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The Walking Dead: Warning Signs – Missing Saviors, Secret Radios, and Maggie’s Got a Killer Squad (Season 9, Episode 3)

Originally aired: October 21, 2018. 4.95 million viewers tuned in for this suspenseful episode. Written by Channing Powell and directed by Dan Liu.

Alexandria: Where Trust Goes to Die (Again):

“Warning Signs” picks up with the communities still struggling to work together on the bridge project. But the fragile peace is shattered when Saviors start disappearing, and suspicion and paranoia threaten to tear the alliance apart.

Key Plot Points:

• The Vanishing Saviors: “Where’d They Go?”: Saviors working on the bridge project start going missing, and no one knows where they’ve gone (or who’s responsible). The remaining Saviors are understandably freaked out, and they start pointing fingers at the Alexandrians and the Hilltop residents. The Saviors: they’re not used to being on the receiving end of the fear and intimidation.
• Rick and Michonne: The Peacekeepers (Who Are Losing Their Grip): Rick and Michonne, bless their optimistic hearts, are still trying to maintain the peace and keep the communities working together. They remind everyone of Carl’s vision for a better future and urge them to focus on their common goals. But their words are falling on deaf ears, as the mistrust and resentment between the groups continue to grow. Rick and Michonne: the power couple who’s trying to hold everything together (and maybe needs a couples therapy session).!
• Anne’s Secret Calls: The Helicopter Hotline: Anne, the former Scavenger leader who’s now living in Alexandria, is still keeping secrets. She sneaks away to contact the mysterious helicopter group, using a walkie-talkie to communicate with them. She’s offered a way out of Alexandria in exchange for a “trade,” but it’s unclear what that trade entails or who she’s really working with. Anne: the woman who’s got more secrets than a graveyard.
• Justin’s Demise: The Savior Who Got Served: Justin, one of the more volatile Saviors, is found dead, and the tensions between the communities reach a boiling point. Maggie and Daryl, who are not exactly fans of the Saviors, decide to investigate. They follow the clues and discover that the Oceanside women are responsible for Justin’s death (and the disappearances of the other Saviors). Oceanside: the girl gang that’s not afraid to get their hands dirty (or bloody).!
• Oceanside’s Revenge: “An Eye for an Eye”: The Oceanside women, who suffered a brutal massacre at the hands of the Saviors in the past, have been secretly taking out their revenge. They’re targeting the Saviors who were responsible for the deaths of their loved ones, and they’re not showing any mercy. Maggie and Daryl, though conflicted about their methods, ultimately decide to let them continue their vigilante justice. Oceanside: the women who are rewriting the rules of revenge.
• The Bridge: Still Under Construction (and Under Pressure): Despite the drama and the disappearances, the bridge project continues. But the atmosphere is tense, and the trust between the communities is hanging by a thread. It’s clear that something’s gotta give, and the future of the alliance is uncertain. The bridge: a symbol of unity that’s about to collapse.

Themes and Meanings:

• Justice vs. Reconciliation: The Struggle to Forgive: Oceanside’s actions highlight the conflict between justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of war. The Saviors committed terrible atrocities, and the Oceanside women are seeking revenge for the pain they caused. But Rick and Michonne are trying to build a new world based on forgiveness and cooperation. It’s a difficult balance to strike, and it’s not clear which path the survivors will ultimately choose. The Walking Dead: where the wounds of the past can be hard to heal.
• Trust: The Foundation of Community (That’s Crumbling): The growing mistrust between the communities underscores the fragility of their alliance. The Saviors feel marginalized and resentful, while the Alexandrians and the Hilltop residents are still suspicious of their former enemies. This lack of trust threatens to undermine their efforts to rebuild and create a better future. Trust: it’s like a Jenga tower in the apocalypse – one wrong move, and it all comes crashing down.
• Secrets: The Hidden Dangers: Anne’s secret communication with the helicopter group adds a layer of mystery and suspense to the story. Who are these people? What do they want? And how will their presence affect the survivors’ plans? These questions are left unanswered, creating a sense of unease and foreshadowing potential conflict. The Walking Dead: where secrets can be deadly.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Rick’s unwavering optimism in the face of growing tensions highlights his isolation as a leader. He’s still clinging to Carl’s vision of peace, but he’s also starting to realize that not everyone shares his ideals. Rick Grimes: the leader who’s trying to build a bridge (while everyone else is digging trenches).!
• Anne’s cryptic conversations with the helicopter group suggest that she’s desperate for something – maybe a way out of the apocalypse, maybe a chance at redemption. Her motivations are still unclear, but it’s clear that she’s playing a dangerous game. Anne: the woman who’s got a secret agenda.
• Oceanside’s actions represent the lingering pain and trauma of the war. They’re not ready to forgive the Saviors, and they’re willing to take matters into their own hands to get justice for their loved ones. Oceanside: the community that’s still haunted by the ghosts of the past.

Stats and Stuff:

• Walker Kills: 15+ (the walkers are still a constant threat, even when the humans are fighting amongst themselves).
• Human Deaths: 1 (Justin, the Savior who pushed his luck too far).
• Survivor Count: Stable, but the alliance is hanging by a thread.

My Final Verdict:

“Warning Signs” is a suspenseful and thought-provoking episode that explores the challenges of rebuilding trust and maintaining unity in the aftermath of war. The disappearances of the Saviors, Anne’s secret communications, and Oceanside’s vigilante justice all contribute to the tension and intrigue of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most morally ambiguous, reminding us that even in a supposed utopia, there are still dark secrets and hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface. What did you think of the episode? Were you surprised by Oceanside’s actions? Let’s discuss in the comments!