The penultimate episode of the front half of The Walking Dead Season Nine, “Stradivarius,” brought the survivors one step closer to their clash with the Whisperers.
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A petrified and alone Rosita (Christian Serratos) collapses in the woods, hounded by whispering walkers.
Meanwhile, Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Siddiq (Avi Nash) escort Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura), Luke (Dan Fogler), sisters Connie (Lauren Ridloff) and Kelly (Angel Theory) and a complaining Magna (Nadia Hilkes) to the Hilltop, fulfilling Michonne’s promise to daughter Judith (Cailey Fleming).
Carol (Melissa McBride) reunites with woodsman Daryl (Norman Reedus), who now lives alone in the woods with his dog — named Dog — following a fruitless search for the body of best friend Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). She appeals to Daryl to watch over son Henry (Matt Lintz) at the Hilltop, where the teen is headed to take on a blacksmith apprenticeship.
Reluctant Hilltop leader Jesus (Tom Payne), filling in for Maggie (Lauren Cohan) while she’s out assisting with another community, and Aaron (Ross Marquand) back the idea of the Fair being planned by King Ezekiel (Khary Payton), which they hope will reunite the communities after drifting apart over the six-year time jump.
Tara (Alanna Masterson) is pessimistic the Fair will repair the fractured relationship between the communities and tells Jesus he needs to step up and act like the leader he was elected to be.
Henry urges Daryl to stop pulling away, while Michonne softens on her stance with Magna and her group after former music teacher Luke explains to her the importance of Stradivarius — a type of violin — one of the artful tools that helped create a common identity and bring people together.
“For better or worse, it brings us together,” Luke says. “And if we’re trying to rebuild something, you can’t ignore that.”
Henry spots a mysterious “X” scar on Daryl’s back — the same scar carried by Michonne as revealed in a previous episode — while Michonne and the group reach Hilltop, watched by a mysterious stranger in the woods.
Daryl reaches the Hilltop, where he learns Eugene is missing. Mounting a search party with Dog, Aaron, and Jesus, the four head out while a growing threat grows ever nearer…
There Were Whispers and I Was Afraid
THE WHISPERERS ARE HERE! #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/C8y3IelSl1
— Jaymie Rae (@JaymieRae2) November 19, 2018
me after watching that opening scene #TWD #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/M2J7maM4y8
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) November 19, 2018
Their still talking. It’s freaking me out man #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/1VbszopUKj
— All Marijuana Social Channel (@Theamschannel) November 19, 2018
Run girl! They are coming for you! Where is Eugene!? And the creeeeepy whispering….?#thewalkingdead #twd pic.twitter.com/FkW6YgkpMv
— Beth Hannel (@bethhannel) November 19, 2018
NOOOOOOO The Whisperers can’t have Rosita NOOOOOOO!!!!! #TWD #TheWalkingDead @WalkingDead_AMC pic.twitter.com/ZKyO8fgqu8
— Christine Jones (@flyroagirl) November 19, 2018
Rosita when she hears them talking #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/3snSczXR1D
— ☆Robbi€☆ (@_Robbie_Rob) November 19, 2018
Me to Rosita during the opening scene of #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/Zixx8WRq5e
— Legend of Bebe (@DoNotFeedBebe) November 19, 2018
“We found her now where’s the other one?”
— emz (@buchanangrimes) November 19, 2018
Eugene:#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/SehBXkoq8T
Daryl and a Dog Named Dog
Daryl is really living like Luke Skywalker from #theLastJedi #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/3aAJypsvzJ
— Morgan Jefferson (@MJefferso) November 19, 2018
So Daryl is the dirty hermit in the woods…THATS WHERE WE AT NOW? … #TheWalkingDead #TWD #FreshBuzz pic.twitter.com/UK2ks9H03T
— Ben Dover (@WhatchamacallJO) November 19, 2018
Me seeing that Daryl has a dog#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/lnXLExsPVT
— Ryan The Lion™ (@HerculesHandy) November 19, 2018
Honestly we care about all our favorites, but if someone, anyone, touches Daryl’s dog… #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/76ZSeJzBfE
— Culturess (@CulturessFS) November 19, 2018
Daryl, Carol, and a dog that a fantastic combo if I do say so myself.#TheWalkingDead #TWD pic.twitter.com/wi66f8gL6W
— ?????? ???????? (@AundieBostic) November 19, 2018
Daryl has a dog now and is feeding it before he eats #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/GLPgzEgURs
— Madison ? (@SPIDEYRIKU) November 19, 2018
If y’all kill this dog I swear to god #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/TWsaPnd40J
— Michaela?? (@Michiiyee) November 19, 2018
That dog better not die is all I’m saying #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/2pqaaCwOeC
— Brandi Allen (@Brannykinz) November 19, 2018
“We really need to amp up the tension on #TheWalkingDead .”
— Matthew Phillion (@mattphillion) November 19, 2018
“Here, have a dog whose survival you can you can freak out about.”
