Gobi

This seems as good a place as any to discuss this. I've been wondering what's happened with Darryl, once one of the most interesting characters in the show. I think the problem is that he is a non-comics character, and TPTB are having increasing difficulty shoehorning him into the comics' storyline that they are following more closely. In the past, I think they have had Darryl do things that some other characters in the comics did. Hardly conducive to a consistent character, either. Take the whole "Darryl goes to the Sanctuary and escapes" subplot out of the series, and what's changed? Nothing, really. And that's the problem. Either Darryl has to do something that a major character did in the comics (problematic), or he is reduced to a glorified extra. Even CDB's interaction with Dwight (a comics character) is not dependent on Darryl. There are times when it seems like Darryl is Bruce Willis' character from The Sixth Sense. He's there, but he's not really there. Think about it. Take Darryl out of the scene with Dwight in the cell, and you wouldn't have to change a word of the script. Dwight's dialogue could be the same without Darryl's knife in his face. Maybe that's why the GPK (non-comics characters) were introduced. So Darryl can go all Rambo on their backstabbing asses, without affecting the comics' storyline.

Rick is attracted to her junk.

I think Jadis gave a really quick explanation to Rick as to how the alliance with Negan came about, but I didn't quite catch it. Something about scavenging. In any event, why was Negan so willing to be nice to the GPK? When that ASZhat, whose name I've forgotten, hinted at replacing Rick, Negan gutted him like a fish. Yet, he treats the GPK as equals, no Lucilling or anything.

Even if Rick trusted the GPK, he would have been wise to position them outside of Alexandria for the ambush. Not just for trust purposes, but to set up an L shaped ambush.

Never. Once Negan called on the GPK, the jig would have been up. So far, Eugene hasn't done anything that couldn't be forgiven. I wouldn't blame him for the choice he made, I just wouldn't trust him anymore, either.

When Rick was sure of their loyalty, he could give them ammo. It would have thrown rather a large wrench into their plans. Even better, if they didn't realize their guns were unloaded (something unlikely to happen IRL, with people at all familiar with guns, but quite common in fiction).

Morgan started out with a gun, ran out of ammo, used his stick and then took the dead man's gun.

That just shifts it from Rick to Zeke and Maggie. They needed a way to distinguish the ASZhats from the Saviors, and themselves from the Saviors. At some point in the various meetings the issue should have been raised "Well, if you do decide to join us, this is how we'll recognize each other." And how about sending a rider on horseback (or in a car, both groups have them) ahead for some recon?

I did enjoy two small touches in this episode. The dead ASZhat lying in the street, wearing a red shirt. And the sign back at the sanctuary announcing how many days since the last workplace injury; guess that gets reset to zero, now. Why was there no plan for the Allies to recognize each other? Presumably, each group would know its own members (giving the saviors an advantage), but the Allies would not know the others. They should have been wearing colored armbands, or some other form of ID. And not the same color, but different colors for each group. Furthermore, Rick should have given the GPK unloaded guns, just to be safe. He could say "you get ammo when I'm ready to give it to you." Of course, either of those things would require, you know, planning.

I'm calling it. Vin Diesel isn't really betraying the others.

Well, someone finally thought of bicycles.

Who's that baby girl? Does someone have a daughter that they've completely forgotten about?

And a cobbler!

Plan will work, Dwight will die.

I think Eric (Is that his name? Aaron's BF) is a goner, anvils were dropping all around him last week. And if a recognizable member of Oceanside shows up, she's a goner, too.

I read that there is an uninterrupted, 30 minute monologue from Negan.

Now you have me thinking of a whole other meaning for "Georgia Bottom Lands".

If this is correct, then I've never been more disappointed in TWD. The GPK and the Saviors are working together, and we've never had a scene with a conversation between Negan and Jadis? I think it would go something like this..... N: Jadis, good to see you, love what you've done with place, never did like that cat sculpture. Time for the big "W". War, that is; time to put on your armor, or scrap metal, or whatever it is, and go toe to toe with Rick's gang. Time to step up to the plate, if you don't mind me mixing metaphors. Not with a bat, naturally. I'm the only one who gets to use a bat. That would be Lucille. Have you met Lucille? Course you have. Hey, did I ever tell you about the time me and Lucille... J: We N: You're ready, yeah I know and appreciate that. What do say we go crush some skulls? Lucille here... J: need N: Need what? A ride to Alexandria? You should have everything. Why I gave explicit instructions... J: more N: More time? Gas? Food? Cars? Hey, I'm here to help. We're not monsters. Just because... J: guns N: Guns? Whatever Rick didn't give you, I'll make up the difference, no problem. After all... J: fully N: Automatic? Fully loaded? J: operational N: Sure, sure. Why I have a whole room of people who don't do anything except clean and maintain our guns. You should see the way... J: guns. N: I heard you. All of the guns will be fully operational. J: All N: All of the guns will be fully operational! J: 200 N: Guns will be fully operational. J: and 30 N: GUNS WILL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL! J: 5 N: GUNS!!! J: guns. We N: AAAAHHHH! [Negan bends backwards too far, snapping his spine.] (With apologies and a tip of the hat to Bob and Ray.)

I think the last scene will be of Zeke getting killed, and a sitting Shiva. I'll let myself out.

"Who's a good little savior? Yes, you are!"

They've been very vague on geography, but my guess is that Oceanside is far from Neganland, or the Saviors would have found them again. It was mentioned that Tara, who found them, had gone further out than anyone else. Presumably, too far away for the Saviors to hear the explosions, especially over the sound of Negan's monologues.

Fixed that for you.

The bullets thing really bothers me. Why would anyone use fully automatic fire in the ZA? It is very difficult to control your weapon and to stay on target with full auto. In a real war it's used more for suppression than actual killing, so it's effective. You can't suppress zombies, they don't care that they're being shot at. Since only a headshot will kill one, full auto only wastes ammo and lowers your chance of hitting your target.

Dwight. What a non-surprise.

Eugene is going to give Sasha the poison pill.