SQUAWKING DEAD

Setting aside the twist at the end, Dead City manages to brilliantly illustrate the mental and physical toll of failure, loss, and, frankly, existence in The Walking Dead Universe. Negan's Survivors Guilt, Maggie Rhee's exhaustion, and the absence of The Croat's raison d'être. So how/why do they go on?

Be careful what you wish for: when you get it, you might realize you never really wanted it to begin with. Negan's & The Croat's liberation? Maggie Rhee's & Hershel Rhee's safety? Pearlie Armstrong's / New Babylon Federation's methane? Ginny's Revenge?

Negan has understood, for a little while now, that the only way out is through. That also means revisiting/learning from your own history which, fortunately for him, The Croat wasn't around long enough to experience. Ginny & Hershel Rhee are spared a hard lesson about the price of ambition: there's always more than a choice between two actions.

This episode says, "Hey buddy! How `bout a mouth full-a Bruegel?" The concept of "rules" is repeated: we all follow some. The Croat is slowly falling from The Dama's grace while Ginny's purpose has become clear. So where does that leave Hershel Rhee and Maggie Rhee?

The Season finale begs many questions. Why do we fight? Who are we fighting for? How much are we willing to lose in the pursuit? With a gigantic cliffhanger, maybe we'll find out what makes BOTH Abby Anderson and Ellie Williams so special.

"You Swore." We all break `em - from time to time - but the universe held the cost of Joel Miller's broken promises to Ellie Williams to high account... right when she was willing to indulge seeing past them. Will she manage to do better than those who came before her?

How do we face loss? Do we go it alone or do we take the time to surround ourselves with loved ones? Do we burn out or fade away? Do we survive at all costs or cut our losses? Similarly, is Hershel Rhee's ambitions more altruistic than on face value or has The Dama completely brainwashed him?

Whether or not you had a similarly visceral reaction - as Dave did - to what Victor meant on The Walking Dead: Dead City, this interview is worth the watch for Logan Schmucker's personality alone! Between the sense of humor he shares with his character down to his growth as an actor/musician/HUMAN, you'll get an eye-opening look into both his journey and a peek behind-the-scenes, too!

Every survivor has a similar, uniquely horrifying origin story. Some have multiple, with each event threatening to fundamentally alter us. Will the arrival of Jesse & Tommy Miller accelerate or alter Ellie Williams' metamorphosis? Will the vision of Joel Miller do the same?

Dave surprises us all with a rather emotional response to Negan's scene with Victor. It reflects the overall theme of this episode: a parent's role and relationship with their children. Does Maggie Rhee hold on tightly or let go lightly with Hershel Rhee? Do we meet the expectations others have of us? Will The Dama eradicate her own "children" to maintain her dominance?

Why do we fight? Who are we fighting for? When did we become the very villain we were once trying to defeat? How does one break the cycle of violence? We can't help but ask these questions as we reach Seattle, meet Isaac Dixon, and discover Dina is pregnant.

In a very dark way, history seems to be repeating itself with the ones who originally wrote it - Maggie Rhee & Negan - at the forefront. Who's to say which of these two factions - New Babylon Federation or The Dama - are the unstoppable force or the immovable object? The question is: If progress is inevitable, who's version of it will win out?

Joe Leaphorn manages to relate to almost every single character - in particular, our villains - this episode/season. So many characters mirror other characters (especially Joe and Bernadette Manuelito), some where you least suspect (wait... Roberto "Budge" DeBaca & Silvia Washington?) It's safe to say that we get a lot more than we thought we would out of this season finale.

Months have passed and the ice has melted. Ellie Williams refuses to visit the grave of her father, Joel Miller, until she knows she's on the (war)path towards ending Abby Anderson and her crew at the WLF / Washington Liberation Front.

This episode was livestreamed on our YouTube Channel. Subscribe and be sure to enable all notifications so that your insights make it into this episode!Well, they actually did it, folks: The Last of Us had it's Glenn Rhee (a la The Walking Dead) moment. The therapy circle will dig into how we feel about it; however, let's not take our eye off the ball with respect to show's version of Stalkers and how the infected were able to breach Jackson.

