The Walking Dead | S9 E15 'The Calm Before' | Reaction | Review 

The show creators were like, "Okay whoever wants to leave the show, now's your chance!"

the pike scene has some of the greatest music heard on the entire show, the moment Carol knows it’s Henry is heartbreaking and the music mirrors her emotions perfectly!!

A - Addy (teenager) R - Rodney (teenager) T - Tammy Rose ᅠ O - Ozzy (the highwayman) F - Frankie (Negan's ginger wife) ᅠ D - D.J. (ex-savior guy) E - Enid A - Alek (2nd highwayman) T - Tara H - Henry

The way Steve says with his voice shaking in disbelief after they show Tara “it can’t be, that’s not who I think it is” damn! 😢

Shoutout to the Highwaymen and DJ...introduced as villains, died as heroes

Tara was one of those characters I didn't know I loved so much until she was gone. 😭😭💔💔💔 Seeing her head on the post hit me pretty hard. I still miss her.

Ozzy and Aleck charging, without hesitation into A barn full of terrifying lunatics wearing walker skins on their faces to save a bunch of complete and utter random strangers is perhaps the most heroic thing anyone on the show has ever done

"Its her face Steve,its just clean" why did i find that so funny XD

I have seen this at least five times and I lose it every time I see the highwayman run in to try to save them. They could have run in the other direction, but they didn't. Angela Kang did that thing.

This and 9x05 are my favorite of this season, Tara and Enid almost hit as hard as Glenn and Abraham, except this time there were 8 more people. It's implied that more of the Whisperers somehow infiltrated the fair to lure/kidnap them all, that's why when Alpha met Daryl, Carol, Michonne and Yumiko, she wiped blood off her blade and said she "ran into some trouble on the road." Also in the original source material (*COMIC SPOILER*) there were actually 12 pike victims and the two major ones were Rosita and Ezekiel. Fans like myself were so nervous when Zeke started escorting Alpha around the Kingdom and thought Gabriel could have been talking about Rosita and not Tara when he asked Eugene if he knew where she was. I loved your reaction!

I love that final scene with Lydia and Daryl visiting the pikes. The wind, the music and the snow falling, and that somber music.

The girl representing Oceanside at the meeting who signed the charter is Rachel. Her actress changed throughout the time jump, but she was the girl who was super sassy and who Tara occasionally flipped off. 😂

I love the structure of this season. It doesn’t all happen on mid seasons and finales now guys.

A very horrific, heartbreaking episode..but one of my favorites, the music, the shooting of the scene...its hauntingly beautiful.

Poor Enid. That girl went through so much and was just finding real happiness then there goes her head...and I loved Tara. She brought such a positive energy to the show. Carols reaction & Daryl holding her...Then having to see them all fight for their lives, knowing what's gonna happen 😢 This episode gets me every time.

Governor: *I’m the most hated villain on the show.* Neegan: *hold Lucile, I’m the most hated villain on the show .* Alpha: *hold my skin*

"that skin looks really good" "thats HER face steve..." *Steve's face* LMAO

How Daryl went strait to carol hit me hard

One more, “I have a feeling this is going to be a hard winter” alpha is such a savage.

Steve: "Well the good thing is that Henry is safe with the king.."

To imagine Ezekiel could’ve stopped Alpha right then and there. The burden that must have on him.

5:59 Him: She LOVES him... big time! I felt that attachment. Me: oh no... **Dreading about what’s gonna happen later** T___T

And then the snow falls for the first time on the show. “The calm before....”

The scene parallel from s2 where Sophia comes out the barn and Daryl catches Carol and then when Henry’s head is on the spike and Daryl catches Carol REALLLYYY hits me in the feels. The bond and development these 2 characters have is flawless.

Enid was very excited to see Alden on stage, and ... She died unable to see him sing. One of the best episodes of The Walking Dead

Dj was a savior who was in season 8. In season 9 when Jed held carol with a knife to her neck he told rick to pass dj his gun.

I knew Tara, Enid and Henrys deaths would have the biggest reactions from Lacey.

The music in the pike scene made it so much more horrifying, great composer and props to Angela kang she saved the show with this season

Back when Andy Lincoln left the show, I remember thinking there will never be another speech quite like his, cause he's a goddamn master at delivering those. Avi Nash (Siddiq) proved me wrong. Honestly his speech makes me more teary eyed than the pike scene itself. Watching all of those people fighting for each other instead of running away for their own lives... it just rips my heart out. And kudos to Ozzy and Alec (The lead Highwaymen). They sacrificed their own lives for people they met like a day or two ago. What legends.

