Things got very hallucinogenic fast! This was a Carol episode but The Negan was finally released! And we did get some juicy scenes between Negan and Aaron.

The episode started by showing a montage showing a never ending attack of walkers on Alexandria. Hour 4. Hour 8. Hour 12. We kept seeing scenes of our friends battling walkers. At first I thought, oh, we’re going to see some of this and then they’re going to doible back and show us how we got to this place but they didn’t. They kept going. Hour 24. Hour 30. Were they being sent by Alpha? Lydia doesn’t think so. Eventually gamma shows up and says Alpha wants a meeting at the border, meaning the place where the 10 posts still stand that had the heads mounted on last season. Michonne agrees and takes a small group with her including Daryl and Carol.

Samantha Morton as Alpha – The Walking Dead _ Season 10, Episode 3 – Photo Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/AMC

“There is one rule between our people. One law: Stay where you are. Yet, you disobey.” Alpha

Carol hasn’t been sleeping, taking speed to stay awake and it’s affecting her judgement. She has become overwhelmed with thoughts of revenge. She hides a gun in the back of her belt and when faced with Alpha, who taunts her by saying that Henry called out her name when she chopped off his head, she pulls it out and takes her shot. Michonne gets there first and grabs her arm, causing the bullet to hit the ground. Alpha was in a forgiving mood, being a mother, too. She knows that they have crossed their land three times! How does she know that? She does. She says she down’t want retribution she just wants more land. Michonne can only concede and move on. But on their way back to Alexandria, Carol thinks she sees some Whsiperers. She shoots at them. The group decide to take refuge in a nearby school until morning. This is where Carol has a trippy night.

Daryl starts opening up to her about how his dad was a truck driver and he took pills to stay awake. He’s worried about Carol but she keeps popping pills and goes on patrol. But her sleep deprivation is causing her to lose time and sees hallucinations of Henry. Eventually she walks into the gym and steps into a trap, gets lifted into the air upside down. Bad time for a group of zombies to wander in looking for a pick up game! Carol manages to become a ‘reverse pinata’ and kills walker after walker before cutting herself loose. By the time Daryl comes Carol has finished them off but she has a chunk of glass in her arm. When the time comes for Saddiq to pull it out he has another PTSD attack and his new assistant, dante sees this, takes over and covers for him. I’m still not sure if I like this guy or not.

Carol finally gets some sleep and dreams of domestic bliss with Daryl and of course, Henry is sitting at the breakfast table. She doesn’t want to sleep because she dreams of Henry but even awake she is seeing Henry. She asks Daryl if he believes that she saw those Whisperers and he gives her a half-hearted yes. At the very end of the episode we see the bodies of walkers that Carol killed in the gym and tracks out of the gym and stops on a body that is obviously a Whisperer. They open their eyes and have obviously turned. So Carol got one!

“Or what cowboy. Ah, you know what I see? I see someone that’s pretending. Come on, man, let’s go.” Negan

The other story in this episode deals with Negan who Father Gabriel enlists to help fight the onslaught of walkers despite Aaron’s protests. “Peanut butter (Aaron) meet Jelly (Negan) as Father Gabriel exclaims and Aaron reluctantly takes Negan on patrol. They battle walkers side by side but Aaron will only allow Negan to use a broom stick while Aaron has fashioned a mace to his stump. Aaron hates Negan, blames him for the death of his boyfriend, Eric. Negan counters that maybe Aaron should have taken better care of Eric. Then Aaron brings up Negan’s wife. They get face to face but refrain from coming to blows. Eventually Aaron gets some hogweed in his eyes and is blinded. Negan disappears. Come nightfall, Aaron comes across a house and there is Negan, calmly sitting in the dark. Aaron is overcome by walkers and Negan comes to his rescue. They stay there til morning and by then Aaron has regained his sight. They come to an uneasy truce. Their scenes are exciting and fun, mostly to see the danger and menace of Negan re-emerge. Obviously, he will be very useful down the line when the war with The Whisperers goes into full swing.

SIDE BITES

Aaron’s mace arm is awesome! Reminiscent of Merle’s ‘knife on a stump’!

