The Walking Dead Season 8 Implications: What 'Mercy' Really Means

5. Maggie Is The Real Leader

Negan is so confident about thwarting Rick's attack for one reason: Gregory. The supposed leader of the Hilltop is his big surprise, but when he unveils him he's met with silence, before an eventual shout from Jesus:

"Hilltop stands with Maggie."

Maggie started growing into a true leader last year following the death of Glenn, and one year on from that moment (in real-world time, anyway) she's completed the first stage of that journey. Gregory may be alive and on his way back to Hilltop, but he's largely finished as a leader and will have to adapt to Maggie's rule or face the consequences.

It also goes beyond just the here and now of Hilltop, though. As Rick tells her when they're preparing for the assault, when this is over he's going to be following her. Even pregnant, Maggie is determined to still be out on the battlefield, and she's the kind of fair ruler the new world they're looking to build could do with.

Combined with the signs of Rick being out of action sometime in the future, and we get our first hints of Maggie running the show. It's difficult to see it not being centred around Rick at all, but it does suggest Maggie's importance will only continue to grow well beyond this year.