The Walking Dead introduces missing people, a big death and a shipper’s delight.

Judith takes on her big brother Carl Grimes’ role as the future and the narrator of their stories.

 

YOU’RE THE FUTURE KID, NEVER FORGET THAT.

There are visuals and poetic throwbacks to familiar characters and storylines, each carefully woven into her inner monologue, as well as into the opening credits of the long-awaited 11C episodes.

It’s as if showrunner Angela Kang is using Cailey Fleming to tell us all what she could truly say in this bitter-sweet departure as only a storyteller could.

Judith has always been wise beyond her years, so it makes perfect sense to give her the role of a player, and the author.

At the end of the day, as much as this is an ensemble piece–it started with the Grimes family, and it is ending with the Grimes family. And as we know, Michonne Hawthorne and apocalyptic hubby Rick have their own spin-off coming in 2023.

 

SO I SAY, THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC.

My dear friend, Bear McCreary has musically defied every apocalyptic obstacle there is, but this is truly a heart-wrenching masterpiece because it’s his last on the main show.

The opening titles are longer and make you realize that guys–this is it.

 

VARIANTS.

Among the teaser trailers in all of their glory come our good ole’ Frank Darabont walkers. Complete with climbing over walls and being just a little more alert than before. If you remember, dear reader, in season one of the original show, walkers picked up teddy bears, turned door knobs, and even slammed bricks against the glass.

 

There is also a main-character death that I will not spoil, but it leaves the viewer with deep satisfaction, I’ll give it that much.