The Walking Dead season 10 episode 11 review: The battle for Hilltop

The Walking Dead’s latest episode gave fans some emotional nods to the past and Alpha’s epic assault on the Hilltop community with her army of the undead.

The battle for Hilltop began on The Walking Dead this week, and the onscreen visual did a masterful job at replicating the fiery battle portrayed in The Walking Dead comic. But the intensity of the battle was much more apparent onscreen. The episode was directed by Michael Satrazemis, whose signature visual style heightened the impact of the survivors gathered outside the main fence at Hilltop with their medieval weapons and crude armor trying to fend off a massive undead army.

The first part of the episode set up the next narrative arc by showing Eugene’s radio relationship with Stephanie progressing. By the end of the episode she had given him her location and set up a meeting. That trip will kick off the next arc, as it introduces new characters and new locations.

But the episode also took the time to give fans some emotional moments before the battle began. Carol and Ezekiel got some closure, and Carol sort of apologized to Lydia. Even though those two have some major walls between them, it’s clear they’re going through something similar — and hopefully, someday, that will be something that unites them instead of dividing them.

Eugene singing over the radio to Stephanie infused some Game of Thrones vibes from the episode “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” as Podrick sang a voiceover while everyone prepared for war. It was similar in The Walking Dead. As Eugene sang, everyone else was gearing up for the battle that was coming.

Judith And Daryl

One of the episode’s most touching moments was when Judith and Daryl talked about being afraid. She gave him back his winged vest, showing him that she had painted the missing wing on it for him. It really is wonderful to see Daryl given some solid character development. He’s now a full-fledged leader, the father figure to Rick’s kids, and someone the communities can really depend on.

Hilltop may fall, but as long as the survivors have each other, they will be fine. They’ll start again. They’ve been at the communities for so long now, it’s easy to forget those early years where they were scrapping every day to get by, relying on each other just to survive from moment to moment. This episode brought back that feeling, and it was good to have that again. It’s been a long time.

Remembering the Past

The moments that had the biggest emotional impact throughout “Morning Star” were the small ones. Carol standing in front of the portrait of Glenn. Daryl standing among the graves of all who have been lost, including Glenn and Abe. Judith giving Daryl the vest. R.J. wearing the Stetson. Ezekiel giving Lydia Henry’s armor. Those quiet moments invoked the spirit of all those who were lost and reminded the survivors what they’re fighting for. They’re not fighting for a place; it’s never about the place. They’re fighting for each other.

The Assault

The first half of “Morning Star” was all heart, but the second was all horror — and it was epic. The look of the battle sequence was eerie and terrifying. The sheer number of walkers was panic-inducing, and when Alpha’s forces shot the sap-filled balloons at the survivors and at the fence, there was a moment of confusion, followed by dread when it became clear why she was using them.

The magnificent shot of the fiery arrows shooting through the darkness and setting the fence ablaze was beautiful and horrifying. And the realization that the survivors were trapped between the burning main fence and the walker horde made it clear that, although no one died in this episode, not everyone is going to survive this battle. There’s no way the survivors are going to make it out of this unscathed.

One of the Best Episodes of The Walking Dead

In a show like The Walking Dead, which has been running for 10 years now, there are so many great episodes to choose from that it would be difficult to pick out one or two as being the best — especially since every episode has some special or unique component that makes it impressive.

But it’s fair to say that “Morning Star” deserves a place on the list of the top five episodes. It was the perfect expression of what has made the show so special: unshakable faith in the power of humanity in a world of horror and terror and death.

Next week, the battle will conclude, and after the final death toll is counted and the damage assessed, it will be time for Alpha to answer for her many crimes. I’m very sad to see this conflict arc come to an end because it’s definitely been my favorite of all the things The Walking Dead has done so far. But it’s time to start a new phase of the ongoing saga of these The Walking Dead survivors we are so invested in and judging by what we’ve seen this new story is going to be fantastic too.

Who do you think will survive the Battle of Hilltop? Who won’t? Share your theories with us in the comments below!