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The Walking Dead: Look at the Flowers – Alpha’s Gone, Beta’s Lost It, and Carol’s Seeing Ghosts (Season 10, Episode 14)

Originally aired: March 29, 2020. Viewership held steady at 3.26 million, proving that even without Rick, the drama is still alive and well! Written by Channing Powell and directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer.

The Whisperers and Beyond: A World in Transition:

“Look at the Flowers” picks up with the aftermath of Alpha’s death, exploring the ripple effects of this major event on the survivors and the Whisperers. We see Carol grappling with the consequences of her actions, Negan trying to navigate his new role, and Beta spiraling into madness.

Key Plot Points:

• Carol’s Confession: “I Did It, Daryl (But I’m Not Okay)”: Carol, who’s been carrying the weight of her secret deal with Negan, finally comes clean to Daryl. She reveals that she was the one who orchestrated Alpha’s death, and she’s clearly not proud of it. Daryl, bless his understanding heart, listens to her confession, but he’s also worried about her mental state and the path she’s on. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s always one step away from the edge.
• Negan’s Walkabout (and Whisperer Fan Club): Negan, now a free man (sort of), wanders the wilderness, trying to figure out what to do with his newfound freedom. He encounters Daryl, who’s skeptical of Negan’s claims that he killed Alpha for the greater good. But when a group of Whisperers shows up, they bow down to Negan, mistaking him for their new leader. Negan, in a surprising turn of events, uses their loyalty to trick them and then kills them, proving that he’s not the same ruthless villain he once was. Negan: the villain who’s trying to be a hero (or at least, less of a villain).!
• Carol’s Haunted House: “Alpha’s in My Head!”: Carol, still reeling from the trauma of Henry’s death and the guilt of her actions, is haunted by hallucinations of Alpha. Samantha Morton gives a chilling performance as Alpha’s ghost, taunting Carol and reminding her of the darkness within her. Carol’s mental state is deteriorating, and her hallucinations are a powerful reminder of the psychological toll that the apocalypse can take. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s fighting a losing battle with her own mind.
• Beta’s Breakdown: “I’m Losing It (and My Mask)”: Beta, upon learning of Alpha’s death, completely loses it. He’s always been a bit unhinged, but now, he’s full-on bonkers. He carries Alpha’s severed head around with him, listening to its whispers and seeking guidance from the dead. He even visits an abandoned town, where we discover that he was once a famous country singer (who knew?). In a chilling scene, he plays his own music over a loudspeaker, attracting a massive horde of walkers to him. Beta: the rockstar who became a rock-bottom villain.
• Eugene’s Road Trip: “Stephanie, I’m Coming!”: Meanwhile, Eugene, Ezekiel, and Yumiko are still on their mission to meet Stephanie, the mysterious woman Eugene’s been chatting with on the radio. They encounter Princess, a quirky and eccentric survivor who’s been living alone in an abandoned city. Princess, with her bright purple clothes and her bubbly personality, is a breath of fresh air in this otherwise bleak episode. Princess: the ray of sunshine in the apocalypse.

Themes and Meanings:

• Vengeance: The Price You Pay: Carol’s arc in this episode is a powerful exploration of the consequences of vengeance. She finally got her revenge on Alpha, but it didn’t bring her the closure or the peace she was hoping for. Instead, it’s left her isolated, guilt-ridden, and haunted by the ghost of her enemy. The Walking Dead: where revenge is a dish best not served at all.
• Leadership: The Burden of Choice: Beta, Negan, and Carol all grapple with the challenges of leadership in different ways. Beta’s descent into madness shows the dangers of unchecked power and the fragility of the human psyche. Negan’s actions suggest that even the most ruthless villains can find redemption, while Carol’s struggle with her inner demons highlights the emotional toll that leadership can take. The Walking Dead: where leadership is a test of character.
• Hope: The Light in the Darkness: The introduction of Princess and her quirky optimism offers a glimmer of hope in the midst of the Whisperer War. She’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there’s still room for joy, connection, and the belief in a better future. Princess: the survivor who’s not afraid to be herself (even if that means wearing purple in the apocalypse).!

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• The callback to Lizzie’s death scene, with Alpha whispering “look at the flowers” to Carol, is a chilling reminder of Carol’s past actions and the burden of guilt she carries. It’s a connection that suggests that even though Carol has become a hardened survivor, she’s still haunted by the choices she’s made. Carol Peletier: the woman who can’t escape her past.
• The revelation of Beta’s identity as a former country singer explains his obsession with his mask and his reluctance to show his face. It also adds a layer of tragedy to his character, as he’s lost not only his career but also his identity in the apocalypse. Beta: the fallen star who’s trying to hide in the shadows.
• Negan’s brief moment of considering what it would be like to lead the Whisperers hints at his internal conflict and his lingering desire for power. He’s trying to change his ways, but the temptation of leadership is still there. Negan: the villain who’s still got a taste for power.
• Princess’s “accidental” shooting at Eugene’s group is a test of their trust and their willingness to accept strangers. It’s a survival tactic that she’s developed after years of living alone, and it shows her cautious and pragmatic approach to the world. Princess: the survivor who’s not taking any chances.

Stats and Stuff:

• Total Deaths: 7 (5 Whisperers, 2 walkers).
• Biggest Kill: Alpha (finally!).
• Beta’s Herd: Estimated to be in the thousands (the Whisperers are still a force to be reckoned with).
• New Characters Introduced: Princess (the quirky and colorful survivor).

My Final Verdict:

“Look at the Flowers” is a psychologically intense and emotionally charged episode that explores the consequences of vengeance, the fragility of leadership, and the enduring power of hope. Carol’s hallucinations, Negan’s redemption arc, and Beta’s descent into madness all contribute to the drama and suspense of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most introspective and character-driven, reminding us that even in the apocalypse, the human spirit is capable of both great darkness and great resilience. What did you think of the episode? Were you shocked by Negan’s betrayal of Alpha? Let’s discuss in the comments!