The Walking Dead (2010–…): Season 9, Episode 1 - A New Beginning - full transcript

Rick and his group make a risky run into Washington, D.C. to search for artifacts they will need to build the civilization he and Carl envisioned.

It was very drippy before.

Was it drippy?
That's okay.

It's a... I'm gonna make it
into a heart.

Okay, that's fine.
That's fine. Go ahead.

It's dripping
from the heart.

- It's okay.
- 'Cause the heart's so full.

Is that why?

Some is dripping on you.

You want to tell me
about the painting?

That's our house.
And Aunt Maggie. And the King.

All our friends.



Who is that grumpy face?

You get a grumpy, little face.

You doing a grumpy face?

He has a happy face, too.

There's going to be his big tummy.

There's a big tummy.

That's Daddy's big tummy?

Shoo. Go on.

Daryl.

Hmm?

Hey. What the hell you doing?

Scaring the birds away.

Sanctuary to
Alexandria Relay One, come in.

You hear me, AR One?



Loud and clear, Ponytail.

What's up?

Crops are done-zo
at the Sanctuary.

Time to go medieval on this
problem's ass, as it were.

Daryl's requesting a run into the city
and a backup at the roost.

We meet at the rally point at dawn.
Pass it on. Over.

Copy that.

Will you teach me sometime?

I got a kids' class at
the Hilltop you could audit.

Maggie'll be there.

Carol sometimes shows up
when she's in town, so...

Oh, speaking of...

Patrol to Kingdom Relay.

Clear to the rally point, dude.
See you on the flip.

We're good for now.

Sweep protocol when we get in.

Y'all got your lists.

Circle back here
when you're done.

Be safe.

This is gonna work.

Heads up.

Onward.

We'll figure it out.

You okay?

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah.

Thanks.

There were spiders.

I-I don't like spiders.

Intelligent design.

The de-evolution of man.

I like it.

You need help with that?

Uh, yeah.

Uh, sure.

You all right?

I was just, um...
just thinking about my brother.

We were fighting during
a canoe ride at the county fair.

It's funny, you know,

how certain things just bring up
random memories like that.

Does it happen to you?

Most of the memories I got
of my brother, we were fighting.

But I had friends
that fought with me.

They wanted to be here.

They didn't make it.

So, yeah, it happens to me.

You were right, Anne.

How'd you know
to find seeds here?

Brought my class
back when I was teaching.

Found out they cultivated
heirloom lines for the gardens,

and they kept seeds on hand
so they could rotate the crops.

They made a doomsday vault
without knowing it.

We're grateful.

The Sanctuary will be, too.

Let's take the lot, get back,
see if the others need help.

So, he called for an election?

The one great idea Gregory's had.

Is he still sore about the results?

I don't know. He's being friendly.

It's weird, honestly.

The rebirth of democracy...
by that guy.

Who'd have thought?

Meanwhile, I live with a King.

But it works, right?

People seem to like it.

But there's something about a vote.

Here we go.

Our blacksmith can use these
as a model to make more.

And we can send one
to the Sanctuary,

try to fix things there.

I'm glad you won your election.

I'm glad I grew up on a farm.

All right. Easy.

Last step. Easy.

All right, hold... hold!

So far, so good.

Let's go.

Easy. Slow, slow, slow.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
- Whoa.

Okay. All right.

Watch your fingers.

- Last step.
- One more.

Hold, hold!

No sudden moves.
Just keep going nice and slow.

You got to go!

Save the plow!

Ezekiel!

Ezekiel!

Hold on!

Aah! Aah! Aah!

Come on.

Oh, God.

You're good.

Hey, Ken, Marco here thinks
he wants to learn the trade.

Think your dad'll take on
another apprentice?

I don't see why not.

I can't tell if he likes me.

He's just quiet.

I mean, it comes across as grumpy.

I don't think I've ever
seen the guy smile.

All right, it's just, he needs
to get to know you first.

Look, I think he'd appreciate
the extra help

'cause the Kingdom
just sent in this large shipment

of scrap metal to melt down.

Hell, shoeing these horses
is a full-time job.

If it makes you feel any better,

I was pretty sure he hated me, too.

I was scared back there.

I was, too.

I'm glad you're okay.

It made me remember something

I've been taking for granted lately.

- We can't wait on life, so...
- Don't.

...will you marry me?

Put that thing away.

It'll snag on everything.

And I told you not to ask me that.

I know.

Especially after something like this.

And this is not happening on a horse.

I love you.

And I always will.

I'll keep this till you're ready.

Two other herds
merged into "Silvia,"

so now it's even bigger.

One of them came through here,

and the back end took down the bridge.

Took the walkie repeater with it.

What about Route A?
Is that clear yet?

It's still too close to the herd.

We can get to Alexandria
from this side,

stay there till it passes.

No.

