The Walking Dead Season 9, Episode 4 “The Obliged” Review

There’s no denying The Walking Dead is enjoying a resurgence this season. The Obliged was another fantastic episode.

Michonne was heavily featured tonight as we see her life in Alexandria running everything in Rick’s absence. Michonne is doing a little of everything from settling gardening disputes, playing with Judith, and tending to the sick. And when she’s suffering from some sleepless nights, it’s time to go kill some walkers.

That led to an interesting scene as Michonne spots a black walker hanging from a tree. Now Michonne has a new problem — Negan won’t eat. He’s on a hunger strike as he wants a conversation. He chats Michonne up about his wife dying from cancer, their desire to have a child like Carl and ultimately how her death helped to not make him weak.

Humble Negan is a far more interesting character this season. Season 8 Negan never had to resort to mind games like this strike to learn Lucille’s location. Negan tried to find some common ground with his dead wife and Michonne’s dead children, but Michonne wasn’t biting. Still, Michonne’s growing unease whenever she sees a bat is telling.

There really wasn’t enough time to spend on Gabriel and Anne this week and their subplot felt very under served. Anne seemed to consider giving Gabriel the old tie ’em down and let a walker devour them trick she pulled on Negan, but had a change of heart. She knocked him out just long enough to roll out. Gabriel broke down presumably at the thought of no more sweet, sweet junker loving.

While last week made it appear as if Maggie and Daryl were heading to kill Negan immediately, she went back to Hilltop to get supplies while Daryl returned to the camp. But now it’s payback time.

Jesus seems torn on his loyalty. He accuses Rick of making a bad call in keeping Negan alive, yet sends a warning to Rick that Maggie is headed to Alexandria. Pick a side dude!

Rick’s got enough problems as Eugene tells him the bridge is a wash. A new storm is coming to basically wipe it out. I’m wondering if the plan is to give Rick a death like Madison from Fear the Walking Dead where he gets washed away, but with no body there’s some chance he’s still alive. That would give Judith a reason to stay with everyone at least.

The only problem with Rick’s pending departure is it’s placing the burden of his focal storyline — that the Saviors can be redeemed — onto other characters. Carol basically told Rick she wasn’t interested in being the Saviors’ keeper any longer and they were going to have to fend for themselves. These conversations are really starting to feel like goodbyes for Rick. He left both Carol and Eugene with a comforting pep talk and encouragement.

Upon learning the news of Maggie’s march, Rick sets out for Alexandria, but Daryl offers him a ride. Rick quickly realizes something is up when Daryl misses the turn. They get into a tussle and fall into a conveniently placed cliff. Hard not to agree with Rick and wonder if Daryl set it up.

One huge improvement this season has been the writing and this pit conversation was a highlight of the night. Daryl called Rick out for not avenging Glenn, but saying he wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him. Rick countered reminding Daryl that he spared Dwight, but Daryl dropped the Oceanside bombshell.

Rick explains that if Negan dies, he becomes a martyr and all those people will have died for nothing. Daryl says Rick doesn’t have enough faith in their crew and that he’s chasing something for Carl that isn’t meant to be. Daryl has a point. The strength of the writing is that neither guy comes off like an idiot and they both have viable points. However, we got the first live F-bomb on The Walking Dead and it came out of nowhere!

They don’t fully hash things out before another fracas breaks out at the camp. Jed and the Saviors have somehow figured out Oceanside killed their crew. That’s some impressive powers of deduction. Carol’s Kingdom troops get ready for a brawl and enough shots ring out to attract one of the two nearby walker hordes. This is not good news.

But for those of us who love creative walker death traps, The Obliged delivered again. Rick and Daryl trying to climb out of the pit while walkers slide down was pretty ingenious. The walkers always come off so much more dangerous when they’re a menacing obstacle capable of wrecking any great plan with their overwhelming numbers. Rick pulls Daryl up after telling his ‘brother’ to take his hand. I don’t know about y’all, but I’m going to miss the Rick and Daryl brotherhood immensely the rest of the series.

