The Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 19 Review

Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @heyjoshyjosh
In this video, I share my thoughts on The Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 19, "Variant". This video contains spoilers for the entire episode. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below :)

[@bishbosh4815]

Love when Princess says "fuck that way of thinking", I love how they're actually letting them say fuck now 😂

[@omaridaniels8427]

It's almost comical how the main show finally gets to say "Fuck" in the final season that they have to EXTRA punctuate whenever a character drops the word! But took them long enough.

[@omaridaniels8427]

It would be very un-Governor-like for a Governor to not feed their walker child. Also, agreed about Eric being mentioned. The mention of Eric and Henry here, plus Daryl and Carol talking about Rick last time felt more organic than the many times Maggie talked about Glenn.

[@rayblair3933]

Wish we could have seen more of the variant walkers that was what I was looking forward to sadly I don't think we'll see much of them in the final episodes

[@devinsimmons1249]

The writers screwed up when they gave Aaron the dialog of hearing stories about the variants. Because when the Whisperers were introduced, Eugene told Aaron the walkers were evolving and acting smarter. Yet these stories he claims he heard about, did ring a bell to him then. He was completely skeptical of walkers doing stuff like that, as if he forgot about those stories he claims he heard. So when did he hear the stories, it obviously wasn't during the time jump, because it came into play after that. It would have made more since to give that line to Elijah, because we dont know much about him.

[@sondosoft4603]

It’s a bit odd with Mercer. Obviously he needs to worry about his sister, but he could get her out if he really believed she was in danger. Something that’s important to note, I think he really does care about the people of the Commonwealth and wants to do right by them. That’s why he’s so loyal to Milton. It was kind of cool though, in the anti-Sebastian riots someone was holding up a sign that said “Elect Mercer”.

[@dylanburton4955]

I feel like eventually he's gonna be sick of playing by the rules and help the group overthrow them

[@MistahJay7]

Father Gabriel not being in this episode literally makes zero sense

[@jonasdiaz8615]

While the variants were cool to see in the post credit scene of WB S2, these mutated variant walkers are long overdue. With the years long time skip of S9 post-Rick, it would’ve been better to have these smarter walkers during the Whisperer war. Between the metal spike shields of Oceanside, Aaron with his mace hand, and some great scenes such as Connie in the field and Daryl vs Beta, that would’ve made more sense to have them that early. It would make it more reasonable to excuse the idea of Whisperers using walker masks for camo if there was at least a change in them beforehand. It would also make the walker horde attacks against the Reapers and the Commonwealth more reasonable to lose to if they were smarter at killing. As is, it’s fine but it should’ve happened sooner as early as 17/18 so the goofy Commonwealth jeep flip would’ve been somewhat more logical. Also love how Pamela is progressing with her tragic relationship with Sebastian. She likely spared Lance due to his unknown connections (CRM?) so Eugene is a needed fall guy.

[@iamkonner4813]

Never thought I’d live to see the day Josh would say multiple good things about Princess

[@mulciber111]

As for Aaron's weird statement about hearing stories of variant walkers: I suspect the showrunners tried to find a way to justify that such walkers have already appeared in Season 1 (like Morgan's wife) and that Rick had already encountered them. It could have been an attempt to maintain continuity, implemented poorly though.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Yeah it was odd. Obviously I'm aware of the season 1 type walkers, but no character on the show has ever mentioned how they were different. Just seems like a pretty important thing for Aaron to know about and to never mention until now!

[@mulciber111]

@@HeyJoshyJosh Absolutely. I was just wondering: How else could they have done it? If Aaron had never heard of such walkers, it would have been illogical too, because he's been with Rick long enough. The actual continuity error is that after Season 1 nobody talked about them anymore. And now they're trying to iron out that sloppiness by mentioning them in a way as if they'd been aware of them all the time.

[@gerardmcquade]

@@HeyJoshyJosh it is more likely he heard about them as a recruiter for Alexandria

[@ZackeriseZeplane]

I kinda saw the variant walker (there was only one, because Lydia stuck a blade in it, which Aaron later uses to kill it) as a throw back to the zombies in the first 2 seasons. I am scared for a lot of the side characters. I like the episode, and am looking forward the next one. Please Rosita live!

[@MandolinGuy530]

Unless they rewrote the finale without telling anyone, Rosita's a goner unfortunately :( a reliable spoiler source leaked it.

[@ryanelliott71698]

Honestly, if Jerry died I argue it would’ve helped. Give a sorta whisper vibe back in the mid season finale in season 9 with Jesus

[@Ginkrepeerc_]

He heard about them in s6/5 when he was a recruiter. It was weird, but that was the intent

[@MrVexedviper]

This is the first time in a long time that an episode of the Walking Dead has left me anticipating the next episode.

[@andrijavlahovic1182]

For me the best scene in these episode is with Pamela and Hornsby in cell. Man that was so cold when she said feed my son.

