The Walking Dead (2010–…): Season 7, Episode 2 - The Well - full transcript
Carol and Morgan are brought to a community called the Kingdom, led by the eccentric King Ezekiel.
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Created by: A. Vandelay
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Man:
It's not much further.
(horse nickers)
We have people
who can patch her up.
What are you doing?
I'm marking
our way back.
- On your left!
- I've got it.
(horse neighs)
(gunshots)
(walkers growling)
(grunting)
(gunshots)
(walkers growling)
(gunshots)
(grunting)
(gunshots)
(panting)
(grams)
(walkers growling)
(horses neighing)
- (grunts)
- (horse neighs)
(horse neighs)
(grams)
(hoof beats)
Man: Whoa.
Daniel. Colton.
Good.
We've been looking
for you.
It looks like you found
some people yourself.
(horse snorting)
(birds chirping,
wind chimes clinking)
(indistinct conversations
in distance)
How long
have I been asleep?
(sighs)
Two days,
more or less.
Where are we?
Doctor says
you're healing up,
said it could have been
much worse,
but you had
some luck.
And your pack
with the weapons--
they wanted
to lock them up.
Seeing as they were helping us,
I didn't argue.
It'll be with them
until we're ready to leave.
I figure
that'll be another week,
maybe a little more,
and then
we can start back to Alexandria.
- What is this place?
- Well, the people here,
they, um-- they call this place
"The Kingdom."
(indistinct conversations)
(bird chirping)
They were helping you...
so I've been
helping them.
(man speaking indistinctly)
HEY-
Yeah.
Did you-- did you tell them
about what happened to me,
about who we are?
Why?
Who are we, Carol?
What did
you tell them?
They saw
what that man did to you,
and they saw
what I did to him.
We got split UP-
You found trouble.
I found you.
That is
all he knows.
All who knows?
The man
I'm taking you to see,
the person who's in charge
of this place.
This person
have a name?
(animal bleating)
- Morgan?
- Yeah.
He, um--
he's called
"King Ezekiel."
What?
Yeah.
King Ezekiel.
(chuckles)
And, um...
he does
his own thing.
See?
Uh, what does
that mean?
Well...
(breathes sharply)
...here we are.
(tiger growling)
Yeah.
I, uh,
I forgot to say that...
Ezekiel has a tiger.
(roars)
(music playing)
(tiger growling)
Ezekiel:
Shiva, enough.
The fair maiden has been through
a myriad of trials.
- (growling continues)
- They are our guests.
Chill it up,
'IS-II
Chill it up!
Jerry,
you are a faithful steward,
but your words
leave me pitch-kettled.
I understand
your concern, Shiva.
You haven't met Carol.
Nor have I.
But if she is a friend
of Morgan,
we shall consider her
a friend of the realm
until proven otherwise.
She's doing better,
thanks to you
and your people, so...
Indeed.
It pleases me to see you
up and about, Carol.
I am King Ezekiel.
Welcome to the Kingdom.
(Shiva snorts, growling softly)
You have been addressed
by the king, yet you remain silent.
Do I detect skepticism?
Perhaps you think me mad.
Perhaps you see this place
as nothing more than a mirage.
So... tell me...
what do you think
of The Kingdom, Carol?
What do you think
of the king?
I... think
you're amazing.
It's amazing.
And your Sheba--
It's, uh, "Shiva."
Shiva.
Amazing.
I would be speechless
if I wasn't already speaking.
I don't know
what the hell's going on
in the most wonderful way.
(both chuckle)
As Morgan is aware, I encourage
those who find respite here
to enjoy
the fruits of our grandeur
for as long as they like,
so long as they contribute.
Drink from the well,
replenish the well...
once you've healed,
of course.
Of course.
Of course.
All about the well.
Well-said.
Jeffy."
Ah, where are
my manners?
(snaps fingers)
Please, partake.
We have magnificent apples,
nectarines, pomegranates--
all grown right here
inside the kingdom.
It's fruit time.
L-I couldn't.
Oh, come, now.
At least take a pomegranate.
You know, I always found them
too much trouble.
Sweet fruit
surrounded by bitter--
they're something
of a contradiction,
but heaven for the effort.
You park some chocolate in front
of me and watch it go bye-bye,
but pomegranates,
just not for me, thanks.
Well, if there's anything
you want or need--
if you enjoy music,
we have a guitarist whose talent
brings tears to the eye,
and we have
a small choir.
Thank you.
All I need
is some more rest...
and maybe
a hairbrush.
(chuckles)
No one told me
I'd be meeting royalty.
Anyway"-
uh, Your Majesty--
I should call you
"Your Majesty," right?
You can.
Thank you,
Your Majesty.
It's a pleasure.
The pleasure is mine, Carol.
Be well.
(Shiva growls)
- Hey.
- Hi.
Look, I know.
You're shitting me,
right?
Now, it's--
it's a lot.
He is, um...
I don't know.
It-- it--
Stop it.
Stop this.
This place
is a damn circus,
all of it.
Th-these people,
this is make-believe.
It's playtime.
And you're just...
uaughs)
I can't do this.
I can't be here.
Look, Carol,
these people found--
No, I can't, Morgan.
I won't.
I'll wait.
And when you're not there
to stop me,
when nobody else is,
I'll go.