Every dog person who has ever watched this show: pic.twitter.com/xkF13ECjMQ
I am going to lose my mind if they Shiva this dog. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/BgIb2f0M6Q
— ?Carolyn ???? Marie? (@poisoned87) November 19, 2018
Under New Management
Hell Maggie go like she doesn’t have responsibilities #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/RSTwWOtH06
— ғreddy тιғғany (@Seeing___Sounds) November 19, 2018
Hilltop is thriving ??#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/CyIL7qTzJp
— Ashley (Jiji) (@thatgeek_ash) November 19, 2018
There was a noise complaint because of a kid with a kazoo…hmmmmm…?#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/ySlIvieHIB
— ?Jer The Tornado Guy? (@SkulleeMonster) November 19, 2018
I already miss Maggie!#TWD #TheWalkingDead @WalkingDead_AMC pic.twitter.com/K3OJzThk3X
— Smeary (@Smeary) November 19, 2018
#TheWalkingDead
— sav. ? || TWD Spoilers (@gayliensav) November 19, 2018
tara: i gave the kid a kazoo
jesus: pic.twitter.com/R3YKZSD4p4
Aaron and Jesus, Sitting in a Tree, F-I-G-H-T-I-N-G
Aaron’s all like: ? @TheWalkingDead @talkingdead #talkingdead #deadbuzz #thewalkingdead pic.twitter.com/mtUByZclYV
— Sonika ૐ (@SonikasTweets) November 19, 2018
Oooh @RossMarquand & @justanactor in a training scene #TheWalkingDead #TWD #jesusandaaron pic.twitter.com/QWLQJQJGYt
— Kathy Bright (@AUKathy2418) November 19, 2018
#TheWalkingDead @TheWalkingDead
— RiRi (@RileyEEtt) November 19, 2018
Jesus and Aaron fighting like pic.twitter.com/pmha33p6pq
Did they make his arm by stealing it from the Tinman? #TheWalkingDead #twd @AMCTalkingDead pic.twitter.com/j7qbmKp4y3
— Chaz (@chazapher) November 19, 2018
Is this supposed to be Jesus and Aaron idea of dating and flirting? Because I love it. I am HERE for it.#TheWalkingDead #TWD pic.twitter.com/NkmlJ8n4F2
— F¡thola (@fithola) November 19, 2018
Am I not supposed to ship Aaron and jesus cause…#TheWalkingDead #TWD pic.twitter.com/a1gqVWJPSy
— Devon ?♀️? (@ssstarburst) November 19, 2018
Aaron be like:#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/Wp3gwGkyyx
— emz (@buchanangrimes) November 19, 2018
JESUS AND AARON I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH CHEMISTRY THEY HAVE I WAS SCARED THEY WOULDN’T BUT OH MY GOD SJAKSKAODKFKFKKDR #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/pK9lm00paN
— natalia romanova (@troysnick) November 19, 2018
Brothers
Daryl looking for Rick killing me! They are never gonna know where he is!!! @TheWalkingDead @WalkingDead_AMC #TheWalkingDead #brothers #TWDFamily pic.twitter.com/V083GWcCRQ
— Lauren D’Addona (@L_addona33) November 19, 2018
Daryl is the only real nigga that’s still lookin for rick. I respect that #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/D7aZJqZiXJ
— sydnee ellison (@lil_panda14) November 19, 2018
“I never found a body ever” #thewalkingdead pic.twitter.com/ktiP0Bsg5Y
— Cruella De Vil (@JayyNaomi) November 19, 2018
When Daryl mentions Rick….. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/DfO58JE1RE
— Hershel Greene (@HershelGreene1) November 19, 2018
“YOU KNOW I’M STILL LOOKING FOR HIM.”
— jen dela luna (@jenofthemoon) November 19, 2018
DARYL IS THE MOST STEADFAST AND LOYAL. THE BROMANCE WILL NEVER BE TOPPED. @wwwbigbaldhead @AMCTalkingDead @WalkingDead_AMC #rickyl #daryldixon #rickgrimes #talkingdead #twd #twdfamily #thewalkingdead pic.twitter.com/WDWLOuanvf
Daryl is still looking for his brother years later. I’m emotional #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/UJPXOVVdEL
— twd (@highkeydaryl) November 19, 2018
Daryl is the only one that thinks Rick is still alive and is looking for him after 6 years im #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/k5Z2B0UeEC
— emz (@buchanangrimes) November 19, 2018
X Marks the Spot
What is with this X? #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/2AePjBczeh
— Shauntel Woodard (@Quiet_Storm105) November 19, 2018
What the hell happened in Alexandria after Rick disappeared? Daryl has the same scar as Michonne #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/CLbJlVYIDl
— Jay (@pessimistbyday) November 19, 2018
What does the X mean on everybody??? Tell me now!!! #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/r4P4usW9xC
— Ժҽղíտҽ ɾҽղҽҽ (@deniserenee24) November 19, 2018
Y’all better tell me about these scars man…#thewalkingdead pic.twitter.com/zbdrnFVYtf
— Sarah Denzmore (@SarahDenzmore) November 19, 2018
Daryl and michonne have matching X scars! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?! #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/MpsddNeF7y
— Lauren Hess (@LaurenHess) November 19, 2018
I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me
I wonder who was in the woods…….#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/slZpIcEmUH
— Hershel Greene (@HershelGreene1) November 19, 2018
The whisperers after Luke and his group saw something in the woods: #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/eMvFDgmzni
— emz (@buchanangrimes) November 19, 2018
The Whisperers watching everyone from the woods… #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/Ho6QWbMv0V
— Phillip ?? (@ThatOneGuy2393) November 19, 2018