The Walking Dead 1006 – Bonds
Bonds, the latest episode of Season 10 of The Walking Dead, examines the ties that bind people together. Whether these relationships are old or new, platonic or romantic it’s the connections to others that are truly the fuel of life. Bonds also gives viewers a chance to get ample screen time with a few of the show’s more popular players, particularly Daryl, Carol and Negan. While Carol and Daryl spend some quality time together, Negan tries to nail down the initiation process to become a Whisperer and meet Alpha.
Being the new kid in town called Whisperers isn’t the easiest transition for Negan but it sure beats rotting in a jail cell. His interactions with Beta boarder on the comic with the man of two words in direct contrast to the man with the motor mouth. The Walking Dead’s latest version of the odd couple is a treat every time they’re on screen. Beta’s straight man act only highlights how much the show really misses aspects of Negan when he’s in full swagger mode. The scene where Negan is finally face-to-face with Alpha is one of the highlights of the season so far.
Daryl and Carol are one of the oldest duos on The Walking Dead and Bonds gives them the chance to work out some of the baggage that’s come between them. Their enduring friendship is part of what makes the show work so well and the chemistry between Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus makes their characters’ relationship all the more authentic. However, just as in the real world people change and with that so do their actions and when Carol captures one of the Whisperers you can see the disappointment in Daryl’s face. It’s almost as though the fences they spent the entire episode mending are in need of care once again.
Eugene finds a kindred spirit over the airwaves. After some banter using his newly upgraded Russian powered radio, Eugene makes a connection with a mysterious woman who seems to share some the same memories he has of the old world. It’s almost as though Eugene and this new lady have skipped past their first date and are quite comfortable with each other. However, there are still trust issues to get over before they can really share vital information about each other.
The mysterious illness, which isn’t actually so mysterious, continues to work it’s way through Alexandria. Rosita is among those stricken and the stress of her illness, caring for baby Coco and the welfare of the other patients kicks Siddiq’s PTSD into overdrive.
Bonds is the best episode of the season so far with enough humor, menace and character development to remind viewers why they fell in love with The Walking Dead in the first place. The long awaited meeting between Negan and Alpha promises to help drive the narrative into the second half of the season and if the writers can find ways to give us more Beta/Negan antics then that would be even better.
