Tavern Cellar

The Walking Dead: Guardians – Alexandria Angst and Henry’s Got a Savior Complex (Season 9, Episode 12)

Originally aired: March 3, 2019. Viewership dipped a bit to 4.79 million, but the tension was definitely rising! Written by Matthew Negrete and directed by Michael Cudlitz.

The Whisperers and the Walls: Two Worlds Collide:

“Guardians” splits its focus between the Whisperers’ camp, where Alpha is laying down the law (and a few bodies), and Alexandria, where Michonne is facing challenges to her leadership and the community is grappling with the aftermath of the war.

Key Plot Points:

• Alpha’s Reign of Terror: “Don’t Question Me, Honey!”: Alpha, the Whisperer queen who’s got a face only a walker could love (literally), is not one to be trifled with. When a couple in her group dares to question her leadership and suggest a different way of life, she shuts them down with a swiftness that would make Negan proud. She kills the woman and forces the man to kill his own wife, just to prove a point. Alpha: the queen bee who’s not afraid to sting (or make you kill your spouse).!
• Lydia’s Lost and Found (and Confused): Lydia, who’s been returned to the Whisperers after being traded for Alden and Luke, is having a bit of an identity crisis. She’s spent time with Daryl and Henry, and their kindness and their belief in community have shaken her faith in her mother’s twisted philosophy. But she’s also afraid of Alpha and the consequences of defying her. Lydia: the Whisperer who’s caught between two worlds.
• Henry’s on a Mission (to Get Himself Killed): Henry, bless his lovestruck heart, decides to play the hero. He follows Lydia into Whisperer territory, hoping to rescue her and bring her back to the Hilltop. But he’s underestimating the danger he’s putting himself in, and his actions could have serious consequences for everyone. Henry: the teenager who’s got a savior complex (and maybe a death wish).!
• Michonne’s Power Struggle: The Council vs. the Queen: Michonne, who’s been leading Alexandria with a cautious and pragmatic approach, is facing resistance from the community’s council. They want to send a delegation to the Kingdom’s upcoming fair, but Michonne, fearing that it’s too risky and could expose them to danger, vetoes their decision. Her actions create tension and highlight the growing divide between her and the rest of the community. Michonne: the leader who’s not afraid to say no (even if it makes her unpopular).!
• Gabriel and Negan: The Odd Couple (Part 2): Gabriel, who’s been tasked with watching over Negan (who’s still locked up in that basement), starts to see a different side of the former Savior leader. Negan, who’s always been a master manipulator, seems to be genuinely remorseful for his past actions, and he expresses a desire to contribute to the community rather than destroy it. Gabriel, who’s always been a bit of a sucker for a redemption story, starts to believe that Negan might actually be changing. Negan: the villain who’s trying to convince everyone (including himself) that he’s a good guy now.
• The Kingdom’s Fairytale: Hope and Horses: Ezekiel and Carol are still planning their grand fair at the Kingdom, hoping to bring the communities together and celebrate their hard-won peace. But the looming threat of the Whisperers casts a shadow over their preparations, and it’s clear that their optimism might be short-lived. The Kingdom: the community that’s trying to hold onto its fairytale ending (even though the monsters are at the door).!

Themes and Meanings:

• Power: The Price of Control: Alpha’s brutal tactics and her iron-fisted rule over the Whisperers show the dark side of leadership in the apocalypse. She’s willing to use fear and violence to maintain her power, and she doesn’t tolerate any dissent or disobedience. Her methods contrast sharply with Michonne’s more democratic and compassionate approach to leadership, highlighting the different ways that people can choose to wield power. The Walking Dead: where leadership can be a blessing or a curse.
• Loyalty: The Ties That Bind (and Break): Lydia’s internal conflict about her loyalty to her mother and her growing connection to the survivors at the Hilltop reflect the challenges of navigating relationships in the apocalypse. The world is a dangerous place, and sometimes, the people you love are the ones who hurt you the most. The Walking Dead: where loyalty is a matter of survival (and sometimes, betrayal).!
• Youth: The Recklessness of Innocence: Henry’s impulsive decision to follow Lydia into Whisperer territory is a reminder that even in the apocalypse, teenagers are still teenagers. They’re driven by emotions, they’re not always thinking things through, and they’re willing to take risks that could have devastating consequences. Henry: the kid who’s about to learn a harsh lesson about the apocalypse (and maybe about love).!

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Alpha’s carefully crafted walker-skin mask is a symbol of her power and her authority. It’s also a reminder that the Whisperers are not just mindless walkers; they’re intelligent and cunning humans who are using the dead as a tool to survive. Alpha: the queen bee who’s always one step ahead.
• The constant background murmurs and growls of the Whisperers in their camp create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. It’s a reminder that these people are not like the other survivors; they’ve embraced a different way of life, one that’s closer to the walkers than to the humans. The Whisperers: they’re like the creepy cult of the apocalypse.
• Michonne’s repeated cleaning and sharpening of her katana during the council scenes is a subtle but significant detail. It shows her internal tension and her readiness for conflict. She’s a warrior who’s always prepared for a fight, and she’s not going to let anyone threaten her community or her family.¹ Michonne: the woman who’s always ready to draw her sword (and maybe a few tears).!

Stats and Stuff:

• Whisperer Deaths: 2 (Alpha’s not afraid to make an example of those who defy her).
• Major Locations: The Whisperer camp, Alexandria, and the Kingdom (the communities are still trying to find their way in this new world).
• Key Relationships Explored: Lydia and Henry (the star-crossed lovers of the apocalypse?), Michonne and the council (the power struggle), and Ezekiel and Carol (the royal couple who’s trying to keep the dream alive).

My Final Verdict:

“Guardians” is a suspenseful and thought-provoking episode that deepens the mystery surrounding the Whisperers and explores the challenges of leadership and trust in the apocalypse. Alpha’s brutality, Michonne’s cautious approach to leadership, and Henry’s reckless decision to follow Lydia all contribute to the drama and intrigue of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most unsettling, reminding us that even in a world that’s supposed to be getting better, there are still dark forces lurking in the shadows, and the survivors are constantly being tested. What did you think of the episode? Were you creeped out by Alpha? Let’s discuss in the comments!