The Walking Dead Season 9 only has two episodes left and you're going to need tissues. You know what that means -- death is coming! Actually "overwhelming loss," so lots and lots of death. Better break out the Daryl crying GIF. Episode 15, "The Calm Before" is the big fair episode we've been worried about. Norman Reedus issued a warning on that one, but also promised something brand new in the Episode 16 finale, which is called "The Storm":
The next episode, bring some Kleenex. It’s gnarly. I mean it's so heavy. Get ready. The last episode has a look to it that we’ve never done before. It's a brand new look of the show. It's phenomenal.
Norman Reedus shared that warning in his recent visit to The Tonight Show. The brand new look of the show may be connected to weather, since the Episode 16 finale synopsis (see bottom of post) mentions a blizzard. Snow man zombies!
Speaking of the "heavy" penultimate episode airing this weekend, though, you know Father Gabriel actor Seth Gilliam had already warned of shocking deaths ahead in Season 9. He said that on Talking Dead, and there haven't been shocking deaths since that point, at least not of people that we know and love. No one that would make us cry. Sounds like that's changing tomorrow.
Here's AMC's synopsis for the penultimate episode of Season 9:
"The Calm Before" - The fair at the Kingdom is underway, with all four communities coming together in celebration for the first time in years; while some pacts are renewed, other deals will come at a much steeper price.
The Walking Dead has been teasing that fair all season, getting comic book fans nervous for what it might mean for the TV version of the show. Based on the promo, you can bet there will be a tie to the ongoing clash with Alpha and The Whisperers. (That does sound like a cool band name.)
In the Episode 15 promo, it looks like Beta returns, and Daryl Dixon is put in a tight spot:
They wouldn't dare kill off Daryl Dixon, right? Norman Reedus just signed a major contract, basically making him the new Andrew Lincoln, since Rick Grimes is now missing and will only show up again in those TV movies.
Everyone else is probably fair game, though. (Fair. Get it? You get it.) The TV show does not always follow the comics, and there are many differences in the current AMC show and Robert Kirkman's ongoing series. But the comics are a touchstone, and this fair episode will probably be one for the bloody books.
I'm curious about what's next in the finale. Game of Thrones' early seasons were known for having major events in the penultimate episodes, then showing the fallout in the finale. Should we expect something like that?
The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 15 is called "The Calm Before" with the Episode 16 finale as "The Storm." That doesn't make it sound like the finale will be winding down from big events. Here's the synopsis for "The Storm," which references "overwhelming loss" as well as a literal storm:
"The Storm" - In the aftermath of an overwhelming loss, the communities must brave a ferocious blizzard; as one group deals with an enemy from within, another is forced to make a life or death decision.
Loving the idea of a blizzard! Usually weather is only a factor on The Walking Dead to showcase the humidity of Georgia, where they film. The Walking Dead films from May to late November/early December, so the season ended production right before the start of winter. It's fun to actually see some seasonal change on screen.
We'll be in mourning by then, for whoever we lose this weekend at the fair. Any guesses on the casualties, beyond redshirts? The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC, as one of the many midseason 2019 shows now winding down.