[@experiencefanatic4380]

Aaron probably heard about about the walkers when he was recruiting people into Alexandria either before season 5 or after all out war

[@dayngerreviews]

I absolutely loved this episode more than the last few!!!!! It is disappointing that the variants didn’t have enough screen time and were killed off quickly but at least we got a glimpse of them 😂 I saw episode 20 last night very good episode as well I’m excited to see the rest of the season but only 4 episodes left 😭

[@Stelios78910]

Was really nice to see Eric mentioned and Henry again. Would have been nice for Abe to have been mentioned in his final conversation with Rosita as well, as a sort of mission complete. Great episode.

[@brianachim2670]

Daryl vs Eugene was legendary😂!

[@anunknownentity1637]

I really liked this episode as well. I hope Eugene doesn't die because he's always been one of my favorite characters, which I know is a bit of a hot take, although if he does at least there'll be one death this season that I'm actually sad about. There is an alternative to Eugene dying though. In the final scene with Eugene and Abraham that you mentioned it was played up as Eugenes goodbye because he was the one sacrificing himself in the RV but it was Abraham that died. It's possible that Rosita will be the one to kick the bucket and in a trailer for 11C it showed Rosita in a precarious situation that got some people speculating that she'd die. As for the Variant Walkers, I actually really liked how they were used. Now if they're never seen again then it will be disappointing but if they are I think this is the best way to slowly introduce them. Instead of throwing a hoard of them at the characters after being absent since season 1 it makes since to only bring in one or two for their reintroduction. As for Aaron's words on the matter I thought they were pretty fitting. He seems shaken and worried as he's speaking and says that he's heard stories of these walkers before which makes sense since we know walkers like these existed back in season 1. It would make since for characters like Rick and Glenn to tell people about it, although Aaron clearly didn't get this information from them. Most people would see it as a legend or tale since from their experience they've only seen slow, dumb walkers. I think Aarons words fit nicely with the established world and are a great way to set up more of variant Walkers as we see how much just one of them effected him and how he realized those stories weren't just stories. Now if they're just set up for other series' then everything I said would be wrong but I will say that I don't think it is just set up since these walkers were set up in world beyond and Aaron's words seem to indicate that this is just the beginning. Anyways, loved the review.

[@dylanburton4955]

The smart walkers are deffo gonna play a big part in the spin-offs so I think this is how they set it up and they'll continue to be in the rest of the series, it's been confirmed that the Daryl spin-off will have him in France facing off against them

[@brade7022]

I agree 100% with you about the episode, and with the variant walkers as gimmicky as it'd be i wish they would do a bit more stuff, like maybe dodging an attack or displaying other ways of like self protection

[@brianachim2670]

Hey Josh why didn't Mercer and the Commonwealth soldiers check Gabriel's church for Eugene since one of his close friends runs the church?

[@omaridaniels8427]

Shh! You're making too much sense.

[@brianachim2670]

@@omaridaniels8427 I'm so sorry, I do that a lot, I have a problem, people told me to stop doing that!😂

[@MistahJay7]

That would actually involve Intellect clearly something they weren't going for lol

[@thearomanticshipper4468]

“Grow a fucking back man” - Predatoure

[@nestiboy]

I really liked Princess' scene, it was the highlight of the episode and i imagine it will be the final nail in the coffin for Mercer until he changes his mind... Otherwise i don't see the point for including that scene hahaha

[@bettsybungle]

I think Aaron's prosthetic hand is getting bigger and bigger each episode! He's going to look like Hellboy soon...

[@Adog00]

Just finished this episode. Can’t wait to watch how you thought of it!

[@wickdaline8668]

I believe the variants had been teased at the end of World Beyond's series finale. They may just appear again in the Daryl Dixon series which could be set in France.

[@batfitch4207]

I love how the showrunners got to the last few episodes and decided to drop all their f bombs

[@user-sp4sp2qd6p]

You should do a top 10 telltale character list to go along with the rest of your lists 👍

[@jss302]

When Aaron was talking about the stories of the walkers I thought was really weird and out of place too

[@CamsterdamSPguy]

I guess the walker who tried to open the door to the house with Rick and Morgan in during Season 1 then could be explained as one of the first few variants? Cheers for the review :)

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Yeah im aware of the S1 walkers being varients, but the dialogue from Aaron was just odd because we've never seen a protagonist mention intelligent walkers before, and then Aaron's just like "I've heard stories about walkers opening doors". Really? You have? Because we've never seen a conversation like this on the show. Thanks for watching

[@marveldcextinctionwrestler7773]

Finish Season 9 Yesterday!, Great Season!

[@brianachim2670]

Sadly that's as good as it gets because everything after it is not as good.

[@mcdabb7226]

@@brianachim2670 yknow you could just let people experience stuff for themselves right?

[@brianachim2670]

@@mcdabb7226 I didn't spoil anything I'm just pointing out the truth.