Route A has taken days
to clear before.

I need to get home to Hershel.

We could take Route D.
It's early enough in the day.

Keep an eye on the trade road

in case anyone else tries
to move through.

Gabriel, y'all can head back
to Alexandria from here.

The rest of us... we can go
to the Sanctuary or Hilltop,

stay the night,
and head off from there.

Take care. Get home safe.

Rick, the horses can't pull
the wagon through this mud.

Maggie, I think they need a break.

Maybe we should leave the supplies,

send a group back in a day or two.

It's risky.

We've seen herds run through

and destroy bigger things than this.

We can swap out
the horses, split up,

take 'em out in the clear,
give 'em a rest

while we see what we can do
about the trailers.

One, two, three.

Rick.

We're almost there.

One more time.

One, two, three.

Good. Let's get out of here.

Daryl, Michonne.

On it.

We gotta go. Leave the wagon!

I gotta free her!

Ken, wait!

Aah!

Come on.

They're gonna fix it.
You're gonna be all right.

I'm not gonna make it.
I'm not gonna...

- Yeah. Look at me.
- You're gonna be all right.

- Come on.
- You'll be okay.

They're gonna fix it.
You're gonna be all right.

- We'll keep the walkers away.
- Okay.

Enid, get the quick clot
and a... and a tourniquet.

Here.

Tell my dad to let Marco
take my place, okay?

Hey, you're gonna talk
to your dad yourself, okay?

Just stay awake. Stay awake.

Okay.

Ken, Ken, just stay awake.

Ken, look at me. Ken.

Tell my mom and dad I'm... I'm comin'.

Ken.

Ken?

Tell me again.

Tammy.

Tell me again.
Tell me what happened.

Tammy, she's already said
everything there is to say.

I don't accept that.

She took our boy out there,
and for what?

My son is dead, Earl!

And what do we have to show for it?

Nothing but a broke plow.
Isn't that right?

We found more than just a plow.

That run was really important
for the future.

Don't you dare talk to me
about no future right now.

I know where
all that shit went, Maggie.

The Saviors got it, didn't they?

He didn't even die helping Hilltop!

Tammy, just calm down.

You think I'm gonna hit that little girl?

I ain't that woman.

But what kind of man are you
just to let this go?

I'm no kind of man at all.

Oh, no, I didn't...

If you'll let me,
I'd like to help arrange a funeral.

Me and Earl will bury our boy,
thank you.

And you're not welcome there.

I voted for you, Maggie Rhee,
but we're not friends.

I understand. I really do.

You know, Gregory has been saying

he's the one who's always
put Hilltop first.

The man's a damn scoundrel...

but maybe he's no fool.

My son is dead.
Your boy has no father.

And those damn Saviors eat our food

and take everything
that Hilltop bled for.

It ain't right.

♪ 'Tis the last rose of summer ♪

♪ Left blooming alone ♪

♪ All her lovely companions ♪

♪ Are faded and gone ♪

♪ No flower of her kindred ♪

♪ No rosebud is nigh ♪

♪ To reflect back her blushes ♪

♪ Or to give sigh for sigh ♪

♪ And so soon may I follow ♪

♪ When friendships decay ♪

♪ And from love's shining circle ♪

♪ The gems drop away ♪

♪ When true hearts lie withered ♪

♪ And fond ones are flown ♪

♪ Oh, who would inhabit ♪

♪ This bleak world alone? ♪

I'm gonna miss you, Ken.

Heaven's a better place
for having you.

Cheers.

Rick Grimes is here!

That's the man
that ended the war.

Is Negan suffering?
I hope he damn well is.

Hello.

All was well in your absence,

other than a certain cabal
of Saviors

slingin' me some serious stink-eye,

but I've compiled a list
of items that need

your semi-immediate attention.

- Not now, man.
- I checked out the supplies.

It's a pretty good haul.
You should let everybody know.

I ain't getting up on a stage

and giving a damn speech like him.

It's bad timing.
We just lost someone out there.

Daryl.

Does this happen often?

More and more
since the crops been dyin'.

Eugene, Jerry!

You know who did that?

- Don't know, man.
- That would be a negative.

Justin. Clean that up.

How?

What do you mean, "how"? Paint over it.

We just used up all the paint.

Figure it out.

Ken was a quiet,
good-hearted young man.

He wasn't a fighter.

Uh, he... he tended to our animals.

He... He shoed the horses.

It's regular guys like Ken
that keep a place going.

He will be remembered

as a son, a friend...

a-a-a shining example

of Hilltop's strength
and fundamental decency,

even in the face
of this terrible tragedy.

Cheers, Ken.

Rest in peace.

Gregory.

That was beautiful.

Something like this
really makes you think

about what you have
and what you've lost.

And I'm just...

I'm just grateful for where I am.

You see our crops, Rick?

