The Walking Dead review: Teamwork makes the dream work when everyone comes together

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Zach McGowan as Justin – The Walking Dead _ Season 9, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/AMC

At the bridge, most of the workers are nailing planks of wood and having small talk. I had almost forgotten that last season, after Eric’s death, Rick had placed a baby girl that was found in the Savior’s headquarters under Aaron’s care. The preview photos of the little girl are actually of his new baby and not of Hershel. Aaron is glowing in the light of fatherhood as he tells Daryl with pure joy how his daughter pooped all over him. Daryl can’t relate, but Aaron believes that when it’s his time for Daryl to become a father, he’ll understand. Daryl is skeptical, as am I, but anything is possible in this odd world.

Henry is assigned water boy duties on the bridge. As is the nature of their limited supplies, Henry rations the water to make sure that everyone gets their fill. A rather thirsty Savior asks for more and when Henry tells him no, he pushes him to the floor. But Henry is not just any kid; Morgan trained him. Henry roundhouses the Savior with his staff and brings him to the floor in front of everyone. I can only imagine the humiliation that the man felt. The Savior heads in Henry’s direction to start an actual fight with the child, showing that he’s likely one of the losers that worshipped Negan.

Daryl steps in and tells the Savior to leave the kid alone since he was only doing his job. The Savior takes this opportunity to tell Daryl how he feels about his leadership. The Savior won’t take orders from Daryl anymore, and he’s done with Daryl babysitting him. Daryl and the Savior break into a full-blown brawl, and it takes Rick and Eugene, who come across the fight, to stop it.

Once the fight breaks up, Daryl is livid that Rick won’t penalize the Savior, but the truth is that Rick needs everybody he can get, especially since Saviors have been disappearing as of late. Eugene calculated six of them gone in a short amount of time without a trace or a reason. While Rick assumes that the missing Saviors are Negan enthusiasts who aren’t happy with Rick’s leadership, he plans to have Carol look into the matter to get a concrete answer.

In the meantime, Rick pardons the Savior, which prompts Daryl to ask if they’re even on the same side. All this time, Daryl has been telling Rick that the Saviors won’t change. After managing the Sanctuary for over a year, I would say Daryl is the best person to give testimony on the true nature of the Saviors, but Rick fails to listen. Most of them enjoyed being under Negan’s control and squirm under the fairness of Rick’s new regime, which will eventually lead to more problems.