[@rsdillbot3646]

@@brianachim2670 season 10 wasn't great and felt too long but 11 was pretty good for me at least

[@gerardmcquade]

the walkers in this episode are not from world beyond they are from season 1 the same type Morgan's wife was

[@BURP39R]

Still a UK follow. Said this ep stepped up 👍

[@Rutgerpadberg]

How can you watch it so early? I need to wait for monday

[@bishbosh4815]

As always I agree with everything you said 😂

[@ozbej5988]

Me too

[@marveldcextinctionwrestler7773]

I wonder if Fear Season 8 will have Peppa Pig and Dora The Explorer as The Main Villains? 🤔

[@JHG_1]

too scary

[@brianachim2670]

Wouldn't surprise me after the previous stuff they pulled.

[@wickdaline8668]

I got one better. Swiper the Fox.

[@anunknownentity1637]

It better

[@JAMPOT32]

Ok Ok I need advice. I cannot afford the £5 fee but please hear me out. I need some advice on my Fifa team. I can’t stand Halland bumming me every game so i am looking for a new gk. Any advice?

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

You cannot defend against Halland, doesn't matter who is in goal, so you must attack! Go all out, 10 strikers up front. Route one, from the GK to the strikers. Fear no one. To beat halland, you must become a team of hallands! Or just park the bus, and try to injure him.

[@Grey8270]

2:34 plot armour

[@MASSEY50]

Where’s Gimple?

[@gilly5809]

ily Predatoure

[@RE-ol5ws]

I disagree with you on this Josh. It's not a terrible episode, but I still thought it was bad. I thought the character development in this episode was pretty boring. Almost nothing happens in the A plot. And while the B plot is better, it has it's own problems. I find Lydia and Elijah's shipping to be as forced as Daryl and Leah's shipping and the lighting in the action scene to be way too dark. Yeah, I'm giving this a 4/10.

[@forcelord9999]

How the hell did Sebastian become a walker when Judith shot him in the head that makes no sense 😂

[@benmonk6495]

Judith didn't shoot him in the head, she shot the walker biting him?

[@twdclemtheoriginal]

I agree that the variant walker was rather disappointing, I wish it had more focus, especially considering the episode is literally named after it. Still, it was a bit freaky and something the show could and should expand on more, but we all know they prefer to have the show more people based than walker based... That scene between Eugene and Daryl gave me so much second-hand embarrassment, I had to look away, but still one of the funniest things this show has ever done. This episode also had me worried that Jerry was going to die. Now he's on the list of potential character deaths, along with Eugene.

[@ryanmclellan8740]

I'm all for continuity so I have to ask Josh.. how did your arm grow back so fast? Didn't that asshole Scott cut that thing off?😆

[@Stelios78910]

How are all the brits watching this episode early? I'm a Disney Plus pleb so that's probably why I can't figure it out. Thx

[@zav3760]

this show has gone to the shits .... makes FTWD look awesome

[@marveldcextinctionwrestler7773]

My Seasons Ranking (w/ Season 9) 9. Season 5 8. Season 3 7. Season 4 6. Season 8 5. Season 7 4. Season 1 3. Season 9 2. Season 2 1. Season 6

[@bishbosh4815]

This is SO wrong 🤣, season 3, 4 and 5 are WAY too low

[@marveldcextinctionwrestler7773]

@@bishbosh4815 well I Didn’t like Seasons 3-5 that much

[@bishbosh4815]

@@marveldcextinctionwrestler7773 why not. That's the best part of the show

[@hqmagnus]

Season 8 is trash

[@marveldcextinctionwrestler7773]

@@bishbosh4815 Season 3 - I didn't like how the conflict between Rick and The Governor started - Andrea was so Bad (even more so than Seasons 1 or 2) - The Drama was at it's worst - Michonne started off unlikable - Merle I Didn't like him in Season 3 that much -Woodbury was another thing I Disliked Season 4 - I Though the Flu had Wasted Potential - Though the Claimers were meh Villains - I Though the 2nd Half was so Forgettable Season 5 - The Hospital Arc brought the entire Season down - Sasha was the worst Character in S5 - Eugene was unlikable - Carol turned from a Likable to unlikable Character - The Only Good Villains (Pete and Terminus) only had Short Runs -Alexandria was also something I Disliked (but it has grown on me)

[@ryanengelstad6073]

Crazy, dark spooky place, lets separate after dark, sleep on the ground in the open, my overnight sleeping place would be the place were they were talking about eric, at least the roof were they ended up. I would think they are smarter than that by now

[@aarongleason5982]

It seems like the writers realized that they need some actual human character moments to make us actually care when the show ends. Makes me a little sad they haven't been doing that for so long, but glad I actually got to feel something during an episode like I used to years ago.

[@joepa87114]

As long as AMC keeps pumping out crap like FTWD, TWB, and Tales, then the original will always seem like Emmy winning TV, even if it’s equally hobbled together with too much happening off screen than on screen and antagonists that have no charisma, no interesting motives, and nothing to fear whatsoever.