Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
With Alexandria short on food, Maggie leads a scavenging mission to Meridian, her former home now held by the ruthless Reapers. Daryl discovers that Leah, the woman he once lived with, belongs to the group. Their leader Pope treats his fighters as expendable; Leah kills him when his orders put them in danger, and Daryl later shoots her as she tries to kill Maggie. The survivors reclaim supplies but still face shortages. Meanwhile, Eugene, Ezekiel, Yumiko and Princess enter the Commonwealth, a vast settlement whose polished streets conceal a strict class system and powerful ruling family.
The Commonwealth makes contact with Alexandria. Lance Hornsby offers aid, but Maggie resists surrendering Hilltop’s independence. After a six-month jump, Daryl serves as a soldier and Yumiko works as a lawyer. Eugene discovers that “Stephanie” was a decoy; Max Mercer is his real radio contact. Max and Eugene expose Sebastian Milton’s contempt for the citizens. When Sebastian dies during the resulting unrest, Pamela blames Eugene. Carol kills Lance after he draws a gun on her and Daryl. Facing execution, Eugene is freed by Mercer, who turns against Pamela.
Pamela draws a walker horde toward the city to trigger a lockdown, but it breaches the defenses. Judith is shot during the revolt. Daryl gets her to hospital; a transfusion and treatment save her. Luke and Jules die during the escape, while Rosita survives a fall but reveals she was bitten and later dies with her family beside her. Mercer and the residents arrest Pamela, and the group blows up the walker-filled Estates. One year later, Ezekiel governs the Commonwealth with Mercer, Alexandria is rebuilt, and Daryl leaves to explore beyond the city, promising to look for Rick and Michonne if he hears of them. The final images show both alive but still separated.