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

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead _ Season 9, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/AMC

While the world is busy fighting, Gabriel and Anne (Jadis) bond over a drawing that Anne makes of a woman that Gabriel once knew. Anne has been an asset to Rick and has blossomed from the closed off person that she once was, as head of the garbage people. She is worried that people who keep a distance from her because of her past life will never come around to her. Gabriel is the perfect person to speak to as no one trusted him for a very long time. Anne caresses Gabriel’s hand in the way one would with a lover in an unexpected romantic gesture. Gabriel warmly holds her hand with both of his in a more friendly manner — as if to say they are just friends.

That doesn’t last long though, as the two are later seen sitting together, listening to the mating calls of the frogs in the distance. (A useless fact that Gabriel happens to bring to the conversation.)

Gabriel tells her that the woman he asked her to draw was the organist at his church who he cared for and he lost. For the record, Gabriel is not a Catholic priest but an Episcopalian, meaning he doesn’t need to abstain to remain in his faith. Gabriel seems to like Anne but still fears a relationship. No worries though, as Anne moves in for a major kissing session, putting aside any doubts that he may have had. The Walking Dead is moving ahead with quite a few relationships this season, which is sweet for now, but may prove traumatic later if anyone is hurt or killed.

Later, while Anne is back at her post, she spots the mysterious helicopter in the sky. It’s probably the same helicopter that Rick spotted in season 8 and there are some theories as to who the chopper belongs to but we still don’t know who they are.

Tara was the first to spot the Horatio herd and walkies Jerry to sound off the first siren that would lead them in the opposite direction. A second siren would make sure that the swarm of walkers end up far from the bridge. However, the second siren never goes off regardless of how much Tara calls through the radio. When Rick realizes the walkers are now headed straight for the bridge, he runs off to warn the others.

Alden was interrupted by Tara’s call after telling Rick that he had investigated the Saviors that had disappeared. Some of the Saviors that had gone missing had families to return to, and it seems there are no rumors of a plan to leave their homes. This pushes the theory that foul play is involved. The remaining Saviors are afraid for their own lives and families since Rick disarmed them. Alden makes a case for Rick to arm the Saviors but Rick assures him that if they need protection, he will provide it. This alarmingly enough makes Rick sound like Negan, as Alden points out.

At the bridge, a small herd of walkers starts to shuffle towards the crew. One of the Saviors, in a panic, abandons a group effort to lift a tree log. The log almost kills a man but Aaron sacrifices himself to save him and gets his arm pinned under the log. If it wasn’t clear before, the cowardly and selfish behavior of some Saviors, as warned about by Daryl, has now injured one of Rick’s closest friends.