UnCommon: An Adventure in Catfishing

Normally, I'm a very busy girl. I am currently an English Instructor with a nine-course working schedule, in addition to, my club obligations. So, yeah, I'm busy. One thing, I do not do is date. I don't have the time, nor do I feel like having to do interview after interview with what is left in this small pond that I call a hometown.

I do spend far too much time on social media. Social media is perfect for an introvert such as myself. I don't actually have to talk to people, and I can keep up with all my favorite things whether it be former students, sports, television, music, or the movies. Although I use Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Linkin, and others, Instagram is by far my favorite, mostly because it allows me to post to other sites without actually having to be on those sites.

One thing I do not like is the dudes who slip into your DMs. I don't know why Ayesha Curry was complaining about it, but I absolutely can't stand strangers slipping into my DMs. For those of you who are not internet savvy, DMs are direct messages. These are messages that are just between you and the other person. Now, don't get me wrong I don't mind DMing with people I know, but strangers...absolutely not. By that same token, I don't DM celebrities. Why you say? Well, I feel like that is a little like writing a fan letter, and I stopped doing that when I was 12. Earlier this year, I broke that rule, when what I thought was a Common fan page, entered my DMs. It was obvious from jump street that this guy was not Common, and honestly, I don't know why he thought he could fool anyone. Reluctantly, I broke my DMing celebrity rules and reported him to Common's verified account. Done and done. Right? Wrong.

Now, don't get me wrong. I would be totally flattered if the real Common slipped into my DMs, but I'm a pragmatist. While I could easily pass for Queen Latifah's slightly younger sister, I have no illusions that a celebrity is going to slip into my Instagram DMs to sweep me off my feet. NOT ONE. I'm a realist. That only happens to Instagram models, and I'm more of a Lane Bryant model, if that.

My Instagram account is private, because I don't want certain people following me, but recently, I've loosened up on who I've let follow me. Big Mistake!!! I wanted to make friends, but at least twice a week I was getting DMs from random guys. I should be flattered, right? Nope, see most of these guys are catfish. They think some women are so lonely that they will fall for any okie-doke. Yeah, I'm not one of those girls. It got to the point where I hated seeing the little DM letter light up. Until I opened this one. Word of advice, read my responses in a sarcastic voice. If you are blind like me, click on the pic and a larger version will appear. MAGIC!

Let me preface this by saying, I follow a lot of fan pages. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Kansas City Chiefs, Tony Gonzalez, and Common. I follow to talk to other people who share the same weird fascinations that I do. I also follow fan pages to get info about upcoming events that I'm often to lazy to Google. Let someone else do the work I say. I started following Common1850, because I thought this was a fan page. Nope, it was not. This person introduced himself as Lonnie from Chicago. Okay. This is the second person who has tried to fool me into believing they were Common. So, I decided to fall down this rabbit hole to see how far into Wonderland this was going to go.

Ah, Google Hangouts. This is the place where apparently, "ladies and gentlemen" lurk who are cheating on their significant other. I've used Google Hangouts before when I thought I was getting an European penpal, who turned into a seriously clingy weirdo whom I ghosted quickly. I reinstalled the app, and opened the first door.

What the hell is a tourist phone? I still don't know, but as you can see we "face-timed" through the app. I wish you guys could have seen it. This guy apparently went to the real Common's page and played muted version of a video that I had first seen on Twitter. I was thinking to myself, "Is this dude for real?" He tells me I'm beautiful. Y'all, I was wearing a Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt with most of the letters fade. I had released the mass I call hair from the elastic band that was barely holding it. I looked like a black troll doll. Honestly, there was nothing beautiful about me. Yes, I asked him to DM me from the verified account.

Bruh, he thought I was actually impressed by that "live video call." Again, it was muted, and it was a video I had already seen. Apparently, he thought the team answer was a good enough answer for not DMing me from the verified account. So, I let him believe that I could possibly be a sucker.

This dude, was pulling out all the stops. Here is his "I love you picture" and his "driver's license." Seriously, this was the very first conversation. If this was the real Common, I would have thought he was hella desperate, which is not my type, FYI.

This is...other level trash. This is the fakest looking driver's license. It looks worse than my work ID. No, I'm not posting my work ID. It's upside down most of the time because I look like a psycho, but he clearly took a picture from a red carpet and photoshopped it into this license. FYI, I blacked out the address and all because it belongs to somebody, not Common, but somebody. Oh, and according to said license, Common dwells in San Diego. I cannot tell y'all how hard I laughed at those lip emojis, I mean, I love emojis as much as the next person, but YOU ARE A MAN, right? Don't do that. Then, he texted me at 2:14 am to tell me about his day. Let me tell you right now, I don't give a care about what you are doing at 2:14 am. Not one. Don't wake me up with your itinerary.  He was back that afternoon.

Why does he still think that I think that he is Common? If I thought he were the real Common, I would have gladly taken that demerit and answered that call in the middle of class. I'm seriously giving not much "love" to this dude. 

He is in love with me and wants me in his life officially. Is this dude for real? But I play along. Now, I will be honest, I make a few errors in my texting, because I suck at texting, but this dude has all kinds of word phrasing issues. This is supposed to be the guy who does the free-styling that I have seen on television?

This guy is telling me that he fell in love with me based upon my picture. This picture...

I was roaring with laughter. I mean, y'all, this is my Halloween costume, and sure I won first place in a very biased audience, but THIS IS THE PICTURE YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH? I question your judgment on the real. Dude, I'm judging you. 

Why are you asking me who is at home with me? Who does that? I thought Michelle was your homie. No response to my reading her biography? I just basically told this guy that I don't love you.

