Now PlayingWatch The AMC's The Walking Dead Midseason Preview | 'New Enemy'
The Walking Dead finally revealed how Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) got those X-shaped scars on their backs, and, well, it was worse than I thought it was going to be, which made for a better episode than I was expecting.
The scars were first glimpsed in the first episode after the post-Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) time jump, and they were very pointedly not explained. Characters would obliquely refer to something terrible that happened that made Michonne unwilling to welcome outsiders into Alexandria, which is the opposite of what Rick and Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Michonne herself had wanted. I knew it had to be something really traumatic, but the kind of awkward way the show teased it drawing attention to the obvious way characters weren't talking about it, which lazily signaled "this will be important later on" primed me for an anticlimactic reveal. What could possibly be so bad that Michonne would do a 180 on the principles she'd previously been trying to convince others of? Plus the show put the story on the back burner and basically forgot about it until it was time to remember. So the way we got to the story was flawed, but the story itself was satisfying.
The episode aptly titled "Scars" was a Michonne-heavy hour that gave the show's two post-Rick leads quality time together. But honestly? The best part of the episode was Judith (Cailey Fleming). Fleming is a really gifted child actor. While her precocious dialogue wouldn't work for a kid outside of the heightened Walking Dead world, Fleming delivers it with confidence and fluency. It doesn't feel beyond her. You buy that she's a kid who can talk to adults, probably because as a high-level child actor, she is. Her competence is a welcome change from the traditionally subpar acting from The Walking Dead's youth corps.
The Walking Dead's Ryan Hurst Breaks Down Beta's Imposing Arrival
"Scars" flipped back and forth between timelines, one in the show's present and one shortly after Rick disappeared, when Michonne was pregnant with R.J. The two stories paralleled each other, and we saw how Michonne became the way she was and how she got over it (we had been seeing the middle of Michonne's story all season). And Michonne closing off her heart and her community made sense after we saw why.
Michonne was terribly lonely after Rick died or disappeared (she's not sure which), and then, miraculously, an old friend from college named Jocelyn (guest star Rutina Wesley) showed up at Alexandria's gates needing help. Jocelyn was the sole adult leading a group of kids, and Alexandria welcomed them all in. Michonne was thrilled to have someone she loved and who knew her knew her as she used to be back in her life, and the kids fit right in at Alexandria. But after a few days, Michonne went to pick up Judith from Jocelyn's house to find this woman she thought was her friend had raided the pantry and infirmary, killed a sentry, and worst of all, absconded with Alexandria's children. So Michonne and Daryl set out after her.
They found her and her child soldiers hiding out in an old schoolhouse. One of the kids shot Daryl in the shoulder with an arrow while another knocked Michonne out. She woke up to find herself and Daryl bound and gagged while one of the kids heated up a cattle brand. Jocelyn explained her warped version of "the children are our future," and then Daryl and Michonne were branded, which explains the scars. Eventually they got free, and Michonne ended up killing Jocelyn and all the kids. She didn't want to, but they were trying to stab her in her pregnant belly. I liked how the show paralleled Michonne taking out walkers in the present while saving Judith in a way that reminded her of that day in the past so that we didn't have to see her massacring a bunch of kids. So yeah, Michonne had to do horrible things to keep her people safe, and the thing that made her unwilling to let outsiders in was pretty much the worst thing that could possibly have happened. I get why Michonne closed Alexandria now.
Discover Your Next Favorite Show: Watch This Now!
But Judith managed to convince her to change her mind. Judith was mad at Michonne for not allowing Daryl, Henry (Matt Lintz), and Connie (Lauren Ridloff) to stay, since Lydia (Cassady McClincy) was with them. Judith wants to help friends in need, and and so she snuck out to go bring them back. Michonne got a hard truth from Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), of all people, who told her that Judith wants to abide by the principles Carl explained in his deathbed letter to her, and that it's because she's Michonne's daughter that she has her own ideas about how things should be. Michonne has raised her to be an independent thinker, you know?
Eventually she caught up to Judith, and after saving her from some walkers, she told her about that day, including the part about how Judith seemed like she didn't recognize her when she found her. To her surprise, Judith remembered. "You didn't look like you because of the blood," Judith said. "Then I saw it was you and I was happy you found me." She remembered all of it. And she understood why her mother didn't want to help people, she just didn't agree. "Loving someone means doing whatever it takes to keep them safe, right?" she said. "But when did we stop loving Daryl, and Maggie, Carol, the King?"
