SPOILER ALERT: The post contains spoilers from The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 5 entitled “The Big Scary U,” which reveals Negan’s backstory. Proceed with caution.
The Walking Dead went back in time four episodes for “The Big Scary U,” showing the Savior’s perspective in their all-out war against Rick Grimes and The Militia (the combined Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Kingdom communities).
The episode also revealed what happened to Negan and Father Gabriel, after they found themselves trapped in a trailer surrounded by zombies. Facing death, Negan shared his story.
Here’s five shocking moments from “The Big Scary U.”
Negan’s Plan Revealed
Throughout the season, the Saviors have talked about Rick, the Widow, and the King. Rick, Maggie, and Ezekiel are the leaders of their respective communities, but Negan doesn’t want them alive for Mercy. He plans to publicly execute them to strike fear in Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Kingdom.
In fact, the next episode is entitled “The King, The Widow, and Rick.” Will one of these leaders meet a sad fate? Ezekiel has already lost all of his soldiers and Shiva. And now Maggie may be in more danger, too (see below).
Gabriel’s Mission
Father Gabriel has never been a likable character. Despite his calling, he was never the moral compass of the group like Dale or Glenn. He locked his congregation out of his church during the start of the zombie apocalypse (a sin he admitted to Negan). He sold Rick’s group out to Deanna when they first arrived at Alexandria. He ran from many battles instead of fighting.
But Gabriel has a come-to-Jesus revelation while trapped with his deadliest archenemy.
“I think I’m here to take your confession,” Gabriel tells Negan. He uses the opportunity to shoot Negan, but misses. It’s still the boldest action Gabriel has taken in three seasons.
Later, after Negan and he make it back to the Sanctuary, Gabriel reveals his goal is to find the Savior’s doctor, who was Maggie’s obstetrician. Will Negan learn that the Widow is expecting and use that knowledge against Rick?
Negan’s Confession
Despite the attempt on his life, Negan finally confesses his sin to Gabriel.
He reveals he cheated on his first wife, who he calls his “real,” “til death do us part” wife. “She was sick, and when she went it was during this. I couldn’t put her down,” the Savior leader confesses. “That is how I was weak. That is what I confess.”
Since then, he’s taken on multiple wives, but none he loved as much as the first.
Negan also reveals that he was not the first leader of the Saviors, but took over someone who was too weak to lead. He sees himself as saving others (hence the name, The Saviors) because people are ultimately a resource.
Rick and Daryl Fight
In the episode’s most shocking moment, Rick and Daryl fight over what to do with the Saviors still left at the Sanctuary.
After learning the Kingdom army has been decimated, Daryl wants to blow a hole in the wall of the Savior headquarters and let the walkers do the rest of the job. Rick disagrees, reminding Daryl that there were innocent workers and their families who couldn’t fight.
Rick punches Daryl, who quickly turns the tables and gets him into a chokehold. During the scuffle, the jeep carrying the high-powered rifles explodes. Not only have the weapons been lost, but also their trust in each other. Up until now, Daryl has almost always fallen in line with Rick. A preview of next week’s episode shows Daryl reaching out to Tara to take matters into their own hands.
The Helicopter, the Helicopter!
After their fight, Rick and Daryl part ways. Rick heads to the Scavengers, but during the trek he hears and sees a helicopter fly overhead. In previous seasons, the only aircraft belonged to the military, so where is this from? Is it the Army? Does Negan have even more resources than believed? Or an entirely new faction?
