THE WALKING DEAD 5.16

**Contains Spoilers**

Season 5 Finale - "Conquer"

Wow, for ninety minutes, my nerves are wrecked! What an amazing finale full of intensity, walkers, and plenty of moral choices that we all love in true AMC fashion. To add to the intensity, I'm trying to text with other friends who are fans, I'm trying to keep up with the Story Sync, and keeping notes. Which, it's always a good Sunday when my Story Sync Survival Character is one of y favorites, which today's was Daryl - SCORE! There was a lot of chatter that Daryl was going to die, and tears were actually forming when there was a scene where it could have happened, a couple times over. SO glad that he didn't though, in case you want to know who died, rest assured, no one in Rick's group died for the finale. However, two Alexandrian's did, which we'll get to later. For now though, Conquer opens with the mystery man himself, Morgan! We all have been wondering what he's been up to, where he's been, and just when he's going to meet up with the group, and now most of those questions have been answered.

When we see Morgan he's waking up rather nicely, he's obviously in a better place mentally as well. He sees the rabbit's foot hanging from the rear view mirror of the car he is camped out in, and he must be smiling because he had left his rabbit's foot at the altar in the church, and now it could be he's reminded of something that we'll learn more about him later when season six returns. However, things turn dangerously quickly, as he's fixing a meal by campfire, a guy comes out and is holding a gun to Morgan. However, Morgan doesn't flinch. It's a great scene between this stranger and our beloved Morgan. Stranger Danger! It's soon revealed that this guy has the long pondered "W" on his forehead. When Morgan asks him about the marking the guy explains the original settlers of the land and how there was a bounty on wolves heads. He doesn't seem quite right in the head. He also explains how they meet new people, how they are essentially hunting people, trapping them, and as we know they have been killing them. This stranger, along with another companion try to take Morgan out, he goes all Kung Fu or Jedi Master on the two guys with his walking stick and knocks them out. Morgan repeatedly suggests that they walk away, but they don't listen. He's more zen now and has a new perspective that I can't wait to learn more about next season! After he knocks the two wolves out, he puts them in the car and at first I thought he honked the horn to call walkers in on them, but on Talking Dead they explained how he did this to make sure there were no walkers around. It's amazing how scenes can be read differently. After he honks he horn, he's face to face with the rabbit's foot and ends up taking it with him. Wonderful opening scene and really kicks off the finale with a great punch!

There are so many amazing scenes in the finale! One of my favorites is seeing Daryl back on a bike again! Him and Aaron are off tracking someone wearing a red poncho, when they lose him at a big grocery store Aaron explains that they are fifty miles away from home, and that while they are planning on bring more people to Alexandria, people still have to eat. They go to investigate the grocery store to see if they can score any food. There are a couple walkers out in the fenced in parking lot which they take down easily enough between the two of them. Aaron scores an Alaskan license plate, and while Daryl is checking things out, I felt that he was reading the area and he wasn't too sure about things. When Aaron opens one of the food trailers in the loading bay, it sets off a series of traps and rigs, when the doors of the trailers open they are full of "W" walkers. It's a crazy-intense scene and a few times I was screaming because the walkers were closing in on one of my favorite characters, Daryl. There is a wicked scene with Daryl using a chain to take out a couple walkers too. The duo manages to find a reprieve in a car, which another totally gross scene when Aaron closes the door on a walkers head! Great stuff. While they are inside the car Daryl finds a note that reads "bad people coming, don't stay" - WHAT! I can't take it if Daryl dies and I'll need more than any form of grief counseling from Talking Dead, there were a few times tears definitely were present tonight when I thought that the rumors might be coming true and tonight was Daryl's finale too. My eyes started watering when Daryl told Aaron that he was going to go out first, it sounded as though Daryl was going to sacrifice himself so that Aaron could get away, he just wanted to finish his cigarette first. I was literally screaming at my screen a slew of profanities. However, thank goodness Aaron is a stand-up guy and says that they'll fight together. I think Daryl has known the W's on the foreheads of the walkers isn't just anything, it's something bad and it seems to be gaining momentum, and that's why he has more of a conviction now with his new title, he wants to save the good people from the bad ones out there. Amazingly, as the two guys are going to push their way out into the walkers and take their fate in their own hands, Morgan shows up to help them escape the threat! It's another fabulous scene because they introduce themselves. Aaron wastes no time and invites Morgan to Alexandria, but he's not having it. Morgan explains how he is sort of lost and he could use some directional help. He passes his map to Daryl, who sees the map and it all clicks.

