In Sundays Season 9 finale, The Walking Dead went from the apocalypse to snowmageddon. But of course the big question was, did Alpha ice any more of our survivors? Read on and find out
RELATED STORIES
WELL NEVER FORGET THE MAGIC WE FELT IN THIS PLACE | As The Storm began, Ezekiel gave a radio address of sorts in which he recounted the fall of the Kingdom. (Guess the trade fair wasnt exactly the cure-all hed hoped it would be, what with the mass murder and all.) Once hed wrapped up his voiceover, he, Carol, Daryl, Michonne, Jerry, Lydia OK, half the cast led the Kingdommers down the path to their new home away from home Hilltop. Along the way, Michonne learned from Yumiko that Hilltops council had thus far been unable to come to any security resolutions. Whats more, Maggie hadnt answered any of their letters. Nearby, Daryl stuck up for Lydia when Alden took a verbal swipe at her. And when her protector caught Carol glaring, he reminded his bestie that Henry wanted her here. Shes a good kid. Alas, Carol saw only her son when she looked at Lydia. What, then, did she see when she looked at Daryl? I see you, Carol insisted. As the temperature dropped and the titular storm drew near, the group decided that theyd have to travel all night in order to beat it to the next way station.
After Daryl and Carol shot a couple of walkers with arrows, Ezekiel sent Carol on with the caravan; hed retrieve the shafts with Daryl. Once the men were alone, Ezekiel said that after the rough few months he and his queen had endured, he thought it would be easier for them to make a fresh start at Hilltop if it was just us. He wasnt trying to be a royal pain, he added, he was just trying to get back some of what hed lost. You think you can give me that? In familiar Daryl fashion, he didnt answer. Meanwhile, Lydia wandered off from the group and was thisclose to letting a walker bite her (a la a suicidal Charlie on Fear TWD) when Carol happened upon the scene and wordlessly ushered her back to the road. Since it turned out the gang would need shelter before the next way station, they holed up for the night at the Sanctuary.
I FEEL LIKE IM LOSING MYSELF AGAIN | During a moment alone with Daryl, Carol asked if something had happened between him and Ezekiel, and assured him that the King only blames you [for Henrys death] because he cant let himself blame me. Needless to say, Carol was having a bad time of it. After she admitted, Im really trying to hang on, but I dont know what Im doing, Daryl offered to take Lydia away, keep her safe somewhere on his own. Did he want that? Carol asked. No, he replied. Later, the groups leaders realized that they had to reach Hilltop before the storm made the roads impassable, potentially for weeks. They could cut their travel time by a lot, Carol noted, if they just walked across the frozen pond. When Ezekiel pointed out that that route was a straight shot through Alphas territory, Carol responded, Those borders are hers, not ours. Whats more, they could go under cover of darkness, Michonne suggested. The Whisperers neednt know they were ever there.
Before setting off to traverse the pond, Ezekiel and Michonne took turns playing the blame game. He held himself responsible for the fall of the Kingdom, she beat herself up for the time that the communities spent apart. That woman was able to walk among us because we didnt know each other, she said. We can never let that happen again. And they wouldnt, they swore. When at last the group reached the pond, Lydia again went missing. While Carol took off to find her, everyone else discovered that buried in the snow beneath them were hungry walkers a cool different effect than wed ever seen (which is hard to do nine seasons in!). While they fought off the zombiecicles, Carol located Lydia, who begged Henrys mother to kill her. Everythings gonna be better when Im gone, she said, pointing Carols spear at her chest. Her own mother was right; she was too weak. Instead of off Lydia, Carol jabbed a walker and tearfully told the girl that she wasnt weak.
YOU COULD TRY TO BE A LITTLE LESS PREDICTABLE | While all of that was going on, the residents of Alexandria were forced by malfunctioning solar panels to huddle up wherever there were the biggest fireplaces. Negan, sprung from his cell for the duration of the storm, delighted in a) being in a new room and b) getting to observe firsthand the awkward quadrangle that had formed between Rosita and her men. Its like Christmas to me! he chuckled. Since the chimney flue turned out to be, as Eugene put it, completely gunkified, theyd have to move to Aarons house with RJ and Judith, who was concerned because shed misplaced Dog. As they attempted to move through the storm, Judith heard Dog barking and took off to find him; in turn, Negan took off to find her. By the hardest he got whacked by flying debris he managed to get both the little girl and my favorite character to safety.
The following morning, Ezekiel, Carol and their entourage arrived at Hilltop, which Jerry immediately wanted to rename Kingtop. Daryl and Lydia would be heading to Alexandria the next day. It sounded nice to Alphas daughter; whyd he leave. One day, hed tell her, he said. Nearby, Carol broke it to Ezekiel that shed be moving to Alexandria and returned his ring. He understood, but I will never stop loving you, he said. And Ill never regret the fairy tale, she replied. When the Alexandrians subsequently made it home, a snowball fight broke out that allowed us to see Lydia happier than shed ever been. Even Carol participated. After Michonne was reunited with her kids, she paid a visit to the infirmary to thank Negan for saving Judith. And their interaction was almost friendly?!? He even commiserated over Ezekiels loss of the Kingdom and called crossing into Alphas turf ballsy.
