The Walking Dead Season 9, Episode 5 “What Comes After” Review

Last week, Rick got injured by falling of his horse which leads him to getting impaled on a metal rebar as he loses conscious as the episode ends. This week, not only we are shown the final moments of Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead, but we also see new characters at the end of the episode along with a good twist from the comic series. Time to deep in “What Comes After” which is also the same name as volume 18 of the comic series (the material of volume 18 however, was also most of the first half of Season 7 of the TV series).

Rick gets his way out of the scary situation by pulling himself up with the belt he had on as the double herds of walkers were approaching him. He then gets on the horse to lead the herd away as he is bleeding out on his way. During this along with the beginning of the episode, Rick has hallucinations from previous scenes of his journey starting with the hospital along with the characters that are no longer here such as Hershel at the barn, Shane at the scene of the pilot episode before he was shot, and Sasha. The scenes with Hershel were heart warming as Rick apologizes for what happened to him and his family. It is also important to note that this scene is the very last scene Sott Wilson has ever been filmed as he passed away during the weekend of New York Comic Con. Rick’s scenes with Shane however, were not that very heart warming as Shane makes it known that he himself was a pain in the butt. He also asks Rick about his daughter as well.

Another hallucination during this episode is when Rick is standing over a large amount of characters that are dead (or yet to be dead) and that mirrors the issue 100 variant cover of the same scene.

Maggie finally arrives at Alexandria as her and Michonne are talking about Negan. I love that Michonne mentioned that if Glenn would have wanted her to do what she wanted to do. Michonne lets her see Negan and this scene mirrored the one on Issue 174 which was released last December. Negan wants Maggie to kill him so he can be with his wife but Maggie refused as she would rather let him live and suffer. If Lauren Cohan was not leaving the show this year, I bet this scene would have happened on the next season but I understood why it had to happen.

Jadis is also seen driving the van that used to belong to Heath who went missing back in Season 7 and my theory about what happened to him seems to be coming to light. But more about her later.

Rick leads the herd to the camp as the bridge that we thought was going to break, did not. But as the others are coming to his aid, he thinks that they are part of the hallucination he has seen earlier. He then shoots his gun at the dynamite that he noticed as the bridge explodes. Everyone looks shocked as they (including myself) thinks that Rick has died. But we find out that the helicopter Jadis has been in contact with has been called after she found him by the river as Jadis also tells them that they have a B. I still do not know the meaning of A and B, but I am still curious. The helicopter takes Rick Grimes away as his status after this is missing.

We are then shown another time skip of about 5-6 years as we are finally introduced to Magna and her group as they were trying to get away from a herd until a 10 year old Judith Grimes saved them. She also wields a shotgun and is wearing Carl Grimes’ hat as the episode ends.

In the Comic Series, Magna and her group were introduced almost the same way at issue #127. The few differences is that on the comic series, they were introduced two years after All Out War ended and that it was Jesus and Heath that saved her and her group.

I love this episode. I know that the way Rick’s exit was handled will be up for debate in the coming days and even months since AMC promoted that this will be his last episode. Leaving his exit opened ended means that he might come back in the future. We also know that Lauren Cohan will come back soon as well, but we do not know exactly when. Putting those two moments aside, the callbacks to previous seasons gave me memories of why I love the show in the first place. I just wish that Carl, Lori, Andrea and a few others were shown. Maggie’s interaction with Negan felt like a closure of their story as Negan was not up to his usual mind tricks at all. He was broken and he knew that his time was running thin once he seen Maggie. More questions are also in the way as i think of will we find out more about the helicopter, how will the group move on from Rick not being there, how will Magna’s group react to the communities and much more. This episode is an emotional roller coaster.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @julianexcalibur

The Walking Dead Season 9, Episode 1 Review

 

Fresh out of New York Comic Con, the latest episode of The Walking Dead just aired and this one was a massive episode. Not only because it’s the season premiere, but also because it’s the first episode for a new arc after the massive All Out War arc we had which was great in my opinion. I was so excited to see what Season 9 of The Walking Dead would bring us and how things with Negan no longer in charge would go for Rick and his group.

