Can Richard’s speeches convince Ezekiel to join the fight on The Walking Dead?

Richard knows that Rick is right about the Saviors. Can his powerful speeches make King Ezekiel reconsider joining the survivors?

On The Walking Dead, Richard is one of The Kingdom’s best fighters. He’s also one of the few members of the Kingdom who can see the Saviors for what they are. He knows that it’s just a matter of time before the deal that The Saviors have with King Ezekiel breaks down.

In his speech to Jesus in the season 7 midseason premiere, Richard made it clear that he’s ready to take on The Saviors. He wants to join with the other communities and work together to take Negan and The Saviors down. And he’s got skills that could really help the survivors. But will his speeches be enough to convince the King to reconsider his plans to stay out of the fight?

Unlike some of the other residents of The Kingdom Richard knows what will happen when things get ugly between The Saviors and the Kingdom. He lost his family before he found The Kingdom. And he’s worked hard to help King Ezekiel create a haven in The Kingdom.

But he knows that the time has come for a preemptive strike to protect what they have built. First he tried to enlist Morgan and Carol to help him show Ezekiel that Kingdom needs to fight back. Boy he was talking to the wrong people. Carol and Morgan both seem perfectly content to live in the peace of The Kingdom but not want to fight to protect it.

Will Richard Leave The Kingdom?

Richard’s passionate speeches almost rival Rick’s in their inspirational quality. But passionate speeches don’t seem to do much to sway the King. When the battle begins will Richard stay at The Kingdom and try to defend it? Or will he leave and join the survivors hoping to protect his home by helping to dethrone Negan?

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Right now Richard’s speeches are falling on deaf ears. It’s possible that together Daryl and Richard can convince the King to change his mind. But time is running out and Rick is going to need to know if he can depend on The Kingdom.

Hiding Daryl

King Ezekiel said that he didn’t want to get involved in fighting The Saviors. But he’s already made The Kingdom a huge target for the wrath of Negan by hiding Daryl. If the deal that Ezekiel has with The Saviors breaks down, Negan and his soldiers will enter Kingdom. And when they see Daryl, the people of The Kingdom will all be at risk.

So it seems like even though Ezekiel doesn’t want to fight he does want to help the cause. Hiding Daryl is a big risk. But it’s a risk that King Ezekiel offered to take even though he knows what will happen if Daryl is discovered.

Next: Is Morgan losing friends by wanting peace?

Maybe if Richard approaches the King directly with a few more fiery speeches Ezekiel will realize that in The Walking Dead world fighting isn’t optional. To protect what he’s built and save the lives of the people in the Kingdom the soldiers of The Kingdom must fight.