S05.E16: Conquer

[natyxg]

And why did Morgan leave those Wolves alive in the back of that car???

 

He should've killed him because he knew they would do it to other people. He's gonna be clashing with Rick if he thinks pieces of shit like them deserve to live, which I guess was the point of the whole thing.

 

I'm guessing the wolf pack is bigger, so to speak, so they can be a problem next season.

[mustbekarma]

OMG - the best season finale ever.  Sasha restrains her self, Glenn restrains himself - but not Rick.

 

Deanna - showing her true self at last and using Rick as a weapon.

 

And it was touching to see that the Walkers are just looking for a good party.

Honestly, I don't think Deanna showed her true self. It took Reg dying in her arms to realize that she was wrong and that the Pete's of this world have to be put down. She just had a huge reality check. Even if it could be argued that Rick fighting with Pete escalated the situation, at some point Pete was going to snap and kill someone, most likely Jessie or the kids. Ignoring the problem didn't make it go away.

[Ellaria]

Hopefully Gabriel will get some much needed character rehabilitation next season.

Glad to have Morgan back. Wonder how he will fit into life in Alexandria. He and Rick clearly need time to talk.

How many people live in Alexandria? 20? And how many Wolves are there? Just the two guys that Morgan didn't kill...or am I confused?

An excellent finale overall. Maggie finally gets screen time. Tara wakes up. Perhaps Sasha has found some satisfaction in pointing a gun at Gabriel. Not really sure the point of Glenn and Nicholas' confrontation in the woods. Seems like it could have happened inside of Alexandria in the daylight.

[SimoneS]

Am I the only one who wanted Rick and Morgan to hug so glad Lennie James has finally ally found Rick.

 

You and me both.

[raven]

 

I'm glad he didn't kill Nicholas, but I am hoping Nicholas is going to be Walker-Chow sooner rather then later

It would be interesting to see if there's any redemption for Nicholas.  Is that what most of the Rick group is striving for?  Most of them have done some pretty awful things.  I'd rather have Noah than Nicholas and so would the gang, but it will be interesting to see how they approach the two betrayals (Nicholas and Gabriel).

 

I really liked Maggie agreeing that Fr Gabriel did something awful and then the prayer scene with him and Sasha.  It fits with what we know about Maggie and I like Sasha back from the brink.

Edited March 30, 2015 by raven

[Armchair Critic]

Morgan had some smooth moves but the dude on LOST did the killer walking stick first.

[NorthstarATL]

 

So Deanna is willing to take action when her family member is hurt or killed, but not when someone in her community experiences the same thing? SMH. I do wonder why she’s the final decision maker. Shouldn’t they have a vote on what should be done instead of her making the final decisions? They are after all trying to build a community.

The history of humanity is more single decision makers than not. Post ZA seems to trend that same way. The only example I can recall of a council type thing was briefly at the prison before things went south.

   I guess we'll find out next season who Deanna has to back her up. With Reg gone, and Rick looking to school the Alexandrians, Deanna's going to be more a figurehead than anything else.

[deedee]

So that dumbass priest talks shit about the group, almost gets Rick killed by moronically leaving the gate open, and STILL doesn't get eaten? Not cool show- not cool.

[lulee]

Points to those who compared Morgan to Donatello - Lennie James just said on TTD that he trained for the walking stick fighting with one of the original TMNT.

[ghoulina]

Anyone else think Morgan was channeling Gob Bluth and thinking to himself, "I've made a huge mistake."?

 

I'm glad someone else said it. His face totally said, "Who are you and what have you done with my Rick?"

[AimingforYoko]

So that dumbass priest talks shit about the group, almost gets Rick killed by moronically leaving the gate open, and STILL doesn't get eaten? Not cool show- not cool.

That and Glenn sparing Nicholas is supposed to be some lesson about conscience in the Zombie Age.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

When Carol was all like, Come at me Bro!

:DEAD:

I'm confused about one thing: are we supposed to have feelings about Red Poncho?

For me, he was this season's Orange backpack guy.

