Director Rosemary Rodriguez talks The Walking Dead ‘The Obliged’

Director Rosemary Rodriguez talked with Undead Walking about her experience working on The Walking Dead “The Obliged.”

Rosemary Rodriguez is the director behind two iconic episodes in recent seasons of The Walking Dead and she had the distinction of being the director to helm “The Obliged,” which is Andrew Lincoln’s penultimate episode on the show. We had a chance to talk with the prolific director about her experience working on such an intensely emotional episode that leads into one of the biggest events in The Walking Dead’s history.

Prior to her work on “The Obliged” Rodriguez directed two other episodes of the show: Season 7’s “Sing Me A Song” (one of my personal favorites) and season 8’s “The Damned.” Both episodes were integral to the larger stories in their respective seasons, but they pale in comparison to what happens at the end of “The Obliged” as Rick Grimes is impaled on a piece of rebar with two massive herds of walkers fast approaching.

“The Obliged” sets up Andrew Lincoln’s departure from the show, so we were thrilled to have a chance to chat with the episode’s director Rosemary Rodriguez.

What was your reaction when you first read the script? Did you know what was going to happen in your episode before you got the script, or was this a surprise?

When I first read “The Obliged” script by Geraldine Inoa, I was beyond excited! I heard about Andy leaving, but had no idea how/when or any details when I got to Atlanta and read my script. I felt immediately elated to play a small part in the epic saga of Rick Grimes and his departure. What a gift for a director!

With everything that happens in “The Obliged” it was incredibly hard for me to have to wait a few days before people saw it. What has it been like for you to know what’s coming and not be able to talk about it for such a long period of time? Is it a huge relief to have your episode air?

It actually IS a huge relief to finally have it air. It wasn’t as hard as when Glenn and Abraham died and having to sit on that information for months. I didn’t even tell my husband because as a fan, I didn’t want to ruin any other fan’s experience. So yes, it’s amazing to share in the emotions fans are feeling that I’ve been feeling for months! It remains special to me.

So much of the breakdown that we’ve seen since the season premiere is tied to Maggie killing Gregory. In your opinion, do you think she regrets this decision at all, or has it made her even more resolute? It certainly seems to have triggered something in Daryl.

I don’t think Maggie regrets her decision to kill Gregory. I know some people feel it was overdue, and I think she came around to that herself. Even though I felt like she gave him more chances than he deserved, I think hanging him was something that sets the community on a course that in my opinion is dangerous. The idea of killing another human being and the moral dilemma and agony that can bring is one of the core issues of each character’s journey in The Walking Dead. And one we struggle with in our society. Now that our characters are moving forward, I think Gregory’s killing disrupts the peace they are striving for, but for the story, it’s so compelling because we don’t know what’s going to happen next! Daryl seems to be questioning Rick’s course of action and leadership in a way that only Rick can hear from Daryl.

There’s a lot of symmetry in this episode, from Rick riding his horse ahead of the herd as we saw when he was back in Atlanta, to the parallels of Rick waking up from the coma in 101 as the journey began to passing out from his injury in 904 as Rick’s journey fades. Can you talk about your goals for this episode?

The white horse throwing Rick in this episode is definitely a full circle from the pilot. Rick has always been a hero and it’s fitting for a hero’s journey to be so epic and brave taking action trying to save people.

The scenes with Daryl and Rick in the hole will go down as some of the best dialogue between the two characters. It’s raw and emotional, heated and yet representative of their strong bond. Did you have to give Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus much direction, or did this scene come to like organically?

Andy and Norman worked so hard on this scene! We rehearsed together, then I’d get texts from them telling me they were rehearsing here and there on their own. We really adjusted and simplified the scene  to make it even more powerful. It was mind blowing to watch two actors put their hearts and souls into a scene 9 years into a show. Truly everything the actors do on The Walking Dead is real and committed. That’s why we are all invested in their journeys!

Daryl tells Rick that he owes his life to Glenn, who not only saved him but helped him to reunite with his family. Do you think Daryl really means what he’s saying, or is it the heat of the moment?

No, I think Daryl definitely means what he’s saying. He’s trying to wake Rick up and let him know that he has to let go and be inclusive of other members of his family. Part of being a great leader is listening to the people around you, and Daryl is warning Rick to wake up and listen. When Daryl tells Rick to let go of Carl, he means it! Rick feels guilt for Carl’s death as a father — he wasn’t there to protect his son — and now is blindly committed to bringing Carl’s vision of peace and a non-violent future to fruition. But Daryl is trying to get Rick to see that he needs to let go and consider others and their needs. And take in their love. They are still there. When Rick tells Daryl “I’d die for you” it brings me to tears every time. He speaks from his heart and Norman really means that because he also loves Andy. It’s all so wonderful when art imitates life. Emotions like that have a real impact!

Negan fans will see a very different side to the character in “The Obliged” and his exchange with Michonne is jarring. So much of the episode featured bold scenes between the characters but there’s something about Negan and Michonne that’s unexpectedly powerful. It also mirrors the beginning of the episode where Michonne goes out every day and leads what looks to be a full life, but she’s always drawn back to her katana and killing walkers. As a director, was it important to frame that side of Michonne in order for the scenes with Negan to make more sense?

I think Michonne’s transition to leadership and forming a peaceful society is complicated and I love that. And Negan knows that leading people isn’t black and white.  He knows it’s complicated and he’s appealing to Michonne’s dark side, taunting her that she’s getting off on killing. She is addicted to the adrenaline. But because of their conversation, she learns the truth of who she is and what life she wants.  He actually helps her get clear on her true self and what her real dream is, and that is to have serenity and a productive life and loving family and community. I love their scenes together. Danai and Jeffrey really worked super hard on these scenes too. And we were in a tiny cell, not on a stage, and it was hot and small we could barely get cameras in there! It wasn’t easy but it was powerful and I knew it when we were shooting. Jeffrey made me cry talking about his past! And when he banged his head in the end, I LOVED IT!

The final scene took my breath away. It was so sudden and unexpected. Can you talk a little about what filming that final scene from 904 was like? Who was on set, what was the mood?

Filming the last scene when Rick got thrown and rebar-ed was SO HARD! First of all, there were so many moving parts…walkers, horse, stunts, a drone…and a very emotional crew and actor! I knew when I read this script that we would all be emotional. It’s so hard when real life mirrors the script. But it’s so special at the same time. Andy’s leaving is leaving a hole in every crew members heart! Mine too! So those emotions ran high as the reality really hit filming this scene. It’s real, he’s leaving. Wow. So we were all very respectful of his process here. And as always, Andy dives in with his heart and makes it real. This was as special an experience as I’ve had as a director. Will stay with me for the rest of my life. Just precious, fragile, beautiful and epic. I was there to cry and say goodbye in person. WHAT A GIFT.

“The Obliged” features a creative team of three very talented women: You directed, Geraldine Inoa wrote this fantastic script and Angela Kang was there to guide the ship. What was it like to have such a phenomenal team?

I’m so happy that Angela has taken over. There’s a different energy to the show. And to have women coming together to create something great is so special. And happily, it’s happening today more than ever before!

Thank you so, so much! We at Undead Walking are big fans of the show and strong supporters of everything the show is and does, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that season 9 has been pure magic. Your episode was breathtaking.

I love the word “breathtaking”! Thank you for reaching out to me. The Walking Dead is my heart.

You can catch “The Obliged” on AMC’s website ahead of November 4th’s “What Comes After,” which marks Andrew Lincoln’s final episode of The Walking Dead.