The Walking Dead: Have The Saviors just saved Maggie and Tara?

The Walking Dead just aired the episode “Do Not Send Up Astray” and both sides took huge losses in the All-Out War.

Negan was heading to The Hilltop with his Saviors — his entire intention to prove a point. However, with Rick attacking him last week, and taking him out of action, that left Simon in charge and things did not end well for the survivors at the Hilltop.

With Simon in the lead, he ordered The Saviors to kill everyone and annihilate the entire community. However, Maggie and company were ready for the attack.

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The battle was glorious, as Maggie and the Hilltop had a perfect plan, luring the Saviors in and then opening fire — killing as many of them as they could. However, while it looked like the casualties for the Hilltop was minimal, there was an unseen danger.

As seen in past episodes of The Walking Dead, the Saviors tainted their weapons in Walker’s blood and everyone injured — but assumed safe and alive — were infected. They rose from their beds in the middle of the night and slaughtered even more people.

As Maggie asked at the end of the episode, was the cost too much?

Callan McAuliffe as Alden, Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 13 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The Walking Dead: Maggie’s Future

The biggest casualty was not the people left dead, with Tobin (Jason Douglas) as the only big-name casualty. The real casualty was Maggie. People kept telling her all episode long how great of a leader she is.

What made Maggie a great leader, in other people’s minds, was that she looked out for them and not for herself, like Gregory did before her. However, as Maggie said in this episode — all the blood is on her hands.

Maggie sent the dead body to Negan in the casket to make a point. She said herself she did it to make Negan mad and bring him to them so she could kill him and avenge Glen’s death. She did it on purpose and now dozens of people are dead — because she wanted revenge.

There is no way that Maggie gets over this. One of the people who credited her with being there for them was one of the people who turned into a Walker due to the infection. Maggie did this. Maggie needs to own this, and this will change her from this point on.

With some of the Saviors refusing to leave when the gates were opened (including Alden), hopefully, Maggie finally starts to show compassion and understand that people can change for the better.

Austin Amelio as Dwight, Alanna Masterson as Tara Chambler – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 11 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The Walking Dead: Tara’s Future

Tara was fighting in the battle when Simon ran at her to kill her. Before Simon could get there with his tainted knife, Dwight aims his bow and shot an arrow through her shoulder. Daryl saw this and opened fire on them.

Interestingly, there has been a lot of people talking online about Team Dwight and Team Tara. In this episode, Tara opens up about how she was with the Governor before, like Dwight was with Negan. That is something that has bothered people and it looks like The Walking Dead writers knew this since they shot these scenes long before people started talking about it.

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The fact that so many people rose and turned overnight, but Tara did not, speaks volumes. She told Daryl she believes that Dwight saved her — even though he won’t accept that. Maybe when Daryl learns that Dwight’s arrow was not tainted, he will come around too.

Tara said that Dwight wanted to be part of their group and all she wanted was to kill him. She has already changed — let’s hope it is not too late for Dwight.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 13 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The Walking Dead: Rick’s Future

That leads us to Rick Grimes.

Notice that Rick was stabbed in this episode. He is still up and walking — but refused treatment. Carl asked his father before his death to look for peace but Rick tried to kill Negan last week. He told Maggie that he tried and she thanked him.

However, it is clear that this war is taking a toll on him as much as it is Maggie. When Maggie pointed out the cost, Rick walked off and one has to wonder how much more it will take for him to finally break.

This is all coming down to Rick and Negan. If the war ends with Negan still alive (and some of us hope it does), something big has to happen. There is no way that Negan and Jadis allow Simon to remain alive after what he has done, but will that be enough to warrant mercy?

Next: What is your favorite Walking Dead characters’ drink of choice?

There are only three episodes left this season of The Walking Dead, so the answers are coming very soon. Keep the conversation going in the comments section below and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for more on your favorite shows!