[thuganomics85]

Morgan!  Has finally arrived.  And, with the group!  Can't wait to see Lennies James interact with the rest of the cast.  But, I'm sure his reunion with Rick is going to be bumpy, after that final scene.  I don't envy Rick on this one ("You have to understand, Morgan!  He totally had it coming!!")

 

This show really messes with my head.  Certainly makes me crueler then normal.  I was rooting completely for Glenn to finish off Nicholas, and Sasha to put Gabriel out of his misery.  But, I guess I have to accept they both haven't crossed that line yet, which is a good thing.  Still, Glenn better at least tell them what he tried to do, and have him in chains or something.  And, I don't know what to hell to do with Gabriel.  He is clearly a liability to everyone, and even that final prayer circle, doesn't give me much hope.

 

"Tribal Council" was great.  Cracked up during Abraham's speech.  I want him to run for office.  I wouldn't vote for him, but his speeches would be so entertaining.  And, then Rick just walks in, covered in blood with one of the walker bodies all "Yeah, I know I look a bit crazy, but I'm right!!"  And, then Pete fucks everything up even more.  Priceless.  Sucks to be Reg, though.  I knew that him being reasonable was a sign for a bad ending for him.

 

Jessie pointing out that they only had Deanna's word about Gabriel, might have been the most I ever liked her.

 

Carol is going full-blown mobster now, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Really loved the Abraham/Eugene/Rosita scene.  Never would have predicted Eugene would end up being someone I like.

 

They finally let Maggie do something, which is nice of them.  Lauren Cohan was kind of wasted this season.

 

I hope we still get more Daryl/Aaron.

 

So, I guess next season is going to be all about these "Wolves", and Alexandra handling the new changes I'm sure Rick and Deanna are going to try and implement together.  At least I hope so.  Deanna has to realize now that things have changed.

Edited March 30, 2015 by thuganomics85

[Samsnee]

Did anyone catch Carol smirk a little bit when Pete killed Reg? Almost like a "Game. Set. Match." moment.

[AimingforYoko]

When Carol was all like, Come at me Bro!

:DEAD:

It reminded me of when Kurt Russell punked Billy Bob Thornton in Tombstone.

[The Mighty Peanut]

I'm confused about one thing: are we supposed to have feelings about Red Poncho?

I think yes, only in as much as he was hapless cannon fodder. He's not zen ninja Morgan, doesn't have a leader like Rick, or allies, or a community, but literally came within a mile of those people/things.

[nodorothyparker]

That was more of a series of vignettes in a day in the life of the ZA than a season finale.  Lots and lots of nice small things and some WTF moments but they still managed to go a full 90 minutes and not feel like they were really getting anywhere.

 

I am glad we're finally going to get Morgan with the whole group.  Deanna is apparently just fine with having someone killed when it's one of her own getting hurt.  And who knew that zombies could be effectively handled with mall music and a strobe light?  This would have been a very different show if anybody had figured that out sooner.

Edited March 30, 2015 by nodorothyparker

[ghoulina]

Deanna's Sex, Lies, and Videotape leave her with one dim witted son. Nice utopia you got there, pinko.

 

Preston IS an idiot. He needs to be put in the corner and barred for life from gate duty.

[tennisgurl]

More thoughts:

 

The members of Team Family, for all that talk about how dark and awful they are, are WAY more forgiving than I would be. I would have kicked Nick and Father Gabe to the freaking zombie infested curb for all the shit they've pulled. 

 

I was so convinced Maggie and/or Glen were going to bite it (no pun intended). So glad they both survived!

 

Its a small Zombie Apocalypse after all! 

 

Poor Deanna husband. He seemed like a nicer guy than Deanna at least. Let Ricktatorship Part 2 begin! 

 

Carol has basically become the worlds scariest, most murderous kindergarten teacher. 

 

 

And, then Rick just walks in, covered in blood with one of the walker bodies all "Yeah, I know I look a bit crazy, but I'm right!!"

Yes! My friends and I literally laughed out loud at that. It was like "Oh, there's Rick! Looking like the picture of sanity and reason!" 

Edited March 30, 2015 by tennisgurl

[minamurray78]

When Carol was all like, Come at me Bro!

:DEAD:

For me, he was this season's Orange backpack guy.