Read through you? Who says that? Ah, my Tony Gonzalez joke. This dude did not know who Tony Gonzalez was. He asked me if TONY GONZALEZ was my ex. Then, straight back to the I love you. To quote Rick James, "Cocaine is a hell of a drug."

I don't understand why I had to repeat the Bible question. I clearly did not stutter.

Now the relationship questions. Again, I'm somewhat of an open book, because it really is none of this dude's business.

I asked him about his name. He says he prefers Lonnie. Oh...really. Well if you watch this video at the 1:19 that is not what "you" told these kids.

I'm not saying, but I'm saying. Don't judge me for watching this video by the way. I'm a grown woman. 

No, I did not give him my "real" name either. You are going to be Lonnie, well, meet Diane. Yeah, I did look like a troll doll. I'm going to bed, and I don't care what I look like. I'm not taking one of those in bed pics. I don't need that popping up on the internet for my students to use for blackmail. I wasn't playing about my name though. I don't like that baby, dear, bae stuff, and you don't know me.

Now, he wants to meet me. I give him excuses. I don't know you! I'm not going to meet some rando dude after a couple of conversations. I watch far too much Investigation Discovery, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order: pick one. I'm not going to end up chopped up in a trash can by some dude who probably looks like one of those weirdo dudes from Criminal Minds. No, thanks.

He is definitely studying Common's itinerary, but I still don't believe him. I even compliment the real Common's mom. Again, no response. Yes, I really do admire Common's mom. I don't know who this guy's mom is. She's probably Sante Kimes.

Again with the visits. I brush him off again, because I do not want to be found in a suitcase in some back alley. But I tell him I'm traveling to Atlanta to see "him" this summer. 

Wow, just brushed that off, huh...Okay. I'm still not visiting you. If you are who you say you are, send for me, right? You don't even know where I live. Just Mississippi...

I actually did fall asleep on old boy. I have a real job. I was literally texting blind without my glasses. Did this dude tell me to contact his team? What the what? How will that happen? Shut the front door, dude...I don't know you! I guess I made him mad (LOL), because I had to initiate the conversation on Easter. Maybe he was busy, but he missed me so much...blech...

I really don't understand how girls fall for this. He is now trying to pressure me into a visitation. I am giving all kinds of excuses. Just not getting the point...

Because I won't come to him, he wants me to request to his team that he flies to me. Wait a minute...Your team works for you, and I'm not your secretary. Why am I making plans? And there it was, I am to pay for him to come to me, and then he would refund me. Really, dude?

"Under image right this procedure," what is this? This doesn't even make sense. You want me to send you money for a ticket? Seriously? Ahhhh, what is my bank? Now, we are at the reality of the situation.

I talk off the subject, and how he was giving up on love...blah, blah, blah, blah, dude you just asked me for my bank account. You are talking all kinds of noise.

Explaining for weeks? We have barely been talking for a week. Who have you been talking to? Oh, the other girls who possibly fell for your con.

I may be wrong, but I believe the actual name of the foundation is the CommonGround Foundation, but whatever...

Yeah, this is where I took my leave from this mess. From the beginning, I knew this guy was a fraud, and I really didn't have to go as far as I did with this, but I wanted people to see just how far some of these internet randos will go to convince you that they are the real person. They are fooling some people. Several Common fans and myself tried to convince this young girl that another one of these pages was not the real deal. She refused to believe us and called us haters who were jealous that he was following her and not us. Some people just want to believe. It only takes a quick Google search to see women falling for these con artists and giving away thousands of dollars to someone they don't know. Some have lost more than their money. Be careful on these internet streets, guys. BTW, I've blocked this guy, and you should, too, if you follow him. Don't fall for these internet Romeos who only love your money...

Until next time, "From my experience, honey, if he seems to good to be true--he probably is."-Candance Bushnell.

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 16-"The Storm"

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Hey, every one! It is season finale time!!! Who will live? Who will die? Who will freeze to death in the storm? Opens with Eugene's radio. Ezekiel's voice stating that the Kingdom is finally broken. With winter, the fires raged, rot spread, and the Kingdom has fallen. They need help and shelter. Daryl brings food to Lydia. They plan to move everyone to Hilltop. He talks about never forgetting the magic and love that the Hilltop brought. Carol is sadly going through some of Henry's things. Ezekiel rolls up the charter to take with them. He talks of the ones who died bravely defending them, like Tara. Aaron and Michonne have arrived with members of the Hilltop to try to get the people of the Kingdom to safety. Carol and Ezekeil are the last to leave the Kingdom. He talks of how the ones who died were valiant, and now they must be valiant, too. Farewell to the Kingdom...

The Hilltop is in a bit of disarray with Tara's death. They have tried to contact Maggie, but no word from her. Alden starts in on Lydia about the Whisperers who seem to be following them. Daryl tells him to lay off Lydia. Carol is eyeing Lydia suspiciously. Daryl tells her that Henry wanted her here, and she is a good kid. He asks Carol what does she see when she looks at him. She says he sees him. As she touches his arm, Ezekiel looks back a little jealously. Jerry tells him that the barometer is dropping, and a storm is approaching. All the power is out in Alexandria, and Eugene recommends that everyone using firewood. Aww, Ezekiel is jealous. He wants to start over with Carol without Daryl being a third wheel. He says the last few months without Henry have been difficult, and he just wants a piece of what he has lost. Daryl doesn't really answer him. Lydia wanders off by herself and spots a frozen walker. She seems hypnotizes by it. She is attempting to let it bite her, but Carol comes through the woods, and she stops. They decide to stop for the night, and they end up at the Sanctuary.