R.I.P Porch Dick

There was a sneak peek from last week of the scene between Carol and Pete, and it was still amazing in this episode. To see how far Carol's character has come, I think it will be interesting to see if Carol and Jesse form any sort of friendship or bonds because they share similar pasts, and Sam seems to be growing more and more attached to Carol. There is a great scene where she is telling Pete how small and insignifant he is and now in this reality they live in, he's even more of a coward and a nothing. Although, when she was saying this I was thinking, you just told him how he needs to tend to Tara, he is a surgeon, so he does have some use, and yet you are telling him he's nothing. But, I get it, she was basically the cat playing with the yarn ball, which in this case the yarn ball is Pete's ego. After she leaves him he starts flipping out destroying the house they put him in, away from his wife. Which later, he sees out his window Rick leaving Jesse's and his facial expression is quite sinister.

Definitely watch the episode, it's just jam packed, and I definitely don't want to give all the goodies away. It is an amazing episode and one that you don't want to miss, for sure. Just like in the comics, Rick wakes up all patched up in bed. As he chuckles lightly to himself Michonne has been there and repeats "What's so funny?" Questioning his sanity maybe too. She fills him in on who's been there and what's been going on since she had to knock him out. The door opens as Glenn, Carol, and Abraham enter his temporary confinement. They ask about the gun he had and Carol quickly plays it off that Rick must have stolen the gun and that it was a stupid move on his part. Michonne has a quick reaction to this as if she could read what was going on. The topic changes to discuss that Deanna is having a meeting and the strategy for their group to take control. It's evident that Carol and Rick are on board with taking things over, however Glenn, Abraham, and Michonne don't seem so thrilled about this plan. Later, Carol and Rick have a conversation and she gives him another gun, Rick confides in her that he doesn't want to lie anymore and there is a wicked scene where Carol tells Rick "Oh Sunshine, you don't get both." Meaning he can't overtake Alexandria and not lie anymore either, he can't have his cake and eat it too basically. He also has a great scene with Michonne as they have a great discussion, he comes clean with her about the plans they had for taking the guns. He even hands over the gun Carol had brought him when no one was looking, but she doesn't take it and pushes it back to him. She trusts him and they reconnect, she lets him know that no matter what she's with him. When Rick finally leaves his recovering dwelling, he walks past three big guys and then connects eyes with Deanna who's watching him. I'm pretty sure she's sizing up her poker hand against Rick's and knows she doesn't have what it takes.

Maggie and Deanna seem to be butting heads about the meeting Deanna has called. Deanna wants people to talk about what happened and Maggie tried to tell Deanna that they need Rick. When Maggie reads Deanna and walks away, Deanna's husband stops Maggie, he understands more and respects Rick I think and he has a nice chat with Maggie, he understands and he seems to be on their side. She goes to Glenn and explains to Glenn what's going on, meanwhile Nicholas has been watching Glenn. After Maggie tells Glenn that she wants to talk to the rest of the group and leaves Glenn, he sees Nicholas climbing the fence and goes to investigate more. He follows Nicholas through the woods until Nicholas shoots Glenn!! It's a shoulder wound and Glenn flew back down a hill, when Nicholas goes to find Glenn, he isn't there. When Nicholas seems mindlessly walking through the woods, he comes across a walker. He contemplates on using his knife, but he's too much of a coward and shoots the walker. Glenn attacks Nicholas and they go at it, Nicholas takes every opportunity to push and dig at Glenns gun shot wound. This made me want to hurt Nicholas in very bad ways!! Glenn is one of my favorite characters! As the two are going at it on the ground there are walkers inbound. Nicholas moves and leaves the walkers landing on top of Glenn.

