Season 9 (TV Series)

Season 9 of AMC's The Walking Dead consists of sixteen episodes; it premiered on October 7, 2018. On January 13, 2018, AMC announced the show was renewed for a ninth season with Angela Kang replacing Scott Gimple as showrunner.

This season adapts material from Issue #127 onward of the Comic Series.

"A New Beginning"
A year and a half has passed since the end of the War.

In a rebuilt and thriving Alexandria, Rick, now with shorter and grayer hair, happily watches Michonne paint with Judith. They go outside the walls to see a flock of birds in the field.

At the Sanctuary, the walker-filled yard has been replaced with crops. Rosita helps Eugene with an experiment while Laura reports something to Daryl, who's now in charge. He goes to the yard and notices Arat and Justin trying to use a walker as a Scarecrow, like they used to do, under the pretense to scare off the crows, but Daryl puts it down.

On the road, Tara is scouting when Eugene radios her, informing her that Daryl will be meeting the rest of the group so they can go to Washington D.C. to search for farming materials.

Elsewhere, Jesus and Aaron kill some walkers. Aaron asks Jesus if he can teach him some of his skills, to which he agrees to teach him in a class at the Hilltop.

A while later, Daryl rides off to meet Rick, Michonne, Carol, Maggie and the others in downtown Washington D.C.

Rick and the group break into the Smithsonian to search for a covered wagon and farming equipment. As they walk over a fragile glass floor, they notice a group of walkers under it. Suddenly, a walker drops from a balcony onto it, cracking the pane, before Daryl puts it down.

Rick tells everyone to be safe and the group separates.

In the basement, Siddiq gets attacked by a walker whose head is full of spiders. He barely manages to kill it and admits to Rick he is more scared of the spiders, to which Enid laughs at.

In a hallway, Gabriel drives a machete into a walker's head and leaves it hanging on a human evolution display. He and Anne smile at the irony of this.

By the stairs, Cyndie sees an old canoe and remembers an experience wwith her brother. Daryl relates to her and the two of them lift the canoe.

Back in the basement, Rick's group finds packages of seeds and beans. Rick thanks Anne for the lead, while she tells Gabriel that she knew of this because she once brought her class back when she was teaching.

While returning to the stairs, Maggie tells Michonne and Carol that Gregory called for an election at the Hilltopand lost, making Maggie the rightful leader. Michonne stops and looks at a display of politics and how to unite different colonies.

Shortly after, the whole group reunites and gingerly uses ropes to drag an old covered wagon down the stairs and over the glass floor. The glass finally gives way and Ezekiel falls through it, dangling by the rope. Before the walkers can bite him, Daryl shoots at one and Rick and the others finally pull him to safety. Carol joyfully kisses him to celebrate.

The group leaves D.C. and prepare to head back to their own communities.

On the road, Alden talks to Ken and Marco about blacksmithing at the Hilltop. In the back, Ezekiel proposes to Carol. She tells him to put the ring away and reminds him she doesn't want to be asked yet, especially on a horse. Ezekiel smiles and tells her he still loves her.

Rosita and Daryl catch up with everyone to inform them that the main bridge is out due to a storm. Rick tells Tara, Gabriel, Aaron and Anne to head back to Alexandria and the rest will go to an alternate route and spend the night at the Sanctuary.

On the woods, the wagon gets caught in the mud as walkers appear from the bushes. It finally budges and everyone rushes to gather the supplies until the walkers overwhelm them and they're forced to leave. Ken runs back to free his horses but is bitten in the arm by a walker and then kicked in the ribs by the horse.

Siddiq and Enid try to save him but Ken succumbs to blood loss and dies from his injuries. A saddened Maggie sobs by his side before putting him down.

At night, in Hilltop, Maggie breaks the news of Ken's death to his parents, Tammy and Earl. An emotional Tammy scolds Maggie for getting her son killed, reminding her that she voted for her in the election. Earl tries to calm her down but Tammy doesn't listen and criticizes Maggie's decision to supply the Saviors. A shocked Maggie offers to help with the funeral but Tammy declines and denies her from being present.