Yeah, Daryl and Aaron lost track of him, and the wolves found him.

 

I still can't get over the fact that there seems to be just two of them.

[slf]

My longest-running problem with TWD has always been the dialogue. This is not how real people talk. The writers think they're being profound and capturing an older way of speaking that used to be more common in the south, but it just doesn't work. That meeting at the end was so damn frustrating because...no one talks like that. No one communicates in so many half sentences that are as vague as possible. "The things we've seen....terrible things....things you haven't seen..." Jesus. EXPLAIN. Tell them very specifically about the things, about Terminus and the Governor, tell them about how Grady operated, tell them about the biker gang that almost raped Carl. Tell them how Lori had to have her baby cut out of her and Carl had to put her down. Tell them about Noah's community and the Unfair Wolves. Tell them about how everyone is already infected. Use your words.

 

But, you know, that means the characters might actually resolve shit every now and then so why bother?

 

Morgan's found Rick and Glenn didn't die so I'm happy enough.

[bosawks]

This just further proves that bonfires are the work of the devil.

[Pete Martell]

Anyway, my thoughts on this episode...

 

- Choppy as hell. I'm going to have to watch again without commercials, but even then, I think they may have been better off splitting this into sections (one part Glenn, one part Daryl/Aaron, one part Rick's trial, one part Gabriel). 

 

The good: 

 

- NO SHOCK VALUE DEATHS. Thank you. Thank you.

 

- Morgan's great intro.

 

- The final scene with Michonne. Understated yet heartbreaking. Danai is a treasure.

 

- Daryl and Aaron. Some great bonding moments that felt believable for the characters and added some originality to the cliche of the heroes in the car waiting to die. I'm really liking what Aaron brings to the show - on a show that has had 500 characters over the years, he feels fresh, and achingly believable as someone who is competent yet simultaneously naive. And Daryl is being moved into a place of his own, a place of strength and new bonds instead of woobieness and isolation. I approve.

 

- Glenn's heart. I think the Tyreese-fakeout with the walkers was unnecessary, as was the idiocy of him wandering around in the woods alone, but I appreciated one more chance to see Glenn's strength and innate goodness, while still seeing what a badass he is. Best of all I'm glad that we've gotten Glenn's journey this season all on his own (with Maggie there with him at times), further establishing him as a powerful lead in his own right. 

 

- Tara waking up to see Rosita. I'm glad they let the group have that win instead of just seeing her as disposable. I watch the show for the occasional glimpse of heart. And I love the Rosita/Tara relationship. Bonus points for Eugene also being with her earlier. I just wish Glenn had been there at some point. 

 

- Cool walker kills. Even after 5 seasons, Gabriel's noose kill and Rick tearing the walker's throat/face/head apart were good gore moments. 

 

- Spencer is still alive and still hot. Lose the shirt next season while you can, because gorgeous guys rarely last long on this show.

 

- The Rick/Michonne scenes. I will likely never ship them again, but I appreciate seeing Michonne's strength and steadfast loyalty, and that for the first time in a while, Rick seemed to finally be fully trusting and connecting with her.

 

- The Rick/Carl scene, which was long overdue. I'm glad that they at least tried to show that Michonne and Carl weren't entirely wrong in wanting to give things a chance.

 

The "eh"

 

- Carol bordering on self-parody. It's obvious that the show is in love with the idea of "Scarol," and with Hardwick cheerleading hardcore on Talking Dead, no wonder. The problem is that they are beginning to lose the character in overly aware clichespeak. The line about getting the dish back made me roll my eyes. I don't believe that's something she, or anyone in the real world, would have said. This isn't a Dirty Harry movie. The character is being boxed in and I don't like it.

 

- Sasha/Gabriel/Maggie. I like the idea of Sasha and Gabriel finding each other, nearly killing each other, and Maggie saving them through her faith and her love, but it felt a little rushed, due in part to the three of them barely interacting in recent weeks (why not have Maggie with Michonne and Rosita last week looking for Sasha?), and they really have done huge, huge damage to any possibility of Gabriel being a viable character. His hissy fit in the woods was an embarrassment. It's going to take more than coming back into season 6 and having him as a BAMF. It's going to take a lot of work. A lot of work. But I do like seeing Maggie as Hershel and it's good that Sasha seems to be finding her strength again. 

