The Walking Dead: 3 things we want to see from Maggie in 1016

What can we expect from Maggie’s return to The Walking Dead?

One of the most anticipated aspects of The Walking Dead finale is the return of fan-favorite Maggie Rhee. Ever since Lauren Cohan’s return was announced at last year’s NYCC, fans have been looking forward to Maggie returning to her rightful place as one of The Walking Dead’s leads.

Since Maggie left, after the “death” of Rick Grimes, much has changed in the place she used to call home. In the several years since Maggie went to join Georgie in her endeavors to build sustainable communities, many of her friends have perished, their groups has risen and fallen, and now they’re all once again on the run.

We can only assume that Maggie too will have undergone changes in personality, goals and outlook in that time. However, Lauren Cohan has always imbued Maggie with a steel core and an open heart, and these characteristics will no doubt still be at the forefront of her character, no matter the changes in circumstances.

There are many ways Maggie’s return will cause ripples through the storyline, both good and bad, and the finale is the stone in the ocean that will set all that into motion.

Save the Day

When Angela Kang was asked to give a one word answer about Maggie’s return she said “nick-of-time”, so it seems likely that Maggie’s return is going to come at just the moment when it seems all hope is lost.

TWD is fond of the last moment saves – like Carol blowing up Terminus before Rick and the others became human hamburger, and Ezekiel and Maggie showing up seconds before Negan was about to separate Carl’s head from his body in “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life”. It would be no surprise if they pulled the same move in the finale.

Despite Gabriel’s uplifting speech in the trailer, it’s clear that our gang are by far outnumbered and surrounded by both the herd of walkers and Beta’s Whisperer army. Although it seems Daryl has a plan, the old guts trick has never worked for long, and no doubt things will crop up that they haven’t planned for.

It would be wonderful to see Maggie turn up, just like she did in season 7, to save her family when their lives are on the line. Whether she comes alone, with new friends from her new life, with Virgil, or any other mysterious allies, a heroic intervention is surely on the cards.

React to Negan

This may seem an odd desire but it’s absolutely the most intriguing aspect of Maggie’s return.

When Maggie left, Negan was imprisoned in Alexandria, an enemy of the communities and someone who she thought would never see the light of day again. Yet, now we find him in amongst her friends, seemingly trusted by them.

Maggie will never forgive Negan for what he did to Glenn, so how is she going to react to his new status? And, even more worrying, how is she going to react to the fact her oldest friend Carol released him?

These new dynamics, created by the massive, world changing events they have gone through since Maggie’s departure are going to be something difficult for Maggie to come to terms with.

It won’t be easy for her to slip into her old relationships when so much has changed, but hopefully the long-term bond she has with Carol and Daryl will remain intact. And she will be able to work towards some new level of acceptance with the newly-reformed Negan.

Talk about Hershel Jr

From what Lauren Cohan said in this summer’s panels, it seems like little Hershel Jnr has yet to be cast, which tells us that -sadly – Maggie has not brought her son with her in the finale.

Hershel Jnr, like Judith, is a major connection to the past, both to his father Glenn, and his name-sake grandfather. One of the things Angela Kang has done so well this season is bring back mentions of the past, of the people they have lost, and Maggie’s return is a perfect opportunity for that to continue.

With so many of Maggie’s closest friends lost during the interim (Jesus, Tara, Enid) it seems just that she will cling on to her son, to how he came to be, and the people that surrounded them when he was born.

It would be wonderful to hear Maggie talk to those who knew Glenn and Hershel, and share those memories out loud, and for us to know that Glenn’s son has heard all about his extended family in Alexandria.

However, Hershel Jnr is not just a connection to the past, he is also symbolic of the future they are all working towards. In that way he is connected to all those kids holed up at the hospital.

Seeing Maggie interact with Maggie and RJ and the other kids and tell them about their new old friend Hershel who will be joining them soon, would be a nice way to show the shared goals they all can agree on – Negan or not.

Whatever happens onscreen when Maggie returns, there’s no question that the one thing assured to happen is a cheer from the audience. Lauren Cohan has been much missed from The Walking Dead world and with the loss of Michonne this season, like the characters on screen, we’re in dire need of old familiar faces to help us through.