After having experienced a cathartic revelation (and a whole lot of much needed sleep), ironically provided by #ErnestoCata's murderer, #JoeLeaphorn emerges from it determined/focused (despite his condition/relationship status). Simultaneously, #BernadetteManuelito cracks her case, at the expense of misplaced trust.

This episode was originally Livestreamed on our YouTube Channel: be a part of this episode by joining us in the next one!This season kicks off by bookending its premiere with the introduction of Abby Anderson: both in the aftermath of Season 1 and (5 years later) in the present. It's trouble in (relative) paradise for Ellie Williams & Joel Miller (and, soon, the remaining residents of Jackson, Wyoming).

Joe Leaphorn finds a level deeper into his troubled psyche, within which we're able to visualize his inner turmoil. Between the Navajo creation myth of the Hero Twins and the appearances of Henry Leaphorn & Silvia Washington, we take a hard look at what justice looks like from different perspectives.

There's a light at the end of the COAL MINE as Joe Leaphorn's torture reaches the depths of its CANYON. Budge's advice/warning to Bernadette Manuelito: not everything is as it appears with Ivan Muñoz. We hyper-analyze Silvia Washington and spend time on The Pollen Path (via Margaret Cigaret / Mother / Listening Woman).

DARKNESS FALLS on Joe Leaphorn & Emma Leaphorn, as well as Jim Chee & Bernadette Manuelito. Quite literally on Michael Halsey! The shadow of suspicion is cast on all U.S. Border Patrol Officers... and (THOUGH WE ALL HATE IT) maybe even Gordo Sena.

Connections between the border and the rez are made via Bernadette Manuelito's discovery at Spenser Ranch and what Jim Chee finds at the chili farm. But what does that have to do with the death of Ernesto Cata and the disappearance of Shorty Bowlegs' son, George Bowlegs? Will Silvia Washington become an obstacle for Joe Leaphorn?

While Bernadette Manuelito continues to fall down down her rabbit hole, Joe Leaphorn is being confronted with what he's done in ways even the audience never expected. Is there a connection between the archeologists and what's going on at the U.S./Mexican Border/Spenser Ranch? Will Joe have no choice but to eventually reveal what he's done to Silvia Washington?

After recapping the story/characters of DARK WINDS, thus far, we jump into a troubling/unsettling Season 3. Lt. Joe Leaphorn is off-balance: his marriage with Emma Leaphorn and policework alongside Sgt. Jim Chee & Sheriff Gordo Sena. FBI Agent Silvia Washington further exacerbates the balance in her quest to solve the disappearance of BJ Vines. Things aren't going as U.S. Border Patrol Agent Bernadette Manuelito hoped they would. Will her story connect with Joe's and the rez? Will all of this connect with the events from earlier seasons (or beyond)?

Just catching you all up on what we've been up to and (with your help in the audience) where we're headed! In particular, we want you to catch up on Dark Winds because we're definitely covering Season 3 (premiering March 9th on AMC). With both The Walking Dead: Dead City & The Last Of Us coming out in April, it's going to be a hell of a quarter! Tell us what you're watching in the comments/reviews + what you think we ought to be covering!

No mics prepared for our first-thing-in-the-morning chat with Danay Garcia and Mo Collins! So we did our best with the sound and added subtitles (on Spotify Video) to fill in the blanks regarding: The rigors of shooting in Texas; the state of the film and television industry; moments of gratitude and grace; and special shout-out to a sorely missed Daryl "Chill" Mitchell.

SILO's Season 2 finale not only ended on a bigger cliffhanger - let's not forget that flashback (which we'll see more of next season) - there are quite the amount of leftover questions! Be careful what you wish for, Robert Sims, you might (not) just get it. Bernard Holland appreciates Martha Walker's dramatic flair, before Lukas Kyle drives the fight right out of him. We're definitely not through with Hope, Jimmy Conroy, and Silo 17 as Mechanical (as predicted?) wins their Rebellion(?).

