This week’s episode of The Walking Dead featured the demise of Leah.
This week marks the final mid-season finale of The Walking Dead.
Love, sex, violence, and terror is how I can describe this week’s episode of The Walking Dead.
That is because there were so many stories that progressed the plot forward. To start, Princess and Mercer are finally together as a couple. Comic book fans were waiting for this for a long time. I do however wish that they showed Mercer and Princess becoming official rather than a post-sex scene. I believe that they made up for it later in the episode as Mercer opened up to Princess about killing his own men. It takes for someone to be in love to reveal that piece of information and that was showcased on that scene.
Remember early on in The Walking Dead’s winter return when it was lead to believe that Maggie and Daryl were on opposite sides? Turns out that was not the case. Lance and his army decided to search The Hilltop (without a search warrant may I add) for any clues. During the search, he encountered Hershel. The confrontation lead to Daryl making a threat towards Lance and dropping an uncensored F-Bomb in the exchange. I love the scene as it shows the level Daryl would go on to protect his own family regardless of what his position is. I can also say that It was a heartbreaking moment for Hershel to stand near Glenn’s grave!
Another couple that is officially together is Max and Eugene. At least The Walking Dead showed that these two were building their relationship from the start. Sure, it was from the comics, but consistency matters to me. Also to add, too bad that Ezekiel and Tomichi’s mission did not go as planned at first. Carol did save the day however which lead to them getting the medicine to the ones that needed it.
I can also say that I was annoyed that Lance offered Leah a job seconds after he found out that she was the one who stolen their weapons and killed some of The Commonwealth’s soldiers. Hopefully this mission Lance offered Leah backfires! Solid episode of this week’s The Walking Dead.
Michael James Shaw joined the cast of The Walking Dead as Mercer beginning on the eleventh season.
The head of the army at The Commonwealth is intimidating, but also a person that does not hesitate to make his words known. Mercer is also in a relationship with The Princess (played by Paola Lazaro) and he is beginning to open up to her. Where can this lead for the rest of the season? We will have to find out.
In this exclusive interview, Michael James Shaw talks about Mercer and Princess’ bond, putting on the armor during the hottest months in Georgia, and much more!
The Knockturnal: You have a great bond with Paola, and it really comes out during the beginning of this episode towards the middle. Especially the scene when Mercer admitted that he killed his own soldiers. So what was that like for you to develop these scenes with Paola?
MJS: “Is actually pretty easy because Paola is like one of the first friends I made here when I moved over there last year. She’s a wonderful human being and a phenomenal actress. And it was quite easy to take the leap and create the connection between the two characters. I don’t think he’s really allowed many people into his personal life while being in the Commonwealth. I think there’s a distance that must be maintained in order to maintain respect and stature in the society that they built. And I think that him allowing her into his darkness is a moment of vulnerability and also a step in developing trust with each other. It opens the door for a stronger bond between the two of them. And I feel like if he hadn’t allowed her in on that moment, the relationship couldn’t progress and develop.”
The Knockturnal: In the comic book series, Mercer and Max were not family related. The show did an interesting twist and revealed that these two are siblings. How did you react when you first found this out?
MJS: “When I found out that Margot was playing my sister, I was excited because in a way, we have bonded in a similar way in life. She’s had my back since I moved out here. She’s a wonderful human being. And again, one of the most fun actresses to work with because she’s down to earth and down to go for it. Me and Margot really trust each other and let the emotions fly! So, yeah, I was overjoyed when I found that she was actually my sister.”
The Knockturnal: During Mercer’s conversation with Max, I could not help but notice that he was working out. Knowing that he is the head of security at The Commonwealth, I can bet that Mercer has to stay in top shape. Did you have a specific workout scene to prepare you for your role as Mercer?
MJS: “I’ve been consistent with my workout routine and in the last year and a half, I’ve learned Jujutsu. I’ve been doing workouts prior to going to set at 5:00am and sometimes at 3:00am if I have to. And it was just a natural window into my preparation because I actually got to do one of the workouts in a scene. But I think that was part of building the character and creating that same discipline within myself. So when it came to doing a workout in the scene, I was like, ‘Fuck yeah, let’s just do it man.’ I probably did nearly 100 reps of each exercise. And I had built myself to be able to maintain and do that over the year.”
The Knockturnal: I also want to bring up The Commonwealth’s army suit that you had on since you joined The Walking Dead. How were you able to keep cool when it came to the very hot weather in Georgia?
MJS: “I wasn’t able to keep cool. The summer was tough. It was a family effort from makeup and costumes department. They would be throwing fans at me whenever we had a moment between takes and dabbed me with towels to remove my sweat. There’s something about being in the element and actually working or just actually feeling the fatigue or the heat. It kind of adds to your experience and I think it comes across on screen. I even enjoyed the moments of the bitter cold. I am not sure if you notice, in the first few episodes of 11A, in some of those Commonwealth interview scenes, you can see the breath coming out of our mouths because it was so cold in the studio. But I think it’s all part of that element and you kind of feel it comes across on screen. So yeah, heat or cold, I was loving every moment of it!”
The Knockturnal: It seems like a revolt or uprising is brewing within The Commonwealth. Knowing that we saw protests in the real world within the last few years, do you believe that the world is ready for these kind of potential scenes or stories on The Walking Dead?
MJS: “I cannot say for sure yet if a revolt is brewing or a riot is brewing at The Commonwealth. But it’s interesting that a lot of times how art can reflect on life. We can point out some of the the high points as well as the low points of humanity. And I think you can look forward to seeing a lot of that paint it out in our remaining season!”
The Walking Dead pulled no punches with this week’s episode. That is because Negan was seconds away from death.
Remember the “Here’s Negan” episode of The Walking Dead? That was a fantastic episode and was paced very will. Although there were great scenes on this week’s episode, the pacing was not good.
Margot Bingham joined the cast of The Walking Dead since the end end of season 9. It was that season where her character Stephanie made contact with Alexandria.
Tonight’s episode of The Walking Dead could be summed up in three words. That is, real estate watch.
It is a brand-new world for the residents at Alexandria as some of them are members of The Commonwealth. That sums up this week’s The Walking Dead.
After an anti-climactic abrupt ending last fall on The Walking Dead’s final season part one, the show returned with one of the best mid-season premieres in years.