The Walking Dead 812: Five to watch and one to watch out for

As we learned with Carl, even those skilled at cheating death are vulnerable in the new world.  Remaining focused, if you can, is the key to staying alive on The Walking Dead.

Simon has completed his power play for leadership of the Saviors, Rick and Negan have veered off course again by keeping things personal, and Hilltop’s walls are about to be tested by a new threat. Yet there’s reason to be optimistic about the future. The introduction of new players – with mysterious good motives – adds hope and intrigue to this weeks five to watch and one to watch out for.

5. Dwight

With Laura missing in action, Dwight is still good ‘ol “D” back in Savior territory. Simon’s insistence that he ride shotgun with him in the convoy to Hilltop however, was unsettling. Claiming it was Negan’s order could have been ploy a to corner him and assess his loyalty, or maybe Negan actually has a reason to want good ‘ol D kept on a short leash. After all, Laura’s absence doesn’t necessarily mean she didn’t make it back.

Dwight’s situation is further complicated by agreeing (with Simon) to leave Negan for dead after Rick ran him off the road. When they returned to the rest of the Saviors, Simon used Rick’s attack on Negan to call for the total eradication of the alliance. With a new sense of urgency, Dwight’s next move is going to critical to the survival of everyone at Hilltop. And to his own.

4. Simon

Simon has remained entrenched in the “five to watch” from the beginning. And for good reason. Season 8 revealed a deep animosity between him and Negan. It was even implied that Simon was once part of an old guard of misguided Saviors until Negan took over and reformed them. Shortly after being patronized for “backsliding” in front of the other lieutenants, Simon’s demeanor changed. He openly disagreed with Negan’s “soft” approach, and ultimately disobeyed his orders by exterminating an entire community.

What Simon does not know however, could catch up with him very soon. We know Negan is alive and Rick has filled him in on the details of the massacre at the junkyard. We also know that Dwight is no ally and will try everything in his power to prevent a mass murder at Hilltop.

3. Michonne

Michonne may be reeling from the death of Carl, but his final words resonated clearly with her. What they were doing wasn’t sustainable and they needed to start trusting people again. Unlike Rick, who has chosen to ignore Carl’s wishes for now, Michonne has been honoring his memory. Serving as Carl’s messenger, Michonne finally sees triumph over despair.

When new strangers revealed themselves and their offer to help, Maggie and Enid were firmly opposed to trusting them. Fortunately, Michonne’s intervention was persuasive enough to allow visitors Georgie, Hilda and Midge to share their valuable information, supplies and most of all, hope. Consequently, Michonne’s new resolve could further influence Maggie’s leadership, and help to realize Carl’s vision.

2. Maggie

Maggie is the only leader who appears to be in control of her zone. Rick and Negan have returned to being obsessed with one another, Ezekiel no longer has a Kingdom to rule and the secondary powers-that-be find themselves caught up in various stages of mutiny. Maggie, however, is the steady hand. Her leadership skills have been honed by overcoming tremendous odds and enduring one tragedy after another. Like Rick, she’s determined to see Negan dead, but unlike Rick, she is not letting her determination become her obsession.

With the recent arrival of Daryl’s group, Maggie oversees the security and well-being of what remains of the alliance. The Saviors convoy led by Simon is on its way, but Maggie is ready.

1. Jadis

Two weeks ago, Jadis was our “one to watch out for” and she has not disappointed. Her appearance in the latest episode was brief but it has huge implications for Rick and Negan’s personal war.

When we last saw Jadis, she was grinding up what remained of her murdered junkyard cohabitants. Rick and Michonne had traveled there to try, for a third time, to secure an alliance with their community. Seeing that Jadis had nothing to offer, Rick left angry and empty-handed, refusing to allow her to join them.

Now, with Negan at gunpoint in the passenger seat of her car, she has brand new bargaining power. Coincidentally, Negan has his own axe to grind with Simon, so allying with Jadis for some payback could work itself out nicely on the way to wherever they’re going. On the other hand, Jadis may see a rare opportunity for redemption by delivering Negan to Rick’s forces instead.

One to watch out for: Georgie

So who is Georgie? Her appearance has led to speculation that she is the television version of Pamela Milton, the leader of the Commonwealth introduced in issue 176. True or not, the arrival of Georgie, flanked by Hilda and Midge, is an intriguing development. She arrived at Hilltop to barter for records, so she’s not exactly scavenging for essentials. In fact, she was able to casually supply Hilltop with an abundance of much needed food and water from her vehicle. Wherever they’re from, it’s reasonable to assume it’s secure from the threats currently faced by Maggie and her people.

That said, stranger dangers dominate the world of The Walking Dead.  There have been plenty of past reasons to doubt the appearance of good intentions, or lack thereof. Tomas and Andrew both tried to kill Rick’s people at the prison, The Governor kept heads in an aquarium, and the good folks at Terminus lured people there…to eat them.

Next: Is Georgie a preview of the Commonwealth on The Walking Dead?

Still, there are good people out there. Hershel’s farm was a sanctuary to the survivors in the early days. And later, Aaron managed to convince a feral Rick to bring his group to Alexandria for a new beginning. This leaves room for optimism when it comes to Georgie’s promise to return one day, but what we don’t know also makes her one to watch out for.

Who will have the power to change the world next week?

Watch Episode 13: “Do Not Send Us Astray” on AMC, Sunday at 9PM EDT to find out!