The name of this episode is called “A New Beginning” which also takes the name of volume 22 of the comic series, and the subtitle of Issue #127. The episode started off quite strongly with all of our core main characters working together to pull an old wagon out of an old museum. It was nice to see Rick, Daryl, Rosita, The King, Carol, Maggie and everyone else from the core character set share a single scene with one another. It does seem a long time since we’ve seen them all work together on something as they’re often separated and in different locations. They all went to a museum in Washington, D.C to retrieve supplies, such as plows, canoes, seed samples, and a covered wagon. I loved the dialogue that was exchanged between the characters. I also wondered if anyone noticed the bloody handprint on the “Civil War” part of the large artwork Michonne was looking at. The group almost lost Ezekiel as he fell through the glass floor while there were walkers under beneath but the group saved him just in time.

But as the episode progressed we could see that our once close group of friends who we know work together well, are actually having a lot of issues.

For the most part, the struggle for our group at the moment post Negan is with leadership and the limited resources available. There just isn’t enough to go around and people living under Rick’s leadership are getting annoyed.

Further tensions occur on Maggie’s side of the group which she now leads after winning an election. Gregory is still alive and is stirring dissent among the ranks and gets quite a bit done after ken dies on the wagon mission. This gives Gregory a chance to build up an assassination attempt on Maggie during a brief period of severe unpopularity. Gregory fails though and Maggie ends up having him hanged. It’s quite brutal really, but it represents a shift in Maggie’s character to a more ruthless side, which I think might develop further if her character doesn’t have anyone to counter balance what she’s doing. This moment on the show also happened on issue #141.

We see a conversation in this episode between Maggie and Rick where they talk about building a broken bridge and the resources involved. Between the two groups, it’s tough to organize and Maggie’s unpopularity at the moment makes it tough for her to commit strong resources to help Rick. I feel that going forward, we will probably see some tensions between the groups for resources and it might strain the Rick and Maggie friendship quite a bit, but it’s just a theory.

The thing I’m most sad about at the moment is that if you’ve been reading up on Andrew Lincoln news lately you’ll know it’s his last season. I really don’t want him to go and the actor, particularly in this episode had so much screen presence that it’s hard to imagine the show without him in it. It’s going to be a tough season to watch but I’m happy with this premiere episode. I’m looking forward to seeing how both Rick and Maggie develop as season 9 progresses and how they handle leading both their groups Also interesting is where some of the other characters are heading right now such as Daryl and Carol who both had a few interesting moments in today’s episode and I’m keen to see both those characters develop.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @julianexcalibur

 

SDCC 2018-AMC’s Fear The Walking Dead and The Walking Dead Press Conferences

More San Diego Comic Con news came out as I was invited to attend both of AMC’s Fear The Walking Dead and The Walking Dead press conferences. The Fear one started first as the cast and producers of the season made their way to the long table. The cast included Colman Domingo, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Lennie James, Danay Garcia, Garret Dillahunt, Maggie Grace and Jenna Elfman as they all talked about what to expect from the second half of season 4 as the back half of the season deals with more character development and a natural disaster. I also spoke with Alycia and Maggie for a few minutes after the conference to talk about Travis’ death way back in season 3. I also spoke with Scott Gimple as we talked about the comic series of The Walking Dead, his new comic series with Robert Kirkman Die!Die!Die, and future possible storylines of The Walking Dead especially since Volume 30:New World Order just finished not too long ago.

 

Here is the audio

https://youtu.be/ikNbhSCan_Y

 

After that conference was over, The Walking Dead started and we learned more information to the upcoming season and Andrew Lincoln’s departure of the show. That got sad to hear him say it because he loves the show and working with everyone there. The Press conference was very funny also as Norman and Andrew Lincoln had a “stare down” after the rest of the cast arrived, along with Jeffery Dean Morgan stealing the show over there with his very funny humor. Other cast members that were there was Danai Gurira and Lauren Cohan along with Greg Nicotero and the new show runner Angela Kang and Executive Producer Scott Gimple. The panel is a must listen!

