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The Walking Dead: Out of the Ashes – Alexandria’s Falling Apart, Eugene’s in Trouble, and Daryl’s Playing with Fire (Season 11, Episode 5)

Originally aired: September 19, 2021. Viewership dipped again to 1.60 million, but the drama is definitely heating up! Written by LaToya Morgan and directed by Greg Nicotero.

Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Commonwealth: A World of Contrasts:

“Out of the Ashes” splits its focus between the different communities and the challenges they’re facing. Alexandria is struggling to survive, the Hilltop is a ghost town, the Commonwealth is showing its true colors, and Daryl is stuck in the middle of a Reaper cult. It’s a lot to handle, folks, but that’s just another day in the apocalypse.

Key Plot Points:

• Alexandria’s Falling Apart: “Someone Call a Contractor!”: Alexandria is in bad shape, y’all. The walls are crumbling, the food is scarce, and the residents are starting to lose hope. Judith, bless her brave little heart, is trying to keep things together, but she’s just a kid, and the weight of the world is starting to crush her. Alexandria: the community that’s one bad storm away from becoming a walker buffet.
• Judith’s Breakdown: “I Just Want My Mommy (and My Daddy, and My Brother)!”: Judith, who’s always been a pillar of strength and resilience, finally cracks. She lashes out at a group of kids who vandalize a memorial to Carl, and her outburst is a heartbreaking reminder of the losses she’s endured and the trauma she’s carrying. Rosita, being the awesome mama bear that she is, steps in to comfort Judith and remind her that it’s okay to feel pain and to grieve. Judith Grimes: the girl who’s learning that even heroes can cry.
• Hilltop’s Ghost Town: “Remember the Good Times (Before It Burned Down)”: Aaron, Carol, Jerry, and Lydia head to the ruins of the Hilltop, hoping to find supplies. But all they find is a burnt-out shell of a community and a few former Whisperers who are scavenging for scraps. Aaron, still traumatized by the Whisperer War and the death of his friends, is suspicious of the Whisperers and almost executes one of them before Carol intervenes. Aaron: the man who’s still fighting his demons (and maybe losing the battle).!
• The Commonwealth’s Not So Perfect After All: “Surprise! We’ve Got Rules (and Punishments)”: Eugene, Ezekiel, Yumiko, and Princess are still trying to navigate the complexities of the Commonwealth. Yumiko is reunited with her brother, Tomi, who’s a doctor in the community (because apparently, even in the apocalypse, you can’t escape your family). But their joy is short-lived when Eugene and Stephanie get caught using the radio to contact Alexandria. Eugene is arrested, and it’s clear that the Commonwealth is not the utopia they thought it was. The Commonwealth: where the welcome mat is a lie detector test (and the punishment for breaking the rules is probably a lot worse than a time out).!
• Daryl’s Reaper Romp: “I’m a Cult Member Now! (Just Kidding)”: Daryl continues his undercover mission with the Reapers, trying to gain their trust and learn more about their plans. But Pope, the Reapers’ leader, is a suspicious and manipulative guy, and he’s constantly testing Daryl’s loyalty. Daryl is forced to participate in a hunt for Maggie’s group, putting him in a difficult position where he has to protect his friends without blowing his cover. Daryl Dixon: the man who’s always walking a tightrope.

Themes and Symbolism:

• Judith’s Journey: Growing Up in the Apocalypse: Judith’s emotional struggles in this episode highlight the challenges of growing up in a world that’s constantly filled with loss and violence. She’s trying to be strong for her community, but she’s also just a kid who’s grieving the loss of her family and trying to make sense of the chaos around her. Judith Grimes: the girl who’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
• Aaron’s Darkness: The Price of Survival: Aaron’s near-execution of Keith, the former Whisperer, shows how far he’s fallen from the optimistic and compassionate man he once was. The trauma of the Whisperer War has hardened him, and he’s starting to embrace the same kind of ruthlessness that he once condemned in others. Aaron: the survivor who’s losing his way.
• The Commonwealth: A False Paradise: The Commonwealth, with its seemingly perfect society and its promises of a better future, is starting to reveal its cracks. The strict rules, the surveillance, and the punishments for disobedience suggest that there’s a darker side to this community, and the survivors might be walking into another trap. The Commonwealth: where the grass might be greener, but the fences are higher.
• The Reapers: The Fanatics: The Reapers’ cult-like devotion to Pope and their willingness to kill without hesitation make them a terrifying new enemy. They’re not just survivors; they’re zealots who believe that they’re fulfilling a divine purpose, and that makes them even more dangerous. The Reapers: they’re like the religious extremists of the apocalypse.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• The burned remains of the Hilltop are a visual reminder of the destruction that the Whisperers caused and the losses that the survivors have endured. It’s also a contrast to the pristine and orderly environment of the Commonwealth, suggesting that the survivors might be tempted by the promise of a more comfortable life. The Hilltop: a ghost of the past.
• Lydia’s plea to Aaron to spare Keith’s life mirrors her own redemption arc. She was once a Whisperer, judged and feared by the survivors, but she was given a chance to change, and she’s now trying to extend that same compassion to others. Lydia: the Whisperer who’s become a bridge between worlds.
• Eugene and Stephanie’s decision to use the Commonwealth’s radio to contact Alexandria shows their desperation and their willingness to break the rules to help their friends. But it also foreshadows a potential conflict with the Commonwealth’s authorities, who are clearly not fans of disobedience. Eugene and Stephanie: the rebels who are about to stir up some trouble.
• Carol’s intervention to stop Aaron from killing Keith shows her growth and her self-awareness. She’s made mistakes in the past, letting her desire for revenge cloud her judgment, and she’s now trying to prevent others from making the same mistakes. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s learned from her past.

Stats and Stuff:

• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10 (a solid episode, but not without its critics).
• First Time Judith Shows Vulnerability: Judith’s emotional breakdown is a poignant moment that humanizes her character and shows the toll that the apocalypse has taken on her.
• Eugene’s First Major Mistake: His decision to contact Alexandria puts him in danger and reveals the Commonwealth’s strict control over communication.
• Yumiko’s Brother’s Reveal: This is a nod to the comics, where Michonne finds her daughter in the Commonwealth.
• Greg Nicotero Directs: The veteran director brings his cinematic touch to the episode’s tense and emotional scenes.

My Final Verdict:

“Out of the Ashes” is a multi-layered episode that explores the different challenges and struggles that the survivors are facing in the aftermath of the Whisperer War. Alexandria’s decline, the Commonwealth’s secrets, and Daryl’s infiltration of the Reapers all contribute to the tension and intrigue of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most character-driven, reminding us that even in a world filled with walkers and Whisperers, the human drama is still the heart of the story. What did you think of the episode? Were you worried about Judith? Let’s discuss in the comments!