Trust

Episode 11.15 titled "Trust" has finally caught up with the six-month time jump teased at the end of episode "No Other Way." Which saw Daryl in Commonwealth amour, several soldiers and Lance Hornsby at the gates of Hilltop. There's two sub-plots involving the Commonwealth, Ezekiel and what he have been up to but also the investigation Rosita and Eugene are doing on the Miltons. The sub-plots are important to the bigger picture and what is to come, but could easily be seen as filler, but I promise that it's there for a reason. I think the editing and pacing was perfect in this episode, with some great transitions. Kevin Deiboldt penned the script for 11.15, and he have grown to be among the better writers as he wrote three episodes for season 10 and the season 11 horror episode "On the Inside," and I really hope he's here to stay as the writing is spectacular in this penultimate episode for S11B, the overall writing was brilliant and the dialogue felt right. Overseen by Angela Kang, the writing for this episode is consistent of the previous episodes in Part 2. Though I liked the writing, I think Ezekiel's part in the episode could have been handled better as now it felt like an afterthought, still enjoyed the scenes though. The episode uses the big budget wisely, making it brilliant both technically and the acting and so on, the camera work are brilliant and it's visually a great episode, an overall impressive production.

This was Lily Mariye's Walking Dead directorial debut, but she directed two episodes of the World Beyond spinoff series. So she is familiar with the Universe and I think she did a great job with directing a TWD episode. She directed 11.15 "Trust" and there are so many great scenes in this episode and there's not one single bad performance throughout the entire episode. The cinematography is once again breathtaking and incredible, just right for the show, the way it was shot and so on, simply brilliant. The sets were detailed and perfect, and so are the art and production design. Superb sound design and a musical score both gripping and dramatic. It's one of many things on the technical side of things that the show succeeds perfectly with.

"Trust" has lots of things that fans of The Walking Dead will like. With the previous episodes having covered the 6 months that led to the time jump, we finally get down to the cliffhangers we waited patiently for, and it was an incredible episode. The best performances were Josh Hamilton as Lance Hornsby and that's mostly it for truly brilliant performances, there were mostly plot development in the episode and not material for the actors to truly shine. Though I also liked Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene and Michael James Shaw as Michael Mercer in the episode. Honorable mention goes to Khary Payton as Ezekiel for still doing an amazing job with the character. Only one episode remains of S11B and the tension is there, so is the suspension and drama. In previous seasons, the "soap opera" and romantic writing was mostly lacking but it's handled so much better in this season, especially this episode. The writers and especially Angela Kang are truly building onto something special, something memorable, I anticipate 11.16 to be phenomenal. Build up is needed and the show have been doing a great job with it. This was a great episode but it didn't top the other two episodes for me, but still a great episode.

Hopefully the mid-season finale is fantastic because so far 11B has been all the same besides 11x9 and this episode.

Lance and Maggie tension is always interesting, however they always slip in side-plots that are boring and unimportant.

Let's hope for a great mid-season...

Lance questions Gabriel and Aaron, then leads a group of Commonwealth troopers to Hilltop to question Maggie. Lance intensely questions Hershel about Maggie's potential involvement, leading to a tense confrontation as Elijah and Maggie threaten Lance. After leaving Hilltop, Lance comes across Leah, who he recruits for a job. Meanwhile, Mercer and Princess have developed a sexual relationship, as Mercer struggles with the decision to kill his own men. Rosita tells Eugene about what happened with Sebastian and he calls in Connie and Kelly to report on the matter; they realize that April was one of the names on the list that Connie received. Eugene convinces Max to continue to help him on the inside, and they kiss for the first time. Inspired by Carol and his new lease on life, Ezekiel opens a secret clinic for those still far down the list, recruiting Tomi to help him with surgery.

"Trust" unfolds as a pivotal episode in the eleventh season of "The Walking Dead," probing the delicate nature of trust in a post-apocalyptic world where allegiances are as fragile as the safety they purport to offer. This episode skillfully navigates the intricate web of relationships and alliances formed among the survivors, highlighting how trust is both a necessary bond for survival and a potential source of betrayal. By focusing on the dynamics between characters who find themselves at a crossroads, "Trust" examines the consequences of faith placed wrongly and the redemptive power of trust earned against all odds.

The episode is structured around several key interactions that test the boundaries of existing relationships. Through these encounters, viewers are offered a deep dive into the psyche of characters who grapple with the weight of past decisions, the fear of vulnerability, and the hope for a future that seems increasingly uncertain. Particularly notable is the nuanced portrayal of characters who have historically been at odds, now finding themselves in situations where they must either choose to rebuild their fragile trust or succumb to the divisions that threaten their collective survival. The tension builds steadily, culminating in a series of confrontations that are as emotionally charged as they are revealing of character.

Visually, "Trust" employs a stark, almost claustrophobic aesthetic that mirrors the internal conflicts of the characters. The use of tight framing and close-ups intensifies the sense of intimacy and tension, drawing the viewer closer into the emotional landscape of the episode. Moreover, the episode's pacing is deliberate, allowing moments of silence and reflection to punctuate the narrative, giving weight to the characters' dilemmas and decisions. This careful construction enhances the thematic exploration of trust, illustrating its fragility and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect it, rebuild it, or exploit it.

In conclusion, "Trust" stands out as a compelling examination of the human condition under duress, weaving a narrative that is as much about the internal struggles of its characters as it is about their external circumstances. The episode challenges the viewer to consider the price of trust in a world where betrayal is often a means of survival. Through its thoughtful character development, gripping narrative, and expressive visual style, "Trust" adds a rich layer to "The Walking Dead's" exploration of the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the enduring quest for humanity in the midst of chaos. It serves as a poignant reminder that in a world overrun by the dead, the living must navigate the perilous terrain of trust with care, lest they become their own worst enemies.

Things are being way too boring; I have just been waiting for these episodes to FINISH and that's highly bad for a TWD fan- the series has lost its personality eversince all the main character have been out of it for no reason. I meab they are making us wait for them many seasons and that's unreasonable!

Hornsby questions Aaron and Gabriel about what happened to Carlson and his group, and why they have survived. Then he decides to look for the killers at Hilltop. When he arrives, he orders Maggie to open the gates, but she only obeys when Daryl asks her. Hornsby's trooper searches Hilltop and Hornsby snoops around, and Maggie tells him to leave Hilltop by the sundown. Meanwhile, Eugene, Connie, Kelly and Rosita are planning to overthrow Pamela Milton from the power, and Eugene involves Max in his coup-d'etat. Ezekiel asks Tomi to help him in an appendicectomy, and Tomi finds a clinic for poor people masked of veterinary services. Hornsby stumbles with Leah and offers he a job.

"Trust" is an episode of "The Walking Dead" with uninteresting subplots. The annoying Eugene is now plotting a coup-d'etat against Pamela Milton. The woman is flawed but organized a society in a world of chaos. Her scum son Sebastian is so far the real problem and he should be pressing to warn his behavior to the population. Mercer seems to be a honest man and probably should be the governor of Commonwealth, but probably he does not have politician skills. Hornsby is another scum, but Mercer could easily deal with him is Pamela supports him. The subplot of Ezekiel is pointless and only a filler of the running time. Mercer and Princess together is interesting. The confrontation of Maggie and Hornsby is the best part of the show. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Confiança" ("Trust")