The Walking Dead – Issue 154 Impressions

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In the last issue of The Walking Dead, Negan was on the loose as Alexandria’s fugitive. Michonne and Aaron follow his trail toward the Whisperers border but are still unaware that a member of their community, Brandon, assisted his escape. Brandon thought Negan was going to cooperate in his plan to have The Whisperers and Alexandria kill each other, but this plan fell apart when Negan stabbed him in the heart. Clearly Brandon and Negan’s individual plans didn’t align, yet Negan’s plan still remained a mystery. The search for Negan commences as he proceeds toward the Whisperers camp. What are the next steps in Negan’s plan?

Michonne and Aaron find Brandon’s dead body by the Whisperers’s border, so they immediately realize he was the one who set Negan free. Assuming he is close by, they rush out to find him. During the search Michonne attempts to offer relationship advice to Aaron, encouraging him to pursue Jesus romantically. Aaron is still impacted by the death of his boyfriend Eric and he feels Jesus is already leading on another man named Alex. The Whisperers stripped themselves of their humanity and part of that is wearing the skin of walkers (zombies). This is a clever yet morbid tactic to survive and live safely among walkers, but especially useful to blend in and avoid living intruders. They even go as far as no longer using their given name, and instead the Whisperers’s leader is called Alpha and her right hand man is Beta. 

Eugene continues dialogue over the radio with this anonymous person and establishes more trust. He divulges the misfortunes him and his people have gone through, including the death of his pregnant girlfriend. This information seemed to impact this anonymous person who eventually reveals that her name is Stephanie. Stephanie’s intentions aren’t clear and whether she is a friend or foe is left to be determined.

Rick’s son Carl is growing up and has settled into the Hilltop to build things such as ammunition. With a war brewing, Rick requests that Carl come back to Alexandria. Carl refuses, insisting he is no longer a child and the Hilltop is his new home. During this time of war, Rick may want to keep his son around not only to ensure his safety but perhaps because Rick needs him. Rick is injured and Carl has grown up to be one of the few strong and dependable fighters of their group. 

Negan easily finds the Whispers camp and encounters Beta and his followers.  Negan upholds his horrifying confidence and threatens them, insisting he will kill at least three Whisperers before they can take him down. Negan remains as scary as he is charming. He advises that the Whisperers should not put themselves in that predicament and simply requests a place to sleep. Not even being cooped up in a jail cell for a long time could subdue Negan’s wit and he convinces them to take him in. Negan even offers a pledge to join the group as long as he can pick out his own zombie skin since he will only use one with a “generous” crotch area. Negan is escorted to the leader of the Whisperers and already knowing she is the Alpha, he introduces himself and expresses that he “is in love” with her. Part of me feels that Negan and Alpha are a match made in heaven, or hell. If Alpha is even a little interested in Negan, I can see this being the start of a very sadistic bond which will create a more grim journey for Rick and his community. Negan’s intentions are still unclear. While I am sure he finds Alpha to be “fuckable,” him expressing love just by looking at her seems to be a scheme to get screwed and become The Whisperers new Alpha or the new Alpha male. Maybe he did genuinely fall in love with Alpha at first sight and will authentically convert to be a Whisperer, or maybe he will become the new Beta. Is Negan doing an undercover infiltration to help Rick? Is he using this as an opportunity to gain command over the Whisperers and use their tactics to reign over all neighboring territories? Negan remains as mysterious as ever and the story is more sensational with him back in the mix. 

 

Final Thoughts:

Part of me feels that Negan and Alpha are a match made in heaven, or hell. If Alpha is even a little interested in Negan, I can see this being the start of a very sadistic bond which will create a more grim journey for Rick and his people. Negan’s intentions are still unclear. While I am sure he finds Alpha to be “fuckable,” him expressing love just by looking at her seems to be a scheme to get screwed and become The Whisperers new Alpha or the new Alpha male. Maybe he did genuinely fall in love with Alpha at first sight and will authentically convert to be a Whisperer, or maybe he will become the new Beta. Is Negan doing an undercover infiltration to help Rick? Is he using this as an opportunity to gain command over the Whisperers and use their tactics to reign over all neighboring territories? Negan remains as mysterious as ever and the story is more sensational with him back in the mix. 

 

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