You know
I can't let you.
No. I'll._
You'll what?
Tie me up
like that wolf?
Is that it?
It isn't
up to you.
It wasn't before
in the basement,
it wasn't at the library,
and it isn't now.
I don't give a shit
if you think
you've found the secret to life.
- No, I don't. I don't.
I don't, and I haven't.
And I know what I've started.
But I won't let you die
out there.
That's what
I won't do.
It doesn't matter
what you do.
(engine starts)
(gate thuds)
(snorting, growling)
Morgan:
Where we going?
- Ezekiel: Hunting.
- Hunting what?
What was once captive
to the farm
now runs free
in the city.
(snorting)
Here!
- Come on!
- Man: Come on!
- Come on!
- Come on! Whoo!
- Come on!
- Come on!
- Turn! Turn!
- Whoo, whoo! Come on!
- Hunting!
- Go now! Go now!
- Go!
- Come on!
- Go now! Go now!
- Come on!
(walker growling)
Go now! Go now! Go!
Come on!
. ' Go!
Well-done,
Richard.
It's just
what we needed.
(growling continues)
Why the Walker?
We're herding them in.
Why do you need bait?
Because I want their bellies
full of rot.
That's why.
(Pigs squealing)
You shoot a machine gun
in the woods, and nothing.
You cough in the city, and...
(walkers growling)
Ezekiel:
Diane, retrieve the truck.
We'll take our leave.
(growling continues)
Ben...
you're up.
Use the machete.
Just as you and he
have practiced.
Yeah.
Like we practiced.
(breathes deeply)
(grunting)
(growling)
(sighs)
(growling stops)
Do not be troubled,
Benjamin.
Next time.
No one back home
needs to know about this.
Morgan:
You mean the pigs--
that they're eating
the dead?
Any of it.
(truck engine running)
(walker growling)
- (grunts)
- (walker thuds)
(walkers growling)
May we one day cease you all
from this curse!
Till then, know that
we live on in your place...
- (truck door closes)
- ...full, festive, faithful, and free.
Only halfway free.
(truck doors closing)
Where are they going?
Somewhere else.
(gate creaks)
(gate creaks, thuds)
Your skill
with the staff...
...how did you come to acquire
that skill?
It was a cheesemaker,
a friend.
(chuckles)
I imagine your comrade would be
very proud of you this day.
(chuckles)
For saving Ben
in a single blow.
There's a saying--
the pessimist looks down
and hits his head.
The optimist looks up...
andloses
his footing.
The realist
looks forward
and adjusts his path
accordingly.
I believe young Benjamin's path
is in need of adjustment.
Would you train him,
as your friend trained you?
I don't...
I don't know
that I'm the--
Benjamin
has shown aptitude
with neither blades
nor munitions.
Perhaps his failings lie
in the weapons...
perhaps
it's the teacher...
and perhaps it's both.
Hey, look,
you know...
the man I shot
to save Carol--
the stick
couldn't have saved her.
Has it saved you?
Yeah.
Young Benjamin will become
an important member of my court.
I need
the boy to...
I need him to live.
Please.
Okay.
Uaughs)
The Kingdom is favored
by your presence once more!
(choir vocalizing)
Man: ♪ Well, it ain't no use
to sit and wonder why, babe ♪
♪ lf'n you don't know by now ♪
♪ And it ain't no use
to sit and wonder why, babe ♪
♪ It'll never do somehow... ♪
(vocalizing continues)
♪ When your rooster crows
at the break of dawn ♪
♪ Look out your window,
and I'll be gone ♪
♪ You're the reason
I'm a-traveling on ♪
♪ Don't think twice,
it's all right ♪
♪ Oh, don't think twice ♪
♪ It's all right... ♪
(grunting)
♪ And it ain't no use
in turning on your light, babe ♪
♪ No turning on ♪
♪ The light I never knowed... ♪
- That was too fast, right?
- No, no, I can keep up.
- No, no.
- ♪ And it ain't no use ♪
- ♪ In turning on your light, babe... ♪
- It's too fast.
♪ It's turning on your light ♪
♪ I'm on the dark side
of the road ♪
♪ Well, I wish there was
somethin' you would do or say ♪
♪ To try and make me
change my mind and stay ♪
♪ But we never did
too much talking, anyway ♪
♪ But don't think twice,
it's all right... ♪
- Over the head?
- Over the head.
(breathing sharply)
There.
And again.
Swing it back
and up.
♪ Don't think twice,
it's all right... ♪
(breathing sharply)
♪ Well, it ain't no use
in calling out my name, gal... ♪
Carol: I mean, it was flavor
on top of flavor.
- It was like a goddamn dream.
- ♪ Like you never done before... ♪
I mean...
(chuckles)
...breakfast cobbler?
That's...
♪ And it ain't no use
in calling out my name, gal... ♪
We were eating possum
out there.
- ♪ Don't think twice... ♪
- Now, I like the lunch cobbler.
♪ I can't hear you anymore... ♪
There's lunch cobbler?
(chuckling)
We have cobbler at every meal.
♪ So long honey, baby... ♪
(SCOFFS)
oh!
- (laughs)
- ♪ Where I'm bound, I can't tell... ♪
I'm just so...
I just-- I can't.
Oh, God!