Later, the Hilltop gathers for Ken's funeral. Alden sings as Gregory gives a eulogy. Maggie holds Hershel and watches from the balcony.

At the Sanctuary, Rick and the group arrive to deliver supplies. Michonne points out graffiti that proclaims, "We are still Negan", and Daryl demands Justin to clean it up. Rick promises to the Saviors that he’ll continue to support them so they can get back on their feet. Everyone applauds him and treat him like a celebrity.

Daryl pulls Rick aside to tell him that he no longer wants to lead the place because he doesn't belong there and since it's factory, it can't produce crops. He suggests he return to Hilltop to check on Maggie and Hershel, but Rick argues he should return to Alexandria. "Things have changed," Rick says, but Daryl claims it’s because Rick changed them, before going out.

Outside, Carol follows Daryl and offers to take over the Sanctuary for him. She tells him about Zeke's proposal and says she wants to take her time. Daryl's surprised and asks if he should stay with her. She declines and rests her head on his shoulder.

In their trailer, Tammy mourns her son while Gregory gets Earl drunk and suggests Maggie doesn't have to be the leader anymore.

In the Sanctuary, Rick and Michonne settle into bed and Michonne asks if they did the right thing by letting Neganlive. However, Rick stands by his choice. She then proposes that they create a charter between the communities: laying out guidelines and punishment. Rick agrees and tells her how lucky he is to have found her. They kiss and make love.

Back at the Hilltop, Maggie takes Hershel out for a stroll and runs into Gregory, who tells her someone may have defaced Glenn's grave. Upset, she rushes towards the grave and is attacked by a hooded stranger, who also knocks over Hershel's stroller. Enid intervenes but gets pushed to the ground hard and is knocked out. Alden and Cyndie grab the assailant and Maggie rips off his hood to reveal a drunken Earl.

Maggie rushes over to Gregory's place and accuses him of trying to get her killed. He angrily reminds her that he built this place and tries to stab her with a knife, but she overpowers him and holds it to his neck.

The next day, Carol tells Ezekiel she's staying at Sanctuary and instructs Jerry to take care of him as they head off.

Daryl, Michonne and Rick arrive at the Hilltop to find the workers building gallows. Later, Rick asks Maggie to visit Alexandria but she says she can't because Negan’s there. He asks for her help in fixing the bridge, which includes providing supplies to the Sanctuary. She says she'll only agree if the Saviors agree to provide the labor and fuel. Rick says he can’t and he’s obliged to help, but Maggie disagrees and reminds her that he never ended up following her as he promised, but now he should.

In the night, the residents gather around the gallows as Maggie explains to her people that the punishment fits the crime. She looks on at Gregory, who has a noose around his neck and is sitting on a horse. Gregory pleads for someone to stop this, but no one moves. A couple of kids show up and Michonne yells for Maggie to stop but it’s too late as Daryl smacks the horse and it rides off, leaving Gregory to hang to death to everyone's shock.

Maggie tells her people that she wants this to be the last time they do something like this. A shocked Rick and Michonne look on as Maggie then orders Daryl to cut off the noose.

"The Bridge"
In Alexandria, Rick goes down a basement to talk to someone. He mentions that it been 35 days since Gregory's execution.

He talks about how everything has changed after the war and how the communities are working together on fixing a bridge, which will the link to their future. "We're making a new beginning", Rick says smiling with hope.

At a camp, which the communities have set up in the woods, Ezekiel explains to Henry how vital the bridge will be in connecting the communities. Carol hands Henry his stick, kisses him goodbye and tells Ezekiel she's still going to remain at the Sanctuary.

