| "Morning Star" | |
|---|---|
| The Walking Dead episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 10 Episode 11 |
| Directed by | Michael E. Satrazemis |
| Written by | Vivian Tse Julia Ruchman |
| Original air date | March 8, 2020 |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Morning Star" is the eleventh episode of the tenth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead , which aired on AMC on March 8, 2020. The episode was written by Vivian Tse and Julia Ruchman, and directed by Michael E. Satrazemis.
After Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Lydia's (Cassady McClincy) encounter with Alpha (Samantha Morton), the communities must decide whether to run or fight the Whisperers, who are coming for Hilltop. Meanwhile, Eugene's (Josh McDermitt) communication with Stephanie (Margot Bingham) gets complicated. The episode received positive reviews from critics.
Eugene continues his conversations with Stephanie over the radio. He discovers that she also saw the falling satellite and determines she must be relatively nearby. Eugene offers to allow her to select a time and place for them to meet, and she says she will discuss it with the others. Meanwhile at the Hilltop, Aaron arrives with Mary, explaining that she wishes to see her nephew, Adam, now under the care of Earl. Earl does not allow her to see Adam, remembering how her people abandoned him.
Ezekiel, having been told by Jerry and Kelly about the events at the mine, tracks down Carol at Daryl's former camp in the woods, and convinces her to return to the Hilltop. Daryl and Lydia also return shortly after, warning that Alpha and her horde are coming. Rosita comes in search of Eugene and discovers the unattended radio with Stephanie trying to reach Eugene. Rosita asks her who she is, and Stephanie immediately falls quiet. Eugene hurriedly rushes back in and attempts to get Stephanie to answer to no avail, and he sternly tells Rosita to leave as he continues to attempt to reestablish communication.
Before leaving with the horde, Negan attempts to persuade Alpha that it would be better to terrorize the Hilltop and make them bend the knee to her rather than killing them. The residents of the Hilltop attempt to evacuate, but discover Alpha has blocked all roads leading out, with reanimated hanged Hilltop guards dangling from trees along the road. Daryl recognizes this as a Negan scare tactic, concluding that he is now working with Alpha. With no other option, they begin reinforcing the perimeter of the Hilltop.
Carol visits Ezekiel and takes notice of his growing tumor, and the two make love. Rosita later finds Eugene rigging up defenses and encourages him to not give up on Stephanie, challenging him to kiss her, knowing his long infatuation with her. He finds he is unable to, proving Rosita's point that he really does have feelings for Stephanie, and he resolves to keep trying to contact her. He does so singing for her, when he finishes singing, she returns on the radio and apologizes for breaking contact, and gives him coordinates to meet her in one week.
Daryl and Ezekiel meet before the battle, reconciling their past disputes and promising each other that should one of them fall, the other would be in charge of leading the children out of harm's way. The residents of the Hilltop gather with weapons and shields outside the walls of the community as night falls, and prepare to face the horde. The walker horde is slowed down by electrical traps and a makeshift barricade which allows the survivors to kill walkers from a safe distance.
The Whisperers load up grenades of flammable liquid, and sling them at the barricade, the walls of the Hilltop, and the survivors themselves. They then follow up with flaming arrows, setting alight the barricade. In the woods, Negan questions Alpha, as he expected she would bring the Hilltop survivors into her group, rather than kill them all. Alpha tells Negan that she does intend for the survivors to join with her, but as part of her horde. The flames and the force of the horde are too great, and the survivors are forced to fall back. While attempting to reenter the Hilltop, the outer walls are set ablaze, trapping the survivors between the fire and the horde.
This episode reveals the identity of the mysterious woman on the radio whose name is Stephanie, a member of the Commonwealth, portrayed by Margot Bingham. [1] [2] The song Eugene sings on the radio to Stephanie is "When the Wild Wind Blows" by Iron Maiden.
"Morning Star" received very positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the episode has an approval rating of 94% with an average score of 7.56 out of 10, based on 18 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "Before ending with a spectacular cliff-hanger, 'Morning Star' pits the Hilltop crew against the Whisperers in a skillfully staged battle that promises a bloody end to this season." [3]
Dustin Rowles of Uproxx wrote: "It is a tremendously great battle and a great cap to the end of the episode, which otherwise trafficked in some nice character moments, particularly those of Rosita and Eugene." He praised Christian Serratos, writing that she "has been very good this season now that she's finally been given some material with which to work". [4]
Writing for Pajiba, Brian Richards gave it an average review, and wrote in summary: "Not a bad episode, even though it took it sweet-ass time to get the ball rolling and have the war against the Whisperers finally start." [5]
Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode an 8 out of 10 and wrote: "'Morning Star' told one story, and told it well. It gathered the entire cast into one spot and forced them into battle against staggering odds. It felt big and important enough to be the final 'brawl to settle it all' when it comes to the Whisperer War." [6]
"Morning Star" received 2.93 million viewers, the lowest rating in the show's history to date. [7]
Daryl Dixon is a fictional character from AMC's horror drama series The Walking Dead, and the protagonist of its last three seasons, replacing Rick Grimes. The character was created for the television series by writers Frank Darabont, Charles H. Eglee and Jack LoGiudice specifically for Norman Reedus, and does not have a counterpart in the comics on which the series is based. The character was introduced in the first season as a southerner, expert tracker, living in the shadow of his older brother, Merle. Despite his bad temper and volatility, he is tolerated by the core group of survivors due to his skills in hunting animals and fearless efficiency in killing walkers.
Rosita Espinosa is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and is portrayed by Christian Serratos in the American television series of the same name. She accompanies Eugene Porter and Abraham Ford on a mission to Washington, D.C. In the comic book series, she joins Rick Grimes' group after they leave the prison and go to DC. Eventually Eugene is revealed to have lied but they continue on to Washington anyway, since he was still convinced the city would offer greater chance of survival, and they eventually find the Alexandria Safe-Zone.
Negan is a fictional character in the comic book series The Walking Dead and in the television series of the same name. He was the leader of the Saviors, a group of survivors in the Sanctuary that oppresses other survivor communities and forces them to pay tribute to him. In the comics, the character's appearance is based on Henry Rollins, as confirmed by Charlie Adlard. Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrays Negan in the television series, having first appeared in the sixth-season finale.
Alpha is a fictional character in the comic book series The Walking Dead and the television series of the same name, where she was portrayed by Samantha Morton. In both universes, Alpha is the leader of a group of survivors called the Whisperers, a mysterious group that wears the skins of walkers (zombies) to mask their presence. In the television series, she first appeared in the ninth mid-season premiere.
Beta is a fictional character in the comic book series The Walking Dead and the television series of the same name, where he was portrayed by Ryan Hurst. In both universes, Beta is the second-in-command of the Whisperers, a group of survivors who wear walker (zombie) skin to hide their presence from actual walkers. He serves as Alpha's right-hand man and after her death, becomes de facto leader of the Whisperers.
Lydia is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and the television series of the same name, where she is portrayed by Cassady McClincy.
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Stephanie is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and the television series of the same name, where she is portrayed by Margot Bingham as an alias for Maxxine Mercer while Chelle Ramos was cast as Shira who also uses the alias of Stephanie.
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The eleventh and final season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, premiered on August 22, 2021, and concluded on November 20, 2022, consisting of 24 episodes. Developed for television by Frank Darabont, the series is based on the eponymous series of comic books by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The executive producers are Kirkman, David Alpert, Scott M. Gimple, Angela Kang, Greg Nicotero, Joseph Incaprera, Denise Huth, and Gale Anne Hurd, with Kang as showrunner for her third and final season. The eleventh season has received positive reviews by critics.
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