Here is the audio from the conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huBlQfcTTow&t=6s

Meeting Andrew Lincoln face to face is a dream come true of mines and I am happy that it happened!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @julianexcalibur

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” season 9 will have a “new look and feel” according to the new showrunner

 

“The Walking Dead” TV series has a new showrunner for season 9. In a recent interview, the new showrunner Angela Kang talked about the changes in the “look and feel” of the show, and other aspects of the story.

Kang is no stranger to the show, and has been a part of the TV series since the second season. Her role has been expanding gradually, and now she is the showrunner. In an interview with Variety, Kang teased that they are “playing with the style of the show a little bit.”

“I think fans will enjoy the new look and feel that we have,” Kang said. The long running show has a typical look and feel, something that Kang is aware of, but they do want to keep the show “fresh.” Apart from the look of the show they have apparently experimented with the sound too.

There will be a time jump in the next season similar to the comic series where there was a time jump in the comic series after All Out War ended. After using cars and jeeps on the streets, the heroes appear to have finally run out of gas for their vehicles. The next season will show them on horses and carts. “The world is starting to break down and nature is taking over,” Kang teased.

Apart from the changes in the transport the heroes will use, their weapons will also change. They will gradually move away from guns and bullets to more of hand weapons. The close-up shots of people slashing and stabbing zombies should make for some exciting action sequences, especially when they face a big horde. “It’s a fun evolution we’re playing with,” Kang said.

The show has had shocking exits of some of the main characters in Season 8, which is expected to continue in season 9.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @julianexcalibur

Exclusive- NYCC 2017 Press Invited The Walking Dead Press Conference (Photos included)

I was invited to cover The Walking Dead press conference right before the panel started at New York Comic Con and i had a blast. The talent that were at the conference were Andrew Lincoln, Robert Kirkman, Greg Nicotero, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Austin Amellio, Norman Reedus, Tom Pane and much more. They all took turns answering questions and talking about how great it felt that the show has made it to 100 episodes.

Austin Amellio and Norman Reedus also gave a slight glimpse on what to expect between their characters (Dwight and Daryl Dixon) in season 8 of the show.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan also reacts to the death of Lucielle during The Whisperer War last year since it was one year ago this week that it has happened in the comic series.

Andrew Lincoln also talks about “Old Man Rick” as it was seen in the trailer that was released back in San Diego Comic Con and how he feels about the future of the series.

Greg Nicotero talks about his passion of directing the show from when he started to now along with the character development of select characters and he is very excited for the upcoming season.

There is many more to discuss but i have recorded the entire thing in audio format and it will be posted once i update the article

Follow me on twitter @julianexcalibur

Follow me on Instagram @jaxocalibur

Top 10 The Walking Dead Episodes

Season 5 of The Walking Dead has ended a few weeks ago and Season 6 is coming our way in October. Today, i will count down my favorite best episodes from The Walking Dead from Seasons 1-5.

10. What happened and what’s going on? (S5:E9)

  

Of all the episodes i have seen, this one caught me and the viewers off guard towards the ending. At the beginning of the episode, we are shown a grave being made for what we thought was for Beth along with flashbacks. During the episode, Tyreese, Noah, Rick, Glen and Michone went to the area where Noah used to live but to see that it has got overrun by Walkers. this also includes his family. Once Tyreese was alone with Noah, he was bitten and for most of the episode, we get to see hallucinations from his vision along with characters that were killed off. At the end of the episode, we get to find out that the grave from the beginning of the episode was actually for him since he is now dead. Talk about “the mind playing tricks on you”. This episode is a must see since the production and editing was so great that you would have not thought that he would die in the episode. Also to note, if you see any Walkers with an “W” carved into their heads along with the small wall with “Wolves not far” tagged onto it, save those for clues for the remainder of that season.

