In the penultimate episode of The Walking Dead, multiple storylines were finally pushed forward and the characters all prepared for one final battle. Here are the top moments from Sunday’s episode on AMC.
1. Negan regained control of the Saviors
After Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was kidnapped, Simon (Steven Ogg) became leader of the Saviors and was hell-bent on destroying the Hilltop. In this episode, Negan re-entered the Saviors’ compound and asked Simon what happened. Simon quickly apologized for what he did and Negan surprisingly forgave him. After, Simon quickly went to Dwight (Austin Amelio) and urged him to pull off a coup with a few others. Dwight seemed to agree and met with Simon and a few men outside of the compound. Simon laid out the plan to overthrow Negan and offered his death to Dwight. Negan then appeared from behind a dumpster, informing Simon that Dwight tipped him off. The other men were killed off and Negan offered Simon a chance to take power if he beat Negan in a fight. Of course, Negan won the fight and strangled Simon, effectively killing the coup before it could even start.
2. Eugene committed to war against his friends
In an exhausting storyline, Eugene (Josh McDermitt) has left audiences questioning whether he is really working for Negan or if he’s double-crossing him. This episode seemed to answer that question. While producing bullets for the Saviors, Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) tried to make them defective so that they won’t fire. Eugene saw that and told him that it will blow up the guns and kill the Saviors. Gabriel said that he didn’t want anyone to die, Saviors included. This effectively contrasts Gabriel’s previous selfish behavior and shows that he has progressed since the outbreak started.
Later, Eugene went outside to test bullets and was kidnapped by Rosita (Christian Serratos) and Daryl (Norman Reedus). Eugene tried to explain himself, but Rosita assured him that they were only rescuing him for his bullet-making knowledge. After threatening him with a gun twice, Eugene decided to escape by throwing up on Rosita and running while walkers were attacking. He was able to make it back to the Saviors and immediately ordered them to make bullets. The Saviors had planned an attack for the next day and with Eugene enthusiastically making bullets for the attack, it seems he truly has turned against his friends.
3. Dwight was caught by Negan
With Simon now dead, Negan told Dwight that he was proud of him and promoted him to his new right-hand man. In a meeting, Negan laid out a plan for attacking the Hilltop the next day. Dwight quickly copied the plan on a separate map and sent it back to the Hilltop with Gregory. What seemed like a success for the group quickly turned when Negan led Dwight back to his room. Inside was the woman who witnessed Dwight turning against the Saviors a few episodes back. Negan realized that Dwight had turned against him and had been continuously feeding Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and company information. However, he was incredibly smart about it and created the attack as a ploy, knowing Dwight would send the information back to Rick. Negan told Dwight that he wouldn’t kill him, but that he had very special plans for him.
This promise is likely to come to fruition in a gruesome way in next week’s finale. Also, with Rick and the others expecting the wrong attack, it will likely cause an incredible amount of tension and drama for the finale.
4. Carl’s letters were read to the audience
Last week’s episode ended with Rick reading Carl’s (Chandler Riggs) letter to him. This episode opened with Carl reading the letter in a voice-over, discussing how life was before everything happened. With Rick’s continued violent behavior, it seems Carl’s message hasn’t really convinced him yet. Hopefully, this letter will inspire Rick to change his mind and change society for all of them.
At the end of the episode, Michonne (Danai Gurira) talked to Negan over walkie-talkie. She read Carl’s letter, in which he pressed for peace and an end to all of the violence. Negan seemed to mull the message over, but then told Michonne that the time for talking was over and crushed the walkie-talkie.
In the previews for next week’s episode, it shows a young Carl walking hand-in-hand with his father, suggesting a very emotional season finale. At the hilltop, Rick and the others are expecting an attack that won’t happen as they think it will. Also, with the Saviors gearing up to fight the Kingdom, Hilltop and Alexandria, viewers are guaranteed an epic finale filled with suspense, drama and death.
