(Spoilers ahead)
Each week, we comb through the guts of The Walking Dead, much like a horde of hungry walkers, to bring you the episode’s best moments, surprises, and other post-apocalyptic curiosities. This week’s takeaway: Do not negotiate against Maggie, do not try to kill Rick, and DO NOT let Abraham make you pancakes.
Season 6, Episode 11: “Knots Untie”
Fastest traveling news: Boy, everyone sure found out about Rick and Michonne’s hookup pretty quick. Thanks, Jesus. It’s not like it wasn’t any of their business or anything.
Most awkward moment: We get that you’d want to talk to your son about starting a new relationship, but maybe you shouldn’t keep repeating that it “happened last night.” Now he definitely knows that you had sex less than 12 hours ago.
Most crafty: Isn’t that sweet, Rosita making a necklace for Abraham? It also could have been a reference to the fact that actress Christian Serratos has her own jewelry line.
Biggest blabbermouth: Everyone keeps mentioning sorghum now. Who was even looking for this crop two weeks ago? Did Eugene tell everybody?
Worst defense tactics: Maybe when checking out a new settlement, you shouldn’t take all of your heavy-hitters along, just in case the home base gets attacked. Oh, wait. Carol didn’t go. Never mind, Alexandria would be safe even if Negan, a miraculously still-alive Governor, everyone from Terminus, and the Wolves attacked simultaneously.
Worst sex ed: “I see rain coming; I’m wearing galoshes. I double up.” Abraham, friction’s your enemy here. Plus, someone has to go on a supply run for those additional condoms.
Most meta moment: Abraham says he doesn’t want kids because of “the precarious state of affairs on any given Sunday.” Sure, in-world he’s just referencing the Oliver Stone film, but tell us, on what day does this show air?
Names that are closer to Maggie than Natalie: Margaret, Mandy, Mindy, Margie, Minnie, Mattie, Maddie, Marley. (Psst, none of those sound like Natalie either.)
Honest question: Who would win in a fight, the Hilltop residents or the untrained Alexandrites?
Suggested names for Daryl’s new cow: Bessie, Cow-nt Chocula, Moo-lan, Tabitha II, Cheese Machine
Best negotiator: Maggie crushed it in her deal with Gregory. Better watch out, Greg, or you might find her replacing you . . .
Best line: “When you were, uh, pouring the Bisquick—you trying to make pancakes?” —Abraham to Glenn
Best kill: At first, we didn’t even see the knife that Rick used to stab Ethan, so it almost looked like he killed him with his bare hands. Not that we’d be surprised if that actually happened.
Most disturbing image: All of the foreshadowing for Glenn’s eventual death, including:
- Constant reminders that Maggie is pregnant (even an ultrasound photo!)
- Maggie noting that the Hilltop trade “is going to cost us something”
- Jesus recalling that when Negan killed a teen in the community, he told them it was because they “needed to understand right off the bat.”
Episode MVP: Jesus, for taking the wheel on intercommunity negotiation. When Maggie and Gregory couldn’t reach a deal, he was able to remind both sides that they each needed something. Even after the attempt on Gregory’s life, Jesus gave Maggie the key info she needed on Negan to broker one decisive deal.
And once again, where exactly does Rick fall this week on the calm/crazy scale?