Earlier, Sasha had been outside the wall cleaning up the walker bodies and carting them off to a pit. In a very eerie scene, she lays down on top of the walkers and seems to finally let go. I think she's been holding on to so much and she finally understand she needs help. At first I interpreted this scene as she was laying on them because she thought this is where she would inevitably end up. Later, on the Talking Dead, they discussed this scene and Melissa McBride (Carol) thought of the scene as peaceful, which is another interesting perspective. Later, when Sasha returns she's sitting in Father Gabriel's make-shift church. He had ventured outside of the walls as well. They're mental journeys have been frustrating, especially Gabriel's, I've wanted to kill him myself. Before Gabriel leaves the gates, he comments to Spencer "the word of God is all the protection I need". Didn't he say this before to Rick and his group when they first met him? Worked well for him didn't it? i don't know if he's just in denial or what, but for a man of God his character and attributes are very disappointing for someone of faith. I understand he's human and they've really honed in on that aspect of his character. When Father Gabriel is outside of the walls he runs into a walker and has to take it out along with another one, and then he has this real moment of breaking. When he returned, the meeting is about to commence and Spencer asks Gabriel to close the gate. Gabriel is still not all there and nonchalantly closes the gate, which doesn't latch, leaving Alexandria open and exposed.

Meanwhile, Rick goes home and is greeted by Carl and comments how the people of Alexandria needs them and they'll die without the help of Rick and his family. Rick tells Carl how he might have to threaten the people of Alexandria, but Carl's wisdom speaks and says, "tell them so that they can hear you". Meaning, tell the people not with blood and waving a gun, but speak to them as people. Michonne comes to Rick to ask if he's ready, this is when he comes clean with her, and she leaves understanding that he'll be at Deanna's meeting. Her words of wisdom for Rick, "We can find a way." But, as he looks out the window after she's gone, he sees the unlatched Alexandria gate and goes to investigate. He's running the walls, and when he finally finds the Walkers, the meeting has already started, but he takes the Walkers down in some pretty gnarly ways. Back to Sasha and Father Gabriel, she asks Father Gabriel for guidance and he denies her. Gabriel continues to lash out at Sasha and she fights back, literally they get into a physical altercation. She has her rifle to his head when Maggie intercedes. Back to Nicholas and Glenn, Glenn has a gun to Nicholas' head too, but Maggie isn't there to stop him. He stops himself. Would you have pulled either trigger? It will definitely be interesting to see how these relationships continue on through the next season. I think it helps Rick's group in Alexandria that they didn't pull the triggers, but in the reality of that world, I think pulling the triggers would have been the better options. Now Nicholas will have to go back and tell the truth, if he even does. And Father Gabriel will have to reconcile with Sasha, hopefully he will apologize for the hurtful things he said to her. I think during the meeting, Maggie was talking about her dad which might have helped her to reclaim the Hershel teachings.

R.I.P Reg

During the meeting, before Rick, Glenn and other missing people arrive Deanna starts the meeting. She explains how they are going to talk about Rick, how he stole the gun, and what happened. Maggie comments that they should wait a little longer, but Deanna starts anyway and then comments that it's getting dark. Each of Rick's group that is present take their turn in telling the rest of the people how Rick has saved them, and how he means the best. Deanna stops them and for full disclosure, she informs them what Father Gabriel had told her. But, thank goodness Jessee speaks up and asks if she taped him, because it's just her repeating what Gabriel told her and he wasn't at the meeting to confirm that. She looks momentarily defeated before Rick arrives at the meeting with a walker slung over his shoulder. He throws the walker down on the ground and tells them that the gate was open, how this happens, and that they need to prepare. The group finally seems to joining and everyone getting on the same page when Pete arrives all bitched out with a machete in his hand, when Reg (Deanna's husband) tries to talk Pete down since Pete is proclaiming "He's not one of us!" But, Pete slits Reg's throat, and Abraham quickly takes Pete down as the people are dealing with what is happening. Deanna has her dying husband in her arms, blood everywhere when she tells Rick to "do it", without any hesitation Rick executes Pete. To which you hear Morgan, "Rick?"