Back to Alexandria, where Negan is basically being well Negan teasing everyone especially the paternal threesome. Judith is worry about Dog, because she promised Daryl that she would take care of him. Negan smells something off before the fireplace explodes. They all decide to move to Aaron's house, but it is almost white out conditions in Alexandria. Back at Sanctuary, Carol and Daryl talk about Ezekiel. She says he blames Daryl because he can't blame her. She says that she feels like she is falling apart again. Daryl tells her he can take her away, and he would take care of her. She asks if he wants to leave. Lydia is listening in on their convo. Meanwhile, Michonne and Ezekiel are discussing the next step in getting to the next wait station. They only have enough food for a few days. They aren't going to be able to travel with the wagons, and the best way through is through Alpha's territory. Carol tells him that those borders were hers not theirs. Ezekiel says that he doesn't want to start a war, especially with an enemy they don't really know how to fight.

Michonne and Ezekiel are discussing the plan. He blames himself for their situation. Michonne tells him they are stronger together. She thought they were better alone. She said that is how Alpha was able to get to them because they didn't know each other anymore. So they set out in the night hoping to cross Alpha's border without initiating a fight. They come to the pikes, and Ezekiel stops briefly before they continue into Alpha's territory. Meanwhile in Alexandria, they are trying to make it to Aaron's house when Judith hear's Dog and runs after him. Negan lets go of the rope to follow her. Well, we see three walkers frozen solid as the group makes its way toward the river. Daryl and Michonne check to see if the river is solid. Lydia sneaks off. Carol goes to find Lydia, and some walkers come out of the snow bank.

Although they have to fight walkers, everyone makes it across the river. Carol catches up to Lydia. Lydia tells her that she has to die. She tells Carol it could be her, and no one has to know. She says she is the reason Henry is dead. She begs Carol to kill her. This is how she loses no one else. Lydia says she is too weak like her mother said. Carol tells her she is not weak, and they have to go. Back in Alexandria, they are still trying to find Judith, and Negan gets hit in the leg with a piece of wood, but he finds Judith and Dog. He tells her that she wanted spend more time with him. He gives Judith his coat and sets out with her and Dog to find everyone else. 

Finally, they make it to Hilltop. Lydia is looking at paintings of Glenn and Hershel. Daryl tells Lydia to get some rest that they are traveling to Alexandria the next day. Carol tells Ezekiel that she is going back to Alexandria. He tells her that he understands, but he will never stop loving her. She offers him back the ring, but he refuse it. Michonne sees Negan in the infirmary, and she thanks him for saving her. Negan calls Siddiq Dr. BabyDaddy. He talks about how her and the Kingdom were stuck in the weather. He says that Michonne was ballsy for cutting through Alpha's territory. Negan tells her that no one ever thinks they are the evil one. Alpha tells Beta she has made mistakes, but she needs to be strong for what comes next, as he beats her with a switch. Ezekiel is back on the mic, talking to Judith. He tells her just because they lost the house, doesn't mean they've lost their home. After he leaves, the voice of a woman comes across the radio...So, who is the lady on the radio?

Well, that's the season everyone! Is it the CommonWealth contacting them? Is it Maggie? See you, guys in October!!!!

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 15-"The Calm Before"

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Welcome back, everyone!!! It is the next to the last episode of the season, and we are getting an extended season tonight. I know we are going to start losing some of our TWD family tonight, but knowing that still does not prepare me for the evil that Alpha is about to unleash upon them. I know it is a boring concept, but I wish they could have just one semi-peaceful season.

Who is this killing Walkers already? Who are these strangers standing outside of Hilltop? Now, they've been in Hilltop for five years. Miles and Hilda. So, why are we just meeting them? So, she's a carver. So, Miles and Hilda are Alpha's first victims. Well, thanks for introducing and killing them so quickly, TWD. Nice knowing, ya, kids...

Ezekiel giving a speech at the fair about Rick and Carl's vision. He is also talking about how Jesus brought them all together. The Fair of New Beginning begins with the launching of doves. Carol and Mika's group are preparing to leave to find Henry when Michonne, Daryl, and the crew pull up to the gates of Kingdom. Tara sees Lydia and reminds them that Lydia should not have come back. Michonne calls a meeting of the leaders. Alexandria has voted to give Lydia sanctuary. Michonne reminded everyone how Tara was taken by everyone after she was with the Governor. They have decided to form a mutual protection pact. They are going to send a group of fighters to protect Hilltop and each other. They all decide to sign the charter that Michonne created. All the leaders sign. Michonne tells Gabriel to sign for Alexandria as the leader of the council. Rachel Ward, who I vaguely remember, showed up for Oceanside. I had no idea they were still around.

Lydia and Henry take a walk around the fair. Henry and Lydia both say that they wish they could go to Hilltop with them. Ezekiel tells Carol that their son is going on a date to the movies. Luke is trying to convince Alden to sing, as Enid declares Alden her boyfriend. (You know, I'm having a hard time remembering all these names!!!). Meanwhile, Kelly is still mad at Connie for leaving and not saying goodbye. When then find out from Connie, as she implies, that she may have lost a child, which is why she was determined to save the baby and Lydia. Kelly is calmed, but reminds her that they should always say goodbye because they never know which goodbye will be the last. Connie telling Daryl to be safe as he prepares to leave to go to Hilltop.

