Wonder Women: Sasha Williams

Guts and blood? Check. Zombies? Check. Andrew Lincoln looking amazing? Check. Oh yeah, what does The Walking Dead also have: kick-ass women. BOOYAH.

For a while now, we've been celebrating women of The Walking Dead like Lori Grimes and Andrea, and then Maggie and Beth. Lucky for us there are plenty of strong and complex survivors who are worthy of being under the spotlight.

For this edition, we're moving onto the calculating straight-shooter, Sasha Williams. From her skills as a warrior to her devastating losses and post-traumatic stress, she's been an invaluable and complex survivor.

We're going to take a look at how awesome this woman is, and how the flaws or achievements of the writing shape her. What do you love about Sasha? Feel free to share in the comments! Hope you enjoy!

The Walking Dead S7x12 Say Yes

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Rick’s crew is on a deadline to gather supplies and secure their weapons deal with the Scavengers. With Michonne by his side on a solo run, the couple encounters exactly what they need, but is it all just a sign of something worse to come down the road? This recap includes spoilers for the latest episode - you've been warned! Hope you enjoy!

Who knew scavenging for supplies and weapons could turn into a fans' dream date night in the apocalypse? Well, AMC delivered with Say Yes. They were truly doing the Lord's work if you believe in that sort of thing. The episode was slow and filled with character development, typical filler during this time of year, but it was packed with plenty of walker killers, a death scare, and let's just say, Richonne hotness.

The Walking Dead S7X11 Hostiles and Calamities

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Rick might be on a roll with getting new allies on board to take on Negan, but one innocent bystander still has to contend with being Negan's captive: Eugene. After Rosita failed to assassinate their new leader, the prized bullet maker was taken hostage and back to the Savior's compound. Hostiles and Calamities answered if or how quickly Eugene may join the enemies ranks.

The Walking Dead has always challenged fans to think about what they would have done in a character's position or a part of the zombie apocalypse. Each has their own way of surviving one more day either by scavenging, hunting, being a medical asset, conquering others or building a family. If there's one way that never thinks about getting ahead, it might be lying or concealing your butt off.

Dwight and Eugene were the stars of the latest episode, where we saw the inner-workings of the compound in very different ways.

Considering he tortured Daryl when he was previously hijacked in the compound, Dwight probably shouldn't be a character to care about, but he really is.

There's a certain amount of privilege that comes with being a Savior, especially one in his position - his own apartment, the ability to take what he wants from the community pool of supplies and food, and overall treatment of prisoners. But with every win for him i.e. force prisoners to submit their independence and perks, there seems to be a loss, like losing his wife and every piece of his morality.

Once Negan found out that Daryl escaped, Dwight was pushed to find out who it was and prove his own innocence. Left with a mysterious note, and the simultaneous disappearance of his and Negan's wife Sherry, Dwight returned to their former home where he found a goodbye note from her, admitting that when she signed up to Negan's wife and keep them alive, they both died a little inside. And that living a life like the one Negan has them forced into is just as worse as dying. She admitted to letting Daryl go because he reminded her of who Dwight once was.

Dwight has always had a certain ambivalence when it comes to being Negan. Certainly, there's a sadistic side to him that loves to be in control and have power, to yield orders down to other Saviors and enjoys sitting on his high-horse. But his morality is always in a contest with itself and the lengths he'll go to stay ahead of Negan.

With Sherry gone, he has nobody to bring to Negan. Given a run-in with the Saviors' doctor, Dwight takes the opportunity to muster up a story or two about Sherry having an affair with him and letting her and Daryl escape. The move saves Dwight to stay in good graces with the boss, but it obviously comes with a price - the doctor has thrown into the fiery pit to be killed.

There's also another side to his treachery and throwing the doctor under the bus, Dwight lies to Negan about Sherry's whereabouts. We know that she is gone, simply taken off  and we don't know where. But her husband tells Negan that she was killed by a walker as he was trying to get them home so she could be held accontable. And the affair with the doctor were merely more exaggerated details. Surely, Dwight got the doctor killed but in a twisted way, it's also an attempt to prevent Negan from leading a search for her, while simultaneously, saving himself.

