The Walking Dead/The Storm

The Storm
Season 9, Episode 16
Airdate	March 31, 2019
Written by	Angela Kang & Matthew Negrete
Directed by	Greg Nicotero
← 9x15 The Calm Before	10x01 → Lines We Cross
The Walking Dead — Season Nine

The Storm is the sixteenth episode of the ninth season of The Walking Dead, and the one hundred thirty-first episode overall.

Starring: Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Danai Gurira (Michonne), Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier), Alanna Masterson (Tara Chambler) (credit only), Josh McDermitt (Eugene Porter), Christian Serratos (Rosita Espinosa), Seth Gilliam (Gabriel Stokes), Ross Marquand (Aaron), Katelyn Nacon (Enid) (credit only), Khary Payton (Ezekiel), Samantha Morton (Alpha)

and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Negan)

Also Starring: Callan McAuliffe (Alden), Avi Nash (Siddiq), Eleanor Matsuura (Yumiko), Ryan Hurst (Beta), Cooper Andrews (Jerry), Nadia Hilker (Magna), Kerry Cahill (Dianne), Cassady McClincy (Lydia), Cailey Fleming (Judith Grimes), Nadine Marissa (Nabila)

Co-Starring: Antony Azor (RJ)

Plot Overview

The Kingdom falls apart, forcing its denizens to migrate to the Hilltop. However, a winter storm rolls in. While Alexandria tries to muster through for heat, the Ezekiel and the others are forced to make a dangerous shortcut.

Arc Advancement

Happenings

• Due to several infrastructure problems, the Kingdom is forced to be abandoned. Its denizens take up occupancy at Hilltop.

• Maggie has been sent a letter, but so far no reply has been received.

• With the storm throwing them off their trek and no guarantee that their supplies will last them to things clear, they decide to cut through the Whisperers' boarder to Hilltop. Its unknown if the Whisperers are aware of this trespass, but Beta assures Alpha she's strong, but that she "needs to be stronger for what comes next."

• Hilltop and Alexandria are now communicating via radio. After Ezekiel walks away from the radio, an unfamiliar voice can be heard asking, "Is anybody out there?"

Characters

• Many blame Lydia for what happened. Ezekiel blames Daryl who continues to defend Lydia.

• Lydia has developed suicidal tenancies. She offers Carol the chance, but she saves her instead.

• Negan goes out of his way to save Judith.

• Lydia asks Daryl why he left Alexandria, but he only answers, "One day."

• Carol ends her relationship with Ezekiel and returns to Alexandria.

Referbacks

• Aaron mentions the bridge Rick blew up that would have been saved them time.

• Negan recalls to Michonne how the last time they were in the infirmary under such conditions, Rick had cut up his throat in "Wrath".

Trivia

The Show

• Alanna Masterson and Katelyn Nacon are still credited for what will be the last time despite not appearing and their characters having been killed in the previous episode.

• This is the first episode to show walkers in freezing temperatures, despite the show's timeline implying the characters would have encountered them before. They are depicted as reacting to the cold similarly in the graphic novels, which occurs as early as Issue 8, before even the introduction of the Greene family.

Allusions and References

• The walker seen on the ground without its lower half is a recreation of a zombie that was interrogated and revealed they why they eat brains in the 1985 horror comedy The Return of the Living Dead.

Quotes

• Gabriel: You know, we're all grown-ups here. And none of us would ever let that ruin the longstanding friendships and mutual respect we have.

Negan: You know what? You're right. That is a very mature attitude, Father Not-The-Father.

• Eugene: As I suspected. The chimney flue is completely gunkified. What singed your nostrils earlier was no doubt a toxic mixture of creosote and H2O. Blizzard's done some tearin' and blarin'. And our chimney's ventilation capabilities are nil to none. It'd be unwise to spark another blaze lest we plan on ceasing all respiratory functions, a.k.a. smoking and choking.

Negan: God, I missed you, Eugene.

Eugene: I can't say the same.

• Judith: Your leg looks like shit.

Negan: Language, Miss Grimes.