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The Walking Dead: Not Tomorrow Yet – Saviors, Slaughter, and a Shocking Cliffhanger (Season 6, Episode 12)

Originally aired: March 6, 2016. 12.53 million viewers tuned in for this action-packed episode. Written by Seth Hoffman and directed by Greg Nicotero.

Alexandria: From Defense to Offense:

“Not Tomorrow Yet” marks a turning point in the survivors’ journey. They’re no longer just trying to protect themselves; they’re taking the fight to the enemy. Rick, having learned the hard way that waiting for the Saviors to strike first is a recipe for disaster, decides to launch a preemptive attack on their compound.

Key Plot Points:

• Rick’s Got a Plan (and It Involves a Lot of Blood): Rick, ever the strategist, presents his plan to the group. They’re going to infiltrate the Saviors’ compound at night and take them out before they can attack Alexandria. Some members of the group, like Morgan, are hesitant about the morality of this approach, but Rick argues that it’s necessary to protect their community and fulfill their deal with the Hilltop.
• Carol’s Crisis of Conscience: The Killer Who’s Counting: Carol, who’s become a hardened and ruthless survivor, is starting to question her own actions. She keeps a list of all the people she’s killed, and the number is growing. She’s struggling with the emotional toll of her choices, and her conflict with Morgan over the captive Wolf highlights her internal struggle. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s trying to reconcile her killer instincts with her humanity.
• Operation Savior Takedown: Stealth Mode Engaged: The group meticulously plans their attack on the Saviors’ compound. They use a severed head trick (courtesy of Gregory, the cowardly leader of the Hilltop) to gain entry, and they manage to infiltrate the compound without being detected. They kill several Saviors in their sleep, but the mission takes a turn for the worse when an alarm is triggered. The survivors: they’re not just good at killing walkers; they’re also good at sneaking around and taking out bad guys.
• Maggie and Carol: Captured!: Despite their initial success, the group’s escape from the compound is chaotic and dangerous. Maggie and Carol, who are separated from the others, are captured by the Saviors. Their fate is uncertain, and the episode ends with Rick and the others realizing that their actions have provoked a powerful enemy. Maggie and Carol: the badass duo who’s about to face their biggest challenge yet.
• The Saviors’ Response: “We’re Gonna Have a Problem”: The Saviors, understandably upset about the attack on their compound, send a message to Rick’s group. They demand a trade – Maggie and Carol in exchange for… well, they don’t say. But it’s clear that this is just the beginning of a long and bloody conflict. The Saviors: they’re not going to let this go unpunished.

Themes and Meanings:

• Morality vs. Pragmatism: The Choice to Kill: “Not Tomorrow Yet” explores the ethical dilemmas of preemptive violence. Rick’s decision to attack the Saviors first raises questions about the cost of survival and the lengths people are willing to go to protect their own. Carol’s internal conflict highlights the emotional and moral toll that killing can take on a person. The apocalypse: it’s a world where the line between good and evil is often blurred.
• Leadership: The Burden of Command: Rick’s willingness to take bold and decisive action, even if it means sacrificing his own moral code, shows the heavy burden of leadership in the apocalypse. He’s responsible for the safety of his people, and he’s not afraid to make tough choices, even if they have unintended consequences. Rick Grimes: the leader who’s willing to do whatever it takes (even if it means crossing the line).!
• Peace: A Fleeting Dream: The attack on the Saviors’ compound shatters any hope of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The survivors have learned the hard way that in the apocalypse, violence often begets violence, and the cycle of revenge can be difficult to break. The Walking Dead: where peace is a luxury you can’t always afford.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Carol’s baking and her interactions with Tobin show her attempt to cling to a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos and violence. She’s trying to find a balance between her hardened survivor persona and her desire for human connection. Carol Peletier: the woman who can bake a cake and kill a Savior with the same smile.
• Rick’s chilling statement, “We kill them all,” reveals his hardened pragmatism and his willingness to do whatever it takes to protect his community. He’s no longer the hesitant leader from earlier seasons; he’s become a force to be reckoned with. Rick Grimes: the man who’s not afraid to cross the line (and maybe lose himself in the process).!
• The organization and structure of the Saviors’ compound hint at their larger network and their resources. They’re not just a random group of thugs; they’re a well-organized and formidable force, and the survivors have just poked the bear. The Saviors: they’re not going to take this lying down.

Stats and Stuff:

• Savior Kills: 20+ (the survivors are making a dent in Negan’s army).
• Human Deaths: Numerous (the Saviors pay the price for their brutality).
• Survivor Count: Stable (for now), but the war has just begun.

My Final Verdict:

“Not Tomorrow Yet” is a thrilling and morally complex episode that marks a turning point in the survivors’ journey. The attack on the Saviors’ compound is a bold and decisive move, but it also comes with consequences. The capture of Maggie and Carol and the Saviors’ threat of retaliation leave the group in a precarious position, and the future of Alexandria hangs in the balance. This episode is a reminder that in the apocalypse, there are no easy choices, and even the best intentions can lead to devastating outcomes. What did you think of the episode? Did you agree with Rick’s decision to attack the Saviors? Let’s discuss in the comments!