Michonne and Siddiq are walking and talking about going to Hilltop. Siddiq kinda tells Michonne about his baby after she told him to keep an eye on Judith. Addy apologized to Henry for ratting him out while Gage gives Lydia a complex by telling her that Addy likes Henry and Henry liked Lydia. Ezekiel offers Daryl a home once everything has settled at Hilltop. Carol tells Ezekiel to enjoy the fair, but he says he won't until she comes back. So, Carol, Daryl, Michonne, Yumiko, and crew head off to Hilltop. The Highwaymen show them the wagon that was attacked by the Whisperers. Yumiko decides to go with Carol, Daryl, and Michonne try to find the Hilltoppers who were ambushed.  Magna, Dianne, and Oscar go on to Hilltop. Michonne's group see the Hilltoppers who have been turned to walkers; they try to head back but are surrounded by walkers and possibly Whisperers. After killing a bunch of walkers, they are surrounded by Whisperers. Then, Beta shows up telling them to drop the weapons. He tells them that all they had to do was bring him the girl, and no one else would have had to die, but now that deal is done.

Why do we have this little Ezekiel Flashback. There is Alpha dressed like Hilda behind Jerry and Nabila. Eugene and Rosita having a conversation above the fair. They discuss how they should still be friends regardless of how things have turned out, and she thanks him for all the help with Gabriel. Henry is busy looking for Lydia. Tara talks to Rachel and Gabriel talk about sharing training techniques. Tara is still worried about Hilltop. Everyone is enjoying the fair. Henry finally finds Lydia, who is sulking about Addy. Alpha sees a picture of Ezekiel and Carol and sees Tammy and Earl with the baby. Henry tells Lydia that he doesn't like Addy like that, and that he likes her and they kiss. Meanwhile, he leaves to go check on a pipe. Alpha spots Rosita and Eugene. Alpha pretends to be Debbie from Alexandria, and goes to the clothing booth escorted by Ezekiel. Ezekiel is missing the movie. Henry is late to the movie as well. Alpha sits down next to Lydia and tells her to be quiet.

Alpha has made it back. Daryl tells her that she is not getting Lydia back. Alpha says you think this was about my daughter. She tells them that Lydia was weak, and that they are in no position to talk to her. She makes Daryl come with her. She shows Daryl her herd of Walkers, and how her people steer them. She tells him that his friends are safe, and in the field to the north. She has marked the border to the north, oh no, the pikes. She tells them to stay out of their territory, or she will unleash her horde upon them. He asked did she kill Lydia. Lydia stands up to Alpha threatening to scream if she doesn't leave. She tells Alpha to leave. Alpha tells her that she was never one of them. She left her. She tells him that she doesn't think he can protect her daughter. She hope that she is wrong. They are to leave through the north field. I'm not ready, y'all...

Here we go y'all with the sad violin. This is about to be bad, bad.  Our group is on the way. Beta asks about Lydia, and Alpha tells him she wants to be alone as she cries. She kills one of the Whisperers who happened upon her crying. Siddiq is beaten and tied to a tree. They find the heads on the pikes. Who are the?  The Highwayman, Alex, D.J., Frankie, Tammy, Addy, Rodney, Enid, Tara, and Henry, Siddiq was supposed to die, but Alpha left him alive to tell the story. Siddiq talked about how they all fought for each other until the very end. Siddiq says that their time was cut short but theirs keeps going for all of them. They need to honor them and remember they died as heroes. He says that's the story he wants to remember. Lydia returns to put the necklace that Henry gave her at the pike where he died as the snow begins to fall. Carol is not going to take lightly the death of Henry though, you can believe that. 

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 14-"Scars"

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Welcome back, everybody! We open with a flashback of Michonne looking for Rick and finding his gun. Then, she is visibly pregnant still looking for him. Daryl approaches her telling her that he had searched all the way to the ocean. She tells him that Judith has been looking for him. Daryl tells her that he will never stop looking for Rick. She asked if he was okay alone. He asks her the same. She says she's not. Now it's present day, and Aaron has approached her telling Michonne that Daryl is at the gate. Michonne looks to Aaron who does not trust Lydia, but Michonne tells him she trusts Daryl. They flash back to Scott who has brought three people with him. One of them is a black woman with braids who Michonne recognizes and calls Jocelyn, who responds Michonne. Who is this chick?

Henry is being operated on under watchful eye. She asks Daryl if they are heading to the Kingdom. he says eventually, but Carol should know. I like Connie who steps to Michonne with a note that says she'd do it all again, but with better shoes. Okay, my service jumped to a commercial for some reason, and when it comes back, Jocelyn looks to be running and tells Michonne that she needs help. Flash to a warehouse where Gabriel, Rosita, Eugene, Aaron, and Michonne go to the building where the newcomers come from and find even more kids. Present day, Michonne tells Henry that she needs to talk to Lydia. He thanks her for letting people go to the fair. She tells him if she had known about this situation that she wouldn't have. She tells Lydia that she has done a lot of things to protect this place and her people. She tells her it might have been easier if the only life she had to risk was hers and just walk away and make everyone else's life easier. She tells Lydia to think about that.

Judith asks Daryl if Hilltop is in trouble. He says he doesn't know. He told her that Lydia just tagged along. She asks if Daryl is going to stay. He says no that he is going to move along. He tells her that her mother was right protecting her and RJ from everything. Judith doesn't agree. She then asked what would Rick do, and Daryl's non-response is enough for Judith to know that Rick would not agree with Michonne. She and Jocelyn talk about how she ended up with all those children. She tells her that the parents all died. Jocelyn and Michonne went to college together. Jocelyn encouraged her to look for Rick. Flashback to the present and Daryl and his group are leaving. Michonne says that Judith is mad at her. Daryl says she doesn't understand, and that Michonne should tell Judith what happened. Michonne stares at a manhole cover that has been sealed. Judith slept over with Jocelyn and her kids. When they go to the house where Jocelyn is staying to get Judith, everyone is gone. Scott finds out they have raided the pantry raided and one of her people dead, the infirmary has been raided, and Jocelyn and her kids have stolen Judith. They have slipped out through the sewer throught that manhole cover. Jocelyn and her kids are why Michonne is against newcomers.