 

The bad:

 

- The endless "tell me about your feelings" fireside trial scenes, which reminded me way too much of the worst of seasons 1 and 2. This show is already ponderous enough as it is. When the high point is Abraham saying "shit" 3 times, something went wrong. 

 

- Pete, right to the end. It wasn't as hilarious as it seemed on paper, but it was still random and nonsensical, and I had no idea what he was yelling at the end. And Reg's death scene was just plain badly staged. 

 

- Yay for Jessie finally having dialogue of her own without Rick around...even if it took 5 episodes and she still seems completely isolated from everything and everyone.

 

I'd give it a B or B-. I guess.

[Maverick]

I'm confused about one thing: are we supposed to have feelings about Red Poncho?

 

 I think he's supposed to be like the backpacker in Clear.  A faceless, nameless guy trying to survive the ZA but ultimately succumbing to it's dangers, in part because our heroes left them be.

 

 What was on the note Aaron found in the car?   More importantly, I'm sorry Eric but you're going to have to die a tragic death so Aaron and Daryl can hookup.

 

 So the Wolves just set traps to kill people for the hell of it.  And not even necessarily the enjoyment of watching them die (the truck trap was unattended and someone would be long dead before they showed up to check on it).  And are the Wolves supposed to be the people the ASZ exiled?

 

 Are mosquitoes that big an issue in late fall?

 

 I don't think Morgan is going to be in conflict over killing someone evil.  Despite his 'all life is precious', he had no problem leaving the Wolves doucebags to die a horrible death.   Rick's not exactly out there killing nice people.

[iRarelyWatchTV36]

• MORGAN!!!!!!  Oh, you sweet beautiful man!  Damn, sorry.  But I'm really hyped!  And you saved [& then 'met'] (arguably) the show's biggest attraction.  Major props, bro.

 

• Well, at least Pete got what was coming to him.  Like, seriously.  Gotta say I loved the direct tie-in to Rick's speech,last week, and then Pete's execution.  "You, you sit and you plan, you hesitate... You're way of doing thangs is gonna get people killed.  Its already gotten people killed.... We're the ones who live.  Something needs done; and we do it.... Starting right now, we need to control who lives here."  Then Deanna tells him to do it, and Rick just 'bam!" caps Pete like it ain't no thang.

 

• Glenn, damn your soft underbelly.  KILL THAT SACKLESS BASTARD!!!

 

• Sasha, for once in your (new) unhinged crazy life... you pick then to hesitate on pulling the trigger!?!?  And then Maggie starts a prayer circle??!!   ARGH!!!

 

• FPP is dead to me.  Seriously.  Get him off my Show.

 

• Carol, you are so hot... in a psychotic fake-smiles-to-hide-the-homicidal-tendencies kinda way.

 

• Jessie and her "shouldn't be seen talking/don't turn around" bit.  Oh honey, that ghost was long past given up when the shit went down last night (your time).

 

• Nobody stops the show to make a point like a bloody-faced Rick Grimes.  2 weeks in a row.  I'm sensing a possible pattern.

 

• "I might have to kill someone...  You ok with that?"  Oh Rick.  Its so cute how you are with Carl, letting him think he has a choice in thangs and stuff.

Edited March 30, 2015 by iRarelyWatchTV36

[Mya Stone]

Morgan had some smooth moves but the dude on LOST did the killer walking stick first.

Ah, Mr. Eko. I'm still bitter about that.

[Bad Example]

And Michonne didn't wonder how Pete got that katana while Carl and the baby were there? And the house is dark and Carl isn't awake saying a guy broke in here?

All isn't right in my world!

 

Motherdick, kikismom! I was all happy and fine and only worried about the damned unfair wolves.

 

"Tribal Council" was great.  Cracked up during Abraham's speech.  I want him to run for office.  I wouldn't vote for him, but his speeches would be so entertaining.  

 

Really loved the Abraham/Eugene/Rosita scene.  Never would have predicted Eugene would end up being someone I like.

