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The Walking Dead: Acts of God – Maggie vs. Leah, Daryl’s Choice, and the Commonwealth’s Takeover (Season 11, Episode 16 – Midseason Finale)

Originally aired: April 10, 2022. Viewership held steady at 1.57 million, proving that even political intrigue and moral dilemmas can’t keep the fans away! Written by Nicole Mirante-Matthews and directed by Catriona McKenzie.

The Commonwealth and Beyond: Where the Lines Between Good and Evil Get Blurry (Again):

“Acts of God” picks up with the fallout from the Commonwealth’s attack on Riverbend and Lance Hornsby’s increasingly ruthless tactics. Maggie and Daryl are on the run, Leah’s out for revenge, and the survivors are about to learn that the Commonwealth is not the safe haven they thought it was.

Key Plot Points:

• Locusts of Doom: “The End is Nigh! (Or Maybe Just a Bad Omen)”: The episode opens with a swarm of locusts filling the sky, which is never a good sign in the apocalypse (or anywhere, really). It’s a biblical reference, symbolizing impending doom and the consequences of bad decisions (cough, Lance Hornsby, cough). The Walking Dead: where even the insects are trying to tell you something.
• Maggie vs. Leah: Round One (and It’s Personal): Leah, who’s still bitter about Daryl’s betrayal and the Reapers’ downfall, is on a mission to kill Maggie. She ambushes Maggie’s group, picking them off one by one until it’s just the two of them left. They engage in a brutal fight, with Maggie eventually gaining the upper hand. But just as she’s about to finish Leah off, Daryl arrives and shoots Leah in the head, ending her reign of terror (and her complicated relationship with Daryl) once and for all. Maggie and Leah: the women who couldn’t share a man (or a community).!
• Daryl’s Choice: “Sorry Leah, But Maggie’s My Ride or Die”: Daryl’s decision to kill Leah and save Maggie is a pivotal moment that solidifies his loyalty to his friends and his rejection of the Reapers’ twisted ideology. He’s finally chosen his side, and he’s ready to fight for the people he cares about, even if it means going against those he once trusted. Daryl Dixon: the man who’s always got your back (and a crossbow for your enemies).!
• Lance Hornsby’s Conquest: “The Commonwealth is Coming (to a Community Near You)”: While Maggie and Daryl are battling it out in the woods, Lance Hornsby is making his move. He leads the Commonwealth army to take over Alexandria, Hilltop, and Oceanside, planting their banners and asserting their control. He even lines up the Oceanside residents, implying that he’s about to execute them or force them into submission. The episode ends with Lance flipping a coin, leaving their fate uncertain and the viewers on the edge of their seats. Lance Hornsby: the politician who’s more dangerous than a walker with a credit card (and an army).!
• The Resistance: “We’re Not Giving Up Without a Fight!”: Daryl and Maggie, having survived their respective battles, regroup and realize that they have to stop Lance Hornsby and the Commonwealth’s tyranny. Maggie, who was once hesitant about rebellion, is now fully committed to fighting back, and Daryl’s loyalty to his friends is stronger than ever. Daryl and Maggie: the dynamic duo who’s about to lead the resistance.

Themes and Deeper Meanings:

• Betrayal: The Consequences of Broken Trust: “Acts of God” is full of betrayals, both big and small. Lance Hornsby’s deception of the communities, Leah’s turning against Daryl, and even Negan’s past actions all highlight the fragility of trust in the apocalypse. The survivors are learning that even the people they think they can rely on can betray them, and that sometimes, the biggest threats come from within. The Walking Dead: where trust is a luxury you can’t always afford.
• Leadership: The Courage to Make Tough Choices: Maggie’s reluctance to fully embrace her role as a leader and her eventual decision to fight back against the Commonwealth show the challenges and the sacrifices that come with leadership in the apocalypse. She’s had to make some difficult choices, and she’s lost people along the way, but she’s also learned that sometimes, you have to fight for what you believe in, even if it means risking everything. Maggie Rhee: the woman who’s finally ready to lead the charge.
• Symbolism: The Signs of the Times: The locusts that swarm the sky at the beginning of the episode are a biblical symbol of impending doom and judgment. They foreshadow the destruction and chaos that’s about to unfold, and they serve as a reminder that even in the apocalypse, there are forces beyond the survivors’ control. The coin flip at the end of the episode is another symbolic moment, mirroring the randomness and unpredictability of fate in the apocalypse. The Walking Dead: where even the smallest details can have big meanings.

Small Details You Might Have Missed:

• Daryl’s clean shot to Leah’s head shows his resolve and his lack of hesitation in killing her. He’s moved on from his past feelings for her, and he’s now fully committed to protecting his friends and his community. Daryl Dixon: the man who’s not afraid to pull the trigger (even when it hurts).!
• The Commonwealth banners flying over Alexandria are a chilling reminder of the Saviors’ takeover of the community in earlier seasons. It suggests that history is repeating itself, and that the Commonwealth might be just another tyrannical force that the survivors have to fight against. The Commonwealth: they’re not just saviors; they’re conquerors.
• Lance Hornsby’s coin flip to decide the fate of the Oceanside residents is a callback to The Governor’s brutal execution tactics. It reinforces Lance’s role as a cold-blooded and power-hungry villain who’s willing to sacrifice anyone to achieve his goals. Lance Hornsby: the man who’s playing God (and not doing a very good job of it).!

Stats and Stuff:

• Lance’s Territory Takeover: He now controls Alexandria, Hilltop, and Oceanside (the Commonwealth’s empire is growing).
• Leah’s Kill Count: 4+ survivors from Maggie’s group (she’s a force to be reckoned with).
• Commonwealth Soldiers Lost: Minimal (they’re clearly a well-trained and well-equipped army).

My Final Verdict:

“Acts of God” is an explosive and game-changing midseason finale that leaves the survivors facing their biggest challenge yet. Lance Hornsby’s takeover of the communities, Leah’s death, and Daryl and Maggie’s alliance all contribute to the drama and suspense of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most intense and unpredictable, reminding us that even in the final season, the fight for survival is far from over, and the survivors are constantly being tested. What did you think of the episode? Were you shocked by Leah’s death? Let’s discuss in the comments!