The Walking Dead S9E13: Chokepoint
Last week I discussed how “Guardians” set up three interactions wherein all parties were at odds with one another, and explored what their different methods of conflict resolution looked like. This week, with “Chokepoint,” two brand new interactions are coming to a head: Daryl and Connie’s rescue of Henry and Lydia has driven them into a large commercial building in hopes of separating the Whisperers from their pack of the dead, taking them out surreptitiously; and the Kingdom encounters yet another mysterious group calling themselves the “Highwaymen” and causing problems for coordination and safe travels to the fair.
Before getting into each of those clashes, the interactions between Daryl and Connie deserve some attention. Not only does she prove herself a formidable fighter in this episode, she stands up to Daryl and defends Lydia when he would rather kick her to the curb. Daryl sees protecting Lydia as equivalent to inviting violence upon his community; naturally he wants to protect his people, so he is insistent on ditching her. Connie, however, makes the point that she is worth saving because of how scared and alienated against her people she is; and because she needs help. For Connie, if help is needed, help will be given. Last week the show set up a scenario where stubbornness and inflexibility was a hindrance to peaceful existence; I think Connie’s hardline stance here to protect Lydia is an example of stubbornness having value in the right circumstances.
Daryl vs. Beta
Leading up to the pursuit of Daryl’s group, Beta has a great line: “Lydia will walk with us, or they’ll all walk with the guardians.” He’s calling back to the title of the last episode, but more importantly he’s referencing how the Whisperers view the walking dead around them: as guardians. They are protection. Animated death is used for the Whisperers to travel in safety. Beta’s rage is on full display later in the episode, but this line leading up to the pursuit is a great one to show how upside-down their worldview is.
When Beta and company finally track Daryl’s group to the designed chokepoint, the showdown between these two alpha males doesn’t disappoint. As much as I would have loved to see Daryl take a crack at the Governor, or Negan in his prime, those would have been child’s play by comparison to what this fight was working up to. After a handful of unnamed Whisperers are dispatched with relative ease, Beta comes rumbling through the building to spear-tackle Daryl. The ensuing fight is admittedly the most roughed up Daryl has probably ever been in hand to hand combat; multiple times he was on his back, looking up in panic as Beta attempted to rain down blows on him. Beta’s confidence in his physical dominance shines through in the way he manhandles Daryl, repeatedly throwing him against, or through, a wall. Daryl’s quickness and craftiness proves to be the difference, however; and Beta falls (literally) to a sneak attack from behind. At the conclusion of the episode we see Beta regaining consciousness after his short fall down the elevator shaft. Needless to say, we haven’t seen the last of Alpha’s right-hand-man.
The Kingdom meets The Highwaymen
An interesting yet puzzling development to the troubles at the Kingdom came in the form of a new group calling themselves The Highwaymen. A threatening note is delivered to Ezekiel from this group. They claim to control the highways and be able to stop all deliveries to the Kingdom unless their demands are met. When Ezekiel, Carol, and other Kingdom soldiers confront this group, they appear to be at an impasse until Carol dangles the prospect of watching a movie in the safe confines of the Kingdom in exchange for their protection via escort on the roads. Apparently these terms are agreeable. The next time we see this group, they are saving the day in the nick of time while Tara and other Hilltop members are attempting a delivery to the Kingdom.
To be completely honest I’m not sure what value this group brings to the show, or why they were introduced in the first place. It stinks of filler characters and plot in a show already packed to the brim with both. If I’m being particularly cynical, I’m guessing the leader of this group will serve as little more than a stand-in for a significant death which would be coming soon at this point in the comics, and which the show may not be interested in committing to. As their name implies, this group’s job is to guard the highways, essentially working for our group of communities while benefiting from their food and shelter. The most likely outcome is that, while employing their guardianship, they are overcome by the Whisperers; which will be meant to indicate a rise in tensions. Honestly, I would’ve preferred ditching this entire plotline in exchange for more scenes with Negan, Michonne, and Judith in the aftermath of Negan returning and being trusted. We have had one scene exploring that dynamic since Negan’s return five episodes ago.
My Rating: B+
Though my critique of the inclusion of the Highwaymen is significant, I must judge the execution of that inclusion rather than just decide not to like it because it’s not what I would’ve done. As far as that goes, it’s passable. The “saving the day” moment with Tara’s group was the definition of convenient; and it’s hard to believe these communities have been in the area for years without encountering these Highwaymen yet, or that the Highwaymen wouldn’t have been demolished by the Saviors during their reign. They are, however, serving a purpose, and will act as a buffer between the main antagonist group and the Kingdom-Hilltop-Alexandria alliance. Henry and Lydia grow closer and share a kiss before fighting off the Whisperers, Carol is really taking to her role as queen and is no longer refusing that title, and at the risk of belaboring the point, the fight between Beta and Daryl was worth it all.