Without anyone to pin Daryl's disappearance on, Dwight had to get creative. Same thing with Eugene.

Besides the hair game, Eugene doesn't have a lot of cool points, so he let his verbal skills save his skin throughout most of the apocalypse. The last time we really saw Eugene's deception was back in season five when he finally revealed to the group that he was not a scientist; that his lack of weaponry skills and ability to kill walkers would speed up his expiration date.  He's increasingly leveled up and built his stamina, but Eugene being taken hostage was surprisingly all about him playing the game and moving Saviors around like chess pieces.

Of all the attempts we've seen characters make quick, even miraculous getaways, there may be no other episode where Eugene was playing the game.

No doubt he's is an asset to the Saviors, and they knew it by charming him up with a bachelor pad of his own, access to electricity and pickles, even some of Negan's wives for a night or two. It's practically like he's back at home before the apocalypse playing video games and living a comfy life.

But he's also walking a tightrope of going back to what was comfortable for him and having to evolve into a better survivor. Not just to lie so other people do the dirty work, but pulling wool over people's eyes and camouflaging into the environment. Does he lie to lock himself in his room, or it is all part of a bigger plan?

He entertained Negan's wives by making home-explosives and playing video games. In his meetings to Negan, he proved to be a Doctor Smartypants by giving directions of melding the walkers to the fences, but also slyly seeming to be holding something back. While walking the compounds he witnessed Saviors on the lower end of the totem pole stealing supplies and used some of his privileges to his own benefit. When Negan's harems propositioned him to make a cocktail to help Amber commit suicide, Eugene mustered all of the random items he could get his paws on - a toilet bowl, a stuffed monkey, capsules for the drugs. He also figured out that the sex slaves were planning on drugging Negan instead of Amber, and for that he could get in big trouble and didn't help them out. Even though he was living like a king, Eugene was taking notes on what he can use later.

By the end of the episode, it was difficult to determine who team Eugene was on. When interrogated by Negan, he had no problem claiming he was Negan. But it's really the final moments of Hostiles and Calamities that was the most telling. Eugene and Dwight standing on their perch overlooking the walker backyard:

Eugene: Eugene. You’re Dwight. We are Negan.
Dwight: Yeah....

An episode dividing up the group again might not have worked like it did in the first half of the season. It's certainly a gamble. But the writing, directing, and acting made it intriguing enough to watch. Austin Amelio and Josh McDermitt might be supporting characters, especially McDermitt who used to have Michael Cudlitz or Christian Serratos to play off of, but they're really coming into their own.

The combination of Eugene and Dwight dodging suspicion and using their cleverness to their own gain might end up being one of the better aspects of the second half of season seven. In Twice as Far Eugene clamped down on Dwight's crotch, which isn't the greatest beginning of a beautiful friendship. Are they completely obedient or just walking on a leash until they can sneak away? Dwight is a mere Savior, while Eugene knows how to make bullets, so how long will it be before Dr. Smartypants ends up the furnace too? Will Negan catch on, and will they possibly team up to escape or take down the regime, or use each other to their own means?

The Walking Dead S7X10 New Best Friends

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Rick's campaign trail to The Hilltop Colony and the Kingdom was a total bust to gain allies against Negan. The leader and his faithful followers have inadvertently encountered the back-up they need: a massive new group of survivors armed with countless weapons on protected grounds. Will Grimes have a chance to propose their ideas or face the consequences for trespassing? This recap includes spoilers for the latest episode - you've been warned! Hope you enjoy!

The Walking Dead S7x09 Rock In The Road

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

The midseason finale in December ended on a rare high note for season seven. Rick finally moved on from his fear and need to provide for Negan, and decided to heed Maggie's words: let's go to war. After a cathartic reunion at the Hilltop Colony, the Sherriff is back in town. One question remained if he could get other groups under Negan's thumb on his side to rise up. This post contains spoilers - you've been warned!

