Something very, very bad is coming and this time Rick and Co. may not be ready or have the firepower to defend against it. As you may recall the last time we saw Rick, he and Michonne were awoken by Jesus standing over them while in a compromising position. Apparently, he had something important to talk to Rick about. He eventually tells Rick that his world was about to get a whole lot bigger. The problem is what awaits them in the form of Negan and his Saviors will make their world a whole lot more dangerous as well. Warning, spoilers ahead…
Jesus led Rick and the gang to his community called The Hilltop. It is here that we learn how much of a stranglehold a man named Negan has on their community and at what lengths he and his Saviors will go to make their point. The people of Hilltop live in fear. They are not fighters. They are desperate and are more than willing to deal with the devil himself to ensure their survival. Jesus explains that part of his job is to find others like them. Those they can trade with. He points out that Alexandria may have a surplus of ammo but they lack food and resources, whereas with The Hilltop, it’s the exact opposite.
After some intense moments, Jesus convinces his people that Rick and the others come in peace. The area known as The Hilltop is a very tranquil area and very self-sufficient. Their leader is a man named Gregory (Xander Berkeley), a slightly sleazy older gentleman who pretty openly comes on to Maggie. Gregory makes an offer to Rick that he can and does refuse. Jesus, living up to his name, acts as a go between but the arrival of members of the community disrupts that task. When Gregory questions where the other member of their team, a man name Craig, was? The man’s brother, Ethan explains to Gregory that his brother was being kept alive by Negan as long as he (Ethan) delivers a message to Gregory. He then proceeds to stab Gregory. Message received.
Rick, Daryl, Michonne and the gang subdue the others and attend to a fallen Gregory. The spectators looked on in horror at the bloody Rick after he kills Ethan. The look on Rick’s face seeing their reaction to him was priceless. This is what “normal” life looks like for Rick. Later, Jesus explains the deal Gregory struck with Negan, half of everything in exchange of not killing them. To prove his word, Negan murdered a teenage boy. That’s a memory and an image that haunts the others to this day.
The voice of reason seems to come from Maggie who believes that helping Gregory take on Negan will cost them something. Darryl is all in on killing Negan and so was Rick. To which I say, be careful what you wish for.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