9. A (S4:E16)

  

The season 4 finale was a roller coaster for Rick, Michone, Carl and Daryl. First, the 3 of them encounter the claimers at the night as they were about to kill Rick and Rape Carl and Michone in retaliation for Rick killing one of them a few episodes prior. Daryl tries to reason with the claimers but then he gets assaulted. Rick, Michone and Daryl managed to get the upper hand along with Rick stabbing the last one of the claimers nearly 15 times for putting his hands on his son. later in the episode, they arrived at TERMINUS but to quickly find out that something is up when they noticed that their friend’s belongings are there. Gareth trapped Rick’s group after a gun battle and ordered them to go to an train cart labeled “A”. The good news is that Rick and his group reunited with the rest of the group but the bad news is that they are all captured and are being held in that one train cart.

8. Conquer (S5:E16)

  

The near 2 hour season 5 finale of The Walking Dead left with a bang and an cliffhanger. In the aftermath of the fight Pete and Rick had along with Rick being knocked out to his senses by Michone, Deanna and the rest of the residents of the Alexandria Safe Zone holds an meeting to decide whether if Rick gets kicked out from the Zone or he stays. Meanwhile, we get the first Appearance of the first members of The Wolves, Morgan saving Daryl and Aaron from a trap full of walkers, Nicholas attempting to kill Glen, and the last few minutes of the episode where Rick explains to Deanna and the residents that they need to be ready to survive. during this, Pete arrives with Michone’s sword and accidentally slashes Deanna’s husband. Deanna then told Rick to kill him and without hesitation and giving zero f***’s at all and in less than two seconds, he shoots his gun at Pete with one of the coldest looks i’ve ever seen Rick had. Morgan also meets Rick for the first time since season 3 in the final seconds of this episode as he saw Rick kill Pete. 

7. Clear (S3:E12)

  

In this episode, Michonne, Rick, and Carl are on a supply run. During this, they stop at an small town that has traps for Walkers from one side to the end of the other side of the block. The group manages to get away from the traps until Rick and Morgan reunited for the first time since season 1. Morgan has changed as they both caught up on how have they been since they last seen each other but not in the matter of a normal reunion. Morgan revealed that his son has been eaten by Walkers. Also, Carl and Michonne spends time together as Carl wanted to go back to his old school to get a framed photo of his family. During this, we get major character development between them two especially for Michonne since her backstory was kind of a mystery for a while. 

6. Pretty much dead already (S2:E7)

  

the first half of season two, the entire group is looking for Carol’s daughter, Sophia. After Rick told her to stay in an small area to kill off Walkers, she is no where to be seen when Rick returned. There were a few clues to where she was last at throughout the next few episodes until this episode. While the group takes out the Walkers inside of Hershel’s barn, there was one left and the final one was an zombified Sophia. everyone including myself was in stunned silence as we were all caught off guard for that reveal. Shane shoots her to put her down. Talk about a way to end an episode..

5. Days gone bye( S1:E1)

  

The first episode that started it all and showed us what we are getting too when we get that first shot of Rick putting down an Walker. Rick was shot during an arrest attempt and Shane took him to the hospital. He woke up a few months later after falling into an coma to find out that the hospital is empty and nearly destroyed. He also sees the Walkers for the first time and then escapes the hospital to see that the world he has known, has changed and roaming with Walkers. Rick eventually meets Morgan and his son for the first time as he gives him a brief up to date follow up on what is happening. Elsewhere, we get scenes of Shane, Lori (Rick’s wife), Carl, Dale and others as they try to survive as Rick goes out to look for his Wife and Daughter. What an way to start the series.

