Tavern Cellar

The Walking Dead: The Tower – Hospital Hideout, Beta’s Breakdown, and Princess Steals the Show (Season 10, Episode 15)

Originally aired: April 5, 2020. 10.54 million viewers tuned in for this suspenseful episode. Written by Kevin Deiboldt & Julia Ruchman, and directed by Laura Belsey.

The Whisperers vs. The Survivors: The Final Showdown Approaches:

“The Tower” picks up with the aftermath of Alpha’s death and the growing threat of Beta’s leadership. The survivors are on the move, seeking refuge from the Whisperers and their massive walker horde. This episode is all about preparation, resilience, and the unexpected twists that keep us guessing.

Key Plot Points:

• Beta’s Gone Bonkers: “Alpha’s Dead, Long Live Beta!”: Beta, who was always a bit of a creepy weirdo, has officially lost his marbles. He’s hearing voices (Alpha’s, to be exact), he’s letting walkers bite him (because why not?), and he’s leading the Whisperer horde on a rampage of revenge. He’s determined to destroy the survivors and avenge Alpha’s death, even if it means sacrificing his own humanity (what little he had left). Beta: the villain who’s gone from creepy to downright crazy.
• Hospital Hideout: “Welcome to Grady Memorial 2.0”: The survivors, knowing that Beta is on the warpath, have abandoned Alexandria and taken shelter in an abandoned hospital (because apparently, hospitals are the go-to safe havens in the apocalypse). They’re fortifying the building, setting up defenses, and trying to figure out their next move. Judith, who’s still struggling with Michonne’s absence, is stepping up as a leader, but she’s also facing her own fears and doubts. The hospital: where the survivors are hoping to find a cure for their Whisperer problem (and maybe a few bandages for their emotional wounds).!
• Princess: The Quirky Queen of the Apocalypse: Eugene, Yumiko, and Ezekiel are still on their mission to meet Stephanie, the mysterious woman Eugene’s been chatting with on the radio. But their journey takes an unexpected turn when they encounter Princess, a wildly eccentric survivor who’s been living alone for who-knows-how-long. She’s got a colorful personality, a questionable fashion sense (purple coat, anyone?), and a knack for getting into trouble. She accidentally leads the group into a minefield (oops!), but her genuine enthusiasm and her desperate need for connection eventually win them over. Princess: the survivor who’s a walking, talking party (and maybe a little bit of a liability).!
• Judith’s Crisis of Conscience: “To Kill or Not to Kill”: Judith, who’s been forced to grow up fast in the apocalypse, is facing a moral dilemma. She and Daryl encounter a lone Whisperer in the woods, and Judith shoots him. But she hesitates to finish him off, struggling with the weight of taking a life. Daryl, being the wise and compassionate uncle figure that he is, steps in and puts the Whisperer out of his misery, reminding Judith that it’s okay to feel conflicted about killing, even in the apocalypse. Judith Grimes: the girl who’s learning that being human means having a heart (even when you’re fighting monsters).!
• Beta’s Big Move: “The Tower Will Fall!”: The episode ends with Beta leading his massive walker horde to the hospital where the survivors are hiding. He’s ready for a final showdown, and it’s clear that the survivors are going to have to fight tooth and nail (and maybe a few bullets and grenades) to survive. Beta: the villain who’s about to unleash his fury (and a whole lot of walkers).!

Themes and Meanings:

• Isolation vs. Connection: The Human Need for Belonging: Princess’s desperate desire for connection and her struggles with social boundaries highlight the importance of human interaction in the apocalypse. She’s been alone for so long that she’s forgotten how to interact with others, and her awkwardness and her over-the-top enthusiasm are both endearing and concerning. The Walking Dead: where even the most eccentric characters can find a place to belong.
• Madness: The Descent into Darkness: Beta’s increasingly unhinged behavior and his obsession with Alpha’s voice show the dangers of losing your grip on reality in the apocalypse. He’s consumed by grief, anger, and a twisted sense of loyalty to Alpha, and his actions are becoming more and more erratic and destructive. Beta: the villain who’s lost his mind (and maybe his humanity).!
• Survival: The Burden of Responsibility: Judith’s struggle with killing the Whisperer and her fear of losing more people reflect the heavy burden that the survivors carry in the apocalypse. They’re constantly faced with life-or-death decisions, and the weight of those choices can be overwhelming, especially for a child who’s still trying to understand the world around her. The Walking Dead: where growing up means facing your fears (and maybe taking a life).!

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• The hospital setting is a callback to the very first episode of “The Walking Dead,” where Rick Grimes woke up in a hospital bed, confused and alone. This time, the hospital represents a different kind of beginning, a place where the survivors are coming together to face a common enemy and fight for their future. The hospital: from a symbol of isolation to a symbol of hope.
• Carol cutting her hair short is a subtle but significant detail. It’s a callback to earlier seasons, when she would change her appearance after traumatic events as a way of shedding the past and embracing a new identity. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s always reinventing herself.
• Judith’s compass, which she gave to Negan earlier in the season, is a symbol of her trust in him and her belief in his potential for redemption. It’s a small but meaningful gesture that foreshadows Negan’s future role in the community. Judith Grimes: the girl who sees the good in everyone (even Negan).!

Stats and Stuff:

• Princess (Paola Lázaro) is officially introduced, bringing her quirky and vibrant personality to the show.
• Beta’s real name and backstory are still a mystery, but his love of music hints at his past identity.
• The minefield scene was an original addition to the TV series, not seen in the comics.
• This episode was originally intended to be the penultimate episode of Season 10, but due to COVID-19 delays, it served as the temporary finale before the delayed release of Episode 16.

My Final Verdict:

“The Tower” is a tense and character-driven episode that sets the stage for an epic showdown between the survivors and the Whisperers. Beta’s descent into madness, Judith’s moral struggles, and the introduction of Princess all contribute to the drama and intrigue of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most suspenseful, reminding us that even in the apocalypse, there’s still room for hope, heartbreak, and the occasional minefield explosion. What did you think of the episode? Were you charmed by Princess? Let’s discuss in the comments!