The Walking Dead: Season 9 Episode 1 Explained

3. An Uneasy Peace

The Walking Dead Season 9 Rick Maggie
AMC

There's something bittersweet about the two stars of this episode being Andrew Lincoln and Lauren Cohan, given both are soon to be departed. Rick and Maggie shine brightest in this instalment, and much of that comes from their conflict.

While the rivalry hinted at in the Season 8 finale didn't sound promising, they've actually found a way of making it work: there's still a mutual respect - and even affection - there, but a clear clash of ideologies.It's not just with those two, however, as Daryl is very much involved in that clash too on Maggie's side, with Michonne obviously on Rick's. There's a whole lot of resentment towards the Sanctuary and the idea of helping them when they murdered so many, and people who remain loyal to Negan too.

Rick isn't going to challenge Maggie's decisions just yet, but while he's trying to bring the various communities together - and wants the Sanctuary to be a part of that - the alliance between the various survivors is only just hanging together.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.