The triumphant march into Gregory’s quarters in the midseason finale didn't last long - maybe a good ten minutes. Rick and the group (Michonne, Carl, Jesus, Sasha, Tara, Maggie, Daryl) tried to reason with him that they should band together and fight Negan. Their drive might be in the right place, but not their reasoning. Gregory is a mouse, not a cat, who's scared of his own shadow, has people working under him to keep his life cozy and safe, and they completely failed the satellite outpost mission. Why would he sign himself up and his people up for something like this again?

The Walking Dead S7x8 Hearts Still Beating

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Riiiiccck, Negan's home. And he's doing a pretty job at it too shaving his face, making spaghetti, and breaking bread with Olivia and Judith. But, boy, does the leader of Alexandria and the Savior's worshipper has some wild cards with Spencer, Rosita, Michonne. Negan's intimidation game comes to a head when the Sherriff is back in town.

Hearts Still Beatingmight've been the episode we've been waiting for this whole season. After milling around different locations and characters, what's left of Deanna's former paradise is shattered even more. But what was supposed to feel like dire ordeals reminded me of The Office. Michael Scott's daring plan to stop other branches from poaching employees from his Scranton office had some similarities with our characters trying to keep their own branch alive by dealing with apocalyptic CEO Negan. Stick with me, here.

The Walking Dead S7x7 Sing Me A Song

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

With the absence of a commander-in-chief they've always had in place, Team Family is on a rampage to get justice. Carl's on a road to ambush Negan, but the future serial killer's plans may be thwarted. This post contains spoilers - you've been warned!

The Walking Dead S7x6 Swear

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

The Walking Dead has steadily expanded the world around Alexandria. After dedicating episodes to the Kingdom, Negan's compound and the Hilltop Colony, it's now Tara and Heath's turn to show us another corner of the apocalypse. After the refreshing Maggie and Sasha-centric episode Go Getters last week, could the show keep up the good luck, girl power, and decent pacing with Swear? This post contains spoilers - you've been warned!

The Walking Dead - S7x5 Go Getters

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

After stopping by the Saviors' compound and Alexandria, The Walking Dead catches up with leaders-in-waiting Maggie and Sasha. How is the duo coping after their dramatic losses? Go-Getters heads to The Hilltop Colony. This post contains spoilers - you've been warned!

Was Go-Getters the episode we've been waiting for since The Day Will Come When You Won't Be? Instilling two grieving widows with the resilience to go on, sneaking in an angsty love story, and re-enforcing Negan's knock-offs, I would give that a resounding HELL YEAH.

The Walking Dead S7x4 Service

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Negan arrives at Alexandria to collect his 'earnings' but Rick and the community aren't ready. People are divided on whether to try to overthrow their new leader or surrender to his command. This post contains spoilers. You've been warned!

The Walking Dead S7x3 The Cell

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

After a visit to the Kingdom, The Walking Dead enters the Savior's compound. Daryl was taken capture after Lucille's massacre, so what is his life like now? How role does Dwight play in his captivity? (This post contains spoilers. As well, this post contains trigger warnings to topics of rape and consent You've been warned.)

The Walking Dead S7x2 The Well

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Hot off the heels of the series most violence episode yet, The Walking Dead turns it down a notch as Morgan and Carol's world gets a whole lot bigger. They're heading to the Kingdom. Will they find friends or foes? (This post contains spoilers. You've been warned.)

The Walking Dead S7x1 Day Will Come When You Won't Be

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

The Walking Dead's season six ended not with a bang but a few whacks by Lucille. We finally pick up from The Last Day On Earth. There's nothing left to wait or lose. You've been warned : this post contains spoilers.

At the time of the recent finale airing, questions overwhelmed the summer break: how was the show going to conceal the victim's identity? could the cliffhanger be successful?

Thank You Glenn Rhee + Steven Yeun

As the old saying goes, a cat has nine lives. In the zombie apocalypse, former pizza boy turned wise leader Glenn Rhee had a thousand.

The comic books already sealed his fate. It was ultimately a matter of time to see if television would follow suit. After six years on The Walking Dead, we're giving thanks to Glenn Rhee and Steven Yeun, a cinnamon roll too precious for this world who managed to survive against all odds.