Finally my favorite season 9 episode!! This honestly felt like a finale ! who else agrees ?

For me the best part of this episode is the fact that when Daryl Carol Michonne and Yumiko head out, they are the ones seemingly in danger. In the pitch black of the woods, the monstrous Beta and other Whisperers appear. It seems as if they are the ones about to die. But it's actually the ones back home, who seems happy and gleeful at the beginning of the reconciliation of the communities that are in the most danger, as Alpha walks amongst them. To me that aspect of the episode was just perfectly put together. The writers created a masterpiece with this one. And the whole pike scene is just gut wrenching to watch, specifically when Carol sees Henry.

They did some house cleaning with this episode. “Alpha has just eclipsed everybody.” Agreed.

Y’all don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this one... THE CALM BEFORE. This episode... I remember watching it on my way to school (I couldn’t wait until I got back home.....) and it just blew me away. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all day.

That small scene with Judith and Carol made me emotional! 😭 💕

Pike scene was probably more sad but the lineup was more intense

Carols curse still lingers she can’t form a bond w/ a kid b/c the kid will end up dead. Sophia, Mica, Lizzie, Sam and now Henry

Steve and Lacey, I feel you. I cried so hard when I saw the heads on the pike border. Daryl stopped Carol and held her at Henry's pike similar to the way he held her when Sophia came out of the barn.

Lacey: Obviously, the calm before means its NOT gonna be like craziness, right ... Steve: Or it could have a LITTLE crazy Angela Kang: oh my sweet summer child

Just like the episode when Negan killed Glenn I feel this episode gave us all PTSD.

Governor took Herschel and blow our minds. Negan took Glenn and Abraham and broke our hearts. Alpha, like her followers, snatched Souls when she took Enid, Tara, and Henry... among others.

Every single reaction video I've seen of this episode ends in tears. Not just because of the heads on pikes, but also that flashback of them all fighting back too. Major tearjerkers, especially as Henry's so young and (like Carl) we've seen him since he was a little boy. Also, I don't know if you knew but the heads on pikes are the real actors in Walker make-up. I thought they were really good animatronic puppets at first, but there are behind the scenes photos of the actors in makeup but wrapped in blue-screen material to hide their bodies.

You really have to hand it to Samantha Morton this episode. She’s an English actress already playing a psycho with a thick Southern accent. When she’s talking to Ezekiel, her accent is more nondescript, and she’s playing Alpha pretending to be some stranger from Alexandria. That’s quite an acting job to wrap one’s mind around. I totally dig the leather that Carol is wearing. That woven kind of tank top and the leather wrist braces. It’s kinda medieval. Rachel got a lot older here. Remember the bloodthirsty little girl from Oceanside that Tara flipped off? She was there to sign the charter on Oceanside’s behalf. I wonder why Cyndie wasn’t the one to do it. Was the actress not available? Yep - the pike scene. This is one I’ve been waiting on your reaction to. The musical score is really well done accompanying that scene, conveying simultaneous notes of horror, devastation, and sadness. It’s quite a lot to be able to convey all at once, and really, that pike scene would not have had the same impact without the music. The first few people revealed on the pikes usually have people wondering who they are. People know who the rest are from Tammy Rose onward. Ozzy - The leader of the Highwaymen that sported the cowboy hat. You guys called it that he would not be around for long. Never got to see his movie. Alec (Alek?): A fellow member of the Highwaymen with Ozzy. I don’t think we had a lot from him like we did with Ozzy. DJ: A former Savior - one of Negan’s lieutenants that somewhat blended into the background. I think we first see him when The Saviors attack Alexandria in the Season 8 mid-season finale when Carl is offering himself up as a sacrifice (before we knew he had been bitten). He became one of Michonne’s right-hand people, accompanying her to Hilltop with Magna’s group. Frankie - One of Negan’s ex-wives who we learned was a massage therapist before the turn. She was one of the wives who tried to trick Eugene into making cyanide to kill Negan, saying that one of the wives wanted to kill herself. Daryl held Carol back from approaching Henry’s head. He had to hold her back from approaching Sophia when she stumbled out of that barn way back in mid-season 2. This show will not let Carol keep any kids. Siddiq’s speech and the captives’ last stand - that’s another scene that would not have been the same without the musical score, so hats off to Bear McCrary for this episode as well. One thing I didn’t notice on my first viewing: when Alpha comes into the barn with the captives, she’s still wearing that dress she was wearing when she was wandering around The Kingdom. I think you two mentioned that the fair would be the calm before the storm. You had no idea how right you were when you said that a couple episodes ago.

Alpha most likely waited for Henry to be alone and she got her moment when he told Lydia that he was gonna go check on the water pipes which is why he went to hilltop. Earl was gonna teach him how to make something to stop the pipes from leaking every few days so he probably went to go check on them and Alpha ambushed him from behind and knocked him out w/o knowing she was there until he came to in the barn.

seeing Tara up there was like loosing the final piece of Glen, that one hit me harder than i thought it would.

again, I will cry with ya.. Alana Masterson aka Tara was only hired for 3 episodes and lasted years.. I miss her and Enid and Henry. this episode hits you in the gut

Before the pikes: To Negan "Kill Negan" After the pikes: To Negan "Evacuate the communities, raise all defenses and give this man a bat"

I started tearing up when I saw Tammy..i loved her character! Poor Earl has to raise that baby by himself😭😭

Alec, Rodney, Tammy, Ozzie, Frankie, Dj, Enid,Addy Tara, Henry= Art Of Death

This is one of the most brutal episodes this show has ever produced. Nobody saw this coming and shows just how twisted Alpha is. I know I say it every time but I told you these seasons were amazing. The show is truly reborn in season 9.

"I've marked the border to the north, you'll see it as you leave" "Well, thanks for the heads up.." Sorry, had to.

It feels like just yesterday you guys were on season 7 and 8. Times gone fast!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen reactors predict that Henry would be killed in this episode while watching it. You guys are really smart

All I have to add is I think this is one of the best reactions to any show ever that I have ever seen I love you too so much keep it up youreally do make my day

Pike scene is definitely one of the biggest shockers in the show, Alpha is defo one of the most evil and psychopathic villains on the show, especially after killing 10 people and displaying their heads on sticks

And btw anyonw else noticed that the long sleeves enid was using is Carl's

This episode is a masterpiece, it’s emotional, brutal and scary all in one... great reaction duo!

The way that Steve mumbles when he's shocked is the funniest thing of all the reactions 🤣

I was more upset with Tara death cause she out of all of them had been with the group the longest and I honestly think Alpha made the decision to kill Henry after she talked with Lydia and Lydia did not want to go with her. I think she did that out of spite to her daughter.

Alpha basically told Ezikiel that "winter is coming"!

This is definitely one of the best episodes of the entire season! Along with Ricks final episode! The episode where they’re fighting all the walkers in Alexandria, the Epsidoe where Hershel dies and they fight the governor... god they’re sooo many good episodes but this one it’s definitely up there as being one of the best of the series! 🤙🏻 Tara got hardest for me! Shes been around since season 4 and Enid since season 5! Fuck man! 😢

This or Rick’s send off is my favourite episode of the season! Just incredible the emotion this show can hit!

This episode was one of the best but also one of the most heartbreaking episodes from the series. I remember being in tears at the pike scene and when they showed everyone fighting back and I saw Enid it gave me literal chills. I never realized how much I care for her character until I saw that and it just hit so different. Tara also hit so hard because she’s been with us for so long. Also Carol cannot catch a break, She’s always losing a child. But I love the shirt Steve !

"She pulled a carol". This always remind me of Carol was the original master of disguise. Carol walked with the dead to save the group. Carol acts like she already belongs in Alexandria. Carol masked herself as one of the Wolves to save Alexandria. Carol and Daryl would become Alpha and Beta if they lost their way.

Siddiq's speech at the end is genuinely one of the most touching moments in the entire series

God it felt like we were never gonna get to this one lol I saw it posted and got downright giddy

I can’t watch this episode without crying. And I’ve seen it about 10 times. So powerful and so devastating

Alpha revealed to Daryl, with tears in her eyes, that she hoped the communities could keep her daughter safe. A lot of conflicted contradictions and emotions going on there.

RIP:hilltop people in the beginning RIP:Ozzy RIP:alek RIP:DJ RIP:Frankie RIP:Tammy RIP:Rodney RIP:addy RIP:Enid RIP:Tara RIP:Henry

If you haven't done so yet, check out Skybound's reaction compilation for this episode. This episode really shook the show's fandom.

One of my favorite episodes for sure!! So sad yet so on edge whole time! What an episode, and not even a season finale!

I remember watching this not so long ago, it tore the shit out of me watching those people die, I liked all of them in some capacity 😥

Been waiting for this one, can’t wait to see your reaction! You have the advantage of not knowing, I knew about the pike scene from the comics, so it took some of the surprise element out. Although I didn’t know who would be on them.

One of the few episodes of TV to genuinely shock me. I didn't even care about most of these characters but the way they did that scene was chilling.

Lol it’s her face Steve... just clean 🤣 Keep up the good work both of you.

No matter how many times I've watched this episode or watched reactors watch this episode, it is always devastating. As gut wrenching as it is, though, it is beautifully done. Season 9 is quite an accomplishment. Think about all that has happened this season! Did you imagine back in episode one that this is where we would be right now?! Incredible, in my opinion.

Amazing video yall! What alpha did in this episode was so f*ed up in so many ways I about cried. Never have I ever thought I would ever get emotional over a show until I started watching the walking dead from day 1 when it came out watching it every Sunday live each new season that came in October. 😕

Fun fact, the actor whom played Henry is the real life brother to the actress whom played Sophia in season 1&2 of TWD.

"This is probably the most powerful show i have seen in a long time". And you know what the funny thing is Steve ??. Scott Gimple COULD NOT have pulled this off. He would have shown the spikes but not who was on it. Then you would see the faces of Michonne etc and then the screen would cut to black. And he probably would have made us wait a 6 months (like he did with the season 6 cliffhanger) while Angela Kang just delivers the goods. By the way........................the fans of the show have come to name this THE RED FAIR (i'm sure you remember that from Game Of Thrones ;).

Yep, this is the episode...bravo to the cast & crew, this season really breathed new life into the show.

I was WAITING for this one. Yeah, this was a big one. Loved your reaction. Angela Kang is a sicko and i love her. So happy she took over.

This is known as the red fair for sure 💔

Yes. I remember this was a rough episode. It's one of the best in this series.

tbh this episode WAS the storm

Something that ALWAYS gets me when watching this episode is when we get to hear and see about Ozzy (Highwaymen) and DJ (former savior), both characters that we didn’t really know too much about, but we see them come in and FIGHT FOR THEIR LIVES to try and save these people who they barely even knew. That part always breaks me. Also Enid’s last shot of her holding up her fists ready to take on anything coming her way... Wow. This episode, together with Scars (14), are my definite favorites of the season. I guess I’m just a sucker for heartbreaking shit.

Henry’s death hit me the hardest. He was kind of annoying, But seeing carols reaction and knowing her history with losing so many children, is so damn heartbreaking

I was as shocked as you two were to this episode when I watched it so much that I had to watch multiple reactors just to believe that it happened in the show. Loved your reactions to this. Alpha is definitely different level of evil.

Oh crap. You finally got to this episode. Heavy stuff. I remember losing it after seeing Tara and then Henry...oh man. Carol is wrecked. Every child she's had has ended up dead. Alpha is such a game changer. My heart broke when they showed the group fighting for their lives right before Alpha killed them. And Saddiq. He had to see them die and not be able to do anything about it. Traumatizing. It sure is gonna be a hard winter. Freaking Alpha. This is where I want an Alpha and Carol showdown. Great reaction guys ✌

I had been waiting since I started watching you guys for your reaction to this episode. I was not disappointed

Season 9 , arguably the best season up there with 10 and 5

It's been awhile since I watched this episode, but your reaction got me all emotional again. I remember wondering how you two would react once you caught up to this episode. Love your channel. Stay safe and take care from up here in Montana.

Do you guys remember T-dog? He sacrificed himself to save Carol ages a go but I dont think she ever talked about him.

you guys thought this is was a weak episode and the next the big one? because of the title? Alpha's Laughing

Im so happy u guys finally watch this episode. This is in my top 5 twd episodes of all time!

LOL! I just noticed Steve's shirt. And I actually happen to be wearing mine as I watch this!

This episode gave me the chills 🥺 Your reactions gave me goosebumps as well >.

Ah yes...The Calm Before. We’ve been waiting for this reaction for a long time, glad to finally see it

And just like that Negan's not looking so bad

When Darryl runs to Carol yelling “no no!” Gets me every fucking time This poor fucking woman can’t catch a fucking break with kids 😩💔

The pike part still makes me emotional. Somehow that moment gets me more than the Negan lineup and I ADORED Glenn. The music… the way it shows their loved ones looking for them… god. The scene itself is masterfully written and directed. The loss of Tara specifically still eats me up, I was so proud to see her stepping up as leader. Also now the Hilltop is completely without leaders, just shortly after the Whisperers showed up they’ve already taken out both of the temporary leaders and left them with no one to guide them. Christ On the other hand, that speech on the end takes me out every time.

Alpha is without a shadow of doubt the best villain you know what scared me the most is how easily she blended in to the fair like she was normal can we have a shout out to the highway men who ran in there to save everyone