The Walking Dead/Family

Family
Season 11, Episode 23
Airdate	November 13, 2022
Written by	Magali Lozano & Erik Mountain & Kevin Deiboldt
Directed by	Sharat Raju
Stream
← 11x22 Faith	11x24 → Rest in Peace
The Walking Dead — Season Eleven

Family is the twenty-third episode of the eleventh season of The Walking Dead, and the one hundred seventy-sixth episode overall.

Starring: Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier), Lauren Cohan (Maggie Rhee), Christian Serratos (Rosita Espinosa), Josh McDermitt (Eugene Porter), Seth Gilliam (Gabriel Stokes), Ross Marquand (Aaron), Khary Payton (Ezekiel), Cooper Andrews (Jerry), Eleanor Matsuura (Yumiko Okumura), Lauren Ridloff (Connie), Cailey Fleming (Judith Grimes), Nadia Hilker (Magna), Cassady McClincy (Lydia), Angel Theory (Kelly), Paola Lázaro (Princess), Michael James Shaw (Mercer), Josh Hamilton (Lance Hornsby) (credit only), Laila Robins (Pamela Milton)

and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Negan)

Also Starring: Margot Bingham (Max), Dan Fogler (Luke), Medina Senghore (Annie), Okea Eme-Akwari (Elijah), Cameron Scott Roberts (Tyler Davis), Kerry Cahill (Dianne), Nadine Marissa (Nabila)

Co-Starring: Antony Azor (RJ), Kien Michael Spiller (Hershel), Anabelle Holloway (Gracie), Alex Sgambati (Jules), Monique Grant (Colonel Vickers), Dexter Tillis (Lt. Rose), Onye Eme-Akwari (Trooper Anton), Marc Prizov (Tunnel Trooper), Chase Anderson (Trooper Livits)

Plot Overview

Mercer tries to coordinate a plot to overthrow Pamela from within while the Coalition prepares to return to the Commonwealth as the second front of the effort. However, plans could be hampered by an approaching horde getting out of control.

Arc Advancement

Happenings

• To quell the protests the trial kicked up, Pamela has a swarm orchestrated to initiate a lockdown. Unbeknown to everyone, it includes the recently discovered variety of walkers that soon overtake the troops and climb the walls. One soldier being killed accidentally opens the gates, allowing them all to pour in. Colonel Vickers advises a plan to save most of the city and stem the spread, but Pamela wants forces pulled back to the Estates and additional troops at her home and surrounding area, diverting the swarm toward the lower wards, leaving thousands vulnerable.

• The Coalition forces get into the Commonwealth, but fall into a trap in the railroad station, leaving some to be killed. They exit, but find themselves cordoned off with the walkers.

Characters

• After passing Rick's sheriff hat to RJ, Judith goes with the others to the Commonwealth with the Coalition Charters in tow. As everyone is fired on in the station, Pamela takes up a gun and winds up shooting Judith, forcing Daryl to try to get her to a clinic.

• Eugene is left in an apartment, lying low, but a guard bursts in as part of a search effort. He knocks out the guard and takes his gun, managing his way to reunite with the others.

• Aaron spots an RV and everyone tries to get in, but Jules gets caught up with the horde, leaving Luke to lose his hold on her, but follows (both catch up with the Coalition inside the city). A similar situation happens with Elijah, but as Lydia tries to hold on, she gets bit on the arm, forcing Jerry and Aaron to amputate. Jerry later goes off to look for Elijah.

• Pamela becomes suspicious of Mercer and has Colonel Vickers monitor him. She later has him arrested for treason.

Referbacks

• Aaron recalls to Lydia his own amputation (The Bridge)

Trivia

Memorable Moments

• Negan's reaction to seeing a walker climb for the first time.

Quotes

• Judith: For the longest time, we were just fighting to survive. Trying to get back what we lost. This family, my family, we would do anything to protect each other. And we're fighting now for something else. Something bigger. A new beginning. But that comes with a cost. There's always a cost. I never got to know my mom Lori. My brother Carl dreamed of a day when we'd all live together in peace. My mom Michonne tried to hang up her sword. My dad, Rick, was searching for mercy. And me? Well, I guess I'm a Grimes, too. I keep thinking about something my mom told me. A secret saying she used to share with my dad. It was like a good luck charm. For me and RJ, too. I was afraid to say it out loud. I was afraid to say so many things out loud. But we didn't know when we started this that this would be the day everything changed forever.

• Negan: Any thoughts on how you're planning to do this?

Maggie: Do what?

Negan: Take out the bitch.

Maggie: Pamela?

Negan: Look, I get that others have their own reasons for going back, but as far as I'm concerned, none of us are safe as long as she's still breathing. I'm assuming you agree. Look, Maggie, together, you and I, we get this done. We don't need the others.

Maggie: We're not a "we."

• Negan: I never thanked you. For getting in front of those rifles. Thank you. Why'd you do it?

Ezekiel: A lot of reasons. Dying a martyr is too easy. You living, making something positive out of your days, now, that... that'll keep me from giving in to anger... over what I lost. I don't want to live out whatever days I got left in bitterness. You know? I'm not even supposed to be here, man. The dead came for me and yet I smile. War came for me, yeah, and yet I smile. Cancer... yet I smile. I try to, anyway. I try. So... So why'd you tell the Warden your name instead of mine?

Negan: For my wife, my kid. To leave a better story about me than the one you've been telling. That when it mattered, I did something right. And it wasn't to prove anything. It wasn't to get anything in return. Hell, it wasn't even to save my own ass. It was to save all of you. You all are better than me. And if you think I don't know that, then you haven't been paying attention.