The Walking Dead season 11 episode 19 Variant recap

AMC aired the nineteenth episode of season 11 of The Walking Dead on Sunday. The episode’s title, “Variant,” hinted that viewers would see a new strain of variant walkers that showrunner Angela Kang has teased.

This article contains spoilers for The Walking Dead season 11, episode 19, “Variant.”  

Overall this was a good episode and sets up some significant events with the Commonwealth and our survivors. The episode began with a look back at Eugene (Josh McDermitt), narrated by Judith (Cailey Fleming).

This episode picks up where last week’s “A New Dead” left off, with the streets of Alexandria in chaos from the walker attack and Sebastian’s (Teo Rapp-Olsson) death by walker. Eugene is rescued by Daryl (Norman Reedus) as the citizens are blaming Eugene for Sebastian’s death. This is ironic because not one of these citizens aided the man while he screamed for help, and now they are worried about who killed him.

Governor Milton (Laila Robins) and Mercer (Michael James Shaw) are seen at the bedside of the now-dead Sebastian. She tells Mercer that no one touches him and that someone needs to pay for his death. She wants an example to remind the residents there are consequences for their actions, and she wants Eugene, telling Mercer this could only help his sister.  Milton also uses her situation to relate to Mercer, telling him family is complicated, saying, “as you know.” She tries to appear as the caring mother, which is a little late, but once he turns, she is through with him.

She also has another bizarre interaction with Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton). And leaves him alone with Sebastian’s reanimated body and Calhoun (Michael Tourek), who has been shot in the head, you will remember he was one of Lance’s thugs.

The Commonwealth soldiers apprehend and question anyone with an attachment to Eugene trying to locate him. Of course, no none will give him up.

Princess (Paola Lázaro) and Mercer have a moment when they argue about Eugene, and she questions why Mercer is following what he knows is wrong. Princess explains how Eugene took her in with no judgments stating that bad people don’t do that; good people do. This could be a significant turning point in their relationship. Later in the episode, she shares more of her tragic childhood with Mercer.

Our survivors have made plans to leave the Commonwealth, fearing the worst is yet to come. Ezekiel (Khary Payton) has decided to remain, and Eugene chooses to stay and take the heat of Sebastian’s death to save his true love Max (Margot Bingham).

What happened on last night’s Walking Dead?

Aaron (Ross Marquand), Jerry (Cooper Andrews), Lydia (Cassady McClincy) and Elijah (Okea Eme-Akwari) are headed to Alexandria with supplies but plan to stop at Oceanside first. On their journey, they encounter a walker herd, and Jerry gets injured, so they decide to take shelter in a walled compound.

We see a budding relationship between Elijah and Lydia, and she and Aaron share a special moment where he tells her about Eric.

At night they find that walkers have been able to breach the walls and will discover these are the variant walkers. Viewers see them scale walls, turn the door knobs and pick up a rock. This is when Aaron shares he had heard of walkers like these but never knew if it was true. This is probably information he should have shared with everyone earlier.

The episode closes with two men attacking Rosita (Christan Serratos) in her home. As she does a great job of trying to kick their butts.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, October 23, with the next episode, “What’s Been Lost,” now available on AMC+.

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