‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Knots Untie’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Over the course of its eleven-year run, the AMC series, The Walking Dead, has asked a great deal of questions regarding what the aftermath of the end of the world might look like. Such as who would we become as a species? And would we be able to shed the darkness and selfishness that plagues our world now? Which are questions that quite frankly… are still being explored by this show since we’ve seen mankind go back and forth regarding those answers. But it has also asked, if people can be decent during an indecent time, a question that has received a resounding yes, and for a time it also pondered upon what the new world would look like shortly after the end of everything. A question the show answered in harrowing manner in the back half of season six and through most of season seven and eight.
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In fact, the answer to that question began to be revealed in ‘Knots Untie’, in the sneakiest manner possible. For this is a story that at first, offered great hope for a true better tomorrow. After all, Jesus had nothing but wonderful news to offer about his community and how the world beyond the walls of Alexandria was so much larger. Not to mention, when Rick and his people had to step in and help Jesus and his friends on the way to the Hilltop, they were greeted as saviors and helpers and welcomed into this tiny little community with open arms. Making it truly appear as though the future post-zombie, was going to see a grand and powerful rebuilding of civilization through and through. One that was sadly complete with the a-holes that we cannot stand now.

Since the group was also introduced to the ‘wonder’ that is Gregory and his ‘charming personality.’ One that motivated him to insult Maggie on a consistent basis. But the return of some couriers, who were asked to make an important drop… showed the Hilltop to be a community in crisis. Since Gregory was stabbed by one its returning citizens in an effort to save his brother and of course, Rick and his team were forced to teach these folks a hard lesson for certain. Because Rick Grimes isn’t going to let good people get pushed around, and well… once the dust settled from that bloody scuffle, the truth about the future of the world was revealed to Rick and company. In that… the meek were being bullied about by a group called the Saviors, whose leader Negan, demanded half of everything, or punishment would befall this tiny community.

A reality that oddly gave Rick, an inspired idea. Because it was obvious in the scuffle that these people weren’t warriors in the slightest and that having their own muscle might prove to be useful. Which is why… Rick opted to have Maggie make Gregory an offer he could not refuse. In that, the Alexandria Security Force would handle the Saviors and Negan for Hilltop, and in doing so, would receive half their food stores on this day and in the future as tribute for future protection. An offer that really was quite enticing for Gregory and he was quick to sign off on it. Allowing for Rick and his family to eat once again and eat well for some time… all the meanwhile showing us that the early days after the end, would be shockingly savage in nature when all is said and done. Complete with warring factions and fights for food.

Which made this, a surprisingly sobering and bleak episode. One that made it clear that supplies would become the new currency of such an era, since food and the rest are essential and worth fighting for in the eyes of those running low upon them, and those that control those kinds of critical goods would be powerful indeed. Not to mention, this one also sets up, some dark times for certain. Since our heroes would indeed bite off far more than they could ever chew regarding Negan and the Saviors. But in this moment, they had agency, power, and food once again, and we hadn’t a clue that such a bold decision would bring forth such trouble… but it is definitely near and our first taste of what is to come, arrives in the next pair of brutal episodes. Until next time.

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