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The Walking Dead: What’s Been Lost – Daryl and Carol’s Excellent Adventure (Commonwealth Edition), Lance’s Last Stand, and Pamela’s Power Play (Season 11, Episode 20)

Originally aired: October 23, 2022. Viewership numbers are still a bit elusive for these later episodes, but let’s just say that fans were glued to their screens for this penultimate chapter of “The Walking Dead.” Directed by Aisha Tyler.

The Commonwealth: Where the Smiles are Fake (and the Disappearances are Real):

“What’s Been Lost” picks up with the aftermath of the Commonwealth’s takeover of Alexandria, Hilltop, and Oceanside. But the victory is short-lived, as the survivors soon discover that their new home is not the safe haven they were hoping for.

Key Plot Points:

• Vanishing Act: “Poof! They’re Gone!”: Daryl wakes up to find that several of his friends have disappeared in the night. Rosita, Gabriel, Ezekiel, and others have been abducted by the Commonwealth, and no one knows where they’ve been taken or why. Carol, ever the observant one, quickly deduces that Pamela Milton is behind the disappearances, consolidating her power by eliminating anyone who might challenge her authority. The Commonwealth: where dissent is a disappearing act.
• Daryl and Carol: The Dynamic Duo Rides Again: Daryl and Carol, the ultimate power couple of the apocalypse (sorry, Rick and Michonne), team up to find their missing friends. They track down Lance Hornsby, who’s been imprisoned after his failed power grab, hoping that he can lead them to the others. Their journey takes them through the streets of the Commonwealth, where they have to use their stealth skills and their fighting prowess to evade the authorities and stay alive. Daryl and Carol: the Bonnie and Clyde of the apocalypse (except with more walkers and less bank robbing).!
• Lance Hornsby’s Last Hurrah: “I’m Not Dead Yet!”: Lance, even though he’s locked up, is still a slippery and manipulative character. He offers to help Daryl and Carol find their friends in exchange for his freedom. But can they trust him? He’s betrayed them before, and it’s clear that he’s still got his own agenda. In a moment of chilling honesty, Lance admits that he knew Pamela Milton would eventually turn on him, but he still believes in the Commonwealth’s twisted vision for the future. Lance Hornsby: the villain who’s delusional to the end.
• Pamela Milton’s Iron Fist: “Eugene, You’re Gonna Crack!”: Pamela Milton, who’s always been a bit of a control freak, is now showing her true colors. She’s ruthless, she’s power-hungry, and she’s not afraid to use fear and intimidation to get what she wants. She confronts Eugene in prison, trying to break his spirit and force him to confess to a crime he didn’t commit. Pamela Milton: the queen who’s lost her crown (and maybe her mind).!
• Mercer’s Crisis of Conscience (Part 2): “I Can’t Do This Anymore”: Mercer, the Commonwealth’s conflicted soldier, is still struggling with his loyalty to the regime. He’s witnessing the corruption and the brutality firsthand, and he’s starting to realize that he can’t stand by and do nothing. His hesitation when Pamela orders Eugene’s execution suggests that he’s on the verge of rebellion. Mercer: the soldier who’s about to become a hero (or at least, a less obedient soldier).!

Themes and Symbolism:

• Control: The Illusion of Order: “What’s Been Lost” explores the theme of control and the ways in which those in power try to maintain it. Pamela Milton’s abduction of the survivors and her attempts to silence dissent show the fragility of the Commonwealth’s supposed utopia. It’s a reminder that even in a seemingly civilized society, power can corrupt, and the desire for control can lead to oppression and violence. The Walking Dead: where even the most perfect facades can crumble.
• Betrayal: The Price of Trust: Lance Hornsby’s offer to help Daryl and Carol, despite his past betrayals, raises questions about trust and forgiveness in the apocalypse. Can the survivors ever truly trust someone who’s proven to be deceitful and manipulative? Or is betrayal an inevitable part of survival in this world? The Walking Dead: where trust is a dangerous game.
• Resilience: The Strength to Fight Back: Carol and Daryl’s determination to find their friends and their willingness to challenge the Commonwealth’s authority show the enduring power of resilience in the apocalypse. They’ve faced countless challenges and losses, but they’re not giving up. They’re fighting for their friends, their community, and the hope of a better future. The Walking Dead: where even in the darkest of times, there’s still a spark of resistance.

Small Details You Might Have Missed:

• Lance Hornsby’s accusation of betrayal against Pamela Milton is a bit ironic, considering his own history of deception and manipulation. It’s possible that he’s trying to deflect blame or sow discord within the Commonwealth’s leadership, but it’s also possible that he’s genuinely hurt by her betrayal. Lance Hornsby: the villain who’s always playing the victim.
• Carol’s swift and efficient elimination of the Commonwealth soldiers during their pursuit of Lance shows her continued badassery and her willingness to use violence when necessary. She’s not the same woman who once baked cookies for the Saviors; she’s a hardened survivor who’s learned to fight for what she believes in. Carol Peletier: the woman who can bake a cake and kill a soldier with the same smile.
• Pamela Milton’s constant twisting of Sebastian’s ring is a subtle but significant detail. It suggests her guilt and grief over her son’s death, but it also shows her obsession with maintaining her family’s legacy and her grip on power. Pamela Milton: the mother who’s lost her son (and maybe her sanity).!

Stats and Stuff:

• Viewer Rating: 8.3/10 (IMDb) (a strong episode that’s got fans on the edge of their seats).
• Total Deaths: 5+ (including Lance Hornsby, the villain who finally got his comeuppance).
• Biggest Power Shift: Lance Hornsby’s death leaves a void in the Commonwealth’s leadership, and Pamela Milton’s grip on power is weakening.
• Most Shocking Moment: Carol’s cold execution of Lance Hornsby (she’s not messing around anymore).

My Final Verdict:

“What’s Been Lost” is a tense and suspenseful episode that marks a turning point in the final season of “The Walking Dead.” The Commonwealth’s descent into tyranny, Daryl and Carol’s desperate search for their friends, and Lance Hornsby’s demise all contribute to the drama and intrigue of the episode. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most politically charged and morally ambiguous, reminding us that even in a seemingly civilized world, the fight for survival is never truly over, and the line between good and evil can be as thin as a whisper. What did you think of the episode? Were you shocked by Carol’s actions? Let’s discuss in the comments!