Walking Dead Spoilers: S9, E7 – The Hilltop/Maggie and Daryl backstories

Walking Dead spoilers predict some interesting backstories for Maggie Rhee (Lauren Cohan) and Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Plus, the series just keeps raising people from the dead… Abraham Ford (oh, we mean to say) Michael Cudlitz is back on the show directing tonight’s episode, and it promises to be a good one. The episode is entitled Stradivarius, but should be called Whirlwind. There’s so much goodness packed into one episode, it’s hard to get your bearings.

Walking Dead spoilers – Rosita and Eugene’s close call

The Walking Dead, S9, E6 begins with an exhausted and frantic Rosita (Christian Serratos) fumbling through the woods trying to get away from the Whisperers. These creepy crawlers are everywhere and catching up to her fast. But poor Eugene is no where to be found.

It’s only when Aaron (Ross Marquand) and Jesus (Tom Payne) later find Rosita in the woods, do fans find out that she left Eugene (Josh McDermitt) in a barn. Remember, he was still injured, and couldn’t run. Rosita didn’t really have any other options. So she hides him and diverts the herd to follow her instead.

Unfortunately, he’ll have to tough it out alone because when Aaron and Jesus find Rosita, the sun’s going down, and the Whisperers are closing in. They can’t risk it, so they decide to wait until the morning to help Eugene. Pretty messed up, but they’re out-numbered and no match for the Whisperers.

Sleep tight Eugene…

Ninja love

TWD fans will love it that Jesus and Aaron are having secret ninja meetups so Jesus can train Aaron. Before they met up with Rosita, viewers will see them practicing and talking about the future of the communities specifically the Hilltop. These two have gotten super-close, and confide in each other for everything. This relationship gets two thumbs up if it does get off the ground. After the devastating death of Aaron’s husband, Eric Raleigh (Jordan Woods-Robinson) in Season 8, E3, (Monsters) it will be nice to see Aaron and fan favorite Jesus as a couple.

Jesus is also more in the forefront of everything now so he will need a strong partner.  Maggie has left the Hilltop (more on Maggie in a minute), and though Jesus doesn’t really feel cut out for the role, he’s the person the people want as their leader. Thankfully, he has Tara (Alanna Masterson) to do all the behind the scenes management.  She is the one who’s doing all the work — keeping the Hilltop afloat and thriving. Meanwhile, Enid (Katelyn Nacon) has graduated from Maggie-sidekick to Hilltop doctor. Nice upgrade, Enid.

Maggie abandons the Hilltop

This is the episode The Walking Dead execs finally reveal why Maggie left WD and the Hilltop. Though it doesn’t seem like a reason that makes much sense from what fans know of Maggie.

When Michonne (Danai Gurira) brings Magna (Nadia Hilkes) and her crew — sisters Connie (Lauren Ridloff) and Kelly (Angel Theory), Luke (Dan Fogler), and Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura) to the Hilltop, Siddiq (Avi Nash) tells her (along with the rest of us) that Maggie has left the community to go with Georgie and to help her build a new community elsewhere. This seems like such a flimsy excuse to leave the family you’ve known and loved for years, but whatever. How could Maggie not tell Michonne face-to-face that’s she’s leaving?

One thing’s for sure, Michonne will be pissed to find out she was the last to know. Here’s to hoping she kicks someone’s ass for this… maybe Negan’s.

By the way, the Walking Dead producers could have thought of a better exit for Maggie. This is such a cop out, and WD fans won’t like it.

Michonne & Newcomers head to Hilltop

Earlier in the episode, Michonne says she will not accompany Magna and her group to the Hilltop, but changes her mind once she learns that Rosita is there receiving medical attention.  On their way to Hilltop, Michonne, Magna and friends make it back to Magna’s camp. Unfortunately, everyone there has been slaughtered. They spend the night at an industrial building, and when they continue on, run into the same herd that attacked their camp.

Michonne realizes it’s the same herd because she recognizes the same ugly paisley shirt of the man, Bernie, who Yumiko told her about the day before. Michonne gently puts Bernie down because Magna can’t bring herself to do it. In the comics, Issue #127, Magna and Bernie were close friends, and she watches in horror as he is captured and devoured by a herd of walkers.

Carol & Henry bring back Daryl… and Doggo

The last episode showed Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) and Henry (Matt Lintz) running into Daryl Dixon as they’re riding down a path in the woods. She visits Daryl because she’s worried about leaving Henry at the Hilltop (for blacksmith training) and wants Daryl to accompany him and stay until Henry’s settled.

It’s funny that Carol always knows how to find Daryl even if no one else does. During her visit, Carol learns Daryl has made a new friend. Not a lady friend… a dog he named Doggo! Real creative, right? But we’ll give Daryl a break since he’s grieving.

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Anyway, Daryl loves Doggo and this dog has helped him thru years of grief. In fact, Carol and Daryl talk about how Daryl was supposed to be in the woods only temporarily – to search for Rick’s body and then come home – but Daryl became so depressed, he wouldn’t return.  (Long sigh. Tearing up… Thanks The Walking Dead!)

Thankfully, Doggo lifts Daryl’s spirits. Daryl sends Doggo to check on walker traps and when Doggo finds a walker, he lets Daryl know. Unfortunately,  Doggo is almost killed when he gets stuck in one of the traps. Daryl tries to save him, and finds himself in danger as well.  Henry ends up saving both of them, and this convinces Daryl to go to Hilltop with them.

Before they leave, Carol gives Daryl the haircut which he sorely needs. Don’t worry, it ends up looking pretty much the same, just a little neater. Thank God our Daryl is back!  At the end of the episode, Daryl, Doggo, Aaron, and Jesus leave the Hilltop to look for Eugene.

Don’t miss tonight’s episode on AMC and check back with Soap Dirt often for the latest The Walking Dead recaps and spoilers.