The Whisperers have finally made their way to The Walking Dead, and we worry about who their first unfortunate victim will be.
The Walking Dead has been teasing the appearance of The Whisperers since before Rick’s final episode.
In “Who Are You Now,” following a six-year time jump and some pretty shocking changes for our survivors, we finally get a glimpse of The Whisperers. Well, more like we hear a whisper of them in the midst of a herd.
Rosita and Eugene are the first of our Walking Dead crew to hear what they assume to be walkers talking. While the two are trying to set a radio on top of a water tower for Gabriel, Eugene notices the strange behavior of a particular herd. He spots how they quickly change direction, something walkers wouldn’t do unless a major noise or flash of light had caught their attention. That’s not the case here.
They are both surprised when it seems the herd has made a dramatic U-turn and end heads toward the water tower instead. Eugene ends up hurting his knee trying to make a hasty decent off the tower, and Rosita is saddled with helping him out of the herd’s way. They have no choice but to hide within a muddy ditch, disguising themselves and their scent as the herd passes overhead.
Josh McDermitt as Dr. Eugene Porter, Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa – The Walking Dead _ Season 9, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
It is in this moment that the walkers seem to talk, asking in a low screech “Where did they go?” And since walkers definitely don’t speak (they just growl and moan), this is a clear indication that the voice heard was actually from a human person who is a part of The Whisperers.
For those who have read the comics, you know The Whisperers are no joke. Fans of the show will come to know this formidable enemy alongside our survivors. They’re an elusive group who kill walkers and use their dried out skin as masks, helping them blend amongst the undead. And since they can easily mix amongst walkers, they have no problem directing walker herds wherever they please.
Rosita and Eugene are undoubtedly terrified by what they hear. In previews for this season, we know that Aaron and Jesus will also come across the strange herd, taking note of their odd behavior. With all four being in close proximity to the herd mixed with Whisperers, we’re definitely concerned one of them (or multiple) will be killed for trespassing. Per the comics, we know The Whisperers do not take well to people crossing over into “their territory.”
If the idea of this hasn’t raised your heart rate, consider that Carol and Henry are out in the open also, having just met Daryl at his hermit hub in the woods. While our focus right now is on the herd circling Eugene and Rosita, there’s no reason not to think other Whisperers are roaming amongst the woods.
Finally, there’s Michonne and the new group of survivors little Judith Grimes rescued. While Michonne is not about to allow this new group into Alexandria, for strict “security reasons” we still want to learn more about (as well as the “X” on Michonne’s back), she doesn’t mind taking them to Hilltop. That puts yet another group out in the open for The Whisperers to come across and take out.
Aside from our panic of who The Whisperers will come across first, we’re curious to learn if this is the first time this group has come across such large communities. Though the start of season 9 seemed to note clues that the Whisperers were nearby, it’s yet to be confirmed if those clues — such as the weakening of the bridge — were actually caused by The Whisperers or a coincidence.
The Whisperers may actually have no clue of Alexandria, the Hilltop and the Kingdom. But if Rosita and Eugene escape, they may accidentally give up their home location to this new enemy.
Who do you think will meet a Whisperer face-to-face first? Eugene and Rosita? Or Carol, Henry and Daryl? Or someone else? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.