(laughs)
- ♪ "Goodbye" is too good a word, babe ♪
- Oh, geez.
Mnh.
(sniffles)
Do you have
any tissues?
- ♪ So I'll just say, "fare thee well" ♪
- Yeah, one second.
(animal snorts)
♪ I ain't saying
you treated me unkind ♪
♪ You could have done better,
but I don't mind... ♪
(breathing sharply)
♪ You just kind of wasted
my precious time ♪
♪ But don't think twice,
it's all right... ♪
(grunts)
Hey,
what's the book?
It's, uh--
It's philosophy.
- You know, we should really get back--
- You mind if I borrow it?
I've just read
every book in this place...
twice...
including an air-conditioning
repair textbook.
- (chuckles)
- (chuckles)
Just so you know,
the number-one problem
with an HVAC system
isn't refrigerant leaks.
Yeah.
Won't spoil that one
for you.
(chuckles)
Please?
Here.
(chuckles)
Ezekiel: Gentlemen...
come with us,
both of you.
We have matters of import
to attend to.
Bring your gun,
Morgan.
(wind rushing)
Ezekiel: The swine
are slaughtered
far from
The Kingdom...
lest their screams carry in
the wind and invite questions.
What we are doing here is
a secret I keep from my people.
Some see secrets
as a privilege of ruling.
They are burdens,
not part of the reward.
They are the cost.
(brakes squeal, engine rumbling)
(engine shuts off)
(vehicle doors closing)
Gavin: Here, I was worried
we were early.
Our arrangement
is something I consider
with the utmost seriousness.
We will fulfill our obligations
on time, every time.
Yes, indeedy, you do,
and you will.
(music playing)
(sighs)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
I count 8--
that's good.
They look bigger than last time.
That's good, too.
They were well-fed.
I made sure of it.
We appreciate
your hospitality.
Lucky for us,
we brought two trucks.
How about you, uh,
help us load 'em up?
They're part
of another group.
- They call themselves--
- I know who they are.
(pig thuds, truck gate closes)
Hey, asshole,
how about a smile?
This--
this is nothing.
We've been
letting you off easy.
You sure you don't
have that backwards, kid?
(chuckles)
Yeah.
I'm sure.
(grunts)
(grunting)
(guns cock)
Ezekiel:
Cease this.
(both grunting)
(blows landing)
Lower your weapons.
Richard...
let him go.
(coughs)
This is not what we do.
Free shots?
Oh, I love
this shit.
(grunts)
Gavin,
tell your man to stop.
- (grunts)
- Gavin!
Jared! Jared!
The man said stop!
And he's been good to us.
We've taken up
more than enough of his time.
(whistles)
Richard,
we will discuss this.
Come on.
(breathing heavily)
Gavin: Same time next week,
Ezekiel, all right?
It's produce week,
so... produce.
You got the list--
not one bit less.
(vehicle door closes)
Otherwise... you know...
he's gonna
have to go first.
(engine starts)
(imitating pig squealing)
You've encountered them
before?
Their group?
Yeah.
The man you killed
to save Carol--
he was one of them,
as well?
He was, yeah.
(sighs)
Is that
why you wanted me here?
Because I could do it again
if I had to?
No, Morgan.
Quite the opposite,
in fact.
(indistinct conversations)
Benjamin: Whoa.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey.
Where you going,
hmm?
It's movie night tonight.
I want to get a good seat.
Right, but you were gonna
clean your plate, though, first.
(sighs)
Come on.
That was the deal, Dutch.
- Yeah.
- (crunching)
Wow.
Good one, smart guy.
All right, well,
just be in bed by 10:00,
not a minute later.
But I can read?
Yes,
you can read.
All right.
(conversations continue)
(both chuckle)
He's a good kid.
Yeah.
Yeah, he is.
(door closes)
I only kind of know
what I'm doing raising him.
Ezekiel's been
a big help.
You seem close...
you and the king.
Yeah, he was, uh,
pretty tight with my dad.
My father
was a good fighter.
One of the best
in The Kingdom.
How'd it happen?
It was about a year ago.
Ezekiel sent his detachment out
to clear out a building.
There was too many wasted
and not enough backup.
Eight men
didn't make it out.
My father
was one of 'em.
But E-Ezekiel--
he's a lot more careful now.
He told me that it,
uh, well...
He, uh, told me he was keeping
his deal with that group quiet
'cause he thinks
the people would want to fight.
He says that even if we did,
we wouldn't win--
at least,
not without losing people...
maybe a lot of 'em.
And you think
he's right...
that we
shouldn't fight?
I don't know.
I mean...
I don't know
if I know enough to know.
(chuckles)
Maybe you do.
Hey, um...
there was an inscription
in the book.
It was handwritten--
about not killing.
- Is it yours?
- It's not, no.
'Cause I also noticed
you only put vegetables
on your plate during dinner.
And, I mean,
you're teaching me aikido,
and if aikido
means not to kill,
then that means
that you're--
It's not about
what I think.
People can--
they can try and set you
in the right direction,
but they can't
show you the way.
You know, you got to find that
for yourself, and...
I thought I had it.
I did.
But I'm-- I'm just
fumbling through.
Sometimes,
we change our minds.
Well, hey, do you want
to catch movie night?
I can't.
I, uh...
