The episode begins with a hot and heavy love scene between Magna and Yumiko. While that relationship continues, it’s ultimately tested when a tree falls down at the Hilltop, destroying a barn and attracting walkers to the location. Yumiko takes charge aggressively, and Magna doesn’t like that. It’s unclear if the Whisperers are to blame, but, when things go south at Oceanside as well, the situation appears coordinated.
The main feature of this episode revolves around Lydia, who’s being harassed by fellow youngsters Gage, Margo and Alfred. Negan tells Lydia to ignore the teasing, but she opts to sit at their table and butcher a squirrel in front of them. As Gage reacts to being covered in blood, Lydia makes the Whisperer hand signal.
Following that visual feast, the kids strike back by painting “Silence the Whisperers” graffiti on Daryl’s house where Lydia is living. They physically attack her in the middle of the night, and Negan steps in to save her. While trying to stop Margo from causing further harm, Negan picks her up and throws her against the wall. This presumably fractures her skull and kills her. Negan is locked up in jail again for his actions, and the council holds a vote to decide his fate. The tally is tied, with Gabriel as the final judge.
There are also a few solid scenes inside jail cells too. While locked up, Negan tells Daryl that the community’s social code is garbage and that it’s starting to collapse, Lydia also reacts to the situation poorly by locking herself in a cell for her own safety. She moves the plot forward in a big way by setting Negan free.
Elsewhere, Michonne sees Ezekiel outside Hilltop riding alone near the edge of some scaffolding. He’s contemplating suicide, but Michonne talks him down. In the heat of the moment, the two share a kiss that Ezekiel apologizes for. The characters have a meaningful conversation about their losses, and Michonne admits to Ezekiel that he’s a good kisser.
All that being said, it would appear the point of Season 10 episode 4 is to illustrate the changing social dynamic within the community. It seems that, before striking with physical force, the Whisperers intend to put pressure on triggers of human nature by causing incidents that ratchet up internal tension. With happiness on the decline, will the group remain coordinated enough to dismantle a strong threat?
The Walking Dead continues October 27 on AMC.
What are your thoughts on these spoilers for episode 4? Will this week’s big death have major implications for the rest of the season? Tell us in the comments section!