Later, over Carl's grave, Michonne delivered a moving monologue. "Your father and I dug this together," she said. "And that day, standing right here, I made a promise to never bury another child again. But then your father was gone, and I was lost. And then you were lost. And I was scared. More scared than I have ever been. Before or since. And I wasn't the only one, so we decided to make this place only about the people who lived here. And that's not what Carl or your dad gave their lives to create, but it kept you and R.J. safe. That's what I wanted. That is all I wanted. You were right. We have to protect the people we love. All the people we love. And we will."
So they went out in a minivan that had been converted into a horse-drawn cart by cutting the top off of it and picked up their friends and set out for the Kingdom. Unfortunately, the Kingdom and its fair have been discovered by the Whisperers, which will surely create problems in the last two episodes of the season.
The episode furthered the theme of schism and reunification that has animated Season 9. Throughout the season, The Walking Dead has implicitly asked, "What do we owe our friends and neighbors?" And in "Scars," it answered it: aid in times of need.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC. Previous seasons are available to stream on Netflix.
PHOTOS: Every Actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Who's Been Nominated for an Oscar
Originally posted here:
The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 14 Recap: Michonne and ...
- The Walking Dead: Season 11 | Rotten Tomatoes - April 22nd, 2024
- About The Walking Dead | News, Bios and Photos | AMC - April 22nd, 2024
- How to Recreate the Most Iconic Location From The Walking Dead in 3D - 80.lv - April 22nd, 2024
- The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol Sets Tribeca Debut - Bleeding Cool News - April 22nd, 2024
- The Walking Dead star joins Superman movie in major role - Digital Spy - April 22nd, 2024
- Rick Grimes' Ending Finally Honored The Big Promise Walking Dead Made In Season 5 - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- When Will 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' Season 2 Premiere? - UPROXX - April 21st, 2024
- The Surprising Reason HBO Turned Down 'The Walking Dead' - Collider - April 21st, 2024
- "You Really Have to Consider What He's Been Through": Walking Dead Creator Admits It's Hard to Root for Rick, But ... - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- Robert Kirkman: The Walking Dead Animated Series Can't Happen "Until I Get the Rights Back From AMC" - ComicBook.com - April 21st, 2024
- Morgan Jones' Got The Sendoff He Deserved On Fear The Walking Dead - CBR - Comic Book Resources - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead Animated Series Happening Depends On One Important Thing - GameRant - April 21st, 2024
- Robert Kirkman Says The Walking Dead Animated Series Can Only Happen Under One Condition - MovieWeb - April 21st, 2024
- Daryl Dixon season 2 could make the Walking Dead universe even better here's why - Tom's Guide - April 21st, 2024
- 7 New Walking Dead Villains That Could Replace The CRM - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Fails Rick Grimes and Here Are All the Reasons Why He Deserves A Better Fate - Hollywood.com - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Is a Reckoning of Hope - Reactor - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman Shares What's Holding Back the Planned Animated Series - CBR - Comic Book Resources - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead Crossover Plans Now Face A Huge Obstacle Thanks To Rick Grimes - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- Behind the scenes as 'Dead City' films in Taunton We talked to zombie, caterer and more - Taunton Daily Gazette - April 21st, 2024
- Die creators Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans' new original graphic novel is a cross between The Walking Dead and ... - Gamesradar - April 21st, 2024
- 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' Season 2 and 'Presumed Innocent' Headline the 2024 Tribeca Festival TV Lineup - Collider - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman wants an animated show, but there's one issue - Winter is Coming - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead Crossover Plans Now Face A Huge Obstacle Thanks To Rick Grimes - imdb - April 21st, 2024
- Tom Payne and Wife Jennifer kerman Welcome Twins (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 5 Trailer - ComicBook.com - March 24th, 2024
- What The Song Means In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 4 (Does It Reveal The Ending?) - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Invincible Season 2 Is Avoiding A Problem That Nearly Killed The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Invincible Season 2 Has A Walking Dead Easter Egg You Might Have Missed - Looper - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 4 Review What We - Den of Geek - March 24th, 2024
- 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Episode 4 Recap: It's Rick, Michonne, and Carl? - Collider - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead Includes a Rare Sex Scene on The Ones Who Live: 'It Is About Pain,' Says Andrew Lincoln - PEOPLE - March 24th, 2024