 

.

Who knew I would *finally* get attached to all of them?  Abraham is unintentionally funny as hell, Rosita gained a personality and a new style that suits her, and Eugene... totally agree, who knew he'd ever become likable?

 

Wait, did Rick shoot Pete or give Reg a coup de gras?

 

Pretty sure he shot Pete... but I was really hoping it was the coup.

 

I'm confused about one thing: are we supposed to have feelings about Red Poncho?

 

I think so- maybe not for him personally, but just for the loss of someone who seemed competent.  Then again, maybe not if the Wolves got him?

[The Mighty Peanut]

Look guys I found this exclusive preview of Carol about to take on the wolves next season

Edited March 30, 2015 by The Mighty Peanut

[Raven1707]

So much to say about this episode, but I think this time I'm going to (1) watch at least two more times; (2) transcribe the dialogue; and (3) make notes BEFORE I delve into it.

[peach]

.

 

And, I don't know what to hell to do with Gabriel.  He is clearly a liability to everyone, and even that final prayer circle, doesn't give me much hope

 

With Maggie being involved in that, I thought it was a callback to when Hershel, Maggie, and Beth prayed together, and Rick finally "saw the light" and decided not to turn Michonne over to the Governor.  And Maggie will begin to fill some of Hershel's role as spiritual strength, and wise sort of peacemaker role.  Who can still kill you.

[Mya Stone]

Points to those who compared Morgan to Donatello - Lennie James just said on TTD that he trained for the walking stick fighting with one of the original TMNT.

Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week.

(Go Ninja Go Ninja Go!)

[bosawks]

So Carol has basically become the worlds scariest, most murderous kindergarten teacher.

Nope, that'd still be Mrs. Marchitello.....

[Racj82]

Boring? It's really hard to please people these days. Anyway, I'm glad didn't just descend war on Alexandria. That's not what we were building to at the end of the day. The main arcs of our characters came full circle and that's what the end of tv seasons should be about. Not shock for shocks sake. Now, we'll see the town built up in the image of our group. I look forward to out group embracing the change and seeing how it effects them knowing that the group is "mostly" game now. We have obvious troubles looming so there will be plenty of drama next season. There was also plenty of action and suspense to make this far from boring. Great finale.

[ghoulina]

Yeah, Daryl and Aaron lost track of him, and the wolves found him.

I still can't get over the fact that there seems to be just two of them.

 

It kind of reminded me of Daryl and Aaron losing the horse, and the walkers finding it. They kind of suck at this recruitment thing so far. But at least they found an AK license plate. 

 

And yea, there just cannot be only 2 wolves! They have to separate into teams and perform different tasks or something. If that's really all there is next season I'm going to yawn.

[Samsnee]

Were the two guys in the beginning the Wolves at the end? Since Morgan took them out pretty easily, I don't see how they can be much of a threat.

[Bad Example]

- Glenn's heart. I think the Tyreese-fakeout with the walkers was unnecessary, as was the idiocy of him wandering around in the woods alone, but I appreciated one more chance to see Glenn's strength and innate goodness, while still seeing what a badass he is. Best of all I'm glad that we've gotten Glenn's journey this season all on his own (with Maggie there with him at times), further establishing him as a powerful lead in his own right. 

 

 

Isn't it against the rules for Glenn to still be alive?  He told Maggie he loved her and climbed over the wall!  That's like a TV death sentence! 

I love him SO HARD tonight.  

[Rosiejuliemom]

And Michonne didn't wonder how Pete got that katana while Carl and the baby were there? And the house is dark and Carl isn't awake saying a guy broke in here?

All isn't right in my world!

 

Maybe Carl and Judith were in the other house?

[Pete Martell]

Isn't it against the rules for Glenn to still be alive?  He told Maggie he loved her and climbed over the wall!  That's like a TV death sentence! 

I love him SO HARD tonight.  

 

It's like last season when Maggie burned the photo of the two of them after they reunited. 

 

These crazy kids just flip fate off every time.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Yeah, Daryl and Aaron lost track of him, and the wolves found him.

 

I still can't get over the fact that there seems to be just two of them.

