The Walking Dead 901 recap: A New Beginning

Condolences and Consolation

The clock ticks as Ken’s parents mourn. His mother, Tammy Rose, is very upset about this and even though her husband Earl tries to stop her she accuses Maggie of letting her son die for nothing. Maggie wants to help with the funeral but Tammy Rose says Maggie isn’t welcome there. She says Gregory always put the Hilltop first. Now the Saviors are eating their food and taking everything they fought for. It’s not right.

Alden sings a song for the funeral. The town is there, Gregory included, and Ken’s parents sit in the center. Maggie holds Hershel back at the house and cries.

At the Sanctuary Rick is greeted like a hero. They hope that Negan is suffering. Eugene gives a status report and says things are status quo. Michonne sports a “Saviors Save Us” sign on the wall. Eugene says it has been happening more and more since the crops started dying. There’s unrest there.

Gregory delivers his own eulogy for Ken. Tammy Rose and Earl weep for their son. Jesus compliments Gregory on his speech and Gregory says that tragedy makes you think about things. He’s grateful for being where he is. The coffin is closed.

Rick talks to the residents. They say they need a boost for the crops. The rain will be coming soon but they need a boost. Rick tells them about the seeds and the tools they just found. “Bless you, Rick Grimes, and thank you.”

Daryl signals to Rick and they go off to talk. Daryl doesn’t want to be the one leading them anymore. He doesn’t like the Sanctuary anymore. Rick says that Daryl kept everyone in line. Daryl points out that the soil at the factory won’t support crops. They can’t share forever. They’re making corn fuel but they won’t be able to last like this forever. Daryl remembers their small group in the very beginning. Having a small group was “right.” He wants to go back to Hilltop to be with Maggie and the baby. That means that they need someone else to lead the Sanctuary and people are hard to come by. Rick says they’re not together because things changed, but Daryl thinks Rick changed it.

Gregory offers a bottle of alcohol to Ken’s parents, but they turn it down at first. Tammy Rose eventually takes a drink. Later she gets into bed and she just wants to sleep. Earl is about to leave but he decides to stay with her. Gregory is in the doorway and he offers to stay with Earl. Is he just being nice, or is there something else he wants?

Daryl lights a cigarette and then offers it to Carol, who puts it out. “Those things will kill you,” she says. She knows they both can’t sleep, but Ezekiel sleeps like a baby. Daryl wonders if he snores all fancy, too, and she’s glad she has “Pookie’s” approval. He says she deserves happiness, though he’s not happy that he doesn’t get to see her as often. Carol says she wants to take over there at the Sanctuary for a while. She tells Daryl about the proposal, and she admits she wanted to say yes right away but couldn’t. She needs time. He holds her while they sit. No matter what, these two will always be close.

Gregory tells Earl that he didn’t need to be out there, and that Maggie thinks she’s above the law. The election they held was a joke. Jesus counted the votes. It was all a sham. Gregory says her decisions directly led to Ken’s death. She doesn’t have to be the leader, he says.