Michonne is riding a horse, and what is going on with the commercials tonight? Present day, the Grimes are having dinner. Judith asks to be excused. During the night, Michonne gets up, and we see the scar again. Michonne goes to Judith's room to tell her something, and she finds Judith gone. Michonne goes to see Negan and asks Negan what Judith talks to him about. He tells her that he tells her the things that Michonne does not tell her. He also tells her that Judith is just like her, and she does not take stuff lying down. Michonne starts looking for Judith again and finds a note saying that she is going to help her friends. Flashback to Michonne and Daryl looking for Judith. Michonne tells him that Jocelyn had been a good friend, and she wanted that again, so she let her guard down. She tells him that she should have sensed it. He tells her that Jocelyn wasn't like her that she hid her evil with a mask, and again, a stupid commercial break. Michonne and Daryl enter a school, and they attacked by what appears to be Jocelyn's kids, and again with the weird commercial breaks!!!!

Michonne and Daryl are strung up and gagged. Daryl appears to be trying to loosen his ropes. The little blond boy, Linus brands Daryl with the X. Jocelyn tells them the strong survive and thrive and children are capable of anything. Linus then brands Michonne. Present day, Michonne is biking and find Judith's bike in the midst of some walkers. Meanwhile, Daryl has broken loss and broken free and freed Michonne who tells him they need to split up. She fights off two kids one of whom wounds her in the stomach, as she tries to get to Judith, Jocelyn attacks her again, and she kills Jocelyn. Michonne doesn't want to kill these kids, but she is killing them all to get to Judith. Winnie one of Jocelyn's kids doesn't attack and runs away, and Michonne is finally reunited with Judith. Michonne finally finds Judith who is seemingly handling her own with the walkers, but one grabs her, and she yells for Michonne who kills the walker and tells her that they need to talk.

Michonne tells Judith the story, and how she thought she had been brainwashed. Judith tells Michonne that she remembered, and she said they were all bad people. Michonne tells her she did everything because she thought she did understand. MIchonne tells her that it is not so simple helping everybody. She asks Michonne when did we stop loving our friends. She said they didn't. She takes Judith to Carl's grave. She said she promised that she would never bury another child. Then she lost her father and Judith. She said that's when she decided that they would not let anyone in because that kept Judith and RJ safe which is all she wanted, but not what Carl and Rick would have wanted. She says they will protect all the people they love. Judith and Michonne find Daryl and his crew and they are all headed to the Kingdom. We see two Whisperers who have found their way into the Kingdom. Okay, I'm not cool with this surrounding of our crew next week.. Until then, y'all...

FYI, I waited until the show ended, because Jocelyn looked so familiar, and I could not place her. I've never seen True Blood, but I have seen Rutina Wesley in Queen Sugar. She was awesome tonight...

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 13-"Chokepoint"

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Welcome back, everyone!  The fugitives are on the run, but they are not going to Hilltop because Tara made a deal with the Whisperers. Daryl is upset that Lydia lied about the number of Whisperers. She tells him he was holding her in a cage. Henry suggest that he and Lydia run separate to which everyone says it's a bad idea. Daryl insists they keep moving, but Connie leads the group from their hiding spot. Beta and crew are now on their trail.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom is getting their fair together. Nabila and Carol are discussing how the fair is a new beginning. They noticed Jerry, Diane, and their group have been jumped and stripped of their armour. They call themselves the "Highwaymen," and they claim to own all of the roads around the Kingdom, and they are going to charge all the people a toll to come to the Kingdom. They debate as to whether or not its the former Sanctuary members. The Hilltop group is on their way to the fair, but a tree is blocking their path. Kelly is  nervous because Connie has not comeback. Back to Daryl and crew, Connie convinces Daryl to take a higher position off the ground called the Chokepoint. He asks Lydia how will the Whisperers will roll as a crew with the Walkers. She tells him with a herd, maybe 5 or 6, but the one he needs to worry about is Beta. She is also worried that going high will get them trapped. 

Jerry and his crew have found the Highwaymen, and they are not the Whisperers it seems. Carol wants to talk to the Highwaymen; Jerry thinks it was a death threat. Carol still wants to talk, but she tells Ezekiel that if they won't listen to reason, then they will kill them. I love Carol. Connie has found a stash of supplies in this building. Connie and her crew hid in this building once. Connie wants Lydia to sat, but Daryl tells her their friends will die if they take her back. Connie leaves him with a note that says they have friends she doesn't. The leader of the Highwaymen only wants to talk to the King, but Ezekiel tells they rule together. The Highwaymen have been hiding among the mannequins and want to hold the King hostage, but his crew surrounds the Highwaymen. The King offers them a job. They promise if they keep the road to the Kingdom safe, they will give them access to the Kingdom and the fair. The leader initially balks laughing that they need to do better than that. Carol then offers them a movie.

Daryl and crew are barricading themselves in and waiting for Beta to come. Lydia tells Henry that she does not want to kill her people; he tells her he will try not kill her people. She asks why he came for her, and he tells her that he cares about her. A group of walkers have come upon the Hilltop group attacking them. Tammy protects the new baby in a trunk and manages to kill a few walkers to save Earl. A group of horsemen approach. It's the Highwaymen coming to escort them Hilltop to the Kingdom. I guess they took Carol's deal, which was probably best considering what happens when people say no to Carol.