I got to
talk to Carol.
But thank you.
(clinking)
(insects chirping)
(animal howls in distance)
Ezekiel:
By all means, fair maiden.
Have one.
This enclosure
was built
for the purpose
of common recreation and study.
I had it repurposed into
a garden worthy of our splendor.
I dare say it's my favorite
place in the entire Kingdom.
It pleases me that you've
seen it with your own eyes
before choosing
to leave us so suddenly.
Geez, yeah, I...
I'm real sorry
about this.
Um,
it's just...
What good am I here?
Jerry...
would you excuse us?
(inhales deeply)
If you need me,
holler.
Ikeep
in hollering range.
Deuces!
Ezekiel: lfl hadn't
happened upon you right now--
what's that saying?
Never bullshit
a bullshitter.
Have I got that right?
The sweet-and-innocent act
you've been doing--
it's quite clever.
Worked on me.
Blend in,
get people to trust you,
acquire what you need
from them,
and then you're gone,
as if you were never there.
The guns you brought here
in your pack--
they belong
to Saviors.
What do you know
about the Saviors?
More than I care to,
unfortunately.
They nearly
extinguished you.
But you did more than put up
a fight, Carol-- you won.
(chuckles)
BY ending up here?
Thafsfunny
to you?
(sighs)
You're a joke.
This place is.
That's what you do
with jokes, you laugh.
Out there--
Out there, it's real.
I've been to places where
I thought I wouldn't have to--
where I could just be.
You're selling these people
a fairy tale.
Maybe they need
the fairy tale.
Maybe the contradiction
is the point.
And ruling over people
and having your ass kissed
by everyone's just a perk?
May I?
People want
someone to follow.
It's human nature.
They want someone
to make 'em feel safe.
And people who feel safe
are less dangerous...
more productive.
They see a dude
with a tiger, shoot,
they start tellin' stories
about finding it in the wild,
wrestling it into submission,
turning it into his pet.
They make the guy
larger than life,
a hero.
And who am I
to burst their bubble?
Next thing you know,
they treat me like royalty.
They wanted--
they needed someone to follow,
s-so I-- I acted the part.
I faked it
till I made it.
I was a zookeeper.
Shiva, she fell into
one of the concrete moats
in her exhibit.
It was empty,
the vets were on their way,
but her leg
was ripped open.
She was gonna bleed out.
The sound she made.
She was in
so much pain.
I knew the risk.
I had to try.
And I got my shirt up
around her leg...
saved her life.
After that,
she never showed
so much as a tooth
in my direction.
Keeping a tiger
isn't practical, I know.
She eats
as much as 10 people.
She could yank the chain
out of my hand--
hell, she could
yank my arm right off.
But she hasn't.
She won't.
I lost a lot,
just like everybody else.
When it all started to end,
I found myself back at the zoo.
Shiva was
one of the last animals left.
She was trapped...
hungry, alone.
Like me.
She was the last thing left
in this world that I loved.
She protected me.
She got me here,
made me larger than life.
And I made
this place.
I used to act
in community theater,
played a few kings
in my day...
(chuckles)
Arthur, Macbeth...
Martin Luther.
(chuckles)
My name really is Ezekiel,
though.
(sighs)
That's 100% real.
Cards on the table.
Nothing up my sleeve.
I'd appreciate you
keep this between us, though,
for them.
And, yeah,
a little bit for me.
(sniffles)
I don't care.
You do
what you want.
I just want
to go.
Go where?
Carol.
Away.
I'm sorry.
For what?
For whatever bad
you've been through.
There's so much of it
out there now, you know?
(sighs)
Too much.
Out there,
it feels like it's all bad,
especially when
you're alone.
(sighs)
The thing is,
though...
it's not all bad.
It can't be.
It isn't.
Life isn't.
Where there's life,
there's hope, heroism,
grace, and love.
Where there's life,
there's life.
I hope that's not
what you're walking away from.
So what if I am?
Maybe you don't
have to.
I made
my own world here.
I found a way
to deal with the bad
by going a little overboard
with all the good.
I just...
embraced
the contradiction.
Maybe you could, too,
in your own way.
Like, maybe you could go
and... not go.
Yeah, I-l sound like
a crazy person.
I get it.
You know,
maybe I am.
But I think
I can help...
if you let me.
Why do you care?
'Cause it makes me
feel good.
I'll get your stuff together,
find somebody I trust
to meet you at the gate,
so you can go
and-- and not go.
We'll see
if I'm on to something
or if it's just
more bullshit.
What do you say?
You're sure this is
what you want, right?
I am.
It's up to you.
It should have always
been up to you.
Whoa.
Whoa.
Okay?
(horse whinnies)
(snorts)
Got it.
(sighs)
Stay there.
It's good we're here.
- (snorts)
- How's that?
10 more minutes,
and I might start to regret
all the times
I tried to shoot and stab you.
I think you're my favorite
person I ever knocked out.
Definitely
top two or three.
(chuckles)
Take care
of yourself.
I will.
Do you promise?
Always watching,
always ready, remember?
I do.
Okay.
Thank you.
(lock clanking)
Whoa.
(gate creaking)
(sighs)
(gate closes)
(walker growls)
(growling)
(growling stops, walker thuds)
(knock on door)
(Shiva growls)
You really got to try
one of these.
