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The Walking Dead: Bury Me Here – Melons, Mayhem, and Morgan’s Meltdown (Season 7, Episode 13)

Originally aired: March 12, 2017. 10.07 million viewers tuned in for this intense and heartbreaking episode. Written by Scott M. Gimple and directed by Alrick Riley.

The Kingdom: From Peaceful Paradise to Powder Keg:

“Bury Me Here” takes us back to the Kingdom, where things are about to get a whole lot more complicated. The Saviors are still demanding their tribute, tensions are rising, and one man’s misguided plan is about to have devastating consequences.

Key Plot Points:

• The Melon Meltdown: One Melon Short of a Happy Ending: The Kingdom’s weekly tribute to the Saviors is interrupted when Gavin, one of Negan’s lieutenants, discovers that they’re one melon short. It seems like a trivial matter, but in the world of the Saviors, even the smallest infraction can have deadly consequences. Richard, one of Ezekiel’s advisors, tries to take the blame, but Gavin is not in the mood for excuses. He demands that someone pay the price for the missing melon. The Saviors: they’re sticklers for details (and they’re not afraid to use violence to enforce their rules).!
• Richard’s Risky Plan: The Sacrifice That Backfires: It’s revealed that Richard deliberately sabotaged the tribute, hoping to provoke the Saviors and force Ezekiel to join the fight against Negan. But his plan goes horribly wrong when Benjamin, a young and innocent Kingdom resident, is killed by the Saviors instead of him. Richard: the man who played with fire (and got burned).!
• Morgan’s Breaking Point: The Pacifist Who Snaps: Benjamin’s death is the final straw for Morgan. He’s been struggling with his pacifist beliefs all season, and the loss of this innocent young man pushes him over the edge. He confronts Richard, and in a shocking and brutal moment, he strangles him to death in front of everyone. Morgan then reveals Richard’s plan to the Saviors, hoping to convince them that the Kingdom is still loyal. Morgan Jones: the pacifist who became a killer (again).!
• Morgan’s Transformation: The Return of the Dark Side: After killing Richard, Morgan is a changed man.¹ He’s lost his way, and he’s no longer sure what he believes in. He contemplates leaving the Kingdom, feeling like he doesn’t belong there anymore. Morgan Jones: the man who’s lost in the wilderness (of his own mind).!
• Ezekiel’s Awakening: The King Goes to War: The tragedy of Benjamin’s death and Morgan’s breakdown forces Ezekiel to confront the reality of their situation. He realizes that the Saviors are a threat that can’t be ignored, and he finally agrees to join the fight against Negan.² Ezekiel: the king who’s finally ready to lead his people into battle.

Themes and Meanings:

• Sacrifice: The Unintended Consequences: Richard’s misguided plan and Benjamin’s tragic death highlight the unintended consequences of actions in the apocalypse. Even with the best of intentions, things can go horribly wrong, and innocent people can pay the price. The Walking Dead: where even the smallest choices can have devastating consequences.
• Leadership: The Burden of Responsibility: Ezekiel’s decision to join the fight against the Saviors shows his growth as a leader. He’s no longer just a theatrical figurehead; he’s a man who’s willing to make tough choices and protect his people, even if it means going to war. Ezekiel: the king who’s finally ready to wear the crown.
• Morality: The Struggle to Stay True: Morgan’s internal conflict and his descent back into violence underscore the challenges of maintaining your morality in the apocalypse. The world is a brutal and unforgiving place, and sometimes, it feels like there’s no room for compassion or pacifism. But Morgan’s struggle is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, it’s important to hold onto your values and fight for what you believe in. Morgan Jones: the man who’s trying to find his way back to the light.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• The single missing melon, which seems like a trivial detail, becomes a symbol of the Saviors’ power and their ability to control even the smallest aspects of the Kingdom’s lives. The melon: a symbol of oppression.
• Benjamin’s death is a tragic loss for the Kingdom, but it also serves as a catalyst for change. His innocence and his optimism are a stark contrast to the harsh realities of the apocalypse, and his death forces Ezekiel and the others to confront the need for action. Benjamin: the innocent who paid the price for the Kingdom’s awakening.
• Morgan using his staff to kill Richard is a symbolic moment. The staff, which was once a symbol of his pacifism and his commitment to nonviolence, becomes a weapon of death, reflecting his descent back into darkness. Morgan’s staff: a reminder that even the most peaceful tools can be used for violence.

Stats and Stuff:

• Walker Kills: Minimal (the walkers are taking a backseat to the human drama this week).
• Human Deaths: 2 (Benjamin and Richard, the victims of the Saviors’ brutality and Morgan’s rage).
• Survivor Count: The Kingdom is still standing, but its innocence is lost.

My Final Verdict:

“Bury Me Here” is a powerful and emotional episode that explores the themes of sacrifice, leadership, and the moral complexities of survival in the apocalypse. Benjamin’s death is a heartbreaking moment, and Morgan’s transformation is both shocking and thought-provoking. This episode marks a turning point for the Kingdom, as they finally join the fight against Negan and the Saviors. What did you think of the episode? Were you surprised by Morgan’s actions? Let’s discuss in the comments!