WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 11, Episode 10, “New Haunts,” which aired Sunday on AMC.
Last week’s episode of The Walking Dead, “No Other Way,” concluded with Lance Hornsby’s mysterious choice and a six-month time jump that hinted at fracturing relationships with Lauren Cohen’s Maggie. Now, Episode 10, “New Haunts,” picks up a little earlier in that teased future. The opening scene features Daryl escorting Judith and R.J. through a dark hallway lined with walkers. From Judith’s nonchalant expression to the too creepy surroundings, the moment is reminiscent of a haunted house. Funny enough, that’s exactly what it is: the hallway is revealed as part of the Haunted Maze, an attraction at the Commonwealth’s Halloween fair.
Things have already changed during the protagonists’ short time at the Commonwealth. Carol is making cookies; Connie is a reporter, and the Commonwealth’s safety protocols and rigid rules make “normal” festivities like this one possible. Audiences also get their first glimpse of Pamela Milton, a descendant of a political dynasty — similar to the Kennedys — who continues the tradition even post-apocalypse as the Commonwealth’s governor. For Walking Dead fans, the title likely brings back scary memories of the group’s run-in with Philip Blake, aka The Governor, back in Season 3. While things could go better this time around, those familiar with The Walking Dead‘s villain recipe suggest not. Not to mention the Commonwealth’s preoccupation with social class quickly becomes an issue. Now, zombies are on the back burner as the survivors grapple with paychecks and seedy apartments.
“New Haunts” also focuses on group dynamics. With the protagonists spread across various job hierarchies, they struggle to navigate their new relationships and social standing. While they mostly settle into their new roles, Carol and Daryl remain on edge, as expected of two of The Walking Dead‘s most rebellious heroes. Daryl struggles with teamwork after being separated from Rosita during Mercer’s “Kill House” training exercise. He also crosses paths with Sebastian Milton, Pamela’s son, who Daryl not so affectionately refers to as the “little prick.”
Carol/Daryl shippers may have been heartbroken by Carol’s suggestion for Daryl to ask Coonie to dance; however, it allows her time to do a little digging into Ezekiel’s predicament. Unfortunately, she confirms that his likelihood of receiving life-saving surgery for his cancer is not good after talking to Yumiko’s brother, Tomi, the baker turned reluctant surgeon. However, Carol’s persistent sleuthing also leads her to discover Lace Hornsby’s need for wine, which she successfully retrieves from outside the Commonwealth’s walls. While she uses it as a bargaining chip to move Ezekiel to the top of the surgery list, Lance confirms Carol will need to do more than that to secure such a big “favor.”
Later, audiences get a look at what the wine was for: an extravagant masquerade ball for the Commonwealth’s upper-class, complete with a red carpet. It’s there Mercer receives criticism for inviting Princess to be his date to the event, given that she’s of a lower class. This class division does not escape Connie, who brings the topic up in her interview with Pamela. Pamela quickly shuts her down by saying they celebrate everyone who contributes to their community. However, a few moments later, she is proven wrong when an ex-Commonwealth soldier, Tyler, takes Pamela’s assistant hostage. Tyler — who Princess confirms is the soldier she beat up earlier in Season 11a — explains that a simple mistake cost him his position, status and money.
Tyler flees, making the poor decision to run into the Haunted Maze (they couldn’t let that set-piece go to waste, after all), where Daryl catches him. However, Daryl offers up Tyler to Sebastian to impress his mother. As Tyler is removed, he assures Pamela that there are thousands of others like him and shouts, “Resist the Commonwealth! Visibility for workers! Equality for all!” After the stunt, Pamela turns to Lance and asks, “Are there thousands more?” to which he responds bluntly, “No.”
The moment, of course, is significant. Not only does it plant doubt in our protagonists’ minds, especially Rosita’s and Daryl’s, but it confirms there is already civil unrest in the Commonwealth’s seemingly perfect exterior. As per The Walking Dead‘s usual formula, it seems the Commonwealth is just as corrupt and greedy as past civilizations. While Pamela wants to present herself like Glinda the Good Witch, her ice queen persona already shines through the cracks; Pamela is running the Commonwealth for herself, not for the good of the people.
Amidst the drama, however, we also learn that Pamela’s assistant is named Max. Well, we kind of already knew that, thanks to The Walking Dead‘s real-life drama. Earlier in Season 11a, “Acheron: Part II” and “Out of the Ashes” credited actor Chelle Ramos as “Decoy Stephanie” and Margot Bingham as just “Stephanie.” However, after the promo photo for “Out of the Ashes,” Chelle Ramos became “Stephanie,” and Margot Bingham was credited as “Max.” Despite minor spoilers for the reveal, Stephanie’s part in Season 11b and how closely it will follow her comic arc are still unknown.
That said, the episode concludes on somewhat of a happy note: Judith finally gets to play the vinyl record her new friend gifted her. However, with “New Haunt’s” heavy emphasis on class divide in the Commonwealth, it’s not surprising that Motörhead’s “Eat the Rich” begins to play. While the mysteries surrounding the Commonwealth are still unraveling, its pre-apocalypse politics may make it The Walking Dead‘s most complicated and deadly antagonist yet.
To see the class divide in the Commonwealth, new episodes of The Walking Dead air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC and are available to stream early on AMC+.
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