Tavern Cellar

The Walking Dead: Home Sweet Home – Maggie’s Back, Negan’s Nervous, and the Reapers Are Coming (Season 10, Episode 17)

Originally aired: February 28, 2021. 2.89 million viewers tuned in for this Maggie-centric episode. Written by Kevin Deiboldt and directed by David Boyd.

Alexandria: Where the Welcome Mat is Stained with Blood (and Maybe a Few Tears):

“Home Sweet Home” picks up with Maggie’s return to Alexandria after years of absence.² She’s a changed woman, hardened by her experiences and carrying the weight of a new community on her shoulders. But her homecoming is not without its challenges, as she faces unresolved tensions with Negan and a new threat that could destroy everything she’s built.

Key Plot Points:

• Maggie’s Homecoming: “Hey guys, I’m back! (And I’m not happy to see Negan)”: Maggie’s reunion with Daryl and Carol is bittersweet. They’re thrilled to have her back, but there’s also an elephant in the room (or maybe just a former Savior with a baseball bat). Maggie is clearly not over Glenn’s death, and her tension with Negan is palpable. Maggie Rhee: the woman who’s not afraid to hold a grudge (or a weapon).!
• The Wardens: Maggie’s New Crew (and Their Tragic Fate): Maggie reveals that she’s been leading a new community called the Wardens, alongside a mysterious masked warrior named Elijah. But their haven has been destroyed by a group called the Reapers, and Maggie and her son, Hershel, are now on the run. The Wardens: the community that couldn’t withstand the reaper.
• The Search Party: Daryl, Kelly, and the Case of the Missing Wardens: Maggie, Daryl, and Kelly team up to search for the surviving members of Maggie’s group.³ Along the way, Kelly continues her own search for her sister, Connie, who went missing in the cave collapse. Maggie, who knows a thing or two about losing loved ones, offers Kelly support and understanding. Maggie and Kelly: the search party that’s bonded by grief (and a shared love of kicking ass).!
• The Reapers: “They’re Not Just Your Average Bad Guys”: Maggie and her crew are ambushed by the Reapers, a new and terrifying group of enemies who are unlike anything the survivors have encountered before. They’re skilled, they’re ruthless, and they seem to have a personal vendetta against Maggie. When one of the Reapers is captured, he refuses to give up any information, even under torture. Before blowing himself up with a grenade (yikes!), he utters a cryptic message: “Pope marked you.” The Reapers: they’re like the ninjas of the apocalypse, except with more religious overtones and a penchant for explosives.
• Hershel’s Hide-and-Seek Champion: “Found You!”: Despite the losses and the dangers, Maggie manages to find Hershel, who’s been hiding in a tree. Their reunion is a heartwarming moment that reminds us of the enduring power of family in the apocalypse. Maggie and Hershel: the mother and son who are giving us all the feels.

Themes and Meanings:

• The Past: It’s Not Dead Yet: Maggie’s return to Alexandria forces her to confront her past and the unresolved trauma of Glenn’s death. Her tension with Negan and her grief over the loss of her community are reminders that the past is never truly gone, and it can continue to haunt you even when you’re trying to move forward. The Walking Dead: where the past is always lurking in the shadows.
• New Threats: The Evolution of Evil: The Reapers are a different kind of enemy than the survivors have faced before. They’re more organized, more skilled, and more ruthless than the Whisperers or the Saviors. Their presence suggests that the apocalypse is not getting any easier, and the survivors will have to adapt to new challenges and new dangers if they want to survive. The Walking Dead: where the monsters just keep evolving.
• Motherhood: The Fierce Protector: Maggie’s journey in this episode is deeply tied to her role as a mother. She’s not just fighting for her own survival; she’s fighting for her son’s future, for a world where he can grow up safe and happy. Her determination to protect Hershel is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of maternal love. Maggie Rhee: the mama bear who’s not afraid to take on the apocalypse (or a horde of Reapers).!

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Hershel wearing a baseball cap similar to Glenn’s is a subtle but poignant reminder of his father’s legacy. It’s a visual connection that suggests that Glenn’s memory is still alive and that Hershel is carrying on his father’s spirit. Hershel Rhee: the boy who’s got his father’s hat (and maybe his fighting spirit).!
• Maggie’s empathy for Kelly’s search for Connie shows her growth and her understanding of loss. She’s been through the same thing, and she knows the pain and desperation that comes with searching for a loved one in the apocalypse. Maggie Greene: the woman who’s learned to empathize with others’ pain.
• The Reaper’s cryptic message, “Pope marked you,” adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story. Who is Pope? Why is Maggie marked? These questions are sure to be explored in future episodes, and they suggest that the Reapers are not just a random group of villains; they have a specific agenda, and Maggie is somehow connected to it. The Reapers: they’re not just killing; they’re hunting.
• Negan’s wary behavior around Maggie shows that he’s aware of the tension between them and the potential for conflict. He’s trying to keep his distance and avoid provoking her, but it’s clear that their past is not going to be easily forgotten or forgiven. Negan: the villain who’s trying to stay out of Maggie’s crosshairs.

Stats and Stuff:

• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 (a solid start to the Season 10 extension!).
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75% (critics are digging Maggie’s return and the new villains).
• Viewership: ~2.89 million viewers (lower than previous seasons, but still respectable).
• Critical Reception: Generally positive, with praise for Lauren Cohan’s performance and the introduction of the Reapers.

My Final Verdict:

“Home Sweet Home” is a strong and emotional return for “The Walking Dead,” setting the stage for new conflicts, new challenges, and new mysteries. Maggie’s return, the threat of the Reapers, and the unresolved tensions with Negan all contribute to the excitement and anticipation for what’s to come. This episode is a reminder that even in the apocalypse, there’s still room for hope, love, and the enduring bonds of family and friendship. But it also warns us that the fight for survival is never truly over, and the survivors are always facing new threats and new dangers. What did you think of the episode? Were you excited to see Maggie back? Let’s discuss in the comments!