If the last episode was a long fuse, this one was the payload! Lukas Kyle confirms George Wilkins' ominous video message to Juliette Nichols: the water really "wasn't a problem". Is the A.I. what rigs the game? Paul Billings and Robert Sims have a long overdue meeting of the minds. We find symmetry between Eater, Lukas, and (who we now now is) Jimmy Conroy: a curious trio who wished they could've safeguarded the people they loved.

How far are the residents of FROMville willing to go to get what they want? In who's best interest does it truly serve for them to try? Is newborn Smiley a daywalker, like The Man In Yellow? Is The Boy In White a Storywalker, like Julie Matthews. RIP Jim Matthews: the key to unlocking some major mysteries paid a hefty price.

Though this was a great episode where many truths are revealed (thanks Lukas Kyle / Bernard Holland!) it was quite a long fuse with no subsequent ignition. Robert Sims & Camille Sims have symmetry with Kathleen Billings & Paul Billings. And, holy crap, there really are more people (with CONFUSING motivations) in Silo 17?! Also, never doubt Dave's insights... just sayin'

Because of the double-header last week, the holidays, and our charity event, we delayed our coverage on Earth Abides so that we could cover its final episodes. We meet EA's version of Negan; what it means to bear the weight of grave decisions; placing our expectations on a future that isn't promised; and coming to terms with the world and who you've become. Whichever way you decide to move forward, The Earth Abides.

For better or worse, our impression of Robert Sims has drastically changed from when we first met him. We marvel at the contents of The Legacy in the same manner as Lukas Kyle. (No) Time for love, Dr. Knox: Turns out Solo & Juliette Nichols might not be alone in Silo 17...?

This episode is absolutely bananas, in the best way possible: Camille Sims is playing 3D Chess while the rest of Silo 18 is playing checkers. Both Bernard Holland & Robert Sims are losing their grip. And Lukas Kyle becomes Mayor Holland's SHADOW?! NOW KISS, Shirley & Knox!

We experience not only a few time-jumps in this episode, but also an increase in the amount of survivors in tow. Seneca wrote, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end," and all of this exists in what the prophet Yishayahu / Isaiah referred to as a World Without End. Will we finally put the past to rest or will we allow it to haunt us?

Things everywhere are starting to take a turn: Will the real Solo please stand up? Will Camille Sims take the fall for Robert Sims to make him Bernard Holland's shadow? Are Knox & Shirley OK?! We're proud mamas and papas when it comes to Paul Billings providing cover for Patrick Kennedy!

Something's in the water because Dave's alarmingly "animated" about this episode! Sheriff Paul Billings and Deputy Hank are the Buddy-Cop duo we need. Judge Mary Meadows reveals some deeply held secrets (to Lukas Kyle) before she goes (Hi Avi Nash). Everyone, down to Shirley, is playing the game. Solo's story sounds suspicious.

Whereas the first episode's antagonist was (and, to a certain degree, still is) oneself, Ish & Emma go head-to-head with the natural world itself. Will nature succeed in finishing the job it started with humanity?

With your help in the chat, the team tackles Earth Abides' pilot, "Alone". Our protagonist, Ish, survives a near-fatal venomous snakebite. His reward? Drifting in and out of consciousness through a world-ending global pandemic. How would *you* handle the prospect of being the last surviving human?

What an info dump! Solo finally comes out of Silo 17's vault and helps Juliette Nichols find a way to return to Silo 18. Judge Mary Meadows finds even more reasons to GTFO. We draw parallels between Juliette and Bernard Holland (and Meadows to Solo). We struggle to put ourselves in Shirley's Mechanical/Rebellion shoes.

What SILO does best is confronts you: are the mysteries you are determined to uncover dangerous? Feelings shift on Bernard Holland because, let's be honest, what would you have done better? Juliette Lives, at least in the hearts of those she left behind, which empties itself into a nascent, yet-to-be-determined movement.