(music playing)
Created by: A. Vandelay
Post Haste Digital
Created by: A. Vandelay
Post Haste Digital
Man:
It's not much further.
(horse nickers)
We have people
who can patch her up.
What are you doing?
I'm marking
our way back.
- On your left!
- I've got it.
(horse neighs)
(gunshots)
(walkers growling)
(grunting)
(gunshots)
(walkers growling)
(gunshots)
(grunting)
(gunshots)
(panting)
(grams)
(walkers growling)
(horses neighing)
- (grunts)
- (horse neighs)
(horse neighs)
(grams)
(hoof beats)
Man: Whoa.
Daniel. Colton.
Good.
We've been looking
for you.
It looks like you found
some people yourself.
(horse snorting)
(birds chirping,
wind chimes clinking)
(indistinct conversations
in distance)
How long
have I been asleep?
(sighs)
Two days,
more or less.
Where are we?
Doctor says
you're healing up,
said it could have been
much worse,
but you had
some luck.
And your pack
with the weapons--
they wanted
to lock them up.
Seeing as they were helping us,
I didn't argue.
It'll be with them
until we're ready to leave.
I figure
that'll be another week,
maybe a little more,
and then
we can start back to Alexandria.
- What is this place?
- Well, the people here,
they, um-- they call this place
"The Kingdom."
(indistinct conversations)
(bird chirping)
They were helping you...
so I've been
helping them.
(man speaking indistinctly)
HEY-
Yeah.
Did you-- did you tell them
about what happened to me,
about who we are?
Why?
Who are we, Carol?
What did
you tell them?
They saw
what that man did to you,
and they saw
what I did to him.
We got split UP-
You found trouble.
I found you.
That is
all he knows.
All who knows?
The man
I'm taking you to see,
the person who's in charge
of this place.
This person
have a name?
(animal bleating)
- Morgan?
- Yeah.
He, um--
he's called
"King Ezekiel."
What?
Yeah.
King Ezekiel.
(chuckles)
And, um...
he does
his own thing.
See?
Uh, what does
that mean?
Well...
(breathes sharply)
...here we are.
(tiger growling)
Yeah.
I, uh,
I forgot to say that...
Ezekiel has a tiger.
(roars)
(music playing)
(tiger growling)
Ezekiel:
Shiva, enough.
The fair maiden has been through
a myriad of trials.
- (growling continues)
- They are our guests.
Chill it up,
'IS-II
Chill it up!
Jerry,
you are a faithful steward,
but your words
leave me pitch-kettled.
I understand
your concern, Shiva.
You haven't met Carol.
Nor have I.
But if she is a friend
of Morgan,
we shall consider her
a friend of the realm
until proven otherwise.
She's doing better,
thanks to you
and your people, so...
Indeed.
It pleases me to see you
up and about, Carol.
I am King Ezekiel.
Welcome to the Kingdom.
(Shiva snorts, growling softly)
You have been addressed
by the king, yet you remain silent.
Do I detect skepticism?
Perhaps you think me mad.
Perhaps you see this place
as nothing more than a mirage.
So... tell me...
what do you think
of The Kingdom, Carol?
What do you think
of the king?
I... think
you're amazing.
It's amazing.
And your Sheba--
It's, uh, "Shiva."
Shiva.
Amazing.
I would be speechless
if I wasn't already speaking.
I don't know
what the hell's going on
in the most wonderful way.
(both chuckle)
As Morgan is aware, I encourage
those who find respite here
to enjoy
the fruits of our grandeur
for as long as they like,
so long as they contribute.
Drink from the well,
replenish the well...
once you've healed,
of course.
Of course.
Of course.
All about the well.
Well-said.
Jeffy."
Ah, where are
my manners?
(snaps fingers)
Please, partake.
We have magnificent apples,
nectarines, pomegranates--
all grown right here
inside the kingdom.
It's fruit time.
L-I couldn't.
Oh, come, now.
At least take a pomegranate.
You know, I always found them
too much trouble.
Sweet fruit
surrounded by bitter--
they're something
of a contradiction,
but heaven for the effort.
You park some chocolate in front
of me and watch it go bye-bye,
but pomegranates,
just not for me, thanks.
Well, if there's anything
you want or need--
if you enjoy music,
we have a guitarist whose talent
brings tears to the eye,
and we have
a small choir.
Thank you.
All I need
is some more rest...
and maybe
a hairbrush.
(chuckles)
No one told me
I'd be meeting royalty.
Anyway"-
uh, Your Majesty--
I should call you
"Your Majesty," right?
You can.
Thank you,
Your Majesty.
It's a pleasure.
The pleasure is mine, Carol.
Be well.
(Shiva growls)
- Hey.
- Hi.
Look, I know.
You're shitting me,
right?
Now, it's--
it's a lot.
He is, um...
I don't know.
It-- it--
Stop it.
Stop this.
This place
is a damn circus,
all of it.
Th-these people,
this is make-believe.
It's playtime.
And you're just...
uaughs)
I can't do this.
I can't be here.
Look, Carol,
these people found--
No, I can't, Morgan.
I won't.
I'll wait.
And when you're not there
to stop me,
when nobody else is,
I'll go.
You know
I can't let you.
No. I'll._
You'll what?