It’s amazing that only Carol and Saddiq are suffering from PTSD. They should all be on sedatives at this point.

Samantha Morton is crazy good!

That last scene showing a Whisperer open it’s eyes to reveal that it had turned had me confused at first. Now I see that it was proof that Carol did see Whisperers and that she killed one. Believe Carol! (Even though she’s acting a little crazy)

The book carol sees on the floor in the school showed a family with 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys, representing the children carol has lost over the years.

Daryl has spoken more in these first three episodes than he’s spoken in the last three seasons!

5 THINGS I THINK I KNOW

1 Negan and Aaron are going to become pals!

2 Aaron will die saving negan in the season finale.

3 Look, Eugene will end up with Rosita by the end of the season. She can’t be with Father gabriel and Saddiq is falling apart.

4 That Hogweed that blinded Aaron could come in handy if they can weaponize it. I’m talking to you, Eugene!

5 I don’t know a lot about Gamma but I have a feeling she has a plan that doesn’t include Alpha or Beta.

“Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick Tock”

David Lindelof co-created my favorite show LOST. It was a challenging, complicated piece of work that was also incredibly emotional and sentimental. I loved it but it also incurred the ire of a large amount of people who came to hate it and be highly disappointed with its conclusion. Lindelof also co-created the HBO show The Leftovers, which was based on a popular novel. He went beyond the novel and adapted the story and infused it with his own special touches. He created another complicated maze of a story that also divided audiences into those who loved it and those who were annoyed with it.

Now he has adopted Watchmen. This may prove to be his most controversial and divisive project yet. Watchmen, the immensely popular and influential 1986 graphic novel by Alan Moore was made into a three hour epic film by Zach Snyder in 2009. It received a mixed reception. I actually loved it! So when I heard that Lindelof was doing his own adaptation for HBO I was very excited. But this isn’t just another version of the comic or the film, Lindelof has set his story 30 years after the action of the comic and the film and he’s constructed a fresh story that is sure to enrage fans of the comic and divide audiences yet again.

The original comic took place in the 1980s in an alternative reality where The US won the war in Vietnam, Nixon has been President for 30 years, the Watchmen are outlaws and the threat of nuclear holocaust loomed large while the world watched as the Doomsday Clock got closer to 0. Lindelof dubs the comic “the old testament” and his adaptation as the “new testament”. Just as in LOST, ‘what happened happened’ , everything we know from the comic exists but as the past. The new threat to humanity is white supremacy.

Check out this video that explains the Black Wall Street Massacre that is depi

The first episode opens in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. We see a recreation of one of the most violent acts of racial violence to take place in the United States. I’ll be honest, I was not aware that this happened. This is a horrific event. We see a young black couple and their little boy trying to escape the city. The little boy survives as does a little baby. In the present we are introduced to a character played by Louis Gosset Jr. and I’m thinking he is that little boy.

“all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, ‘Save us!’…and I’ll look down and whisper, ‘No.’” 

Lindelof is tackling a big subject here, racism, white terrorism, which is a real and current problem still and perhaps, with the current politics I the country, more front and center than ever. It’s quite daring.

The differences in this alternate reality are many. The action takes place in Tulsa, 30 years later. The police all wear masks for their own safety. The white supremacists call themselves the Seventh Kavalry who follow the writings of Rorschack, an original vigilante from the comic. They organize in protest of President Robert Redford’s reparations (Redford-ations) to those who suffered from racial injustice. They wear the Rorschack masks and attack the police and are plotting some sort of terrorist attack. . Don Johnson is the chief of police Judd Crawford and Regina King plays an ex-cop who goes into action wearing a mask and calls herself Sister Night.

Jeremy Irons plays Adrian Veidt, another original from the comic. He’s living in a castle, riding horses and being looked after ny some very odd acting servants. What does he have to do with the current story?