I did.

The spring storms will be here
in a few weeks, help us out,

but we need a boost
in the meantime.

And you'll have it.

We came back

with farming tools, heirloom seeds.

We're looking to the past
to help us with the present.

We're all gonna pitch in and make sure

that Sanctuary has what it needs

so you all can get back on your feet.

Bless you, Rick Grimes. Thank you.

What's up?

I don't wanna be the one

leading these people anymore.

Okay.

- Why?
- I don't know.

Bein' here
behind these walls again...

it just don't feel right, man.

I'm better out there.

I always have been.

You kept this place together.

You kept people in line here.

We can't just let the Sanctuary fail

after everything that's happened.

Man, it's gonna fail anyway.

Nothing grows here.
It's a damn factory, man.

Look, when Negan was around,

he needed people to provide for him.

It's still the same. Nothing's changed.

It's different now.
We give what we give willingly.

How long's that gonna last?

Most of the bridges are out
after the big storm.

The highway's done.

We've scavenged every drop
of gas for miles.

And we can't make enough corn fuel

to run the cars or the trucks.

Pretty soon, it's gonna be
more than a day's ride

from one spot to another.

Well, it's on us to figure out
how to make it work.

Man, there ain't no "us" anymore.

Everyone's everywhere.

That small group we had
back in the beginning...

we could do anything.

That was right.

That's what I know.

Well, you wanna come home
to Alexandria, then?

No.

I'll go back to Hilltop,
check on Maggie and the baby.

Well, you go, someone's got
to take your place.

Rosita and Eugene
are headed to Oceanside next.

Maggie's sending food,
but not people,

and Kingdom's got
its own problems rebuilding

after losing its fighters.

If Alexandria sends
another person out,

I could use the help back home.

Huh.

We're not together
because things have changed.

Mm-hmm.

The thing is, you changed them, Rick.

But I get it.

Bless you, but no thank you.

Oh, that's right. You're sober.

You too?

Go ahead, Tammy. I'm fine.

I don't know
what to do, Tammy.

What am I supposed to do?

I just... I just want to be by myself.

I just want to sleep.

I can leave.

Don't. Don't.

I-I just want to sleep.

I'll, uh...

I-I'll sit with you, if you'd like.

Those things'll kill you.

Why aren't you in bed?

Why aren't you?

We don't sleep.

Ezekiel, on the other hand,
sleeps like a baby.

It's annoying.

Does he snore fancy, too?

Stop it.

No, he's all right.

He's a bit corny, but...

Glad I have Pookie's approval.

After what I went through with Ed,

corny is really, really nice.

No. I'm happy for you.

If anybody deserves
to be happy, it's you.

I don't like not seein' you, though.

Daryl.

Hmm?

I want to take over here
for awhile, for you,

and don't argue.

You gonna bring Henry
and the King with you?

I haven't told him yet.

He asked me to marry him.

What?

Yeah.

And a part of me wanted
to just say "yes" right then.

Why didn't you?

I don't know.

I want to help out,

take my time, you know?

You want me to stay here with you?

No.

I'll tell you something else, Gregory.

He didn't need to be out there.

My son...

My son didn't need to die.

No, he didn't.

Where's the justice for my boy?

Well, Maggie thinks
she's above the law.

You know that election?

It's a joke.

Who do you think counted
those ballots?

Her buddy Jesus... that's who.

Y-You know, I-I've talked
to a lot of people,

and they're not happy
with the way things are going.

Huh.

They're just afraid to speak up.

Maggie will do
whatever her pal Rick says,

even if it's not good for Hilltop.

I don't see that we can do

a hell of a lot about it, Gregory.

She's the one
that decides those things.

Well, it is the decisions she's made

and the priorities she set

that put your boy into the ground.

I'm speaking plainly
because I'm angry.

I'm angry to see the lives
at the Hilltop...

your son's life...
being treated like the price

of doing someone else's business.

She's the leader.

She doesn't have to be.

The famous Rick Grimes.

Oh, god damn it, don't you start, too.

It's sweet.

Just don't let it get to your head.

No, not today, that's for sure.

Mm. Yeah.

I don't envy Maggie right now.

No.

Rick?

Hmm?

Seeing his name on the wall...

Did we do the right thing?

Sometimes I think maybe
we just should have killed him.

Yeah. I think about it a lot.

But killing him wouldn't have
changed anything we saw today.

They don't want Negan. They want food.

We don't know that, Rick, not for sure.

I've been thinking.

Maybe we need an agreement
between all the communities,

like, "This is what we believe,

this is how we treat each other,

and this is what happens
when we don't."

Yeah. It's good.

It feels like the right time.

We... We couldn't before.

We were always running and fighting.

No. It's smart.

Building up something like that...

it could pull people closer together.

You know, Daryl's not happy.

He's got me worried
about things breaking down.