Rick plans a detonation with Eugene and Rosita that will serve to distract an oncoming herd. Nearby, Siddiq teaches Enid medicine as he stitches Cyndie's hand. Rick orders Siddiq to return home with the next crew and tells Enid he has confidence on her.

At Hilltop, Maggie rides a horse as Michonne arrives. She tells Maggie that a planned food supply delivery hasn't arrived at the Sanctuary, but Maggie claims that the ethanol didn't arrive either.

Jesus confirms they have a surplus of food but Maggie counters that without a working plow it may not last long. Michonne suggests they let Earl out to repair it but Maggie scoffs and says she's fine with waiting for the fuel to show up from the Sanctuary.

On the bridge, Aaron shares with Daryl his experience as a father with Gracie and tells him someday he'll make a great dad. Meanwhile, Henry arrives to give water to the workers. Justin shoves him down for not giving him extra water and starts drinking from the jug. Henry gets angry and knocks him down with his stick. Jed laughs and mocks Justin.

A furious Justin gets up to retaliate but Daryl stops him, saying that the kid’s just doing his job. Justin swings at him but Daryl dodges his swing and punches him in the face. They start fighting.

Rick arrives and stops them. He tells everyone to go back to work. He takes Daryl to his tent to calm him down, reminding him that they need the Saviors to help in building the bridge in spite of several deserters. However, Daryl says that the Saviors won’t fall in line just because he says so.

Rick explains that he wants everyone to be on the same side, and Daryl questions if they actually are, before leaving. Carol advises Rick to talk to him once he has calmed.

Back at Hilltop, Tammy begs Jesus to see Earl but he says the time isn't right, reminding her he tried to kill Maggie. Tammy grabs a stool and says she’s not moving until Maggie allows her to see him. Michonne overhears and tells Jesus to consider talking to Maggie about it, but he says it's not her concern. Michonne disagrees and proposes that they need to build something bigger than all of them.

At the camp, Anne draws a picture for Gabriel and laments that no one trusts her except him and Rick. Gabriel tells her that at first, no one trusted him either until Rick made it possible. She strokes his hand and thanks him for staying on her side.

At Hilltop, Maggie plays with Hershel while Jesus tells her that they should consider implementing official rules to handle situations like Earl, Negan and Gregory. She finally agrees.

After the conversation, Tammy is allowed to see her husband. She talks to him about his mistakes and forgives him. Maggie listens on and gets a little emotional. Later, she talks to Earl herself. He mentions how he became an alcoholic and doesn't remember seeing his son for the first time.

On the woods, Rosita and Arat blow up some explosive to lure a horde of walkers to another direction, far from the camp.

Elsewhere, Tara sits on a crane and radios Rick to update him on the walker distraction plan, before radioing Jerry, so he could turn on a siren.

Alden arrives to inform that Rick that none of the deserter Saviors made it back to the Sanctuary and their families are worried. Tara radios Rick again to warn him that the second siren didn't go off and the herd is coming.

Suddenly, the walkers arrive at the labor site and a commotion ensues. Jed panics and lets go of one of the giant logs, making it fall onto Aaron’s arm, crushing it. Daryl yells to the crew to lift the log while he double-knives the walkers around him. They lift the log but Aaron's arm is crushed. Daryl carries Aaron to the camp as Rick and the others arrive to hold off the walkers. Rick shoots the log pile, which crushes the remaining walkers.

Daryl rushes Aaron to the infirmary and Enid quickly decides they need to amputate. Aaron reluctantly agrees as Daryl ties the tourniquet. Enid amputates his arm.

Daryl angrily goes to confront Justin on why the second siren wasn’t sounded. Justin claims the radio wasn’t charged and Daryl leaps at him, punching him repeatedly and hitting him with a frying pan. Carol begs for him to stop as the rest of the camp watches.

Back at Hilltop, Maggie tells Michonne she’s open to creating common laws. She explains that her father, like Earl, used to drink and also deserved a second chance but Gregory got several chances and didn't change.