Tie me up
like that wolf?
Is that it?
It isn't
up to you.
It wasn't before
in the basement,
it wasn't at the library,
and it isn't now.
I don't give a shit
if you think
you've found the secret to life.
- No, I don't. I don't.
I don't, and I haven't.
And I know what I've started.
But I won't let you die
out there.
That's what
I won't do.
It doesn't matter
what you do.
(engine starts)
(gate thuds)
(snorting, growling)
Morgan:
Where we going?
- Ezekiel: Hunting.
- Hunting what?
What was once captive
to the farm
now runs free
in the city.
(snorting)
Here!
- Come on!
- Man: Come on!
- Come on!
- Come on! Whoo!
- Come on!
- Come on!
- Turn! Turn!
- Whoo, whoo! Come on!
- Hunting!
- Go now! Go now!
- Go!
- Come on!
- Go now! Go now!
- Come on!
(walker growling)
Go now! Go now! Go!
Come on!
. ' Go!
Well-done,
Richard.
It's just
what we needed.
(growling continues)
Why the Walker?
We're herding them in.
Why do you need bait?
Because I want their bellies
full of rot.
That's why.
(Pigs squealing)
You shoot a machine gun
in the woods, and nothing.
You cough in the city, and...
(walkers growling)
Ezekiel:
Diane, retrieve the truck.
We'll take our leave.
(growling continues)
Ben...
you're up.
Use the machete.
Just as you and he
have practiced.
Yeah.
Like we practiced.
(breathes deeply)
(grunting)
(growling)
(sighs)
(growling stops)
Do not be troubled,
Benjamin.
Next time.
No one back home
needs to know about this.
Morgan:
You mean the pigs--
that they're eating
the dead?
Any of it.
(truck engine running)
(walker growling)
- (grunts)
- (walker thuds)
(walkers growling)
May we one day cease you all
from this curse!
Till then, know that
we live on in your place...
- (truck door closes)
- ...full, festive, faithful, and free.
Only halfway free.
(truck doors closing)
Where are they going?
Somewhere else.
(gate creaks)
(gate creaks, thuds)
Your skill
with the staff...
...how did you come to acquire
that skill?
It was a cheesemaker,
a friend.
(chuckles)
I imagine your comrade would be
very proud of you this day.
(chuckles)
For saving Ben
in a single blow.
There's a saying--
the pessimist looks down
and hits his head.
The optimist looks up...
andloses
his footing.
The realist
looks forward
and adjusts his path
accordingly.
I believe young Benjamin's path
is in need of adjustment.
Would you train him,
as your friend trained you?
I don't...
I don't know
that I'm the--
Benjamin
has shown aptitude
with neither blades
nor munitions.
Perhaps his failings lie
in the weapons...
perhaps
it's the teacher...
and perhaps it's both.
Hey, look,
you know...
the man I shot
to save Carol--
the stick
couldn't have saved her.
Has it saved you?
Yeah.
Young Benjamin will become
an important member of my court.
I need
the boy to...
I need him to live.
Please.
Okay.
Uaughs)
The Kingdom is favored
by your presence once more!
(choir vocalizing)
Man: ♪ Well, it ain't no use
to sit and wonder why, babe ♪
♪ lf'n you don't know by now ♪
♪ And it ain't no use
to sit and wonder why, babe ♪
♪ It'll never do somehow... ♪
(vocalizing continues)
♪ When your rooster crows
at the break of dawn ♪
♪ Look out your window,
and I'll be gone ♪
♪ You're the reason
I'm a-traveling on ♪
♪ Don't think twice,
it's all right ♪
♪ Oh, don't think twice ♪
♪ It's all right... ♪
(grunting)
♪ And it ain't no use
in turning on your light, babe ♪
♪ No turning on ♪
♪ The light I never knowed... ♪
- That was too fast, right?
- No, no, I can keep up.
- No, no.
- ♪ And it ain't no use ♪
- ♪ In turning on your light, babe... ♪
- It's too fast.
♪ It's turning on your light ♪
♪ I'm on the dark side
of the road ♪
♪ Well, I wish there was
somethin' you would do or say ♪
♪ To try and make me
change my mind and stay ♪
♪ But we never did
too much talking, anyway ♪
♪ But don't think twice,
it's all right... ♪
- Over the head?
- Over the head.
(breathing sharply)
There.
And again.
Swing it back
and up.
♪ Don't think twice,
it's all right... ♪
(breathing sharply)
♪ Well, it ain't no use
in calling out my name, gal... ♪
Carol: I mean, it was flavor
on top of flavor.
- It was like a goddamn dream.
- ♪ Like you never done before... ♪
I mean...
(chuckles)
...breakfast cobbler?
That's...
♪ And it ain't no use
in calling out my name, gal... ♪
We were eating possum
out there.
- ♪ Don't think twice... ♪
- Now, I like the lunch cobbler.
♪ I can't hear you anymore... ♪
There's lunch cobbler?
(chuckling)
We have cobbler at every meal.
♪ So long honey, baby... ♪
(SCOFFS)
oh!
- (laughs)
- ♪ Where I'm bound, I can't tell... ♪
I'm just so...
I just-- I can't.
Oh, God!
(laughs)
- ♪ "Goodbye" is too good a word, babe ♪
- Oh, geez.
