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The Walking Dead: Do Not Send Us Astray – Hilltop Under Siege, Infected Allies, and Maggie’s Rise (Season 8, Episode 13)

Originally aired: March 25, 2018. 10.07 million viewers tuned in for this intense and emotional episode. Written by Angela Kang and directed by Jeffrey F. January.

The Hilltop: The Last Stand?:

“Do Not Send Us Astray” picks up with the Hilltop preparing for the inevitable Savior attack. Maggie, Daryl, and Carol are leading the charge, rallying the residents and fortifying the defenses. But the Saviors, now under Simon’s command (remember that power-hungry dude?), have a few tricks up their sleeves, and the battle is about to take a dark and unexpected turn.

Key Plot Points:

• The Saviors Attack: Surprise! (Again): Under the cover of darkness, the Saviors launch a surprise attack on the Hilltop. They’re armed with guns, grenades, and a whole lot of bad intentions. But the Hilltop fighters are ready for them, and they put up a fierce defense. Maggie, Daryl, and Carol are leading the charge, inspiring their people and taking down Saviors left and right. The Hilltop: they’re not going down without a fight!
• Negan’s Dirty Trick: The Gift That Keeps on Giving (Infection): The Saviors, being the sneaky snakes that they are, have coated their weapons with walker guts. It’s a dirty tactic, designed to infect their enemies with the walker virus. The Hilltop fighters, unaware of this new threat, continue to fight bravely, but several of them are wounded by the tainted weapons. Negan: the villain who always has a trick up his sleeve (or a walker gut on his blade).!
• Tobin’s Demise: From Lover to Lunch: Tobin, one of the Hilltop residents and a former love interest of Carol’s, is among those infected by the Saviors’ weapons. He succumbs to the infection and reanimates as a walker, turning on his friends and causing chaos within the community. Tobin: the man who went from lover to lunch (literally).!
• Maggie’s Moment: The Widow Takes Charge: Maggie, despite the chaos and the losses, proves to be a strong and decisive leader. She rallies the Hilltop fighters, she makes tough choices, and she inspires her people to keep fighting. Her actions solidify her position as “The Widow” and a key figure in the rebellion against the Saviors. Maggie Greene: the woman who’s not afraid to lead (even when the world is falling apart).!
• Morgan’s Visions: The Ghost of Gavin Past: Morgan, who’s still struggling with his mental state and his violent tendencies, starts seeing visions of Gavin, the Savior he killed earlier in the season. His hallucinations are a reminder of the psychological toll that the war is taking on him, and they foreshadow his potential descent into madness. Morgan Jones: the man who’s haunted by his past (and maybe losing his future).!
• The Hilltop’s Losses: The Price of Victory: Despite their victory in the battle, the Hilltop suffers heavy casualties. The infected residents, including Tobin, turn into walkers and attack their friends and family. Maggie, though resolute in her leadership, is heartbroken by the losses and the pain that her community is enduring. The Hilltop: the community that’s paying the price for freedom.

Themes and Meanings:

• The Cost of War: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch (or a Bloodless Battle): “Do Not Send Us Astray” is a brutal reminder that war always comes at a cost. The Hilltop’s losses, both in battle and from the Saviors’ biological warfare tactics, highlight the unpredictable and devastating consequences of conflict. The apocalypse: it’s a world where even the victors suffer.
• Resilience: The Strength to Carry On: Maggie’s leadership in the face of chaos and loss is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. She’s grieving, she’s hurting, but she’s not giving up. She’s determined to protect her people and continue the fight for a better future. Maggie Greene: the woman who’s not afraid to lead through the storm.
• The Psychological Toll: The Scars That Don’t Heal: Morgan’s visions and the Hilltop residents’ grief underscore the psychological impact of the war. The constant violence, the loss of loved ones, and the moral dilemmas take a toll on the survivors’ mental and emotional well-being. The Walking Dead: where the biggest battles are often fought within.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• The subtle foreshadowing of the infected wounds during the battle creates a sense of dread and anticipation, as the viewers know that something terrible is about to happen. The Walking Dead: where even a scratch can be a death sentence.
• Morgan’s hallucinations of Gavin suggest that he’s haunted by guilt and regret over his past actions.¹ He’s trying to reconcile his pacifist beliefs with the violence he’s committed, and it’s tearing him apart. Morgan Jones: the man who’s fighting a losing battle with his own conscience.
• Maggie’s comment that “the cost of war is worth it” reflects her growing pragmatism and her willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good. She’s learning that leadership requires making tough choices, and sometimes, those choices involve accepting losses and pain. Maggie Greene: the leader who’s willing to pay the price for freedom.

Stats and Stuff:

• Walker Kills: 50+ (the Hilltop is a battlefield, and the walkers are always happy to join the party).
• Human Deaths: Several Hilltop residents (the Saviors’ dirty tactics take their toll).
• Survivor Count: The numbers are dwindling, but the fight continues.

My Final Verdict:

“Do Not Send Us Astray” is a tense and emotional episode that highlights the unpredictable nature of war and the resilience of the human spirit. The battle at the Hilltop is brutal and chaotic, and the aftermath is filled with grief and loss. But Maggie’s leadership shines through, and the survivors’ determination to fight for their freedom remains unwavering. This episode is a reminder that the apocalypse is a constant test of strength, courage, and the will to survive. What did you think of the episode? Were you shocked by Tobin’s death? Let’s discuss in the comments!