ years is a long time. Maybe they tangled with a group that tied them up and carved them. It’s far from improbable. Carol, Ezekiel, Eugene, Rosita, any of them could have them. That is my terrible theory that has nothing to do with Rick. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that Rick has is as well. You know, Rick, Daryl, and Michonne are basically Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
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