Mnh.
(sniffles)
Do you have
any tissues?
- ♪ So I'll just say, "fare thee well" ♪
- Yeah, one second.
(animal snorts)
♪ I ain't saying
you treated me unkind ♪
♪ You could have done better,
but I don't mind... ♪
(breathing sharply)
♪ You just kind of wasted
my precious time ♪
♪ But don't think twice,
it's all right... ♪
(grunts)
Hey,
what's the book?
It's, uh--
It's philosophy.
- You know, we should really get back--
- You mind if I borrow it?
I've just read
every book in this place...
twice...
including an air-conditioning
repair textbook.
- (chuckles)
- (chuckles)
Just so you know,
the number-one problem
with an HVAC system
isn't refrigerant leaks.
Yeah.
Won't spoil that one
for you.
(chuckles)
Please?
Here.
(chuckles)
Ezekiel: Gentlemen...
come with us,
both of you.
We have matters of import
to attend to.
Bring your gun,
Morgan.
(wind rushing)
Ezekiel: The swine
are slaughtered
far from
The Kingdom...
lest their screams carry in
the wind and invite questions.
What we are doing here is
a secret I keep from my people.
Some see secrets
as a privilege of ruling.
They are burdens,
not part of the reward.
They are the cost.
(brakes squeal, engine rumbling)
(engine shuts off)
(vehicle doors closing)
Gavin: Here, I was worried
we were early.
Our arrangement
is something I consider
with the utmost seriousness.
We will fulfill our obligations
on time, every time.
Yes, indeedy, you do,
and you will.
(music playing)
(sighs)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
I count 8--
that's good.
They look bigger than last time.
That's good, too.
They were well-fed.
I made sure of it.
We appreciate
your hospitality.
Lucky for us,
we brought two trucks.
How about you, uh,
help us load 'em up?
They're part
of another group.
- They call themselves--
- I know who they are.
(pig thuds, truck gate closes)
Hey, asshole,
how about a smile?
This--
this is nothing.
We've been
letting you off easy.
You sure you don't
have that backwards, kid?
(chuckles)
Yeah.
I'm sure.
(grunts)
(grunting)
(guns cock)
Ezekiel:
Cease this.
(both grunting)
(blows landing)
Lower your weapons.
Richard...
let him go.
(coughs)
This is not what we do.
Free shots?
Oh, I love
this shit.
(grunts)
Gavin,
tell your man to stop.
- (grunts)
- Gavin!
Jared! Jared!
The man said stop!
And he's been good to us.
We've taken up
more than enough of his time.
(whistles)
Richard,
we will discuss this.
Come on.
(breathing heavily)
Gavin: Same time next week,
Ezekiel, all right?
It's produce week,
so... produce.
You got the list--
not one bit less.
(vehicle door closes)
Otherwise... you know...
he's gonna
have to go first.
(engine starts)
(imitating pig squealing)
You've encountered them
before?
Their group?
Yeah.
The man you killed
to save Carol--
he was one of them,
as well?
He was, yeah.
(sighs)
Is that
why you wanted me here?
Because I could do it again
if I had to?
No, Morgan.
Quite the opposite,
in fact.
(indistinct conversations)
Benjamin: Whoa.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey.
Where you going,
hmm?
It's movie night tonight.
I want to get a good seat.
Right, but you were gonna
clean your plate, though, first.
(sighs)
Come on.
That was the deal, Dutch.
- Yeah.
- (crunching)
Wow.
Good one, smart guy.
All right, well,
just be in bed by 10:00,
not a minute later.
But I can read?
Yes,
you can read.
All right.
(conversations continue)
(both chuckle)
He's a good kid.
Yeah.
Yeah, he is.
(door closes)
I only kind of know
what I'm doing raising him.
Ezekiel's been
a big help.
You seem close...
you and the king.
Yeah, he was, uh,
pretty tight with my dad.
My father
was a good fighter.
One of the best
in The Kingdom.
How'd it happen?
It was about a year ago.
Ezekiel sent his detachment out
to clear out a building.
There was too many wasted
and not enough backup.
Eight men
didn't make it out.
My father
was one of 'em.
But E-Ezekiel--
he's a lot more careful now.
He told me that it,
uh, well...
He, uh, told me he was keeping
his deal with that group quiet
'cause he thinks
the people would want to fight.
He says that even if we did,
we wouldn't win--
at least,
not without losing people...
maybe a lot of 'em.
And you think
he's right...
that we
shouldn't fight?
I don't know.
I mean...
I don't know
if I know enough to know.
(chuckles)
Maybe you do.
Hey, um...
there was an inscription
in the book.
It was handwritten--
about not killing.
- Is it yours?
- It's not, no.
'Cause I also noticed
you only put vegetables
on your plate during dinner.
And, I mean,
you're teaching me aikido,
and if aikido
means not to kill,
then that means
that you're--
It's not about
what I think.
People can--
they can try and set you
in the right direction,
but they can't
show you the way.
You know, you got to find that
for yourself, and...
I thought I had it.
I did.
But I'm-- I'm just
fumbling through.
Sometimes,
we change our minds.
Well, hey, do you want
to catch movie night?
I can't.
I, uh...
I got to
talk to Carol.
But thank you.