The first episode is the set up. A cop is killed. The Seventh Kavalry, quiet for years has now re-emerged. We meet all the characters most notably ex-cop now the masked vigilante Angela Abar aka Sister Night who will be our main protagonist. We see another terrible murder that is a shocker. And away we go……

As with all of Lindelof’s other projects, there are a lot of things thrown at you that are not explained. He gives you pieces of the puzzle, episode by episode and you need to figure it out. There are a lot of references to the comic expecially the final shot of the episode. It is a very challenging and entertaining first episode. I look forward to delving deeper into this new world and seeing what Lindelof has up his sleeve.

SIDE TICK TOCKS

What was with the raining squids? Something from the comic I think.

Loved the use of the song Unforgettable in the episode. A nod to the the film.

Black Oklahoma!

I loved seeing The Watchmen space pod make an appearance. It crashes but I’m sure they’ll get it back in the air.

Talk about topical! Lynching is being used by our President these days and just like that Watchmen catches the zeitgeist!!

The final shot of the blood dropping on the police badge is a nod to the blood stained Happy face pin that signaled the death of The Comedian. As with the comic, the murder of a main character ignites the investigation by another character.

5 THINGS I THINK I KNOW

1 Adrian Veidt is behind what The Seventh Kavalry is planning

2 Kavalry was collecting watch batteries. Watches seem to be a thing of the past. Veidt’s servants gift him a watch for his birthday. Tick Tick indeed.

3 We will see more Don Johnson. Flashbacks!!

4 Regina King’s character is related to that baby that survived the Tulsa attack in 1921

5 Tim Blake Nelson’s character – Wade aka Looking Glass could be a double agent

I’m still watching! Are you? If you are then you’re a true fan and you are being rewarded for your loyalty. Angela Kang took over as show runner last season and her fresh take on things have really helped. I hate losing Rick last year and we will lose Michonne this year but Maggie comes back next season and we’ll probably see the Rick Grimes Films starting in the Spring. But for now we have the OG show and it’s still going strong.

The opening scene had me wondering if I had it on the right channel. A Russian satelite floating through space starts p;ummeting to Earth. We will see it hit the atmosphere three times from three different groups on the ground. It starts a large forest fire that brings everyone together to fight and keep from reaching Oceanside. Of course at some point they are attacked by walkers and we get to see our heroes slay them in glorious slow motion. Eugene, or as Luke (Dan Folger) calls him, “Eugenius”, convinces Michonne to allow him to bring part of the downed satellite with them to mine it for useful data or parts.

I liked the training on the beach! They’ve got shields, they’ve got spears, they’ve got archers! They take on a boat filled with walkers in a very Roman army type way. This scene I suspect is foreshadowing how they will take on The Whisperers at the end of the season but The Whisperers will be moving faster and it won’t be as easy.

The comic relief was watching how Eugene took care of Rosita’s baby while also conducting scientific research into how many times he poops and even how many times he smiles a day. Rosita, meanwhile is working out and getting back in fighting shape. Father Gabriel looks serious throughout. Siddiq is showing signs of PTSD. He was there when Alpha beheaded his friends! Of course he’s damaged.

The Brave Man On the Bridge. What a lovely tribute to Rick Grimes! Judith tells the story to little AJ about how the Brave Man saved his friends by blowing up the bridge filled with walkers and sacrificed his life. Judith is now a trusted warrior as well. She was right there on the beach with her Katana!

Negan is being allowed out of his cell now. He’s tending to the garden just as he was in Carl’s vision. It looks like he will be befriending Lydia this season. No one trusts either of them. Negan has a nice scene with Father Gabriel. He sees what’s happening with the re-emergence of The Whisperers. He gives solid advice and I’m sure Gabriel is going to see that Negan will be useful in a more meaningful way than picking tomatoes in the future.

Michonne is definitely the leader of the whole shebang. She will be the one orchestrating the battle strategy against The Whisperers. Danai Furira is leaving the show after this season and it’s still a mystery how they plan to do it. Could it be in battle?

