Walking Dead: Ezekiel finally called Negan out for his behavior
By Renee Hansen
Fans of The Walking Dead comics know about Negan’s treatment of women. The series never delves into exactly how or why Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) had so many wives, but in the most recent episode, “Outpost 22,” Ezekiel (Khary Payton) calls him out. Many fans believe it was high time this topic was brought up.
Negan had a harem of wives at the Sanctuary and believed that he was righteous for taking care of them. Although they all agreed to become his wife, they did so under duress. For example, Sherry (Christine Evangelista) agreed in order to protect her and her former husband Dwight (Austin Amelio). This was similar to Tina (Liz E. Morgan), Sherry’s sister, agreeing so she could obtain the life-saving insulin she needed and Amber (Autumn Dial) to get medicine for her mother.
As much as Negan tries to paint the care he gives to these women with a positive spin, he coerces them for his pleasure.
The Walking Dead – Outpost 22
During the most recent episode of the series, “Outpost 22,” Negan and Ezekiel find themselves in a Commonwealth labor camp. Governor Milton (Laila Robins) labeled them as exiles for Eugene’s (Josh McDermitt) involvement in the death of her son Sebastian (Teo Rapp-Olsson). She placed several of our survivors in labor camps while taking the children to an unknown location.
As Ezekiel sits, watching an emotionally distraught Kelly (Angel Theory), Negan sits next to him and begins a conversation. He tells Ezekiel he wants to get on the same page. But, Ezekiel reminds him and viewers of all the horrific things he did as leader of the Saviors, including coercing his wives into marrying him and the other things that come with that title.
This is a topic that the series danced around, as it is a touchy subject. When Ezekiel tells Negan no one has forgotten these things, Negan replies, “Yeah, well, just so you know, I haven’t forgotten either.”
Negan has come a long way in his attempt to right the wrongs he did. Now he has even more on the line with his wife, Annie (Medina Senghore), and a child on the way. Ezekiel was the perfect character to bring this up as he and his Kingdom endured much at the hands of the Saviors.
Ezekiel tells him he is with him for now. The last thing we see of the laborers is their arrival at Outpost 22, formerly known as Alexandria. With only three episodes remaining in the series, it will be exciting to see what comes next.
dark. Next. See Andrew Lincoln in Netflix’s Cabinet of Curiosities, streaming now
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