Sadly, I'm sure they're just preview of what's to come and are many.

[SnoGirl]

It kind of reminded me of Daryl and Aaron losing the horse, and the walkers finding it. They kind of suck at this recruitment thing so far. But at least they found an AK license plate.

And yea, there just cannot be only 2 wolves! They have to separate into teams and perform different tasks or something. If that's really all there is next season I'm going to yawn.

Aaron lost the plate though, at least I thought he did I thought He dropped his bag during the attack.

There has to be more wolves, there have been a lot of Walkers with W's. Two guys did all of that?

[Disraeli Ears]

I said "MORGAN!" At the beginning.

When Morgan saved Daryl and Aaron, I squealed "Morgan!" and clapped like a seal.

Then at the end, I did it again.

[Guest]

I loved the scene where Morgan showed Daryl the 'Rick Grimes' map more than is healthy.

[mmecorday]

Come on, Daryl! You've set traps before! How the hell did he not know those trucks of supposed canned goods were a MAJOR trap? That said, I am so glad he's still alive. I love Norman Reedus and the character he portrays. That scene with him and Aaron in the vehicle surrounded by walkers smacked of those cliff hangers the old school Batman TV show used to pull. "Is this the end of Aaron and Daryl?"

 

Welcome back, Morgan! And he's just as awesome as ever. Continue to speak softly, carry that big stick, and stick around.

 

Normally I hate when the commercials come on, but tonight I saw them as necessary and welcome breaks from the action. I feel very protective toward these characters and when their mortality is threatened, I feel like I'm about to come out of my skin. I had to remind myself of the MST3k mantra, "Just repeat to yourself it's just a show, I should really just relax." But sometimes it's so damn hard! 

[Straycat80]

I'm still wondering why Enid and Nicholas were always jumping the walls and running around in the woods?

[TexasChic]

Well I absolutely loved the episode. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and squealed and hollered and scared the cat more times than I could count.

Edited March 30, 2015 by TexasChic

[catrox14]

I loved the scene where Morgan showed Daryl the 'Rick Grimes' map more than is healthy.

 

Dude/ette..seriously. I was holding my breath and was just so damn happy.  I have wanted those fuckers reunited from Day One.  Guh.....LUV

[tennisgurl]

 Oh Glen and Maggie. Someone up there is rooting for those wacky kids! They just keep skating right by death! They could even survive having a baby, or Glen announcing he`s just two days away from retirement, or Maggie showing passers pay pictures of Glen and the kid they`ll have. They might just make it!

 

When Deanna was talking with Maggie about how they've all lost, I thought Maggie was going to say something like "Yeah? I watched my Dad get his head hacked off with a Katana by a one-eyed wanna be politician. Life sucks, I got it". 

 

I loved the scene where Morgan showed Daryl the 'Rick Grimes' map more than is healthy.

I got, like embarrassingly emotional when I saw that. I cant even explain it, it just hit me HARD. 

[ghoulina]

Come on, Daryl! You've set traps before! How the hell did he not know those trucks of supposed canned goods were a MAJOR trap?

 

Yea, when I noticed all those cans hanging around the trucks I got a bad feeling.

[raven]

 

Well I absolutely loved the episode. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and squealed and hollered and scared the cat more times than I could count.

Me too (no cat tho).  I thought it was well paced, which doesn't always happen on this show and very, very tense. 

 

I really appreciated the quiet scenes - Abraham with Eugene, Rosita/Tara.  The show often says "family" but they showed it in this episode.

[Samx]

Maybe Carl and Judith were in the other house?

Yeah, I'm thinking Carl and Judith probably were in the same house as Rosita/Tara. I would certainly hope that the rule is that Judith is left with an adult around, even though I know Carl can take care of himself. If not, maybe they were upstairs and Pete snuck in? Meh.

ETA: On TD, Norman was asked if Daryl would've killed Nicholas and he said "in a heartbeat" but Glenn's decision was right for Glenn's character. I suppose that's true. Not sure we needed a Glenn "going down a dark path" storyline. Also, I enjoy that Norman thinks Daryl would like to become "Glenn-esque." Hee!

Edited March 30, 2015 by Samx