The Walking Dead MVP in Hunted episode this week

The Walking Dead “Hunted” was an action-packed whirlwind ride of emotions. Picking up right where we left off in “Acheron Part 2,” the Reapers attack like ninjas, many lives are lost, and many others are injured. In another scene, the community’s youngest members play a card game as they discuss their parents leaving the community with promises of returning. Another storyline we see looks to be one of hope and a glimmer of happiness and hope, but this is The Walking Dead. 

So far this season, we have seen that the Reapers are by far the biggest threat to Alexandria, already in a weakened state. This group is highly trained and organized, and for unknown reasons, they are after Maggie and the Wardens. Soon we will meet their leader Pope (Ritchie Coster), and from the trailer and photos, we see that they eventually capture Daryl.

The Maggie and Negan dynamic is forefront this season, and although they have been working together out of necessity, is this the end, or will the tension continue to build between them?

Alexandria is in dire need of repair, food and protection. With the addition of many more people in the community, there should be plenty of people to help with the repairs, but with food being scarce, they won’t have the energy to keep working.

The Commonwealth storyline has taken on some interesting developments as well. Eugene and company have now become citizens of the Commonwealth, so it will be interesting to learn more about this place and their ultimate goal. We also met someone who was introduced as Stephanie. What is her purpose?

This week’s MVP is pretty obvious, at least in my eyes, as this person is someone who does the hard things when others can’t. And this week, she earned it.

THIS WEEKS MVP FOR HUNTED IS – CAROL

The Walking Dead Carol Peletier

We are all aware of Carol’s journey to the badass we see before us. Love her or hate her, this woman has grown from an abuse victim to someone who will do what needs to be done for the good of the group. She makes the tough choices when others skirt around them.

This week we see the anguish on her face when she talks with Aaron about the lack of food for the residents of Alexandria. She is truly concerned for those living there, and once again, she is going against what someone else thinks she should do to do what she believes is a wiser option.

I’ll admit when they were trying to set that wall in place; I wondered why she didn’t step up to help as Aaron struggled with his one arm. But then we see she was on a mission to find the horses that had been lost during the Whisperer war. Horses are vital to them for hauling and travel, so they are essential.

Carol gathers her girl gang to head out on her mission. The apocalyptic equivalent to a GNO. This is a scene we all need during a very bleak start to this season. After many unsuccessful attempts, they are able to save the beautiful animals and return to Alexandria as heroes.

The elation doesn’t last long for Carol. She takes one of the horses into a stable, lays it down, comforts it and proceeds to slit its throat. Alexandria needs the horses for labor, but they must also eat.

Carol does what she needs to despite popular opinion or what others thought she should be doing, and her actions proved to be for the greater good.

Will this woman ever see happiness again?

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on September 12 with “Rendition.”  This episode is currently available to stream on AMC+.