The Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 21 Review: Role Reversal

Imagine peeking into a snow globe that holds a third world, where residents are forced into labor every time you shake it. Their fear necessary for your daily indulgence.

The Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 21 spotlights the invisible workers who spread the marmalade on Pamela Milton’s toast and the Commonwealth’s upper crust. Negan rediscovers a Sanctuary where he never took the throne, where names themselves are a privilege.

This Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 21 Review contains minor spoilers for “Outpost 22”.

Drugged and trafficked as enemies of the state, Negan, Ezekiel, and Kelly find they no longer own the rights to use their arms and legs as they see fit. The deeds to their bodies have been signed away by Governor Milton without a vote. Property of the Commonwealth.

When Negan attempts to negotiate with a guard about seeing Annie, he is savagely smashed in the face. In the new ‘Sanctuary’, instead of everyone being united by the phrase “We Are Negan”, there are no labels at all. No names, no communication, and no humanity.

Negan acknowledges that it’s the fate he always deserved. Stuck under the boot of his own past rule.

Maggie’s Governor/Penny Moment

Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee – The Walking Dead _ Season 11, Episode 17 – Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC

“Outpost 22” features Maggie’s biggest character development in several seasons. In what is easily her best scene since returning to The Walking Dead, Maggie is unable to bring herself to eliminate a child walker. Traumatically evading it.

When one of Pamela Milton’s men is about to take out the walker, she springs to the scene to rescue the undead. Maggie exclaims a broken voiced, raw “No!” as the child walker grabs her from behind, looking to feast.

Maggie cradles the child walker like The Governor once did with Penny. Distraught at having to bring upon its end. Crying deeply and miserably. The vulnerability reminiscent of Season 2 Maggie.

Caryl Reignited?

Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier – The Walking Dead _ Season 11, Episode 20 – Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC

While reflecting on mistakes made at the Cave with Connie, Carol noticeably holds Daryl’s hand. Carol also discusses being away from Daryl in a heartfelt 1-on-1 with another character. Tears gently streaming down her face. Carol harbors romantic feelings for Daryl openly in TWD Season 11 Episode 21.

The Daryl and Carol ‘ship might still have a canon home after all… Regardless, of what happens with the Daryl Dixon spinoff.

The dream sequence in The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 3 where Carol imagines a life with Daryl appears to have meant something to her character development. It wasn’t just ‘fan service’ so-to-speak.

Return of the Jedi influenced forest chase scene

“Outpost 22” features an impressive motorbike action scene that seems directly inspired by Luke Skywalker’s forest speeder chase. It’s exceptionally well crafted and Norman Reedus is at home here.

Fourth Wall Breaking Moment

Father Gabriel comforts another character looking for guidance from God with the following quote, “People remember the last thing you do. The end of a story is very important.”

While meaningful even on its own, considering The Walking Dead is winding down to the last drops… It genuinely feels as if it was meant to be a fourth-wall breaking message to long time TWD fans.

More Walking Dead Season 11 Coverage

Be sure to read:

– The Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 20 Review: Lost Future

– The Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 18 Review: No Chaperone

– Laila Robins talks Pamela Milton on The Walking Dead (Interview)

Nadia Hilker talks Magna & Yumiko’s Class Division (Interview)

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