Beta and crew have arrived in town. Daryl just killed the guy Beta was comforting the night before who was bitten by a walker. They are trying to use the walkers to barricade them in. Daryl takes Lydia with him. She kisses Henry and follows Daryl. The walkers are trapped, but Beta and the crew climb over the trap. Daryl locks Lydia in a closet to protect her since she will not fight against the Whisperers. Henry knocks out one of the female Whisperers, and Connie takes out another. Henry is knocked down by one. Henry is wounded (of course), bu he takes out another. Lydia breaks out of the closet to help Henry who is bleeding badly. Beta picks up Daryl and throws him like a child. He asks about Lydia, and the two begin a knife fight. They loose the knives and start fighting. He holds Daryl's throat over a bandsaw, but Daryl stabs Beta and gets away. Beta searches for him, but Daryl was hiding with Connie's stash. Daryl sneaks up behind him and knocks Beta down an elevator shaft.

The Kingdom is setting up the fair. The head Highway man nods at Carol as the Hilltop arrives at the Kingdom. Carol is upset to see that Henry is not with them. Tara is surprised that Daryl has not arrived. Connie uses her slingshot to lure the walkers out of the building. The four of them are on their way to Alexandria. Beta meanwhile is broken, but not dead in the elevator shaft, and he is hella mad...

Last week, I made a mistake on the title, I update the post with the correct episode number and title. Until next week...

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 12-"Guardians"

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Welcome back, everyone! What are the Whisperers up to tonight? Alpha is concerned about Henry. Lydia tells her mother that she lied to get Henry to trust her. She also told her that she told Henry that there were only a few Whisperers. She tells them about farmland, about their few guns, but not much else. Lydia questions her mother about her reasoning for returning to get her. She wonders if she only wants information. Alpha tells her its a stupid question, but is it really, Alpha, considering you were going to off a baby last week?

Meanwhile in Alexandria, Michonne has found out about the radio and is she furious because the radio caused Eugene and Rosita are injured and Jesus is dead. Gabriel wants to continue, but Aaron is on Michonne's side because she has saved them multiple times. Siddiq tells the counsel that Michonne turned them down without talking to the counsel. Michonne doesn't want to go because it's too isolated and the roads are bad. Siddiq and the others want the Kingdom to thrive, but Michonne says Ezekiel will not give up the Kingdom, and she would welcome the Kingdom, but she is only for Alexandria surviving. Rosita and Gabriel are discussing the counsel and the baby. She has told Gabriel the baby is Siddiq's, and she will let Gabriel decide how he wants to handle it. The Whisperers just sit around in the dirt? Lydia finds a dirty yo-yo, and the Whisperers, namely Beta find Henry. Alpha questions Henry while Beta threatens to break his arms. Henry tells them he is from Hilltop, and that he is only there for Lydia. Lydia tells Henry he was stupid and punches him in the face. I totally agree, girl. Henry deserved that punch.

Howdy Eugene! Eugene has analyzed Gabriel's relationship prognosis if he stays with Rosita and raises another dude's progeny. He then tells Gabriel that he would be a fool if he left Rosita. He tells him that he is wasting time, and he should choose her. Alpha asks why Henry would follow her. Lydia lies to Alpha and tells her that she acted helpless, and Henry fell for it. Alpha tells Lydia that she had to lie. She tells Lydia that she is back where she belongs. Alpha tells Beta to get her a new skin and take Henry with her. Negan and Michonne are face to face. Negan tells her that he was in her house and could have waited to kill her. Michonne tells him the world spit him out. Negan wants to help her out. He thinks power will slip through her hands. He reminds her about the charter, but she is in charge. He wants to be her sounding board. She refuses, and tells him they are going to refortify his lock and close the window, and then she sees Judith watching.

Daryl, Connie, and Dog found where the Whisperers caught Henry, and they kill a couple of walkers. Daryl has trained Dog to retrieve his arrow. Henry watches as they skin a corpse. Alpha is challenged by a man, and she brings up the girlfriend who she accuses of putting her up to it. The girl tell Alpha she failed them all by allowing Hilltop to kill many of them and putting up the trade for Lydia. Alpha cuts the girl's head off in front of Henry and the boyfriend, and then, gives the girl's head to the boyfriend, and tells him to be quiet because crying is weak, and then she kill him. Wow...this lady is bat guano crazy...like full on cray-cray, and I hate her...

Awww, RJ is so cute. Looks like a little Trevor Noah. Michonne questions Judith about being around the jail. She reminds Judith that he is not her friend. Judith says she knows that. Michonne tells her that he killed people they cared about and he did monstrous things. Judith says he's not like that anymore, but Michonne says people don't change. Judith says that Michonne did. Michonne sends her to her room. Henry and Lydia share a look. Alpha tells Beta that it had been years since some one had challenged her. She tells him how Lydia almost suffocated from a plastic bag. When she rescued her, she hit her hard so she wouldn't forget. They leave the corpses of the killed Whisperers to the walkers to eat. 

So, apparently Gabriel is going to take Eugene's advice. Michonne goes to talk to Aaron and thank him for his support. Michonne tells him that if they want to trade with the Kingdom that she won't veto it because it is the people's choice. She does not agree with it, and thinks its a bad idea. Seems as though they have agreed to go to the fair. Michonne does not believe its a good idea. Alpha throws down a knife in front of Lydia and tells her to kill Henry. She tells her to kill him or Beta will kill them both. But then, they are attacked by walkers, and Daryl comes in and rescues Henry who refuses to leave without Lydia, but they leave together. See you next week, guys!!!

