Warning: Both comic book and television series spoilers ahead

While some may have thought last week’s “Them” was somewhat uneventful, I personally loved it, and it will go down as one of the most memorable for me. Why? Because we are at a crossroads, folks. If the television series follows the comics at all (and with the events of Sunday’s episode, I truly think they will), the face and scenery of The Walking Dead are about to change drastically. No more moving around, no more scavenging, finally a place that the group can call their home. Beth inherited her father’s optimism and labelled the prison as “home,” but if only she had lived to see all of the good things that will come with the next step in the group’s journey, which I am now certain to be the Alexandria Safe Zone. The group’s world is going to be so much different — but so much better.

As you probably can tell, I am beyond excited for the next episode now that Aaron (Ross Marquand) — one of 2 comic-book recruiters for the Alexandria Safe Zone — has been formally introduced. Given what I know about the comics and some of the breadcrumbs left for us throughout Season 5, here’s my wish list of things I would be over the moon to see happen this Sunday:

1. ERIC MAKES HIS FIRST APPEARANCE

As I mentioned in my review of last week’s episode, in the comic book series Aaron isn’t the only recruiter for the Alexandria Safe Zone. There is a 2nd one named Eric (who is also Aaron’s boyfriend), and they always traveled together. Once a decision is made to invite a group of survivors into their community, Aaron normally would be the one to reveal himself and inform the group that they had been selected to “audition” for membership into the ASZ.

If there is any trouble, Eric is the one who steps up to protect Aaron, killing the survivors if necessary. That being said, it is probably a safe assumption that if the writers decided to stick closely to the comic book material, Eric is pretty close by and will likely show up very soon, especially judging from the below sneak peek where Rick isn’t being very receptive to Aaron at all.

2. MICHONNE MAKES A STAND ON WHETHER TO FOLLOW AARON

In the comic book series, after Aaron shows himself, he is tied up, and Rick proceeds to go on one of his crazy rants about how he can’t be trusted and he’s just like all of the other terrible people they’ve encountered, including (and especially) the Governor.

Rick doesn’t want to follow Aaron, but Michonne makes a very surprising move by interrupting Rick and pretty much shutting him down. She tells Rick that he’s full of bullsh*t, Aaron is nothing like the Governor (and SHE should know!), and like it or not, she’s going with Aaron. Rick and the rest of the group can join her, but if not, “See ya!” She’s tired of running, she’s tired of fighting, and she just wants to rest.

Given what we’ve seen of Michonne in the first couple episodes of 5B, I’m betting this scene will play out exactly like in the comics. I’m absolutely loving Michonne this season and especially like how she stood up to Rick in the mid-season premiere and convincing him that going to D.C. was the right choice. She voiced her opinion in the premiere, and I think she’ll do it again this week.

3. A GOOD, OLD-FASHIONED WALKER ATTACK

Have you noticed that with the exception of Tyreese, we haven’t had a death of a main character by walker in a really long time? Instead, the main threat has become the **people**. This has been true since the introduction of the Governor in season 3, and honestly, I’m ready to go back-to-basics and have the dead become the biggest worry once again. After all, this show is called The Walking Dead, right?

I do believe we’re heading in that direction, and I think it may start in Sunday’s episode. The below promo shows Rick’s group being under attack by a fairly large group of walkers, which also jives with what happens in the comics after Rick captures Aaron and ties him up.

Either way, I’m ready for some good zombie-chomping action, and if this plays out in Sunday’s episode, I will be thrilled.

4. A FIRST LOOK AT THE ALEXANDRIA SAFE ZONE

This one is a little bit of a stretch, but I do think there is a good possibility of it happening in Sunday’s episode. If all goes well, Aaron (and Eric we hope!) will convince Rick and Co. to join them and travel to the Alexandria Safe Zone. I don’t think the group will actually enter the ASZ and make any introductions to the rest of the community, but I think it would be a super-cool way to end the episode by having them see the fortified community straight ahead.

I also think the message would serve as a sharp contrast to last week’s “Them.” In that episode, the theme was hopelessness and persevering regardless of the odds stacked against you. With the arrival of Aaron and the Alexandria Safe Zone , the theme would now be the complete opposite — **hope**. I’ve got my fingers crossed on this one, because these people really need a light at the end of the tunnel — and the ASZ would be that light.

5. RICK’S GROUP (FINALLY!) MEETS UP WITH MORGAN

Now, this one would be a MAJOR stretch, but since this is a wish list, I’m going to put it out there anyways. Morgan has not been far behind Rick since the season 4 finale, and in “Coda,” they at least hinted that he might be on his way to Washington D.C. after seeing Rick’s name on that map in the church. Given that and ever since Aaron showed up last week, I’ve had this crazy idea bouncing around my head of Aaron finding Rick’s group while his partner, Eric, finds Morgan.

Then, when Eric finally steps up to assist Aaron, Morgan is revealed as well. Now, wouldn’t that be a great reintroduction of Morgan and Rick! If it does happen to play out this way, if you hear some screaming from the western Kentucky area, you’ll know it’s me because I will be totally flipping out!

There you have it, folks. If I had written Sunday’s episode, these are 5 things I would have loved to include. And, the good news is I think the first 4 will actually happen, especially given how closely the writers have been following the comics lately. As for the 5th one? Well, even if we don’t see Morgan this Sunday, make no mistake — it will be happening very soon. Patience, everyone, patience.

Episode 5.11 of The Walking Dead  is titled “The Distance” and airs on Sunday at 9/8c on AMC.

VIDEO

Promo:

Sneak Peek #1:

 

PHOTOS

All photos courtesy of Gene Page and AMC

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