Afterthoughts

After this amazing episode, I truly think season six will pick up with the No Way Out story arc. This was an amazing finale, they really answered questions, and set us up to pick right back up when we come back to the season six premiere. My nerves were wrecked during this episode! There were so many intense scenes, but I am beyond thrilled that no one else (in Rick's group) died; although I was routing for Father Gabriel to get it! I was really really hoping that when Maggie interrupted Sasha, that Maggie would have pulled the trigger. But, I get it - Maggie wants to do the right thing because she's grooming for leadership. There was a very nice scene afterward of the three of them (Sasha, Maggie, and Gabriel) praying together. I guess it is inevitable in their reality that people are going to lose their shit every once in awhile, and that's part of being the family Maggie was explaining to everyone too; they'll help each other through those tough times because they are survivors, they've been there, and they know there is another side.

There was another great scene when Abraham brought some flowers to Tara, but when he saw Eugene at her bedside he tried backing out of the room. But, Rosita wasn't having it. She told him Eugene was sleeping, and when Abraham was trying to come in without waking Eugene, Rosita knocked over some bed pans or something that made a lot of noise, waking Eugene. So Abraham and Eugene had to have this real moment where Eugene came clean and apologized, and Abraham followed suite. Later, during the end of the episode there were quick scenes where Tara woke up and is awake. We don't know anything other than that for now, from what we can tell she is well, we don't know if there will be any side effects to her head trauma. But, I'm sure Eugene is thrilled she's awake too. I've grown fond of Tara and I really like her character development. She was this smart-ass punk when we first met her through the Governor, and now she's a valuable member of The Family. I lover her relationship with Eugene and I look forward to next season to see more. She doesn't know yet that Noah died, let alone so much more that has been developing while she was out. I'm sure there will be a great scene where Eugene takes full credit for her survival in his Tennessee Top Hat dapper way.

It will also be interesting to see the aftermath of the meeting, how Deanna is going to handle losing so much so quickly. I can see Maggie sort of being her crutch at this point and showing that she can he a leader. On a side note, I would like to see Sasha have something else to distract her, maybe Spencer? Watching the marathon I picked up on when he opened the door and their first meeting, she wasn't in her right mind really at that time, but maybe once she can pull herself together more, maybe there will be something there that can help her along her way, maybe another budding romance to go along with Carl's and his mysterious Enid. I think there is more to her than we know of too. They've definitely set-up The Wolves for next season. This episode we got to see their party trailers, but so far we've only seen the two, will there be more? It is going to be very interesting to see how AMC presents this next season to us and how all this will play out.

Sneak Peek - FEAR THE WALKING DEAD

Everyone Wants to Know - Where's Negan?

Granted, I fully trust the powers behind the scenes of The Walking Dead and AMC, I know they're going to bring him in when it's right, and for the most impact. I know it's been on my mind about Negan because I don't want to lose anymore of the group, and with his introduction we'll lose a crucial member! Anyway, recently I came across a YouTube channel and there is a gentleman that proposes the No Negan Campaign, he has valid points, and I'm so thankful that he put it all in perspective for me! Basically he reminds us that we need crucial things to happen through another entirely different story arc in No Way Out before we get to Negan and All Out War, plain and simple. Before Negan we also need Jesus and Hilltop too (another valid point made by the above mentioned video). I definitely want to see Jesus on-screen and can't wait to see it all come to life. There is just so much more story and possibilities before we get to Negan! So, I am officially on the no Negan (yet) campaign! We as fans need to be patient and exercise some faith and trust in AMC.

Links

AMC The Walking Dead Story Sync

IMDb.com - The Walking Dead

Make a Path Presents - No Negan Campaign