Tavern Cellar

The Walking Dead: Heads Up – Glenn’s Alive! (Season 6, Episode 7)

Originally aired: November 22, 2015. 13.22 million viewers tuned in for this emotional and suspenseful episode. Written by Channing Powell and directed by David Boyd.

Alexandria: Under Siege (and Under Construction):

“Heads Up” picks up with Alexandria still surrounded by that massive walker herd. But amidst the chaos and despair, there’s a glimmer of hope – Glenn’s alive! (I know, I know, we all saw that coming, but it’s still a relief, right?) This episode is all about resilience, preparation, and the growing tensions within the community as they face their biggest challenge yet.

Key Plot Points:

• Glenn’s Great Escape: The Dumpster Diver: Remember that heartbreaking scene where Glenn seemingly fell into the walker horde? Well, it turns out he’s a master of hide-and-seek (and dumpster diving). He managed to crawl under a dumpster and avoid becoming walker chow.¹ He’s still in a tight spot, but he’s alive, and that’s all that matters (for now). Glenn Rhee: the cockroach of the apocalypse. He just won’t die!
• Glenn and Enid: The Road Trip of Hope: Glenn encounters Enid, the teenage loner who’s been lurking around Alexandria. She’s initially reluctant to help him, but Glenn, being the optimistic and persuasive guy that he is, convinces her to join him on his journey back to Alexandria. Their interactions are a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and human connection can prevail. Glenn and Enid: the odd couple who’s giving us all the feels.
• Rick’s Construction Crew: Building a Better Wall (Hopefully): Rick, ever the pragmatist, is leading the efforts to reinforce Alexandria’s walls. He knows that the walker herd is a serious threat, and he’s not taking any chances. He’s rallying the residents, organizing work crews, and basically turning Alexandria into a construction zone. Rick Grimes: the leader who’s always got a plan (and a hammer).!
• Spencer’s Stupid Stunt: The Man Who Almost Became Walker Chow: Spencer, Deanna’s son, decides to be a hero (or maybe just an idiot). He tries to climb over the wall and distract the walkers, but his plan backfires spectacularly.² He gets stuck, he almost falls to his death, and he ends up needing to be rescued by Rick and the others. His recklessness and lack of preparation are a stark contrast to Rick’s careful planning and leadership. Spencer Monroe: the guy who needs to learn how to think before he acts.
• Morgan’s Secret: The Wolf in the Basement: Carol, ever the observant one, discovers that Morgan has been keeping a Wolf captive in the basement of one of the houses. She’s not happy about it, and she confronts Morgan about his pacifist philosophy and his refusal to kill the Wolf. Their conflict highlights the moral dilemmas that the survivors face in the apocalypse. Morgan Jones: the pacifist who’s about to learn that sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire (or walkers with bullets).!
• Balloons of Hope: Glenn’s Back!: Glenn, in a moment of pure brilliance (and maybe a little bit of luck), releases a bunch of green balloons into the sky. The balloons reach Alexandria, and Maggie, who’s been desperately hoping for Glenn’s return, sees them and knows that he’s alive.³ It’s a beautiful and emotional moment, and it gives the community a much-needed boost of hope. Glenn Rhee: the man who always finds a way to make us cry (in a good way).!
• The Wall Comes Tumbling Down: Uh Oh!: Just when it seems like things might be looking up for Alexandria, disaster strikes. The wall, weakened by the constant pressure of the walker herd, collapses. The walkers start pouring into the community, and the episode ends on this cliffhanger, leaving us wondering what’s going to happen next. Alexandria: the safe haven that’s about to become a zombie mosh pit.

Themes and Meanings:

• Hope: The Light That Never Dies: Glenn’s survival and his efforts to inspire Enid are a testament to the enduring power of hope. Even in the darkest of times, there’s always a reason to keep fighting, to keep believing, and to keep hoping for a better tomorrow. Hope: it’s what keeps the survivors going (and the viewers watching).!
• Preparation vs. Recklessness: The Importance of Planning: Rick’s focus on fortifying Alexandria and Spencer’s impulsive actions highlight the contrast between preparation and recklessness. In the apocalypse, survival often depends on making smart choices and thinking things through. The Walking Dead: where a little bit of planning can go a long way.
• Morality: The Gray Areas of Survival: Morgan’s refusal to kill the Wolf and Carol’s pragmatic approach to threats underscore the moral complexities of the apocalypse. There are no easy answers, and the survivors are constantly forced to make difficult choices that challenge their values and their beliefs. The apocalypse: it’s a world where the line between right and wrong can get blurry.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• The green balloons that Glenn releases are a symbol of hope and connection. They represent his determination to reunite with Maggie and the group, and they bring a much-needed ray of light to the darkness of Alexandria. Green balloons: the new symbol of hope in the apocalypse.
• Carol’s watchful eye on Morgan and her questions about his actions suggest that she’s not convinced of his pacifist philosophy.⁴ She’s a pragmatist who believes in eliminating threats, and she’s worried that Morgan’s reluctance to kill could put the community at risk. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s always watching (and judging).!
• The collapse of the wall is a symbolic moment. It represents the fragility of Alexandria’s safety and the impending chaos that’s about to engulf the community. The wall: a symbol of protection that’s about to crumble.

Stats and Stuff:

• Walker Kills: 20+ (the survivors are still racking up those kills, even with a wall in their way).
• Human Deaths: None (but the wall breach is a game-changer).
• Survivor Count: Stable (for now), but the danger is imminent.

My Final Verdict:

“Heads Up” is a suspenseful and emotional episode that delivers a much-needed dose of hope while also setting the stage for a major crisis in Alexandria. Glenn’s survival is a welcome relief, but the wall breach and the looming walker herd threaten to destroy everything the survivors have worked for. This episode is a reminder that in the apocalypse, even the safest of havens can be compromised, and the fight for survival is never truly over. What did you think of the episode? Were you relieved to see Glenn alive? Let’s discuss in the comments!