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 11-"Bounty"

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Welcome back, everybody!!! We get to see the confrontation with Alpha tonight. Hey, Jerry and Ezekiel, long time no see. Nabila and Jerry are going to have a baby!!! Awwww!! Carol's haris is short, oh a flashback, there is Jesus and Tara. I wish they would tell us what happened between Maggie and Michonne. So, Ezekiel now has the accord that Michonne wrote for all of the groups but refused to sign. Diane, Ezekiel and Carol are going hunting, and dang, Nabila and Jerry have three kids!!! Alpha asks for her daughter and Daryl refuses to give her, so Alpha signals for more of her people.

Earl and Tammy arguing about burns. Enid is now a full-fledged doctor. Tammy and Enid discussing Alden when Marco tells Enid about the Whisperers. Connie is hiding in the corn. Alpha tells them that she will not have conflict, if they will give back her daughter. Daryl decides to have a one on one conversation with Alpha even though the rest of the group are afraid Alpha will kill Alden and Luke if they don't give her Lydia. After the great elk hunt for the fair, Ezekiel wants to take a side mission without Carol which does not go over well with Carol who accompanies him to what appears to be an overrun movie theater full of walkers.

Daryl tells Alpha she can't have her. Alpha brought a woman nursing a baby out her. Daryl threatens to light them up. Alpha offers him Alden and Luke for her daughter. Carol thinks it is to risky to get a projector bulb from the theater to show a movie. I love Jerry lip synching and bopping to the music they are using to lure the walkers out of the theater. Ugh, a Walker almost takes its head off going through a popcorn machine. Alpha also brought a group of the dead with her. Luke sees Connie in the corn. He signals to her that she needs to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Henry has broken Lydia out and escaped with her. This kid...

This baby is crying, and Alpha stares the mother down until she leaves the baby on the ground for the dead. What the what?  Connie grabs the crying baby, runs into the cornfield,  and is being chased by walkers Daryl, Tammy, Earl and Kelly get Connie and the baby. Jerry is trying to get a light bulb and Ezekiel wants to get a frame for the charter. Carol is talking about talking to Jesus about going to Hilltop, and as they are about to leave, Diane and Jerry are attacked by a walker, and Jerry dropped the bulb.

Lydia was surprised that her mother came. Enid is trying to convince Henry that they have to give her back to savy their people. Enid is telling him about Carl in order to convince him to let Lydia go. Lydia tells them that she will go back, and she will miss him. She tells him that she will be okay and he will be, too. Then, she kisses him. Daryl takes Lydia to meet with Alpha. They give them Luke and Alden. Lydia apologizes to her mother who slaps her and tells her to call her Alpha like the rest. Daryl is really not happy about this exchange.

So, they are going to Legolas and Aragorn their way into the theater. Carol wanting to protect Ezekiel so much and his saying that maybe they are done losing for a while does not bode well for Ezekiel, especially since it seems they are passing one of the Whisperers tags. Daryl and Henry discuss Lydia. He says with the scars on his back how could he send her back. Henry says he knows that Daryl helped when the bad things went down at Alexandria. They have the charter in the frame and the projector working. Connie and her group are back. Alden and Enid are hooking up. They gave the baby to Tammy and Earl. Jerry is back home with his family, and  Henry looks like he is about to do something stupid, and he has a not which the girl with glasses gives him a note that Henry says he couldn't live with it. Daryl goes after him, and Connie decides to go with him. That's all, y'all!!!! See ya, next week!!!

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 10-"Omega"

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Welcome back, guys!!! Baltimore back in day. Young Lydia and her mom Pre-Alpha and her husband Frank have been in a basement for 23 days into the Z-pac. Lydia was flashing back as she talks to Henry. Henry thinks how they live is messed up. She thinks Daryl is his dad. She tells him this place is going to fall. Apparently, Lydia's mom or someone killed her dad. She tells Henry that her mom is a lot like Carol. You don't want to mess with her. Meanwhile, Daryl is eavesdropping on their conversation.

Tara is leading the new troopers out to search. They are watching walkers feed, but they are being watched. They take out the many hoard who were feeding on Alden and Luke's horses that Connie tells them the horses were cut and skinned. Tara decides to go back and regroup because they don't know how many people are out there. Back in the clink, Henry is offering food to Lydia who refuses it. Flashback, Frank wants to leave the bunker, but his wife does not want because she doesn't want Lydia to end up an orphan. Of course, Henry now tells her about the Kingdom, and Daryl has heard enough. Daryl tells him that he has family in the Kingdom, and she had who knows how many people out there. Henry thinks she's just messed up and calls Daryl a butthole. Henry...moron...

Daryl questions her about her mother and what she would do if she came across their people. Lydia flashes back to her mother killing a man who went into panic mode in the bunker. Daryl tells her that her mom did what she had to do. He gives her some pills for her ear. He tells her that there are good people here. He offers her water, and she tries to attack him. The new peeps want to go out and find Luke, except Magna and Connie who don't want to tick off Tara and ruin what they have at Hilltop, but Yumiko and Kelly convince them to sneak out to try to find Luke. 

Daryl comes down to talk to Lydia. He say the marks on her arm from her mom's beatings. He asks her if her mom loves her why does she beat her. She says because soft people die. Lydia's flashback leaves out details like why her mom is now bald. Lydia sneaks over to see the corpse of the dead man who then turns into a walker who attacks her father. She says that her father was soft. She says that the people here are soft, but Daryl is not like them. He's hard. She wants him to tell her more, but he walks away. Meanwhile, the newbies are striking out on their mission impossible.

