“The Walking Dead:” Episodes 702-703

The past couple episodes of the AMC hit drama, “The Walking Dead” has been a bit out of the ordinary.  The second episode of the new season was a polar opposite to the season opener, which was brutally dark and gory. 

Shifting storylines, like the show does often, we get to see what Carol and Morgan are up to in this second episode.  Carol is still recovering from her near-death experience with the man from the sanctuary.  Morgan brought her to a new community that he found, which is unlike anything we have ever seen.  It is a thriving society, with many people all making the most of their resources, but the leader of the community is a named Ezekiel.  Ezekiel has a pet tiger…

Carol is suspicious of this leader and she thinks there is something that he is hiding.  After attempting to leave, Ezekiel and Carol share a heart-to-heart and we learn of Ezekiel’s motives.  He acts in such a royal and majestic manner in order to keep his people feeling safe.  He thinks that people need someone to look up to, and he is that guy.  The fact that Ezekiel has a pet tiger seemed a little over the top, however, and was even laughable.

By the end of the episode we learn that this group is also serving Negan’s group, the Saviors.  This group is becoming an even more looming threat in the world of “The Walking Dead” as we know it.

In the third episode, which premiered this past Sunday, we find out what happened with Daryl after he got taken away by Negan’s group.  Locked in a cell with no clothes, we can assume that he is being beaten often.  He is being fed dog food once a day and his cell is being blasted with one song, “Easy Street,” on repeat all day long.  As a viewer, I never want to hear that song again.

Negan, a ruthless leader, takes an interest in Daryl and thinks that he can become one of his own disciples.  Daryl’s will is too strong though, and he does not break under Negan’s pressure and enticing offers of a better life.

Next week, we look forward to finally seeing Rick’s group since the insanity that occurred in the season opener.  Be sure to tune into AMC at 9 p.m. next Sunday to catch the next installment of “The Walking Dead.”