As we move toward the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead, we’re getting closer looks at The Whisperers. Who are they and what can we expect?
Season nine has been a wild ride so far!
After Rick’s “death” in 9.05, the show picked up and became interesting in a way that it hadn’t been in quite some time. The new characters didn’t cause the story to lag, and despite the frustrating Maggie/Michonne fight that everyone dances around, season nine has been the best season since the first half of season five.
The Walking Dead stayed afloat through the clunky storytelling because of its extensive and devoted fanbase. Those of us that stuck it out can move forward cautiously optimistic about the story.
The next story arc focuses on a group of survivors called The Whisperers, led by a woman called Alpha. We were introduced to them in the mid-season finale, and they’re scary af. They’re humans who wear the faces of the dead and blend in with walkers.
Over the last few weeks, AMC has casually been dropping looks at The Whisperers, but today, they debuted one that will send some viewers to the theory drawing board.
It features Daryl fighting Beta, the second-in-command of The Whisperers. This is a scene in the teaser trailer, but to actively focus on this moment forces conversations about what it means for Daryl in the weeks leading up to the premiere.
Kicking ass and taking names, the Dixon way. #TWD pic.twitter.com/jjB7lkpBAl
— The Walking Dead AMC (@WalkingDead_AMC) January 2, 2019
With Jesus’ gasp-worthy death in the mid-season finale “Evolution,” the writer’s have shown they’re okay with killing off characters. (Tom Payne asked to be written out.) Jesus’ death shows that the writer’s are capable of writing good, shocking death scenes without the plot armor that sometimes gets in the way, but this clip with Daryl worries me.
I don’t want Daryl to die, and I don’t think he will, but putting him against Beta will need to be handled realistically. In the comics, Beta is described as being a 7 ft. tall beast of a man. Someone who adheres to Alpha’s commands with a zealotry that even she doesn’t.
It’s also worth noting in the teaser trailer, The Whisperers seems to be trying to recruit Daryl. Have they been watching him?
“You’re more like us than them. You don’t belong with these people.”
As we move into the final eight episodes of this season, it’s my hope that the writers continue to build a story that moves forward with purpose, answers questions posed in the last three episodes of the first half, and manages to create believable, necessary character deaths in spite of the character’s popularity.
Season nine has given me a new excitement for the The Walking Dead, and I’m very interested in what The Whisperers will add to the story. Especially how they’ll prompt Michonne to overcome her aversion to helping the other communities and band together to fight them.
Oh, and I’m also extremely excited to see what Negan does with his newfound freedom.
You can take a look at the teaser trailers below, and let us know what you think!
The Walking Dead airs Sundays on AMC at 9/8c. It will return February 10th to complete its ninth season.