It's rare in television for good-hearted characters to not only survive in an apocalypse but also become a fan-favorite. Maybe we're often a pessimistic bunch and it irks us when someone can seem so damn honestly good, especially in a world when it's an eye for an eye, blood out for blood.

Sometimes we want to know what dark and tortured issues makes a person tick, what makes them sane or insane in a dog-eat-dog society.

Often goody characters also come with on-the-nose warning signs of their imminent peril. We never feel like our growing admiration is trusted in the hands of writers who will unpredictably cast aside our heroes to the wolves.

But somehow Glenn defied everything that literally stood in his way, not only from a writer's perspective but in this ridiculous world known as the zombie apocalypse.

I get to be the funny guy with the one-liners, I get to be the romantic male in the group, and I've been able to be a bad-ass on occasion. Actors only dream of an opportunity like this. - Steven Yeun

People survive differently; it can make them be a mayor of crazy town, become an unforgivable monster, or live and lead with others day-to-day. Glenn definitely fell into the latter group, but his way of life was more than simply existing. Level-headed, humble, and good-hearted, Glenn was a beacon of how people can choose to persevere if they actively chose to. He was a genuine light in the darkness.

Community made him mature. Love means sacrifice but it also symbolizes stability; where you love, you have hope. His relationship to Maggie didn't break him, no matter their accumulation of losses. She made him realize that being walker bait wasn't cool; it was time to grow up and consider the future, whichever is however long it lasts and what they forge with the right mindset and their own hands. They were each other's equals; giving strength to one another and being each other's guiding light.

The Walking Dead has proven surviving a zombie apocalypse not just a game of brawn. Being physically fit and wielding weapons certainly ups your odds, but a good portion of using your brains comes into play too. A lot of heart goes into persevering.

When shit hit the fan, Glenn thought about who he wanted to be when the dust settled. The danger that surrounded Glenn didn't stop him from being his own moral compass. Early on he accepted that every friend or foe has something to offer, and holding onto his humanity separated him from the enemies. He remained sane, diplomatic, helpful, and resilient. This is a whole other kind of courage that's very rare not just in The Walking Dead universe but the real world.

And let us not grow weary of doing good. For in due season we will reap if we do not give up. - message Glenn sees in Father Gabriel's church

Time after time Glenn's composure was tested. He's lost his cool and questioned whether his fairness to not mercilessly kill was worth it. But his obstacles only re-enforced his strength. His focus to rebuild shone through because of his dedication to not harden or hold grudges; to not cause violence for violence's sake; to be living examples of the wisdom and blessings he received by his family. For every person the group lost, he used a piece of them forward. He observed dire situations and saw the thru-line of what kind of person he wanted to be.

Glenn was so lovable and respected primarily because of Steven Yeun who played him. Unlike Rick, Glenn didn't have the freedom to run to the edge of Crazy Town and return back from the brink. Unlike Carol, Glenn wasn't someone who was a quiet yet significant force of nature. Unlike Daryl, he wasn't a gruff bad-ass decked out in leather jackets riding around on sick cycle and acting all mysterious.

Glenn had a good heart, and that's not easy to come across as too melancholy, kooky, or naive. Yeun's humble abilities carried a significant honesty to his character's downfalls and triumphs. Glenn was a steady stream of finding the good within the bad, ugly, and just plain atrocious. He smart, wise, charming, funny, hopeful, and realistic. Yeun did it all with an underrated genuine heart and kindness. His character's transformation is one of the most remarkable arcs of the series second none to Peletier and Grimes.

It's difficult to say goodbye to someone who provided such a reasonable, and calm presence in such a grim, bloody chaotic world. He is one of the most layered and respected members of the original and evolving Atlanta clan, and it will be nearly impossible for the impact of his character to be fulfilled in the future. As fans of the pizza boy, his admirable positivity and ability to think of others before himself will always be with us. To Glenn and Steve, for everything, I give a humble Thank You.

Ranking The Walking Dead Seasons (so far)

The Walking Dead has just been renewed for an eighth season. It seems like only yesterday the fandom was just tuning into the first season and waiting to see where the show would take the zombie apocalypse next. In celebration of the next stage for the series, I thought it would be a fun challenge to rank the seasons so far.