In the camp, at night, Rick tells Justin to take his things and leave and if he sees him again, a couple of stitches won't fix what he would do to him. He then goes to Enid and says that she did a good job with Aaron. Rick apologizes to Aaron for what happened. Aaron says that he couldn't know and claims that thanks to Rick: "It's not the end of the world anymore... We start a whole new one.".

Nearby, Anne asks Gabriel who the woman she drew for him was, and he says she was his organist that he loved and lost. She asks him if he is still afraid but is cut short when he kisses her. They smile and start to make out until Gabriel remembers he's supposed to be on watch. Anne replies that then he can watch, as she starts to unbuckle his pants.

In the camp, as everyone laughs and talks, Carol asks Ezekiel for the ring. He gets excited and is about to give a speech but she tells him that he can tell her the speech later. She puts on the ring and they hug and smile. Rick happily watches them from his tent.

Back in Alexandria, Rick finishes narrating his story to a locked up Negan.

Negan taunts him with Carl but an angry Rick shuts him up. He says he should be quiet and listen, but Negan says "You're not saving this world, Rick. You just get it ready for me".

On the guard post, Anne spots the helicopter from the crane and looks nervous.

In the woods, Justin hears something and sees someone he recognizes. He asks what they’re doing out here but is violently pulled aside.

Cast
Season 9 (TV Series)/Starring|Starring Season 9 (TV Series)/Also Starring|Also Starring Season 9 (TV Series)/Co-Stars|Co-Stars Season 9 (TV Series)/Uncredited|Uncredited

Deaths

 * Bob Miller (Confirmed Fate)
 * Ken
 * Gregory
 * Justin
 * Arat

Trivia

 * This is the first season in which Angela Kang is the showrunner for The Walking Dead.
 * This season features a new opening sequence.
 * This season features a time skip of a year and a half after the events of All Out War.
 * Hershel Rhee, Maggie's son, is one year old at the start of the season.
 * Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) confirmed that this will be the final season for his character.undefined
 * It has been confirmed that Lauren Cohan will only appear in six episodes this season, leaving her character's story open-ended with intentions to come back next season.undefined
 * "Who Are You Now" will be the final episode with Maggie this season.
 * Below are the changes made to the main cast in this season.
 * Katelyn Nacon (Enid) and Tom Payne (Jesus) have been added to the opening credits after being listed under "Also Starring" in previous seasons.
 * Lennie James (Morgan Jones) has been removed from the opening credits following his crossover to Fear The Walking Dead.
 * Callan McAuliffe (Alden) and Avi Nash (Siddiq) have been upgraded to series regulars after recurring appearances.undefined
 * Despite their status as series regulars, they are listed under "Also Starring".
 * Austin Amelio (Dwight) is no longer listed under "Also Starring".
 * Samantha Morton (Alpha) has been cast as a series regular for her first appearance this season.
 * Xander Berkeley (Gregory), Khary Payton (Ezekiel), and Pollyanna McIntosh (Anne) are still listed under "Also Starring", despite being credited as series regulars in previous seasons.
 * Following his character's death in "A New Beginning", Xander Berkeley has been removed from the credits.
 * It has been confirmed that Jon Bernthal (Shane Walsh), Scott Wilson (Hershel Greene) and Sonequa Martin-Green (Sasha Williams) will return for an episode this season.undefined
 * This will be the final appearance of Wilson, due to his death on October 6th, 2018.
 * Magna, Yumiko, Connie, Kelly, Luke, Hershel Rhee, Marco, Tammy Rose, Ken, Earl, Alpha, Lydia, Beta and two original characters, Justin, and Jed, are all characters who will be introduced in this season.
 * Michael Cudlitz will direct the seventh episode of this season.undefined
 * The soundtrack used in the Season 9 Comic-Con trailer is "Take What's Mine" by Future Royalty.
 * It has been hinted that Heath's disappearance may be explained in this season.undefined