WELL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT | Next thing we knew, it appeared to be spring, and the Whisperers were back from their winter holiday. The time away has been good for the pack and for you, Beta told Alpha. Mm-hmm. But Ive made mistakes I cant make again, she said. Ill need to be stronger for what comes next. With that, she had her right-hand man lash her arm as if to make her impervious to pain. Finally, as the episode and the season came to an end, Ezekiel and Judith chatted over the radio. Once they were done and hed stepped away, a staticky message came across. Is anybody out there? So, what did you think of The Storm? After last week, I thought it was anticlimactic (though I did dig the snow zombies). Grade the finale in the poll below, then hit the comments.
Read more:
The Walking Dead Season 9, Episode 16, Recap: Did Alpha ...
- 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
- 'Lots of Tears': Danai Gurira Opens Up on Michonne's Return in TWD: The Ones Who Live - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 8th, 2024
- Five Thoughts On The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live's Gone - Multiversity Comics - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Needs to Quit All the Time Jumps - Den of Geek - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 2 ending explained: Rick bringing Michonne to the CRM becomes a ... - Sportskeeda - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live first two episodes, now that's a love story! - Undead Walking - March 8th, 2024
- Walking Dead just did something with Rick Grimes that it said it never would - Digital Spy - February 28th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Years - TV Fanatic - February 28th, 2024
- How to Watch The Walking Dead and its Spinoffs in Order - MovieWeb - February 28th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 1 recap: The return of Rick - Dexerto - February 28th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live finally solves huge Walking Dead mystery - Digital Spy - February 28th, 2024
- There is no imminent plan for all 'Walking Dead' shows to link up - Entertainment Weekly News - February 28th, 2024
- Who is Craig Tate who plays Lt. Col. Donald Okafor in The Ones Who Live? - Undead Walking - February 28th, 2024
- 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Episode 1 Recap: Rick and Michonne Are Back! - Collider - February 28th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live surprise viewers with that scene in episode 1 - Undead Walking - February 28th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 1 Review Years - Den of Geek - February 28th, 2024
- Will There Be a The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Season 2 Release Date & Is It Coming Out? - ComingSoon.net - February 28th, 2024
- How to watch The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - Dexerto - February 28th, 2024
- How Did the CRM Hurt Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead? - CBR - Comic Book Resources - February 28th, 2024
- What Walking Dead Shows You Should Watch Before The Ones Who Live - Screen Rant - February 28th, 2024
- How to watch The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (for free) - NJ.com - February 28th, 2024
- Walking Dead Boss Reveals If World Beyond Is Required Viewing For The Ones Who Live - Screen Rant - February 28th, 2024
- Walking Dead Finally Delivers a Rick Grimes Moment Fans Have Been Waiting For - Den of Geek - February 28th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Actor Comments on Shocking Debut - CBR - Comic Book Resources - February 28th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live: Everything to Know Before Rick and Michonnes Reunion - Hollywood Reporter - February 28th, 2024
- 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Opening Minutes Rick Is at His Lowest - Collider - February 28th, 2024
- Take a look at the second trailer for 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' - 101.5 CIL-FM - February 3rd, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Cast & Character Guide - MovieWeb - February 3rd, 2024
- The Walking Dead's Rick and Michonne Operators Teased in Call of Duty Collab Ahead of Spin-off Release - FandomWire - February 3rd, 2024
- The Last of Us' Best No Return Strategy Comes from Telltale's The Walking Dead - GameRant - February 3rd, 2024
- AMC/AMC+ Presents: The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Premiere event - Undead Walking - February 3rd, 2024
- The Walking Dead Is Officially Coming To Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Pure Xbox - February 3rd, 2024
- THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE Final Trailer Teases "A War Against The Living" - CBM (Comic Book Movie) - February 3rd, 2024
- The Walking Dead Heroes Invade CALL OF DUTY In Season 2! - GameTyrant - February 3rd, 2024
- The Ones Who Live: Rick and Michonne's love might not be passionate, but it's true love - Undead Walking - February 3rd, 2024
- 12 Things We're Hoping To See In Rick Grimes' Walking Dead Show, The Ones Who Live - Screen Rant - February 3rd, 2024
- Call of Duty teases The Walking Dead collab featuring Rick and Michonne - Destructoid - February 3rd, 2024
- Fear the Walking Dead's Garrett Dillahunt and Ray McKinnon in The Dead Don't Hurt - Undead Walking - February 3rd, 2024
- Danai Gurira is back as Michonne in new promo for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - Undead Walking - February 3rd, 2024
- The best of Rick and Michonne and Cast Diaries coming to AMC+ in February - Undead Walking - February 3rd, 2024
- MW3 players slam garbage The Walking Dead crossover camos - Dexerto - February 3rd, 2024
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Warzone Season 2 Arrives with The Walking Dead Collaboration - Hardcore Gamer - February 3rd, 2024
- What to expect from The Walking Dead crossover in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone - Sportskeeda - February 3rd, 2024
- The Second Trailer Has Been Released For The Upcoming THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE Premiering ... - Age Of The Nerd - February 3rd, 2024
- CoD: Warzone And MW3 Season 2 Puts Rick Grimes In The Battle Pass, Plus New MP Maps And Modes - GameSpot - February 3rd, 2024
- The Walking Dead crosses over with Call of Duty in latest Season 2 trailer - Gaming Trend - February 3rd, 2024
Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero