We’ve reached midseason finale number one as Walking Dead Season 11a draws to a close, bringing us that much closer to the end of the series. We move away from the Commonwealth this episode to focus on the horde moving against the Reapers. Also, Alexandria gets weather. Because being forced to eat horse jerky wasn’t bad enough. Nature had to ruin things harder.
**SPOILER ALERT** for things getting ruined harder.
1. Reapers’ Horde
We open with the horde of walkers gathered by Maggie and Negan shambling towards the Reaper’s compound in broad daylight. Then it turns to night. Time still works weird in this season, but I’m not worried about that. The Reapers oddly feel overmatched for the antagonists this season. Especially considering how brutal and efficient they were portrayed at the beginning. But before we start thinking of them as any sort of weird underdog, their resourcefulness comes into play. Paired with Pope’s divine fury. The sentries on the barricades watch as zombie after zombie trip landmines set up around the perimeter, with Daryl wondering which of the exploding walkers happen to be his friends. Because he recognizes Whisperer tactics when he sees them. Even if he’s not exactly willing to share that with his new cohorts.
2. Friends in (Literal) High Places
The dynamic between Daryl, Pope, and Leah is great. Pope suspects Daryl but likes his spunk. Daryl is desperately trying to play it cool, but isn’t afraid to throw some of Pope’s suspicions back in his face. But Leah will vouch for him so his face doesn’t end up in a fire somewhere. He’s a very good tracker after all. Don’t toss him into any more burning buildings! This dynamic, great as it is, doesn’t last too long. As Maggie and Gabriel sneak into the base, Daryl offers the sentry a cigarette, then pulls out a knife. As much as I liked the interplay between Daryl and the Reapers, this does feel like the natural stopping point. And not just because this is a midseason finale. Dragging it on further would lessen it significantly. Although there are aspects of this plot shift that do make me a little sad. But I’ll cover those in a bit.
3. Rainy Day
Things are bad over at Alexandria. While Maggie and Gabriel break into Meridian, a massive storm is hitting our heroes’ hometown. The community, which has been on the brink of starvation all season now not only gets flooded, but more than a few walkers find their way through the barricades in the process. This whole subplot feels a tad bit like filler in the grand scheme of the episode. But it does give Judith and Gracie time to shine. Judith in particular as she gets to show off some swordplay, and have a tender moment with Virgil. The topic of Michonne comes up, with Virgil commenting about how much he sees of her in Judith.
The Alexandria scenes are bound to the single house, which I can’t tell if it’s purely for tension’s sake or for budgetary reasons. But either way, it works. Them desperately trying to board up the home as rain breaks the windows and walkers claw their way through is extremely effective. As is the shot of the burning windmill.
4. The Pope is Dead…
As Maggie and Gabriel break into the base, we get the pay off of Daryl wrestling with his feelings with Leah. As Pope orders his massive firework cannon prepped, because the Reapers have a massive firework cannon, he makes it clear he isn’t overly worried about protecting his men. God will protect them from zombies and massive firework cannons after all, unless it’s their time to go. As Maggie and Gabriel pass through the walls, Daryl tells Leah the truth. She doesn’t take it well, but she is receptive to it. Receptive enough to help Daryl knife fight Pope at least. So Pope gets retired as primary season antagonist.
Which makes me sad, because as much as I couldn’t not see Ned Flanders every time I looked at him, Pope was a great villain, wonderfully played by Ritchie Coster. As effective as he was in the role, making a fast impact in only a handful of episodes, this chunk of Season 11 was only eight episodes. And Pope wasn’t in every single one. But a shift was needed at this point in the series. Besides, there’s someone new ready to fill the spot.
5. …Long Live the Pope
When Pope dies, Leah calls it in, reporting that he was murdered by Daryl. As brutal as the Reapers are, and as far as Pope was willing to take them, they’re still her family. And in the span of an hour, Daryl’s at least killed two. Carver’s certainly ready to believe everything. It’s an interesting twist to say the least. While the dynamic between Pope and Daryl was great, the one between him and Leah was far more complex. Not to mention the natural conclusion being much more uncertain than with Pope. That was always bound to end in knife fight. Here we have a leader with some doubt that either needs to be confronted or drowned out. As great of a villain as Pope was, Leah has enough conflict both internal and external to really make the next chunks of the season fascinating. Plus, she gets to shoot the massive firework cannon.