What's your favorite or least-favorite season so far? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

11 Best Moments of Glenn Rhee from The Walking Dead

Glenn Rhee captured fans' hearts from the very beginning of The Walking Dead. Over the past six seasons, he's kept us inspired and making us pray to the Powers That Be he wouldn't get killed off. Whether or not the seventh season will cement his comic book fate into television history, I thought now was as good of a time as any to give thanks to Glenn Rhee and Steven Yeun.

The former pizza boy turned wise leader has been there and done that throughout the apocalypse. These are eleven moments of why I personally love Glenn and believe what makes him a fan-favorite. What moments do you think are missing from my list? Feel free to share in the comments below. Hope you enjoy!

FanFest Orlando Charity Rallies for Pulse Victims

Orlando native James Frazier  created an opportunity for fans to engage and support the victims of the tragic attack on the LGBT nightclub Pulse. As the creator of the WalkerStalker cons, he immediately reached out to actors to create a fundraising event FanFest Orlando.

Actors like Stephen Ammell (Arrow), Robin Lord-Taylor (Gotham) and The Walking Dead such as Melissa McBride and Lauren Cohen were in person to sign autographs and be apart of photo ops. The day also offered free panel sessions, merchandise, a cosplay contest, and a charity auction. One hundred percent of the profits raised from ticket sales, autographs, professional photo ops, and vendor sales will be donated to the One Orlando Fund.

Support a good cause for Orlando and have the opportunity to meet stars from my all-time favorite show? Sign me up! It was truly something I couldn't miss!

Wonder Women: Maggie Greene (The Walking Dead)

Guts and blood? Check. Zombies? Check. Andrew Lincoln always looking amazing? Check. Oh yeah, what does The Walking Dead also have: kick-ass women. BOOHYAH.

In the first edition of celebrating women of The Walking Dead, we evaluated two controversial survivors: Lori Grimes and Andrea. I personally love them both and it was fun to dissect how the writing served them in the best and worst ways.

Each character on this show handles surviving the apocalypse differently. What works for one person may not work for another. There may be no better example than the Greene sisters, Maggie and Beth.

In a previous post here I've explored Beth Greene and her underrated layers as a survivor until the fifth season. For this post we're focusing primarily on the elder Maggie, and compare how they were both similar and different in terms of adulting in the apocalypse.

We're going to take a look at how awesome this woman is, and how the flaws and achievements of the writing shapes them. Hope you enjoy!

15 Killer Quotes by The Walking Dead's Rick Grimes

Rick Grimes is the bad-ass leader on The Walking Dead. As a former police officer, a father, and a leader, he is willing to do anything to keep his family alive. Previously I compiled a list of my favorite quotes from the series, but I left this sheriff out. Plainly because Andrew Lincoln has delivered so many awesome, chilling, and even heartbreaking lines, it was hard to not compile and devote a list to his iconic anti-hero. As promised, here are fifteen killer quotes by the man. Think I missed a few of his best quotes? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Wonder Women: Lori Grimes & Andrea

Zombies? Check. Guts and blood? Check. Andrew Lincoln looking hot? Check. Oh yeah, what else does The Walking Dead have: kick-ass women. BOOHYAH.

If there's one thing the zombie apocalypse breeds other than walkers, it's survivors, people who rise or fall to the challenge of learning new skills, losing their loved ones, making kick-ass walker kills, and waging wars against their enemies. These characters may be damsels and in distress, but they can handle themselves.

This first part of Wonder Women: The Walking Dead series will cover two controversial figures, Lori Grimes and Andrea. Nobody on the show is perfect, and frankly, the show's writing can be imperfect too. With this in mind, we're taking a look at how a lack of development affected these characters and if there's more to these women beyond their acquired love-hate relationships from critics and fans.

More parts celebrating other women will be coming along shortly with Maggie and Beth Greene, Sasha Williams, and Michonne. Beyond that, if I keep going, will cover Rosita, Tara, Jessie, Denise, and Deanna. Let me know what you think and hope you enjoy!