(Spoiler Alert: Do not keep reading if you have not seen this week’s episode of “The Walking Dead”)
“The Walking Dead” finally revealed what happened to Maggie (Lauren Cohan) after the bloody events of the Season 7 premiere in this week’s episode.
Maggie has long been a strong female presence on the AMC series, but this week she stepped up into a new role that will make her a major player in the inevitable war to come.
As the episode begins, Maggie wakes up at Hilltop Colony, where she was treated for the illness that nearly killed her. Her and Glenn’s baby is still alive, but Maggie is advised to stay off her feet and to stay at Hilltop in order to have immediate access to a doctor should more complications arise.
Also Read: 'Walking Dead' Fan Theory: Daryl Used Morse Code to Signal Rick
Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) has been waiting for Maggie to regain consciousness and shows her where she has buried Abraham and Glenn. But their time to mourn is short-lived, as Gregory (Xander Berkeley) tells them they must leave immediately.
Jesus (Tom Payne) tries to plead their case, but Gregory is not hearing it. Sasha and Maggie discuss what their options are, with Sasha volunteering to leave and scavenge for Hilltop in return for Maggie getting to stay. Maggie refuses the offer and recommends they sleep on it.
Back at Alexandria, Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Enid (Katelyn Nacon) strike out on the road for Hilltop on their own. The two also get to share a rare moment of joy when Carl discovers two pairs of roller skates in a discared backpack. It is easy to forget these two are just teenagers, who have been robbed of the simple pleasures of childhood.
Also Read: 'Walking Dead' Star Andrew Lincoln Breaks Down 'Quiet Heroism' of Judith Revelation
That night, everyone at Hilltop is awakened by music blasting from a car. The gates of the colony have been busted open and several large fires have been set, drawing walkers inside the walls. Maggie plans to intervene, but Sasha stops her out of concern for her health.
Sasha and Jesus try to shut the music off, but the doors have been welded shut and windows covered with steel cages. They dispatch as many walkers as they can in the meantime. Suddenly, Maggie appears out of nowhere behind the wheel of Hilltop’s tractor. She drives it over the car, shutting down the music.
The next day, Gregory thanks Sasha and Maggie for their help, but still demands they leave. Then, Simon (Steven Ogg) and a large contingent of Saviors arrive. Gregory orders Jesus to hide the two women in a closet to avoid detection.
Also Read: 'Walking Dead': Negan Takes Alexandria For Everything It Has
Simon tells Gregory it was The Saviors who smashed the gates and arranged the car, as a message to demonstrate what The Saviors are capable of doing. Gregory cowers before Simon and tries to turn over Maggie and Sasha.
But Jesus cleverly moved them to a different room, fearing Gregory’s treachery. All Simon finds in the closet is Gregory’s stash of scotch, which he confiscates to give to Negan.
Gregory is furious, but Maggie is tired of his nonsense and socks him in the face. After he has repeatedly called her by the wrong name during the episode, she tells him he will from now on call her by her real name, Maggie Rhee, in honor of her late husband, Glenn.
Also Read: 'Walking Dead': Who Sings 'Easy Street,' Tune Used to Torture Daryl?
Enid enters Hilltop and cooks dinner with Sasha and Maggie, not revealing to them that she and Carl have made a plan to kill Negan.
The episode ends with Jesus hiding in the back of a Savior truck, intending to track them to their main compound. He is surprised to find Carl in the same truck, who seems to have the same plan.