- Daryl Dixon Season 2 Release, Cast & Everything We Know - The Direct - March 24th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Episodes 5 & 6 Get Ominous Tease From Walking Dead EP - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- TWD The Ones Who Live Episode 5 Trailer: Rick & Michonne Find Trouble Escaping - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Does Rick Leave the CRM on The Ones Who Live? - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 24th, 2024
- Into The Kirkmanverse? Invincible Teases A Major Connection To The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Pulled a Bait-and-Switch on Walking Dead Fans, But It Works - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 24th, 2024
- Well, That Was The Walking Dead's Raunchiest Episode Since The Show Began In 2010 - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Invincible x The Walking Dead Crossover is Now Likelier Than Ever Due to This Season 2 Character - imdb - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live episode 5 - Release date & time, where to watch, and more - Sportskeeda - March 24th, 2024
- Rick Grimes Just Massively Insulted Lori, 12 Years After Her Walking Dead Exit - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Ep. 4 Review: "What We" Needed - Bleeding Cool News - March 24th, 2024
- I Asked AI What TV Characters Who Died Too Soon Would Look Like If They Still Alive Today - BuzzFeed - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Rick has a tough decision to make in "What We" - Winter is Coming - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - A Testament to Survival and Humanity - Age Of The Nerd - March 16th, 2024
- Which Side Thorne Is On In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live? Why She Tries To Shoot Michonne Explained - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Where The CRM's New US Mountain Base Is Located In The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Season 2 Gets Cryptic Tease From Walking Dead Showrunner - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Theory: The CRM's Echelon Briefing May Have Sinister Plans - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 16th, 2024
- What Would Happen To The Walking Dead's Main Group If The CRM Found Alexandria - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Predicting The CRM's 500-Year Plan In The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Walking Dead's Creator Admits 1 Criticism of the Franchise Is 100% True - IMDb - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 3 Clip Shows Rick Trying To Make A Deal With Jadis - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live leaves us on the edge of our seats in Episode 3 - Winter is Coming - March 16th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live's Villain Just Nailed Rick Grimes' Entire Walking Dead Story With One Line - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Best Horror Games Where Your Choices Matter - TheGamer - March 16th, 2024
- 'The Ones Who Live' Showrunner Wants to Keep Future Plans Open - Collider - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Star Addresses Shocking Return (Exclusive) - ComicBook.com - March 16th, 2024
- Five Thoughts On The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live's Bye - Multiversity Comics - March 16th, 2024
- Walking Dead: Ones Who Live Star Explains Why Jadis Is Loyal To The CRM - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Pollyanna McIntosh Breaks Down Jadis' Return In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Walking Dead's Danai Gurira on the "big question mark" in The Ones Who Live - Digital Spy - March 16th, 2024
- A Major General Beale Clue Supports 1 Exciting Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Ending Theory - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Tests A Time-Honored Relationship - SlashFilm - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead Makes 1 Important Change To Rick Losing His Hand In The Ones Who Live - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- 'A's and 'B's: How 'The Ones Who Live' Solves A 'Walking Dead' Mystery - TV Insider - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead Explains A Mystery From Season 10 (Then Immediately Ruins It) - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- 'The Ones Who Live' Pulls Off a Feat 'The Walking Dead' Failed For Years to Accomplish - Pajiba Entertainment News - March 8th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Just Introduced The Walking Dead's Most Impressive Zombie Weapons Yet - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 2 Review Gone - Den of Geek - March 8th, 2024
- What keeps "The Walking Dead" moving forward? Showrunner Scott Gimple insists "love is the fuel" - Salon - March 8th, 2024
- Rick and Michonne's 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Reunion Isn't What We Expected - Collider - March 8th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Is Subtly Teasing A Major Walking Dead Character Cameo - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 1 Twist Explained - TheWrap - March 8th, 2024
- How Well Do You Know the Cast of 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live'? - Collider - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Stakes Out AMCs Best Premiere Viewership In 6 Years - Deadline - March 8th, 2024
- Andrew Lincoln On Scaring Jon Bernthal And Makeup On The Walking Dead' - UPROXX - March 8th, 2024
- Will There Be 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Season 2? The Stars Weigh In. - The Mary Sue - March 8th, 2024
- INTERVIEW: TWD: The Ones Who Live's Matthew August Jeffers on "Terrifying" Plot Twist - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 8th, 2024
Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero