The Walking Dead Season 11: Episode 19 "Variant" Reaction | HOLY S**T!!! | The Last Episodes 

HOLY freaking S**T what an episode!!! The possible of an increasing variant aspect is really cool, we just hope they continue to talk about it and touch on it and not give up on that story. Could this be some easter egg for Dead City or Daryl Spin-off, we'll see in the remaining episodes! Hope you enjoy the reaction, love you guys as always!

The amount of time Aaron has spent on the road, and the amount of survivors he’s met prior to meeting Rick’s group. There’s no telling where he might’ve heard the variant rumors.

I just realized Daryl and Rosita were the ones taking Eugene from the sanctuary to put in a cell and now they are his only guard against a giant army trying to do the exact same thing. I wonder if that was intentional or just happy accident.

If anyone would've heard stories about variant walkers it would've been Aaron. If you remember he and Eric spent a lot of time on the road looking for people to bring into Alexandria. I could totally see him hearing stories then. I think that would actually be a cool Tales story. To see some of those interactions b4 Rick and his group got to Alexandria.

Aaron was a scout for Alexandria. Heard plenty of stories probably including different walkers, but thought they were myths. I really liked that diallage

that jerry scene with the samurai sword not gonna lie was mad bad ass hahahahahahaha

When Aaron was first introduced to us in Season 5, he was a recruiter who walked around to find people as a scout. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where he’d get his clues from since these variants technically have been around since the beginning… talking to people around the wasteland.

Also the opening the doorknob was a reference to that one episode when Morgan’s walker wife was trying to open the door to the house Rick was in. They did a good job with these references to the earlier episodes

They told us how intelligent zombies work in tales of the dead. I know many people hated it, but I enjoyed it, lol. So in the episode with the scientist studying walkers, he identified specific works that seemed like leaders of herds or alpha. I think that’s how the variants will work in the future. In a given pack, there will be one that is more intelligent and leads the herd. Be that to a potential meal or grouping up with larger herds. This may be how these massive herds form a few intelligent walkers combining groups.

26:18 In regards to where Aaron heard the story...He was Alexandria's recruiter for a long time. It's possible he saved some random Alexandrian who swore they saw walkers opening doors and climbing walls. Plus there was a six year time jump after Rick's disappearance, who knows how many random people (new recruits to Alexandria, other groups, etc) he spoke to

Daryl vs Eugene was legendary! 🤣

I love the fact that they relate to the walker that held a rock in season 1 when the walkers tried to enter the building rick was in, which means there where variants since season 1

Maybe when Aaron was out looking for people to bring back to Alexandria maybe those people told him about the variants

Aaron was introduced as a scout. He could have heard those stories on one of his many scouting missions before his introduction to the show.

There’s no way I just randomly thought hey I wonder if they uploaded their reaction yet, clicked on RU-vid, and #2 recommended was this uploaded 3 minutes ago. Absolutely crazy Lol

I LOVE that you guys are honest about writing and episodes.

Having the walker use the door knob and picking up a rock is clearly a throwback to season 1. Love that they're retconning the retcon.

"You're the one who killed him!" Ok, but you're the ones that stood there and watched him get eaten.

Imagine getting your head bashed in by a walker that figured out it had that option. Worst way to go ever!

I was watching the last couple episodes with my cousin who hadn’t watched in years. Her mind was blown when I told her it was 50k population. It just doesn’t come across at all. Totally agree with you.

I’m so excited for what’s next to come, for TWD Universe, but I’ll be watching with you guys, for as long as that is 🎉

I do want to point out that in season 1 a walker attempted to open a door twice. Also in 1x2 a walker picked a brick and broke the glass door to the department store. And in that same episode a walker started climbing a ladder.

Aaron prolly heard the stories from Atlanta. The place Rick meets Glenn and the others. They can climb and grab rocks. Season 1

I loved that, seeing that Variant walker was the most excited I've been in a long while watching an episode. Thought Jerry was done for a few seconds there! S11 hasn't been perfect by any means but I appreciate them still finding ways to get me on the edge of my chair like that. Yea the Variant's prob should have come sooner but I just think they are extremely rare and there's just not many out there which is why it took so long for our group to see one. Could be wrong tho :p

They are going to give us more Variant Walkers in the Season, in the trailer you can see Ezekiel yelling "FALL BACK!" and they purposelly show a shot where you only see the characters and not the Variant Walkers. They're going to show up there for sure

Wouldn't be the first time we've seen a walker use a rock

I really liked this episode, I'm ready for tomorrow morning to watch 20. I don't think too deep into anything they do anymore. I just try to enjoy it for what it is. The "hoss" scene cracked me all the way up.

Mercer did crossover but it came down to protecting his sister and ignoring the needs of doing what's "right"

I still think they're planting the variant seeds to help explain the Daryl spinoff, since we know they're in France already. I didn't think y'all were nitpicking at all, you're right about the Commonwealth, I wanted that Stadium scene, dammit!!!! You guys are great, keep up the honest reactions!!! 😁🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️

Feel like the walkers can be used to open doors climb etc BUT only to the known area... like the wife scene she knew that she lived there

Aaron probably heard the stories of the variant walkers back in the days when he would go out looking for people to bring in to Alexandria. People he came across telling their encounters or stories other people told them

The Walkers in Season 1 were running climbing and they picked up up rocks to break the glass in the shopping center they were in. Also remember Jenny Morgan’s wife turned door knob and looked thru the looking hole. Then they got away from that but now it’s coming back. So, this is nothing new to The Walking Dead.

Daryl Was So Close To Death Eugene Was Going To End Him 😳

Just remember the tales of the walking dead. With the science guy.

The weird hospital people and the wolves called them rotters as well

Aaron and company are walking from Ohio to the ocean.. 💀

The writing in this episode is immaculate!

I lolled at "OOOOO VULCAN NERVE PINCH"

Variant walker hyyyyype! lol. I'm super excited. They NEED to make the walkers dangerous again.

Exactly! Why the hell did they come so late with these Variants.. it could be used in Whisperers war where they would have to find out if its walker or whisperer. Or could be used in rest of series as walkers felt like they even weren't posing a danger anymore.. these walkers sure do.

I like how it's not most walkers who are smart, it's kind of like how some people are born with brain defects (sorry if that's the wrong word to use)and then there's walkers who most of them come back with only 1 part of the brain working where as some come back with more of the brain working. It's like being "reborn" as a walker and there's those certain people who's brains still active enough to become a Variant

A walker picking up a rock to give a beating to its prey to subdue it so that it can't get away is scary AF. I kinda like that they didn't introduce a full on psycho, super-fast and aggressive walker like the one at the very end of WB in France, but one that is just a little bit ahead of the rest. Also, that it was just one (for now), was a nice, slow introduction at this point in the story, as opposed to a hoard of Zs with cognitive and agility abilities.

If we don’t see anymore variant walkers then introducing them now is just dumb. They do bring a renewed element of fear to walkers and I welcome that aspect.

Season 1 had walkers that climbed fence chasing Rick and glen and also the picking up the rock was a reference to the walker who had a rock and was breaking the glass of that store they was in back in season 1 also i believe

I would like to see Morgan and Rick reunite one last time before the end.

I like what the show did with Aaron ripping the face off the variant walker, revealing a red skull. Ross Marquand (Aaron) played Red Skull in Avengers: Infinity War. Coincidence? I think not. 😂

we've seen variants a few times like morgans wife turning the door nob and looking into the peep hole of her house, a walker picking up a rock in season 1 trying to smash the window of the store when andrea and the group were stuck in. A walker climbed over a fence chasing rick and glenn in s1, in fwd a walker grabbed and pulled the a solider into the wall in s3 ep 1,

Since the beginning of the walking dead the crm been messing with zombies thats why they were so intelligent probably trying to re spark the brain too bring life back in too them. But if you remember the very first episode with rick and morgan and his son the mom that was a walker used too turn the door knobs all the time.

Frank Darabont wanted these variants. They told him no. He left +and sued their asses off). Now they are adding them back in after years of paying Frank...I think he deserves an apology.

It reminds me of the og walkers from season 1 episodes 1 and 2. Door, rock, jumping/climbing a fence. Like the helicopter from episode 1. Everything had a call back and a purpose

Mercer, should be asking himself why is Pam, arresting all the new people when Eugene, confess to the crime 🤔.

I have to say I love your opinion kinda inspires me to kinda talk about my opinion and investigate about my opinion and I understand fully all of your opinions.

I don't normally comment but I just want to say how happy I am that your video is up! I kept checking every day if you have posted your reaction since this episode came out.

Love you guys, still watching all your Walking Dead stuff now for past 2 years or so Edit: Also watched through Black Summer series with y'all, really hope Season 3 comes.

I want to know the weird sick relationship between Lance and Pamela. The thing is Pamela is completely aware that in the end it is entirely Lance’s fault that Sebastian is dead but she needs a fall guy that isn’t as powerful as Lance. Someone easy to be the scapegoat.

You guys are inspiring me to go for it and start my own channel, I’m learning but I love what you guys do for all the shows and movies, thank you for the great video

The variant walkers made me think about season one but also the scientist in the Tales episode. He mentioned one walker who had much better hearing, another that sort of leads the group & kills food for them etc. Also the marks on the hand made me think about CRM experiments on Walkers. Pretty sure there were only a couple of true variants in this episode or even just one....one who opened the gate to let the others in. Perhaps he was going to use the rock to kill a person to then feed to the hoard rather than himself?

Remember the early episodes, when Morgan's walker wife kept walking up to their house, and jiggled the doorknob. This "variant" isn't new; maybe it's just mutating faster.

I always thought it was the Commonwealth communities and I just assumed the rest of the population was in other communities. Pamela stated in 11B that Alexandria was small compared to their other communities.

Listen from 1:21 in this video you guys aren’t wrong at all about that. They should’ve made it seem like there was 50000 people some way. Even if it was a glimpse, bad cg, something.

would of been sick if sabastion turned into a varient Nd started undoing his straps to free himself

26:18 he did use to travel around recruiting people

It took me back to flashbacks and fear. When cities mainly along the coast where getting bombed. I wonder if the cities targeted for that, was more tactical than we realise. They might have been trying to stop the spread of the variants specifically. Obviously real-life we all know the writing any showrunners changed. But in world I don't think DC or Virginia was bombed. It would explain why these characters haven't seen any variants. If we still had Rick or Glenn here they'd probably have flashbacks to the department store. Daryl wasn't there to see them using rocks to smash the glass and Carol was at the camp. So it's unclear how much they actually saw

I this the variants being introduced this late is kinda dumb. BUT tying them back to Margon’s wife and the Walker with the rock in season 1 is cool. It will only really work for me in this story if these variants are extremely rare. Or they explain that more walkers through the show have been variants.

Maybe Aaaron heard all those stories during the early days at alexandria. Can't think of anywhere else he could have heard the stories

If you remember from World Beyond and the way the CRM move their columns all around the country, that's probably why these variants are more spread out now, hell the CRM could be slowly building a column to send straight at the Commonwealth.

Loved watching this again with you guys. I just cancelled my Prime account of AMC+ as well.

Yesss, being waiting for you guys to see that rock lol

I’ve just recently started watching your guys videos and I love all the content 💯

You guys do a great job thank you very much

I’m glad we didn’t get the variant walkers too early. We saw glimpses of them since season 1 but if they became a threat a few seasons ago, it would have taken away from the Whisperer story arc from the comic. The show changed a few things but for the most part, each arc has stuck to the overall comic story and is ending at the same place. But the Variant walkers are a nice tease at the end of the series. Because if you plan to watch any of the spin-off series that will continue stories for Rick, Daryl, Maggie, Negan (etc).. then I believe those type of walkers will be a fresh change for storylines in those series. That will make the spin-offs unique from the main series.

Not gonna lie, the variant walkers were awesome! The action in this episode was really cool! And I do hope Mercer makes the right choice in stepping up against the corrupt politician Pamela! She's become a threat far so than how she was in the comics.

For them to introduce them at this point makes me feel like we’re going to get a major death at the hands of a variant. Maybe Andrea’s comic death will be adapted to fit the Commonwealth environment?

Yessuh been waiting to see you guys reaction

I’m thinking now the scene where pamela has blood on her in trailer has gotta be mercer shooting lance. Can’t really think of anyone else it could be if they’re doing the Dwight comic death

When Aaron is talking about hearing stories of walkers that could climb walls and open doors, he is referring to Rick. Rick probably told him about the season 1 walkers at some point and how they could climb ladders, smash windows with weapons or open doors.

Decent episode, I just wished they did more with the variant storyline. I really liked the new kingdom place, it reminded me of those abandoned castles that urban explorers upload on RU-vid. 8.5/10

My 2 cents: I hope Alicia ends up getting taken by CRM and winds up in new york where maggie and negan are. Especially after the JDM/Alycia twitter interaction.

Hey guys love the reaction. I have a feeling that the most likely reason to introduce these new walkers is to show them as a teaser here and to have them appear a lot more in the Daryl show taking place in Paris. As for why now in the timeline, I actually saw someone's comment the other day that had a pretty good theory so I'm just going to leave it here. In world beyond at the end credits scene the french scientist said that there was another team called Primrose Team who operated in Ohio when the Fall happened. Since the Commonwealth's location is in Ohio it would make since that the Primrose Team are CRM members that are connected to the Commonwealth through Lance or some other way. Primrose Team probably has some variation of the virus that's the adapted one in Europe. The virus probably spread starting to create the Europe walkers here. It would also make since on how we haven't seen any of these new walkers on the show yet since the adapted virus from Primrose Team hasn't spread to Virginia yet and Primrose is based in Ohio.

Jarrell: “Kiss him…” And just like that, Elijah has been placed on borrowed time 😂 Anyway, in terms of the variant story, I feel that maybe it was a one-off plot line to drum up the danger and fear factor for Aaron’s group because, as you noted, facing walkers as we know them right now is not as much of a challenge, so why even focus on the journey to Oceanside if it’s not going to be as daunting? That being said, I could and would like to see more instances of variants sprinkled outside the Commonwealth area, as someone noted that if CRM becomes a player in the closing storyline, experiments resulting in variants could have been released into the open? 🤷🏽‍♂️ One more note… In response to Josh’s question about how did Aaron hear about these stories of variants? It could have been something he heard about offscreen a long time ago (before meeting Rick’s group); and is just seeing now? I don’t think variants would have been relegated to just Atlanta. Also, didn’t he note that the variants he heard about were usually at areas familiar to them? Maybe this variant owned or lived at this Renaissance residence? To finish up, can I just say great reaction as always fellas! Glad you’re back - look forward to following along throughout the rest of the episodes! 😁🙌🏽

I just remembered at the end of World Beyond the female scientist mentioned the Primrose team was stationed in Ohio when the outbreak started which is where The Commonwealth is located. It could be possible the work the Primrose team did in Ohio released variants in that area and that could explain why the survivors are seeing them so late in the apocalypse. We don't know how far the group was from Oceanside but if they were still in Ohio then it's possible that's why there are variants there. I highly doubt this is correct but just a theory that came to mind.

Don’t blame you guys for complaining about Tales

Introducing ?? Omg guys there’s no way yall actually forgot these walkers existed already way back in season 1 . When rick in morgan were within morgan’s house with them & his son dwayne you saw rick looking outside through the door hole seing morgans dead wife trying to open the door . In Atlanta with rick and the group at that building they were in with merle being cuffed on the rooftop from down below walkers were trying to get inside the place with one walker you see holding a rock just bashing it up against the glass doors . And another episode with glenn and rick being covered in walker guts that you saw a few walkers had jumped the fence when they ended up having to run from the walkers in the rain

2 moments made me go wtf, the Walker gabbing Lydia's stick and him picking up the rock, the evolved Walkers reminds me of the Crimson Heads from RE1 and i love it.

Lance was shot in the shoulder by Daryl which is why Pamela pinched his shoulder.

I Think The Showrunners Have Been Sneaking Variants In The Episodes Since Season 1🤔 Morgan's Wife Turning The Door Handle Another Variant That Comes To Mind Is When The Group Was Trapped In The Department Store And The Walker Used A Rock To Smash The Glass To Gain Access Inside The Store! IMO If We Look In Past Episodes Since Season 1 There Are Still More To Find😉

I think Mercer recognises the need for change, but isn't sure what the right and safest course of action is to achieve it. He feels responsible for Max, obviously, but I think as head of the security forces he also feels responsibility for the rest of the community. This sense of responsibility and his uncertainty on how to proceed has him defaulting to a very cautious approach of continuing to follow the rules and trying to change the system from within. The problem with that, however, is that systems of power are always set up in ways that protect the system itself and the people in power. So, he will have to break the rules and get his hands dirty at some point. One thing I think the writers could have done better with regards to Mercer is given us a better insight into his thinking by now. I know he's meant to be this brooding action man that's hard to read, but we've now seen several conversations where other characters such as Max and Princess have opened up to him and he hasn't given much of anything back other than, "I'm trying." So yeah, I think a little more insight into what he's thinking and what he is and isn't willing to do, even if it was just him saying he doesn't know what the best thing to do is, would have been good by now. I assume at some point he's going to have to make some decisions, switching from what has been a pretty reactionary approach to a more proactive one, so it would only make sense that he would discuss things with the people he trusts sooner or later. In addition, surely he can't just act without having first secured support from the likes of other politicians and bureaucrats (not that we've really seen any other than Hornsby), officers within the security forces, media perhaps, etc. I mean, if you're going to overthrow a government you do need some support..... Oh, and where's this supposed underground resistance of disenfranchised citizens they introduced in 11B? I sure hope they play a part in organising a popular uprising in the coming episodes. As for the variants, I don't mind that they're introducing them, even if it is simply as a set up for the spin-offs. I'm not sure it would make much sense for us to see too many more of them in the main show unless they can explain, "why now?" Given that they exist, the odd one showing up eventually could simply be explained away as inevitable, but our people haven't seen them in this area they've lived in for 10+ years now, so if a lot of them suddenly start showing up they need to explain what's changed for that to occur. Also, even if the one in this episode is the only one encountered, at the very least there needs to be a scene where those that encountered it warn the rest of our people. Anyway, this was a really good episode. Great reaction and discussion as always gents.

Also it's likely the stories Aaron heard could have been from Rick, Daryl or Carol (anyone from Atlanta). Aaron spent many years around Daryl and Carol off screen.

I really don't think Oceanside is okay

Love you two, you guys are THE WD channel imo, always enjoy your discussions and reactions.

If you guys do go to Senoia take the walking tour. Totally worth it. Also look up filming sites from the show. My friends and I spent two days driving around taking pictures at these sites. And if you do go, let us all know your going. Fan meet up would be a lot of fun!

I think they are introducing the variant thing now to generate interest and a serious threat to explore in Spin Off shows. I also think that this show will end with a definitive solution for the Commonwealth and most of our main characters (maybe overcoming the horde, succeeding in the coup) but will still be open ended. For example, a final expanded shot of the commonwealth with a black chopper heading towards it.

Well Lydia got her some smooches we know who’s dying next episode

OMG! You guys rock!

You guys look like sports announcers

I've been waiting for this!

Do you all think that Morgan’s wife was the original variant?

hey guys, we have been seeing variants since part 3 came out. First, walkers are caused by a virus and as the pandemic showed most people that viruses have variants. So far in pt 3 they have been stronger (ripping soldiers in their suits), smarter (when the herd splits in two to follow jeeps) and then this episode. As to Mercer, did you guys not hear Pamela threatening him with basically it's your sister or it's Eugene but someone has to pay. So he's trying to weigh everything out, he knows what he wants to do but his sister's life is in the balance. I do believe that he will find a way to save his sister and Eugene. Also, back to the variant, the walkers who turned awhile ago would have the older virus from the beginning and fresher ones would have the variant. Thanks for the reaction

Sometimes, the Commonwealth seems like a slightly bigger Woodbury wit h the governor split into two people and more stuff .

Did you guys completely forget about the variant walkers in Season 1? This is nothing new lol