Rock in the Road
| "Rock in the Road" | |
|---|---|
| The Walking Dead episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 9 |
| Directed by | Greg Nicotero |
| Written by | Angela Kang |
| Original air date | February 12, 2017 |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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"Rock in the Road" is the ninth episode of the seventh season and 92nd episode overall of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on February 12, 2017. The episode was written by Angela Kang and directed by Greg Nicotero.
The episode focuses on Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the group preparing for the incoming fight against the Saviors, but are also led to a new community, where they are introduced to its inhabitants and ruler; a familiar face resurfaces.
Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) reads his bible during his night shift at the Alexandria Safe-Zone gate. He stares into the darkness, a worried expression on his face, and leaves his post. In the pantry, Gabriel hurriedly fills crates with food and weapons. His bible falls to the ground as he skims through the weapons registry with shaky hands. Panicked, Gabriel loads the crates into a car and leaves Alexandria. A mysterious, dark figure rises from the passenger seat, as the car drives away.
At the Hilltop Colony, Rick (Andrew Lincoln), along with the rest of the group, attempt to convince a stubborn Gregory (Xander Berkeley) to mobilize the Hilltop for war with the Saviors. Gregory constantly denies the group and sends them out, pretending not to know them. Upon stepping outside of the mansion, Rick is glad to see a group of Hilltop citizens volunteering to fight the Saviors. Rick states that more soldiers will be needed to take on the Saviors and their many outposts. As the group leaves the Hilltop, Jesus (Tom Payne) proposes to visit and introduce them to King Ezekiel (Khary Payton). Observing and touring the Kingdom, Rick and the others reunite with Morgan (Lennie James), who keeps his word; he admits to Rick and Daryl (Norman Reedus) that he found Carol (Melissa McBride), but says that she subsequently left the Kingdom without revealing her location. Rick and company are led to the theater, where they meet the King. Hoping that a possible alliance may be forged with the Kingdom, Ricks introduces himself and pleads his case to Ezekiel, who becomes hesitant to join and cites the peace he has managed to keep so far with the Saviors. Ezekiel agrees to give Rick his decision in the morning and invites Rick's party to stay for the night. The next morning, while practicing his walker-fighting skills in the woods, Benjamin (Logan Miller) runs into Carol, who gives him advice on staying quiet and tells him to go home. Inside the Kingdom, the group meets up with Ezekiel, who refuses to violate and break the peace he holds with the Saviors. However, he offers Daryl, who question's Ezekiel's methods as a leader and decision, asylum within the Kingdom walls. Making their way out of the Kingdom with the others, Rick urges a reluctant Daryl to stay behind for his own safety and to potentially change Ezekiel's mind; Daryl obeys.
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