I know, I know.....it was a humorous opportunity that I could not pass up!

 

For what it's worth, I think you're right and that Alpha spared Daryl because he said she was wrong when she said he couldn't protect Lydia. So maybe that part is acceptable. But there's no way Daryl would have (or should have) trusted her to free him and his compadres and just go back with her, his tail between his legs.

 

I also don't think it's appropriate to create novels out of threads. He lost me half way through his initial post.

 

This is what I wrote in the Pikes Line-Up thread:

"I totally understand Alpha not killing Daryl and Co. because she came across two community leaders and the guy who beat Beta. She wants these people to protect Lydia and she also doesn't want to start a war outright, instead Alpha is essentially treating these communities like her daughter's babysitter.

It's actually win-win, she doesn't have to worry about her daughter making her look weak, they'll protect Lydia, and she made a statement with the border that she hopes will scare our crew into leaving the Whisperers alone."

It's another example of could vs should. Alpha can kill Daryl et al., but should she?

Just wanted to expand those points above a bit:

- She already made her point with the borders, so killing them would be needlessly excessive and propel Alpha into a war she seems genuinely interested in not starting for now. She already witnessed how the piked characters put up a fight, possibly resulting in her losing a few whisperers, and thus trying to take down Daryl et al. could be another scuffle she isn't interested in having.

- She wants to intimidate and scare our crew, because I believe she feels threatened by them. Her role as the Alpha is starting to become more unstable/questioned and so it's a win-win. She can cut her losses with Lydia who only serves to jepeordize her authority (her constant want to protect her daughter is making her look weak to the others, especially because she's putting her group at risk over Lydia) and by keeping around Daryl, a Queen, and the Alexandrian community leader she avoids massive conflict and spares the people whom she is deciding to let protect her daughter (i.e. some of the strongest of the community members).

 

Kind of an exhaustive take on what Dnae proposed. And as I said already, I can accept that (and maybe should bring my rating of the episode up to 9!). I still don't get why Daryl wouldn't fight her off the cliff though!

 

I replied to you first before going back and reading the other replies. Yeah, I talk a lot haha

 

Didn’t she have her sawed off shotgun handy? Though I wonder if she even has shells!

 

It certainly wasn't a reproach!

Yeah she did, but you gotta take the chance. It's either that and trying to save your friends or taking the chance to get executed with them. To me, it's seems like an obvious choice.

 

Ruh roh, at times I write novellas. You are missing some of my best work

 

To be fair, I'll concede that Alpha's border was foolish soley based on Henry alone.

I can excuse Tara because I can genuinely believe Alpha 1) didn't know she was the leader of Hilltop because she probably assumes Daryl is that community's leader and 2) she actually may not have heard about the protection pact.

Unfortunately, she knew full well who Henry was in relation to the Kingdom's leaders (or at least I assume she does) -- so yes, that was actually a poor emotionally based impulse move on her part.

I still think Alpha is a ruthless and effective leader. She's been living this way for years and that takes true leadership skills... It's just her skills are slipping because at the end of the day Lydia really does make her weak.

 

I re-watched the episode last night and noticed a beat I missed concerning Beta.

When Alpha makes the statement "my daughter isn't a concern anymore" Beta quickly looks in Alpha's direction and it is obvious that he is taken aback by her statement and appears to not be thrilled with this bit of news. Perhaps a clue that at some point even Beta will begin to question Alpha's leadership/authority?

Is Beta's drive to bring Lydia back into the fold solely based on his loyalty to Alpha or is his drive more personal in nature?

I am tempted to pick up the comic books again during season 10 filming but at the same time I am enjoying not having a clue what might happen

 

Yours are interesting though and you don't do it All THE TIME!!!!!!!!

 

In regards to the original post, try to keep in mind that this threat is rather new to the characters. they haven't really had time to plan a counter attack with some of the tactics that you mentioned. It's probably only been a matter of days in the timeline. It will be interesting to see the tactics they implement in the future. as far as daryl pushing alpha off the cliff, this would likely anger the remaining whisperers. He would not only put his group of 4 at risk but also all of the communities if beta and the others decided to retaliate with their herd.

 

VERY true. I look forward to your novellas.

 

You're so right. Lydia does make her weak. She pretends Lydia is the weak one but NOPE.

 

Oh I picked up on that right away. It felt like he was thinking, "all this shit I have been doing to get Lydia back is for naught????"

 

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Oh wow. I never knew. LOL