The Walking Dead season 9 episode 13 recap: Chokepoint

The Hilltop contingency is on the way to the Kingdom. They discover a tree has blown over onto the road so they have to clear it away. (Or was it put there?) While they work, Tammy and Earl joke about being too old for the little baby they’ve suddenly found themselves with, but it’s clear they’re both elated at the chance to have someone else to care for. Kelly is anxious with Connie being gone. Tara reassures her that Connie is with Daryl…to which Yumiko reminds her that Daryl is safe because he’s with Connie. Magna says that she’s probably already at the Kingdom waiting for them.

Unfortunately that’s not the case. Connie brings them to a tall building and proposes that they use it as a “chokepoint” where they can use the visibility to their advantage and lure out the real walkers. Lydia says that Alpha won’t send a whole army, rather she’s going to send Beta. Daryl isn’t worried; he’ll kill Beta first.

Jerry and Diane scout the area for Highwaymen. They have guards and guns in their little camp. Carol wonders if Diane can take one out before the other starts shooting, ad she can. Carol tells Ezekiel that they have guns. Ezekiel is frustrated that they have to resort to violence once again. Carol suggests that they try talking to them first, but Jerry points out that they took his sword. She’s insistent that they at least try talking first, and if that doesn’t work then they’ll kill them.

Daryl makes sure the stairways are clear while Connie discovers a cache of supplies. Daryl comes in and says the stairwell is already barricaded, but when he sees the supplies he realizes she was the one who did it. Connie says they stayed there once. There’s a map so he comes up with a plan and she’s ready to help. She wants to know what’s next, but Daryl won’t allow Lydia to stay. Connie doesn’t like that idea. He writes her a note to make himself clear: Their friends will die so long as she’s around. They exchange a tense written exchange where she points out that Lydia doesn’t have anyone else.

Ezekiel, Carol and Jerry infiltrate the Highwaymen lair. Inside there are mannequins all over and a voice says the meeting was supposed to be with the King only, but Ezekiel says that he rules with his Queen. Evidently that wasn’t part of the deal. Carol reminds the voice that there was no deal. Slowly, the mannequin moves. Ezekiel proposes that they talk about alternative solutions, and suddenly all of the mannequins move. They’re armed. The leader is ready to fight, but what he doesn’t know is that Diane and the others have already moved in. The Kingdom surrounds the Highwaymen as Carol offers them a chance to protect the roads in exchange for access to the fair. And Jerry wants his sword back. They’re not interested in a deal until Carol steps up and offers them the chance to see a movie. This gets their attention.