The Walking Dead is back and is gearing up for war. Rick and his group are looking to recruit an army to take on Negan and The Saviors. However, there is a rock in the road that may prevent them from winning this war. Here are our highlights and thoughts from episode 9, “Rock in the Road.” 

Leaders Rise and Fall 

The episode picks up just where the mid-season finale left off. Rick and his group approach Gregory (the leader  of Hilltop) with the proposition to fight Negan and The Saviors. Gregory, being the coward that he is, declines Rick’s proposition and reminds the group about the failed attempt to stop The Saviors when they raided Negan’s many compounds.

Despite Ricks pleads and the group’s retorts, Gregory gives his final answer to not assist them with the war. As the group leaves Gregory’s home they are greeted by Hilltop members that thank Maggie and Sasha for saving their lives. This scene foreshadows the dethroning of Gregory as the leader of Hilltop and Maggie taking over.

The next stop on group’s list is The Kingdom where they are given a private audience with King Ezekiel. Rick and the group is taken aback by Shiva (King Ezekiel’s tiger). To me the meeting between the two parties was a bit theatrical in regards to King Ezekiel’s performance of power. Rick tries to sway King Ezekiel to join his group to take on The Saviors, knowing the pact that they have made with Negan will never hold.

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Danai Gurira as Michonne – The Walking Dead _ Season 7, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Rosita, unpleased by the direction the conversation is going and King Ezekiel’s rather silent demeanor, reveals those of their group that they lost. With Morgan present she tells him about the loss of Abraham and Glenn. Rick can see that he now has King Ezekiel’s attention. He goes on to tell the Kingdom leader that Negan beat them in front of the group and will do the same to his people.

Despite Rick’s story about the King and the rock in the road, King Ezekiel declines his help to take on Negan. However, he offers safe refuge to Daryl after his escape from The Saviors. Daryl gives King Ezekiel some words to think on when he claims that his Kingdom won’t be safe forever.

The Hunt for Daryl 

Speaking of safe refuge for Daryl Dixon in The Kingdom, Negan has come back to find Joey dead. He sends his men on a man hunt to bring Daryl back to the ruthless leader. The Saviors make a pit stop to Alexandria as instructed by Negan to see if Daryl returned home. They come up empty handed and leave back on the road. Question is will they head to Hilltop and The Kingdom to look for Daryl? If so, what conflict will this cause? Could The Savior’s antics during the hunt for Daryl fuel the rise for war for The Kingdom?

Number Game

Rick knows he doesn’t have enough men and women to take on The Saviors. He loses faith in being able to take down Negan and The Saviors causing him to frown and brood throughout the episode. Even Michonne can’t get the leader to smile, not until he comes across another group while on the search for Gabriel. He smiles as he is swarmed by gun bearing individuals that we are excited to learn more of by the next episode. Hopefully this new group will join Rick in the war to take down The Saviors which will give them more man and gun power.