Tavern Cellar

The Walking Dead: Promises Broken – Maggie and Negan’s Odd Couple, Daryl’s Reaper Romp, and the Commonwealth’s Got Issues (Season 11, Episode 7)

Originally aired: October 3, 2021. Viewership held steady at 1.61 million, proving that even in the final season, the drama is still keeping fans hooked! Written by Julia Ruchman and directed by Sharat Raju.

Meridian, the Sanctuary, and the Commonwealth: A World of Conflict:

“Promises Broken” splits its focus between three main storylines: Maggie and Negan’s uneasy alliance as they try to infiltrate Meridian, Daryl’s deepening involvement with the Reapers, and Eugene’s group navigating the complexities of the Commonwealth. It’s an episode that’s full of tension, betrayal, and the constant struggle to survive in a world where the lines between good and evil are constantly being blurred.

Key Plot Points:

• Maggie and Negan: The Odd Couple (Who’s Trying Not to Kill Each Other, Part 2): Maggie, Negan, Gabriel, and Elijah are on a mission to take back Meridian, the community that was overrun by the Reapers. But they’re outnumbered and outgunned, so they have to get creative. Negan, being the resourceful and slightly crazy guy that he is, suggests using walker guts to camouflage themselves and herd a horde of walkers towards Meridian. Maggie, despite her initial reluctance (and her understandable aversion to anything Whisperer-related), agrees to the plan. Maggie and Negan: the frenemies who are learning that sometimes, you have to hold your nose (and cover yourself in walker guts) to achieve your goals.
• Daryl’s Double Life (Part 2): “I’m a Reaper Now! (Still 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.¹ 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.
• The Commonwealth’s Not So Perfect After All (Part 2): “Surprise! We’ve Got Bureaucracy (and a Side of Corruption)”: Eugene, Stephanie, Ezekiel, and Princess are still trying to navigate the complexities of the Commonwealth. But their attempts to help Alexandria by contacting them on the radio have backfired. They’re caught and punished, and Eugene is even thrown in jail (yikes!). It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Commonwealth is not the utopia they thought it was, and there are dark secrets lurking beneath the surface. 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).!
• Leah’s Crisis of Conscience: “Is This Really What I Want?”: Leah, who’s been struggling with her loyalty to Pope and her feelings for Daryl, is starting to question the Reapers’ methods. When Daryl and Carver (another Reaper) are ordered to hunt down a group of survivors, Daryl tries to save them by subtly signaling Leah. Leah, torn between her duty and her compassion, spares the survivors, but she also knows that her actions could have consequences. Leah: the woman who’s caught between a rock and a hard place (and maybe a Daryl and a Pope).!
• Maggie’s Transformation: The Whisperer Queen (Not Really): Maggie, who once despised the Whisperers and their tactics, is now forced to embrace them. She wears a walker mask and leads a horde of walkers towards Meridian, showing her willingness to do whatever it takes to win the war. It’s a significant moment that highlights her evolution as a leader and her growing pragmatism. Maggie Rhee: the woman who’s not afraid to get her hands dirty (or her face covered in walker guts).!

Themes and Meanings:

• Morality: The Shifting Sands: “Promises Broken” explores the moral gray areas of the apocalypse, as the survivors are constantly forced to make difficult choices that challenge their values and their beliefs. Maggie’s use of Whisperer tactics, Negan’s unexpected leadership insights, and Leah’s internal conflict all highlight the complexities of survival and the compromises that people have to make in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. The Walking Dead: where the line between good and evil is as blurry as a walker’s vision.
• Loyalty: The Ties That Bind (and Break): The episode also examines the theme of loyalty, as characters grapple with their allegiances and the choices they have to make. Daryl’s deception of the Reapers, Leah’s questioning of Pope’s leadership, and Eugene’s struggle to balance his loyalty to his friends with his desire to survive in the Commonwealth all show the different ways that loyalty can be tested in the apocalypse. The Walking Dead: where loyalty is a matter of survival (and sometimes, betrayal).!
• Power: The Shifting Tides: The power dynamics in “The Walking Dead” are constantly shifting, and this episode is no exception. Maggie’s leadership is challenged by the Reapers’ attack, Negan’s influence is growing, and the Commonwealth’s true nature is starting to be revealed. The survivors are navigating a world where power is constantly in flux, and they have to be adaptable and resourceful to stay ahead of the game. The Walking Dead: where the only constant is change.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Maggie’s use of Whisperer tactics is foreshadowed by her earlier criticism of Rick for sparing Negan’s life. She’s now realizing that sometimes, you have to use the enemy’s methods to defeat them, even if it means compromising your own values. Maggie Rhee: the woman who’s learning to fight fire with fire (or walkers with walker guts).!
• Leah’s hesitation to kill the innocent survivors mirrors Daryl’s own struggles with morality when he was a member of the Saviors. It suggests that Leah, despite her loyalty to Pope, still has a conscience, and she might be open to redemption. Leah: the Reaper who might just have a heart of gold.
• Lance Hornsby’s manipulative behavior and his subtle hints about his own agenda suggest that he’s a dangerous and ambitious character who’s playing a long game within the Commonwealth. He’s clearly not to be trusted, and his actions could have major consequences for Eugene and the others. Lance Hornsby: the politician who’s always got a hidden agenda.
• Ezekiel’s access to medical treatment at the Commonwealth, while others are struggling to survive, highlights the inequality and the class system that exists within this seemingly utopian community. It’s a reminder that even in the apocalypse, power and privilege can still corrupt. The Commonwealth: where the haves and have-nots are still a thing.

Stats and Stuff:

• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 (a solid episode that sets up the midseason finale).
• First Time Maggie Uses Whisperer Tactics: A significant moment that shows her evolution as a leader.
• Negan & Maggie’s Alliance: One of the most complex and intriguing relationships in the series.²
• Leah’s Moral Conflict Deepens: Hinting at a potential rebellion within the Reapers.
• Eugene’s Commonwealth Struggles: His storyline mirrors the comics, where the Commonwealth’s utopia is revealed to be oppressive.

My Final Verdict:

“Promises Broken” is a tense and character-driven episode that skillfully builds anticipation for the midseason finale.³ Maggie’s transformation, Negan’s unpredictable nature, Daryl’s dangerous game, and the Commonwealth’s growing cracks all contribute to the drama and suspense of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most morally ambiguous and thrilling, reminding us that even in the final season, the survivors are still facing impossible choices, shifting loyalties, and the constant struggle to define who they are in a world that’s lost its way. What did you think of the episode? Were you surprised by Maggie’s decision to use Whisperer tactics? Let’s discuss in the comments!