With the horde closing in, Rick spots a horse and uses it to lead the horde away from the camp. Daryl thinks now is the time to blow up the bridge, but Rick isn’t having it. Daryl seems to understand Rick’s grand purpose for the bridge, which is still escaping me.

In a nice callback to the first episode, Rick’s horse gets spooked by the walkers and he gets thrown off onto a cement block. Maybe he avoided a broken neck, but he’s impaled. As both hordes slowly converge, this definitely looks like the last stand for Rick Grimes.

The Obliged set up a strong Michonne/Negan conflict, let Rick and Daryl reaffirm their brotherhood and set the final steps in motion for Rick’s death/departure resulting in another strong episode.

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New Theory of a Missing “The Walking Dead” Character Explained

Last night’s episode of The Walking Dead bought in a new theory that I have come up with when I have seen a particular scene of the episode. When Jadis/Annie arrived at the junkyard that she used to live at before with her group before Simon and the rest of The Saviors killed them, she was on the radio with a man. But this man is also the pilot of the mysterious helicopter that was first seen in Season 8. They were talking about “A or B” in the discussion and she then revealed to Gabriel that she trades people for supplies. Gabriel told her that he will tell Rick, but she knocked him out after trying to convince him to change his mind. When I seen this whole scene happened, the first thing that came to my mind is Heath.

If you forgot who Heath was, he was a resident of the Alexandria Safe Zone. He was last seen on that episode with Tara way back in Season 7, Episode 6 of The Walking Dead as when him and Tara were trying to escape a heard of zombies, he was in further distance away from her and when she went to where he was, there were car tracks, his glasses, and  “PPP” card on the ground which means that he was kidnapped. There were some theories going around to what have happened to him, but the one I thought of makes the most sense. I believe that Jadis traded Heath for supplies.

The reason this theory might be true is because I looked back at Season 7, Episode 11 and at a closer inspection at the scene where Rick is on top of the junkyard, you can see the RV that Heath and Tara were driving in the background. You can also see a helicopter pad in the same scene as well. The other reason I believe this theory might be true is because Scott Gimple said in an interview that his disappearance will be explained in some form in Season 9 of the show. We know that Corey Hawkins left the show to do his role on 24 Legacy for one season before it got canceled so his return to The Walking Dead has to happen or be talked about with that helicopter that has a connection with Jadis. Also, it seemed like she was about to do that with Negan in Season 8 as he was tied up and he seen the helicopter arriving after Jadis light up a flare. Another thing I would like to note is that Rick was held hostage in the junkyard at Season 8 as well that was marked with the letter “A” which was also an option of “A and B” and Rick has also seen the helicopter as well in Season 8 but not at the junkyard.

If this theory about Heath being traded for supplies is true, you have read it here first. What do you think?

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Diamond Select toys:On Sale This Week: Batman, Predator and Rick Grimes!

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On Sale This Week: Batman, Predator and Rick Grimes!

Halloween may be over, but the terror is just beginning, as Diamond Select Toys unleashes a legion of fairly frightening fellows on comic shops across North America! The Dark Knight of Batman: The Animated Series. The Yautja hunter from the Predator films. Rick Grimes himself of The Walking Dead fame. All three are here to capture their prey and chew bubblegum, and they just threw their bubblegum off the side of a building. Read on for a full lineup of DST products shipping this week — including an impressive array of bottle openers — and reserve your faves at your local comic shop!

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Back to the Future Time Machine Metal Bottle Opener
Remember that time you wanted a refreshing drink, but didn’t have a bottle opener? Well, now you can plan for the future with this sculpted 4” metal bottle opener depicting the famous time machine from Back to the Future! It won’t travel back in time to open past drinks for you, but the magnets on the wheels will keep it mounted on your refrigerator so it will always be there, time after time. Comes packaged in a full-color slip case. (Item #JUN152100, SRP: $18.00)

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Batman The Animated Series Batman Resin Bust
Evildoers beware – Batman is kicking off the next big bust line from Diamond Select! Based on the iconic and revolutionary Batman: The Animated Series, this line of 6-inch resin busts will depict Batman and his friends and foes just as you remember them from the cartoons! The Caped Crusader himself will be the first release in the series, with his arms crossed atop an art-deco base inspired by the show’s distinctive style. Packaged in a full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Limited to 3,000 pieces. Sculpted by Steve Varner Studios! (Item #APR152298, SRP: $59.99)