4. Them (S5:E10)

  

After the deaths of Tyreese and Beth, the group heads to Washington, DC. The group is very tired and are showing signs that they are fed up. especially the part where they have to get out of their cars and has no choice but to walk during an heatwave while Walkers are behind them but the group does not care to take them down. The group also finds an shed later in the day and has relief from the heat when it rains. Rick then gave his infamous “We are the walking dead” speech and then, a heard of Walkers comes to the shed and tries to break in. The entire group with all of their strength, prevents the Walkers from coming in. they did not come in due to a tree falling on them during the thunderstorm. This episode was a very powerful one and it told the story that they wont give up no matter what obstacle is in the way and to have hope that there is an place for the survivors.  

3. Too far gone (S4:E8)

  

For the entire 3rd season and half of the 4th, the group makes an abandoned prison their home. it was attacked by The Governor and his group two times but the third attack was the one that got them out for good. The governor and Rick has an discussion and also, Michonne and Hershel were being held hostage. The Governor wanted to take the prison or else he will force their way in. Rick refused the deal and then The Governor threatened Hershel with Michonne’s sword. Rick tried to plead with The Governor and would want to try to work everything out. That was, until the words “liar” came out of The Governor’s mouth. He then slashed and decapitated Hershel as the gun battle begins along with the tank. Rick and Governor then goes into a deadly fistfight until Michonne pierced her sword into The Governor. He is my favorite TWD villain but his death was needed after he killed Hershel. The group escapes separately into smaller groups as Walkers begin to overrun the place. 

2. No sanctuary (S5:E1) (WARNING:for mature readers only)

  

The season 5 premier i believe was the best and darkest opening in The Walking Dead. Rick, Glen, Bob, and Daryl are in deep trouble as they are tied from their hands and feet as they are taken to an slaughter house within TERMINUS. This is when the viewer realizes that the people within this place are cannibals. they are kneeled down along with 4 others as they and the viewer witness the butcher hits the other people in the back of their heads to knock them out with bats as the other butcher cuts their throats out with a large knife as the blood spills into the  stainless steel tub. Gareth does a bullet count and asks the butchers to give him the results until a rumble happens. Glen was about to be next to die until the rumble continues. As Gareth checks to see what is going on, Rick kills the two butchers with an wooden shiv he made while they were inside the train cart and freed the group. When they escaped the slaughterhouse, they rescue the rest of the group as Carol use an grenade launcher with an firecracker in the barrel to cause an explosion on an oil tank. Walkers begin to overrun the area, Rick and the rest fight their way to escape TERMINUS. at the end of the episode, Rick and Carol reunite along with Tyreese holding Judith (Rick’s daughter who separated with him in the last season while The Governor attacked the prison) as Rick runs to see and hold her. In the final few minutes of the episode, The group follows the railroad tracks until they happen upon a Terminus sign. Rick crosses out most of the text and modifies it to read, “No sanctuary.” Also in the post credits scene, Morgan appears alone as he is looking for Rick. 

1. Beside the dying fire (S2:E13)

  

In my opinion, the best episode of TWD that has aired. After Rick kills Shane and to find out that he has reanimated into an Walker, Carl puts Shane down. that was the episode that lead to this episode as when Rick and Carl return to Hershel’s house, a large herd of Walkers approach. Rick and Carl lure a number of them to the shed as Rick set them on fire. Also, Lori, Maggie, Glen, Carol, Hershel, Andrea, Daryl and T-dog defend the house from approaching Walkers but they were starting to outnumber them along with devouring a few more of their members who could not defend themselves. the group separates as the Walkers overrun the farm. Rick, Carl and Hershel was at the highway the group was at before to wait and see if others would show up. everyone except Andrea showed up. They later go to an area to camp for the night and this is when Rick revealed to the group that once someone dies, they reanimate into an walker (they all wanted to know why some Walkers they have seen were not bitten when they saw them). On the final few minutes of the show, we see Andrea running for her life until she tripped and fell, An Walker walked up to her until someone with an sword shows up and decapitated the walker. The person also has 2 Walkers chained up to her as this is the long awaited debut of Michone. This episode was full of character development along with moments in this episode that affected the group later on in future episodes. 

follow me on twitter @julianexcalibur