(clinking)
(insects chirping)
(animal howls in distance)
Ezekiel:
By all means, fair maiden.
Have one.
This enclosure
was built
for the purpose
of common recreation and study.
I had it repurposed into
a garden worthy of our splendor.
I dare say it's my favorite
place in the entire Kingdom.
It pleases me that you've
seen it with your own eyes
before choosing
to leave us so suddenly.
Geez, yeah, I...
I'm real sorry
about this.
Um,
it's just...
What good am I here?
Jerry...
would you excuse us?
(inhales deeply)
If you need me,
holler.
Ikeep
in hollering range.
Deuces!
Ezekiel: lfl hadn't
happened upon you right now--
what's that saying?
Never bullshit
a bullshitter.
Have I got that right?
The sweet-and-innocent act
you've been doing--
it's quite clever.
Worked on me.
Blend in,
get people to trust you,
acquire what you need
from them,
and then you're gone,
as if you were never there.
The guns you brought here
in your pack--
they belong
to Saviors.
What do you know
about the Saviors?
More than I care to,
unfortunately.
They nearly
extinguished you.
But you did more than put up
a fight, Carol-- you won.
(chuckles)
BY ending up here?
Thafsfunny
to you?
(sighs)
You're a joke.
This place is.
That's what you do
with jokes, you laugh.
Out there--
Out there, it's real.
I've been to places where
I thought I wouldn't have to--
where I could just be.
You're selling these people
a fairy tale.
Maybe they need
the fairy tale.
Maybe the contradiction
is the point.
And ruling over people
and having your ass kissed
by everyone's just a perk?
May I?
People want
someone to follow.
It's human nature.
They want someone
to make 'em feel safe.
And people who feel safe
are less dangerous...
more productive.
They see a dude
with a tiger, shoot,
they start tellin' stories
about finding it in the wild,
wrestling it into submission,
turning it into his pet.
They make the guy
larger than life,
a hero.
And who am I
to burst their bubble?
Next thing you know,
they treat me like royalty.
They wanted--
they needed someone to follow,
s-so I-- I acted the part.
I faked it
till I made it.
I was a zookeeper.
Shiva, she fell into
one of the concrete moats
in her exhibit.
It was empty,
the vets were on their way,
but her leg
was ripped open.
She was gonna bleed out.
The sound she made.
She was in
so much pain.
I knew the risk.
I had to try.
And I got my shirt up
around her leg...
saved her life.
After that,
she never showed
so much as a tooth
in my direction.
Keeping a tiger
isn't practical, I know.
She eats
as much as 10 people.
She could yank the chain
out of my hand--
hell, she could
yank my arm right off.
But she hasn't.
She won't.
I lost a lot,
just like everybody else.
When it all started to end,
I found myself back at the zoo.
Shiva was
one of the last animals left.
She was trapped...
hungry, alone.
Like me.
She was the last thing left
in this world that I loved.
She protected me.
She got me here,
made me larger than life.
And I made
this place.
I used to act
in community theater,
played a few kings
in my day...
(chuckles)
Arthur, Macbeth...
Martin Luther.
(chuckles)
My name really is Ezekiel,
though.
(sighs)
That's 100% real.
Cards on the table.
Nothing up my sleeve.
I'd appreciate you
keep this between us, though,
for them.
And, yeah,
a little bit for me.
(sniffles)
I don't care.
You do
what you want.
I just want
to go.
Go where?
Carol.
Away.
I'm sorry.
For what?
For whatever bad
you've been through.
There's so much of it
out there now, you know?
(sighs)
Too much.
Out there,
it feels like it's all bad,
especially when
you're alone.
(sighs)
The thing is,
though...
it's not all bad.
It can't be.
It isn't.
Life isn't.
Where there's life,
there's hope, heroism,
grace, and love.
Where there's life,
there's life.
I hope that's not
what you're walking away from.
So what if I am?
Maybe you don't
have to.
I made
my own world here.
I found a way
to deal with the bad
by going a little overboard
with all the good.
I just...
embraced
the contradiction.
Maybe you could, too,
in your own way.
Like, maybe you could go
and... not go.
Yeah, I-l sound like
a crazy person.
I get it.
You know,
maybe I am.
But I think
I can help...
if you let me.
Why do you care?
'Cause it makes me
feel good.
I'll get your stuff together,
find somebody I trust
to meet you at the gate,
so you can go
and-- and not go.
We'll see
if I'm on to something
or if it's just
more bullshit.
What do you say?
You're sure this is
what you want, right?
I am.
It's up to you.
It should have always
been up to you.
Whoa.
Whoa.
Okay?
(horse whinnies)
(snorts)
Got it.
(sighs)
Stay there.
It's good we're here.
- (snorts)
- How's that?
10 more minutes,
and I might start to regret
all the times
I tried to shoot and stab you.
I think you're my favorite
person I ever knocked out.
Definitely
top two or three.
(chuckles)
Take care
of yourself.
I will.
Do you promise?
Always watching,
always ready, remember?
I do.
Okay.
Thank you.
(lock clanking)
Whoa.
(gate creaking)
(sighs)
(gate closes)
(walker growls)
(growling)
(growling stops, walker thuds)
(knock on door)
(Shiva growls)
You really got to try
one of these.
(music playing)
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