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The Walking Dead: The Rotten Core – The Commonwealth’s Dirty Laundry, Negan’s New Family, and Daryl’s Still Got It (Season 11, Episode 14)

Originally aired: March 27, 2022. Viewership held steady at 1.56 million, proving that even political intrigue and moral dilemmas can’t keep the fans away! Written by Jim Barnes & Erik Mountain, and directed by Marcus Stokes.

The Commonwealth and Beyond: Where the Lines Between Good and Evil Get Blurry:

“The Rotten Core” picks up with the fallout from the Commonwealth’s attack on the Riverbend community.¹ Aaron and Gabriel are caught in the crossfire, Daryl and Rosita are on a dangerous mission for the Commonwealth elite, and Negan is embracing his new role as a protector.

Key Plot Points:

• Aaron and Gabriel: “We’re Not in Alexandria Anymore!”: Aaron and Gabriel, who were sent on a supposed diplomatic mission, find themselves in the middle of a massacre. They’re trapped in the Riverbend community building, surrounded by the Commonwealth soldiers who are ruthlessly executing the residents. Carlson, the sadistic leader of the soldiers, is on a rampage, demanding to know the location of some stolen weapons. Aaron and Gabriel, who’ve always been advocates for peace and diplomacy, are forced to fight for their lives and make some tough choices. Aaron and Gabriel: the peacemakers who are about to become warriors.
• Negan’s Got a Secret (and a Baby on the Way): Negan, who’s been MIA since leaving Maggie’s group, is back, and he’s got a new crew. He introduces his community, including Annie, a strong and capable woman who’s also pregnant with Negan’s child (surprise!). Negan’s clearly changed, and he’s now dedicated to protecting his new family and fighting for what’s right. Negan: the villain who’s become a dad (and maybe even a hero).!
• Carlson’s Fall: “Karma’s a Bitch (and So Is Gabriel)”: Carlson, after slaughtering most of the Riverbend residents, finally gets what’s coming to him. Gabriel and Aaron, with the help of Negan’s group, manage to corner him and push him off the roof, leaving him to be devoured by walkers. It’s a satisfying moment of justice, but it also shows how far Gabriel and Aaron have come. They’re no longer the naive and idealistic survivors they once were; they’re hardened warriors who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their people. Gabriel and Aaron: the dynamic duo who’s not afraid to get their hands dirty (or bloody).!
• Daryl and Rosita: The Treasure Hunters (of the Undead Kind): Daryl and Rosita, who’ve been integrated into the Commonwealth military, are sent on a dangerous mission by Sebastian Milton, Pamela’s spoiled and entitled son. They have to break into a walker-infested mansion and retrieve a stash of cash from a panic room. Because even in the apocalypse, the rich and powerful still care about their money. Daryl and Rosita: the zombie-slaying Bonnie and Clyde.
• The Mansion of Horrors: “This is Why I Hate Rich People”: Daryl and Rosita fight their way through the mansion, facing hordes of walkers and discovering the bodies of other survivors who were sent on the same mission before them and failed. It’s a chilling reminder that the Commonwealth’s elite are willing to sacrifice anyone to maintain their wealth and power. The Commonwealth: where the 1% still rules (and the 99% are expendable).!
• Lance Hornsby: The Puppet Master (Who’s Losing His Strings): Lance Hornsby, who’s been manipulating events behind the scenes, is starting to lose control. The Riverbend massacre and Carlson’s death have exposed his ruthless tactics, and he’s becoming increasingly paranoid and desperate. He’s determined to bring the other communities under the Commonwealth’s rule, even if it means resorting to violence and deception. Lance Hornsby: the politician who’s more dangerous than a walker with a credit card.

Themes and Deeper Meanings:

• Moral Corruption: The Price of Power: “The Rotten Core” exposes the dark side of the Commonwealth’s seemingly utopian society. The corruption, the abuse of power, and the willingness to sacrifice innocent lives for the sake of wealth and control show that even in the apocalypse, the human capacity for evil endures. The Walking Dead: where even the most civilized societies can be rotten to the core.
• Redemption: The Long Road Back: Negan’s transformation from a ruthless villain to a protector and a leader is a testament to the possibility of redemption in the apocalypse. He’s made mistakes, he’s caused pain and suffering, but he’s also capable of change and growth. His new alliance with Annie and her community shows that he’s found a new purpose and a new family, and he’s willing to fight for them, even if it means facing his past demons. Negan: the villain who’s trying to become the hero (or at least, a better man).!
• Diplomacy vs. Violence: The End of an Era: Aaron and Gabriel’s realization that diplomacy and negotiation don’t always work in the apocalypse is a significant turning point for their characters. They’ve always been advocates for peace and understanding, but the events at Riverbend force them to confront the harsh realities of the world and the need to fight back against those who threaten their communities. The Walking Dead: where sometimes, the only way to survive is to fight fire with fire.

Small Details You Might Have Missed:

• Negan’s reaction to Carlson’s brutality is a “full circle” moment. He recognizes his own past mistakes and the harm he caused as the leader of the Saviors, and he’s now actively fighting against the same kind of oppression and violence that he once inflicted on others. Negan: the villain who’s become his own worst enemy.
• Lance Hornsby’s manipulative tactics and his growing power within the Commonwealth suggest that he’s a major threat to the survivors. He’s playing a long game, and his ambitions could lead to a conflict that’s even more devastating than the war with the Saviors. Lance Hornsby: the politician who’s more dangerous than a walker with a briefcase.
• Rosita’s concern for Coco and her growing doubts about the Commonwealth’s safety show that she’s not blinded by the community’s facade of perfection. She’s a mother who’s worried about her daughter’s future, and she’s starting to see the cracks in the system. Rosita Espinosa: the woman who’s not afraid to speak her mind (even if it means challenging authority).!
• Aaron’s emotional turmoil after witnessing the Riverbend massacre is a callback to his earlier experiences in Alexandria, when he was first introduced to the horrors of the apocalypse. He’s come a long way, but he’s still struggling to reconcile his idealism with the brutal realities of the world. Aaron: the survivor who’s still searching for hope.

Stats and Stuff:

• Carlson’s Kill Count: 20+ (he’s a one-man army of destruction).
• Daryl & Rosita’s Survival Rate: 100% (they’re the ultimate zombie-slaying duo).
• Commonwealth Expansion: Lance Hornsby is making his move to take control of the surrounding communities.

My Final Verdict:

“The Rotten Core” is a brutal and action-packed episode that exposes the dark underbelly of the Commonwealth and sets the stage for a rebellion against its corrupt leadership. Aaron and Gabriel’s moral crisis, Daryl and Rosita’s dangerous mission, and Negan’s surprising new alliance all contribute to the drama and suspense of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most morally complex and thrilling, reminding us that even in a seemingly civilized world, there’s still room for violence, betrayal, and the struggle for power. What did you think of the episode? Were you shocked by Carlson’s brutality? Let’s discuss in the comments!