He wouldn't say something
unless it was important.

He cares.

Too much sometimes.

Hey.

If he's worried, there's a reason.

So, what do we do about it?

I think we need to fix that bridge.

Okay.

I'll get the people
to agree to a charter.

Charter?

Not Constitution?

Charter.

Okay.

But tomorrow.

- Yeah.
- Okay?

Mm. Yeah.

How'd I get so lucky finding you?

We've both lost enough.

It's time we won a little,
don't you think?

Mm.

The famous Rick Grimes.

Mm. Mm.

Ah.

Tough night?

Yeah. Tough night.

I've been there.

I'm sorry.

I appreciate that.

I know this hasn't been easy for you.

You won the election
fair and square, Maggie.

You've been a worthy adversary.

Forced me to do some soul-searching.

It's hard not knowing what your place is.

I'm sure you have one if you want it.

Yeah, well...

Anyway, I should get my kid to sleep.

Oh, Maggie, I meant to tell you...

when we were burying Ken before,

I didn't want
to say anything... not now...

but it looked like

someone had defaced Glenn's grave.

Maybe just some sort of accident

or kids didn't know any better.

Uh, I hope it wasn't
that someone was angry.

Probably no big deal.
Check it out tomorrow.

- Good night.
- Night.

Ugh!

Oh, my God, Maggie!

Unh!

Margaret...

My God, Maggie, w-what happened?

What happened?

You tried to have me killed

'cause you're too chicken-shit
to do it yourself.

Margaret, you... you need to sit down.

You obviously h-have a head injury.

You want to lead this place?

You can't even murder someone right.

This place?

I built this place!

None of this would exist
if it wasn't for me.

You're just Rick's lackey.

Rick ended the war.

That's more than you ever did.

And he's your friend and your mentor.

You know what's funny,

is you can't go back to Alexandria

because you-know-who is still there.

Do you even give a crap

about all of the stupid shit
that you have done?

After all the chances
that you've been given?

No.

Because I'm still here.

They'll all know that you did this.

Earl attacked you because
you got his son killed!

You blamed me. You attacked me.

And I defended myself.

I'll see you soon.

Give Henry a kiss for me.

I'm not running away.

It kind of feels like you are.

If I pushed too hard...

No. My friends need my help.

And I want to be there for them.

But I have a home I want to get back to,

and that's enough for me for now.

I hope it is for you, too.

I'll be content

to move at your speed, Lady Carol.

Though the waiting
is such sweet sorrow.

Jerry, our steeds.

Jerry, take care of them for me,
just for a little bit.

You got it, boss.

It's funny.

And he knows it.

He's a little stinker.

He's just perfect.

He really is.

Yeah.

I think I'll keep him.

Come here.

Okay. Here you go.

Don't go running off.

Now that Hershel's a little older

and you're going on runs again

I'd love for you to visit
Alexandria sometime,

if you're up for it.

Judith talks about Aunt Maggie
at Hilltop all the time.

I'm surprised she still
remembers you, but she does.

Rick, I can't. You know I can't.

But you came about something else.

Oh.

Maggie, it can... it can wait.

I'm okay.

Just talk to me
about anything else, please.

All right.

Well...

I need your help fixing the bridge.

Hilltop's thriving because of you.

This place is doing better
than anywhere else,

and you've been generous.

Hilltop's given so much already,

but I'm asking for more.

What?

Sanctuary's still short on food,

and a project like this is gonna take

a lot of people and supplies.

I'm asking if you'll be generous again,

if you'll stretch.

If my people want to work on the bridge,
I won't stop them.

But no more food and supplies

without getting something back for it.

What do you want?

If the Sanctuary needs food,
I'll give it to 'em.

But... they provide

most of the labor
on the bridge for us.

And they send over all the fuel

they've been making
from their dead corn.

S-Sanctuary's barely
holding on right now.

We're obliged to help.

Why? They surrendered.

We didn't kill 'em.

That's it.

I can't solve all their problems

when I clearly have
things to take care of here.

Maggie, I'm so sorry
this happened to you and Enid...

I've survived worse.

But it has to stop.

When we were fighting the Saviors,

you told me that soon,
you'd be the one following me.

But you didn't.

'Cause I wasn't someone to follow.

That changes now.

It'll be dark soon.

It's time to put the children to bed.

I don't want to do this.

But people need to understand
that at Hilltop,

the punishment fits the crime.

Do you have any final words?

What you're doing isn't right.

Somebody stop this, please.

Killing me in the dead of night
because you're ashamed.

You're wrong.

I'm not ashamed.

Stop this! Please!

Now, for the love of God, stop it!

- Maggie, stop!
- No, no!

- Wait!
- Ha!

Get the children back in bed.

I made this decision.

But this is not the beginning
of something.

I don't want to go through it again.

Cut him down.