Henry tells Daryl that he could have helped. He asks Daryl was he beaten. He tells him the story of why Carol cut her hair and kept it short. Henry thinks Lydia is just messed up, but that Daryl could get to her. Kelly wants to stay out to look for Luke, because he saved her. Magna and Yumiko go back, but Kelly and Connie stay out, meanwhile, they are being watched. Henry is back talking to Lydia, and the idiot has the Keys and is letting her out. What a moron!!! This kid... The girl is out here eating worms from the ground, and she just offered one she licked to Henry. EWWW...Henry the dummy is telling her everything while she is picking up a hammer while telling him that places like this aren't supposed to exist. She drops the hammer when she hears a baby cry. She has flashbacks to how her mother became what she is. Her mother shaved her head like her father had shaved his beard. She tells Henry to put her back in the cell. Daryl, of course, is monitoring them. She asks Henry to stay the night, and he does.

Lydia tell them that her mother was not coming for her. She tells them that they don't search for people. She tells them that the story that she told them was a lie that her mother told her. The walker did not get her father. Her mother wanted to escape, but her father didn't Her mother was not the nice parent it was her father. Her mother killed her father. Daryl asks her about their people. She says her mother would see no reason to keep them alive. She also tells them the camp they are currently living in, but that they move around. The newbies were being watched by the Hilltop, and the Hilltop was followed by the Whisperers. Connie hides in the cornfield, while Kelly and the Hilltoppers make it back in. Alpha announces her presence, and that the only thing she wants is her daughter. Yikes, she's a mess...Until next week...

Dead Viewing: Season 9, Episode 9: Adaptation

***WARNING***

***You may want to stop here.***

***There will be spoilers.***

***This is not a review. It is just my thoughts as I'm watching the show.***

***I update during commercials.***
Remember, I'm just writing what I see and reacting.

Welcome back, everybody!!!! Almost time for the Mid-season premiere. Usually, I'm a little more stoked about the return of The Walking Dead. This time I'm a little, meh. I just heard that Danai Gurira is leaving next season, and well, I'm just a little sick of learning new people. As a teacher, I do this all the time. New year, new set of kids, I mean, do I really need that in my entertainment. I read an article today that said they like the idea of cycling out the cast and bring in new people, well, not me. I'm really a creature of habit, and I like my casts. If it gets to the point that you need an entire new cast, call the time of death on the show. Like Law & Order or Criminal Minds, the show starts to lose the chemistry. I actually loved both of those shows, and I eventually stopped watching them for that reason. It wasn't the same show any more, and as much as, I love Carol and Daryl, I think I'm not going to feel the same once Michonne (and possibly Ezekiel) exit, but on to tonight's episode.

When we last saw out group of friends, they had figured out that some of the walkers were people in disguise. The Whisperers and they had surrounded them in the graveyard, and this is where we begin. Our guys take out a couple of Whisperers before they manage to escape and lock the walkers in the cemetery. Of course, the Whisperers are among them to open the lock.

Ugh, Negan sneaking out of his lair. Thanks a lot, Gabriel. Checking in on Judith, Negan? Why would he wait until daylight to leave? Judith with the Rick revolver. That's a lot of big talk from a little girl Judith. Negan promising not to hurt anyone?  Really, kid? She is really letting Negan go. She tells him, if she sees him again she will shoot. She also tells him to keep the compass that he stole from her room. I would have shot him. Luke is going out with Alden to find our group. Michonne and the rest coming back she and Daryl apologized to each other for not finding Rick. They hear and dog senses that they have walker company. New kind or original recipe, good one Eugene. They capture one of the Whisperers, a girl. 

Travels with Negan, a new AMC series coming this fall. Man, I hate this dude. Ugh, a BBQ zombie...drinking that water had to be a bad idea Negan, and...it comes back. Learned that from Naked and Afraid. Hilltop finally learns about Jesus.  I forgot Henry was still in the tank, and Daryl tells him about Jesus, while Tara and Michonne prepare to interrogate the Whisperer girl. Negan is exploring an old abandoned sporting goods store. Finds a crank light. Didn't know they still had those. He sees that the last occupant had set up a mannequin family before shooting himself in the head. He finds a replacement leather jacket before some dogs make him take higher ground. He escapes into the arms of a walker that he traps with the dogs.

I forgot that Alden and Luke were looking for the group. They find some of Yumiko's arrows, and they here the walker herd. 

So, my computer had a burp. Quick review. The Whisperer girl game them no new information, Rosita is pregnant with Siddiq's baby (?), Eugene wanted to propose, but had to listen to her tell him this. Daryl criticizes Henry for his choices. Negan has made it back to Sanctuary, which is a dump right now. 

Aaron tells Michonne that she was right that they all should be about protecting their own now. Michonne tells Daryl that he should stay and help Tara run Hilltop. He doesn't really want to. They also realize that Alden and Luke should have made it back, but they haven't. Negan sets about cleaning up the Sanctuary and killing some lose walkers including "Big Richie" one of his former Saviors. He looks at Judith's compass, before he finally kills the Big Richie zombie.

After Jesus's funeral, Daryl goes back to interrogate the girl some more. He gets some more information from her, but she is still lying. She tells him that there were only 10, and it is just her mother out there. Henry convinces Daryl to leave her alone. She tells Henry that her name is Lydia, while Daryl is outside listening. Negan is making his way back to Alexandria. Judith shoots his motorcycle from under him. He tells Judith that he doesn't really like it outside of his 10x10. Alden and Luke still have not made it back. Alden and Luke are surrounded by Whisperers who has a shotgun on them. Until next week, y'all...