The Walking Dead S9E15: The Calm Before

Readers of the comics knew this day was coming. Whatever roundabout way we got here, we are here. The opening scene serves as the quickest of snapshots for where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going: an unfamiliar couple escapes a small herd of walkers in the woods some years ago, discovers the peaceful Hilltop community and begins a new life there, only to meet their demise on the road to the fair at the hands of the Whisperers. Panic, peace, death: those words sum up so many of the lives of our survivors, almost as if they were made to be reminded of the sweeter things in life before the powers of this world swallow them whole.  In “The Calm Before,” Alpha pulls no punches in exerting her power.

As with “Scars” last week, this episode does a terrific job of juxtaposing non-sequential scenes to build the drama and heighten major revelations. In one moment we see a small contingent heading back to Hilltop to protect it against a presumed attack, only to be caught in a trap and taken hostage. On the other side of the break we see interactions at the fair happening hours before, revealing additional details and characters that are also involved in what comes to pass with the group taken hostage. It keeps our minds racing to place the timeline together, piecing together clues; but not to such a degree that it distracts us from the significance of what’s on screen.

In many ways, Alpha can be viewed as a “worldly force of darkness” (Ephesians 6:12), prowling around, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Her workings in this episode are as one with quasi-omnipotence, always a step ahead of our protagonists, anticipating their every move. Though she regularly takes on the form of death, she covers herself as one in the light in order to deceive those in the light. Taking on the form of a sheep, she is truly a wolf preparing to devour her enemies (Matthew 7:15).

Alpha uses the scalp of one she just killed to disguise herself and enter the fair. She even strikes up an awkward conversation with Ezekiel and is escorted by him to a clothing booth. No doubt by this point the episode director, Laura Belsey, was having herself a little giggle at what comic readers like myself were thinking: I vividly remember reading this portion of the “Whisperer Wars” in the comics, the panels catching my eyes as I turned the page to reveal severed heads set on stakes. Many of the players are different on the show, so the drama is contained in learning exactly who Alpha will take out. In the comics, Ezekiel was the primary character lost, and it seemed like the show was setting up the same. He delivers a celebratory speech, he finally gets the charter signed by all the communities, and Carol finally accepts the title of Queen. Things are just going too well for him, surely he was a goner. Ezekiel ends up being safe, but many others are not.

Much ink (screen pixels?) will be spilled examining the who and why of those Alpha kills and sets as her “northern boundary”. Tara’s loss leaves a gaping leadership hole at Hilltop. Henry’s loss may spark Carol’s rage and hurt Lydia the most. Enid’s loss might hurt the viewers the most because we have seen her come so far from ‘just survive somehow’ (JSS) to looking forward to a life with Alden. A couple of highwaymen and Henry’s friends round out the total, but I think more attention needs to be spent on monologues given in this episode.

Ezekiel

As he welcomes members of each community to the fair, Ezekiel says, “Today is proof that we can unite, not against a common enemy, but for the common good.” This line struck me as particularly relevant considering the enemy they’re facing, but also considering the American political climate today. I am politically conservative. Like many (most) conservatives, these past few years have tested my resolve to political principles and pushed the boundaries of being “for” something rather than “against” its opposite. Ezekiel’s encouragement here is one we would all do well to remember. While few things can spark the flames of division more than identifying a common enemy, progress and liberty are both better paved on a road of unity than on one of division.

Alpha

Shaken by the rebellion of her daughter, and burdened with the protection of her people, Alpha leads Daryl to a cliffside where she reveals an enormous herd of walkers that her people are controlling. Almost as though they are keeping the herd from overwhelming the communities. Alpha paints herself as a necessary evil in this way, and demands that the communities respect her borders. She tells Daryl, “I’ve walked your streets. It’s a joke. Your communities are a shrine to a long dead world…we live as nature intended.” Alpha actively adopts a purely materialistic, naturalistic worldview. One that easily dismisses calls for mercy or justice. One that has no time for unity and common good. It is a worldview that enables the powerful to ravenously exert their power and disables the weak of equality and joy. Her monologue is set against that of Ezekiel’s and is embodied by the wedge she is attempting to drive between the communities.

Siddiq

Siddiq speaks before the people at the fair, testifying of the ones they’ve lost at the hands of Alpha. He witnessed it all and was allowed to survive in order to relay a message. News of the loss is enough to deliver the warning, yet Siddiq strives to call the peoples’ attention to the bravery they displayed in the face of their death. After all the loss of life they have suffered, still the emphasis is on unity and togetherness. That newfound unity, solidified in a signed charter, will now be tested more than ever.

My Rating: A+

Season nine continues its trend of being one of the best this show has offered. This episode in particular handled a number of main character deaths in dramatic and artful fashion, rather than glorifying death and gore. In addition, several heartfelt moments connected strongly, such as Carol seeing Judith for the first time in years, and Alpha’s emotional outburst while dealing with Lydia’s abandonment of her. Heading into the season finale, it’s hard to tell where things will go from here. And that’s a good thing.