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Ghostbusters Logo Metal Bottle Opener
You have the tools, you have the talent… but do you have a bottle opener? When you’ve defeated an invasive supernatural entity, and it’s time to celebrate with a cool beverage, be sure you have this 3” metal bottle opener handy. Scultped in the shape of the Ghostbusters logo, this opener has magnets on the back so it will stick to your refrigerator, containment grid or the hood of the Ecto-1. Packaged in a full-color slipcase. (Item #MAY152169, SRP: $18.00)

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Justice League Flash Logo Metal Bottle Opener
When you need a bottle opener, there’s no time to dilly-dally. Show your friends how fast you are at fulfilling your hosting duties with this metal bottle opener in the shape of the Flash’s logo from Justice League! Cast in solid metal and measuring approximately 4 inches long, this opener also has magnets on the back, so you can stick it to your refrigerator or global threat monitoring station for a more rapid response time. Thirst never waits! Packaged in a full-color slipcase. (Item #JUL152192, SRP: $18.00)

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Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington 16″ Coffin Doll
Halloween is coming, and so is Jack Skellington! The star of Tim Burton’s stop-motion masterpiece, The Nightmare Before Christmas, this 16-inch tall doll of Jack is a must for any home that embraces the spirit of Halloween. With a fully articulated body and a real cloth costume, this exacting re-creation of the classic Jack figure will rest comfortably in his coffin-shaped window box until the times comes for him to rise once again! Limited to 1994 pieces! (Item #APR152291, SRP: $49.99)

 

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Predator Minimates Foil Bag Counter Display Asst.
Get to the chopper! It’s a whole new line of Minimates mini-figures, based on the cinematic world of Predator! This first blind-bagged assortment features Billy and the Jungle Predator (masked, unmasked and thermal) from the first film, the City Predator (regular and battle-damaged) from Predator 2, and Edwin and Cuchillo fromPredators! There are eight different figures in all, with a full set in every display case of 18 foil bags, but Edwin is the rarest figure, with only one per case! Let the hunt begin! Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation as well as interchangeable parts and accessories. Designed by Art Asylum! (Item #MAY152178, SRP: $5.99/ea.)

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Predator Unmasked Vinyl Bust Bank
DST goes deeper into the jungle with this vinyl bust bank of an unmasked Predator! With his mandibles out and his shoulder cannon at the ready, this hunter is protective of his prize, and his prize is your loose change! Insert coins through a slot in the back and remove them through an access door in the base. With a detailed, collectible-quality sculpt by Eli Livingston, you’ll take one look at this bank and you’ll say, “You are one ugly money-saver!” Packaged in a clear polybag. (Item #APR152309, SRP: $22.99)

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Superman Animated Logo Metal Bottle Opener
Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to remove a bottlecap in a single bound! Draw on the strength of the Man of Steel with this solid metal bottle opener in the shape of the Superman logo from Superman: The Animated Series. Like Superman himself, this 4” opener can bend metal and remove bottlecaps with ease, and two magnets on the back allow it to hover on your refrigerator until it’s time to swoop in and save the day! Packaged in a full-color slipcase. (Item #JUN152098, SRP: $18.00)

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Walking Dead Rick Grimes B&W Vinyl Bust Bank
A Diamond Select Toys release! Keep your money safe from zombies (and the living) with the unyielding glare of Rick Grimes! Based on Robert Kirkman’s award-winning comic book, this 7-inch vinyl bust bank of Rick Grimes has been rendered in black-and-white, just as he appears in the pages of the comic! With a coin slot in the back and an access door in the base, he’s a bank as well as a collectible-quality bust! Packaged in a clear polybag. (Item #MAY138201, SRP: $22.99)

Reserve yours at your local comic shop (http://www.comicshoplocator.com), order from your favorite online retailer, or visitdiamondselecttoys.com!

 

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. 

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