The path forward - along with whom we're meant to trust - becomes a whole lot clearer. Because f--- this place! We don't want to be suspicious about Elgin or The Boy In White; that being said, we have a lot more clarity on how little we should place our trust in figments. We're all just doing our best, after all.

SILO's sophomore premiere catches us up in more ways than one! By way of another silo's downfall, we not only learn so much about their design similarities, but how much Juliette Nichols must be appreciating the fact that the one she just left is still standing: for how much longer, who knows?

Is this the final chapter in The Book Of Carol? We spend a ton of time and tears breaking down Carol Peletier's farewell to both Sophia Peletier and The Walking Dead version of herself. Yet again, we change our minds on whether this season finale had a satisfying enough ending, as well as a cliffhanger, which differed from our first watch. Tell us how excited you are (or may not be) about Season 3!

These Fragile Lives continues the trend of attempting to move several storylines across a very short period of time: which makes for a really good bite-sized watch, but doesn't leave a lot of room for analysis (the ol' "wait-n-see, DAVE!"). Will Elgin, Sara Meyers, and Victor Kavanaugh save the town or die trying? Will Fatima Stevens become one of the THEY in FROMville? Or will Officer Acosta (assuming that's her real name) just go full Abby Stevens on everyone?

The penultimate chapter of The Book Of Carol allowed us to go even deeper than we thought: Laurent Carriere's lot, clarity on Carol Peletier, Daryl Dixon's destiny, sympathy for Stéphane Codron, Losang's lost balance, and even an amusing Ash Patel.

Every character who appears in this episode is being tortured. Even Dave goes from absolutely believing that Fabby/Fatri/Fom (Fake Abby Stevens/Father Khatri/Bartender Tom) were merely agents of distraction to incredibly annoying information brokers. If this place can alter reality on a whim, does anything anyone try to do to escape FROMville really work?

I LOVE splitting the room, but this episode really divided #TWDFamily! Carol Peletier finally reaching Daryl Dixon was inarguably what we all wanted: It's what/who was sacrificed to get it. But this episode matured after every watch: to the effect of turning what might've been initially perceived as one of the worst episodes of the season to - quite surprisingly - the best.

Everything, including this episode, looks better in the light of day. Nobody can catch a break, as we reel from one crisis/fatality to another. Boyd Stevens incrementally unravels. Bonds that (we thought) grew stronger start to buckle. Victor Kavanaugh reunites with his father, but even that proves to be a grandiose distraction (among many others) keeping he and Sara Meyers from finding Jasper (Christopher's dummy).

This episode contains a tremendous amount of momentum occurring over a very short period of time! Tabitha Matthews, Officer Acosta, and Randall all look as sus as Sara Meyers, now. Speaking of Sara, Victor Kavanaugh and she look like they're about to make a big mistake, speaking to Christopher's ventriloquist dummy. And is Elgin the demon baby in Fatima's belly (currently being fed Nicky's guts)?

After deliberately writing Daryl Dixon (AKA Peter Pan) & Isabelle Carriere (AKA Wendy Darling) into a corner, the writers constructed a narrative whereby Carol Peletier (AKA Tinkerbell / Fée Clochette) is, quite literally, their only way out. Losang, 3 strikes and you've fallen from grace. Marion Genet shows us how overlooked everyone can be... but like Losang (and many TWDU villains), she takes it too far.

Another shorter-than-normal episode (the ladies are not only funnier than Dave, but more efficient)! This episode contains many layers and an abundance symmetry, firmly rooted in Rene Descartes' phrase Doubt is the Origin of Wisdom. Isabelle Carriere is compelled to kill her friend, Emile Thibaut, while Ash Patel (who continues to mirror Carol Peletier's journey on The Walking Dead) kills Hanna, who was also compelled to kill her own friend, Eun. With L'Union de L'Espoir breaking bad, it's a good thing Carol is there to scoop-up Daryl Dixon, et al... but that remains to be seen.