The main event, of course, was Daryl and Carol. We see Daryl and Ezekiel waiting on the dock as Carol sails in on her boat. She’s been on the high seas! Ezekiel is so happy to see her but their reunion was a bit awkward. Meanwhile, she runs into Daryl’s arms! They get on his motorcycle and ride into the woods then go hunting. They take a break and call each other besties and Daryl even makes friendship bracelets for them. They talk about just going away together and being free from everything. But…..then. After putting out the fire they wander over to the valley where Alpha kept her horde of walkers and they are no longer there! Where did she move them?

Daryl walks away but Carol stays behind and wouldn’t you know it, out of the brush down below, Alpha emerges. Carol and Alpha have a classic stare down. And you KNOW it will be going down before the season’s over!

SIDE BITES

Michonne mentions they haven’t had any letters from Maggie in a long time.

Daryl has a book on Sign Language in his back pocket 

Who is that weird doctor that interacted with Saddiq? He was creepy!

Aaron is going to become a hothead this season!

Looks like Kelly is losing her hearing too.

King Ezekiel isn’t Talking Shakespeare’s anymore. Ain’t no more Kingdom!

We all need friendship bracelets like Daryl and Carol!

Next week’s episode will be the origin story of how Alpha Met Beta

5 THINGS I THINK I KNOW

1 Carol and Alpha will have an epic showdown

2 Negan and Beta will have an epic showdown

3 Daryl will get together with Connie not Carol

4 Siddiq’s ptsd will have serious consequences for someone

5 Ezekiel is expendable this season

“Hearst won’t take long before he honors the rigors of his putrid f*cking nature.. You murdering, thieving, c*cksucker.” Al Swearengen

I loved Deadwood the series which ran on HBO from 2004-2006. Only three seasons but each one was better and richer than the one before. The dialogue was stylized and magnificent, a kind of western Shakespearean poetry that I’d never heard before. Of course, there was a hint of it on NYPD Blue if you watched that show in the 90s. They were both written by the same guy. David Milch.

“Saloon is a sanctuary, every man worth the name knows the value of being unreachable” Al Swearengen

Deadwood ended suddenly after season three and for no good reason. It cost too much? Really? We just watched Game of Thrones which cost $10 million per episode! But 2006 was a long time ago. Things change.

“Before eyes close for good and all I’d once again see my Joanie Stubbs and show here a sign of… loving regret from Calamity Jane to her darling… and too at the grave of Wild Bill.” Calamity Jane

Deadwood the Movie takes place ten years after the events of the last episode in 2006. South Dakota is about to celebrate statehood! George Hearst, now a senator from California, is in town to help commemorate the occasion and to do what he does; buy up land and murder innocent people. He’s a great villain. Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) is still marshall, still married to Martha (Anna Gunn) and with three little kids. Al Swearengen ( Ian McShane) still runs The Gem but he’s feeling poorly. And trouble is a brewing.

“What a grand surprise after such a piece of time.” Charlie Utter

Every actor from the original show, that is still alive, is in this film. Trixie (Paula Malcomson) is as feisty as ever to hr own detriment. Wu (Keone Young) still can’t speak English but his son, Young Wu speaks it fluently. Joanie Stubbs (Kim Dickens) now owns the Bella Union, Doc Cohran (Brad Dourif) is still cranky and EB Farnum (William Sanderson) is still out upon. Even Garret Dillahunt who played two different characters in the original show (both were killed) has an uncredited cameo. None of it feels forced or phony. These actors just slipped into these characters’ skins as effortlessly as putting on their socks. Amazingly everyone gets their moment and it’s very moving.

There was a lot of anticipation for Deadwood The Movie and anticipation often leads to disappointment (see Game Of Thrones). But Deadwood The Movie does not disappoint. David Milch tells a simple story that brings everyone back together one last time. The film is filled with powerful and wistful moments. James riding back to town, riding back for Joanie. Swearengen walking Trixie down the aisle. Bullock seeing Alma again, their eyes filled with love. Jewell and Al singing Waltzing Matilda. It ends, as it should, with AL Swearengen. As he lies in his bed being tended to by Jewel (Geri Jewell) and Trixie, starts reciting The Lord’s Prayer and Al isn’t going to have any of it.

Trixie: Our Father, which art in Heaven…
Al Swearengen: Let him f*cking stay there