'The Walking Dead': The Most Shocking and Disturbing Deaths So Far
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
SPOILERS AHEAD. "The Walking Dead" has never been shy about showing lots of gore and death, but some characters' demises hit harder than others. Look back on some of the most gut-wrenching kills from the hit AMC series. Updated through the season 8 mid-season premiere.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
When Andrea's sister Amy ( Emma Bell) died in season 1, it proved that no one was safe.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
The death of Jim (Andrew Rothenberg) in season 1 showed the characters how to treat a bitten person for the first time.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Sophia (Madison Lintz) was beloved by all, but Rick did not hesitate when it came time to pull the trigger when she became a walker.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) was the moral compass of the group, but died in the midst of the discussion around executing their prisoner, Randall.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Shane (Jon Bernthal) was ready to kill Rick, but Rick acted first, proving himself to be a fearless leader.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
T-Dog (IronE Singleton) gave his life to save Carol from walkers when the group tried to take the prison.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) died during childbirth, prompting Carl to shoot her in the head to prevent her reanimation.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Merle (Michael Rooker) proved he was a good man by giving his life in an attempt to stop The Governor.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Andrea (Laurie Holden) failed to see The Governor for what he was and paid the ultimate price.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Hershel (Scott Wilson) wanted peace, but The Governor took his head to prove a point to Rick.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Tyrese (Chad Coleman) let his guard down for a just a moment, but long enough to get bitten by a walker.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) killed her sister Mika (Kyla Kenedy) before Carol shot Lizzie in the back of the head.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Beth (Emily Kinney) died protecting Noah from Dawn (Christine Woods), forcing Daryl to shoot Dawn in the head.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Noah (Tyler James Williams) endured one of the most gruesome deaths in "Walking Dead" history thanks to Nicholas.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Jessie (Alexandra Breckenridge), Ron (Austin Abrams) and Sam (Major Dodson) all died within seconds of each other. Sam got eaten when the horde invaded Alexandria. Jessie died as she tried to save him. Ron then attempted to kill Rick, but got stabbed by Michonne and was subsequently eaten.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Abraham (Michael Cuditz) was the one we had to wait six months to see murdered by Negan. He, of course, got his head beaten in with Negan's barbwire-wrapped baseball bat, Lucille.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
But Abraham wasn't Negan's only victim that night. After Daryl punched Negan, Negan decided he had to make another example out of someone in the group -- and he chose Glenn.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Spencer (Austin Nichols) thought he could use Negan to kill Rick in order to assume control of Alexandria. But Negan had other plans, gutting Spencer in full view of everyone in the community
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Olivia (Ann Mahoney) suffered plenty of indignities at Negan's hands, and he eventually repaid her by having her shot
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Ole Dr. Carson made a critical error by saying mean things about Sherry to Dwight over and over again. So Dwight framed the good doctor for helping Daryl escape from the Saviors -- and Negan threw him into the furnace for it.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
When King Ezekiel's crew was short one cantaloupe in its tribute for Negan's Saviors, Benjamin was shot in the leg as punishment. Unfortunately, the shot hit an artery, and young Ben bled out.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
It turned out that Richard had tossed one of the cantaloupes because he wanted to start a war between the Kingdom and Saviors -- and he thought they would kill him for being short. They shot Ben instead, but Morgan strangled Richard the next day after Richard confessed.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) used Eugene's suicide pills to kill herself while she was theatrically locked in a casket because of some ridiculous thing Negan was doing. When Negan opened the casket she popped out as a walker and saved Rick and the residents of Alexandria in a clutch moment.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Morales (Juan Gabriel Pareja) returned in season 8 after having been gone since season 1, but that return was short-lived. About ten minutes in show time after Morales, his family dead and now a member of the Saviors, showed up he got shot my Daryl.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Eric (Jordan Woods-Robinson) got shot during the Alexandrians' battle against the Saviors, and then bled out and turned into a walker after a tearful goodbye scene with his boyfriend Aaron (Ross Marquand).
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Shiva the tiger bit the dust while saving Ezekiel, Carol and Jerry from a bunch of walkers in Season 8. There were just too many and they swarmed and ate her.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Carl died in the season 8 mid-season premiere after suffering a zombie bite in the first half of the season.
(Spoiler Alert) TheWrap looks back at those who have fallen victim to the zombie scourge–and other humans–over eight seasons
Gregory got his long overdue death when he was executed by hanging for trying to murder Maggie in the season 9 premiere.