We know there’s a betrayal coming to The Walking Dead Season 7, but no idea who might be the turncoat. The traitor could be from Negan’s side or Rick’s, or both! Unfortunately for Rick, it looks like one of his best allies might not be willing to fight by his side.
Lennie James, who plays Morgan on The Walking Dead, recently told ComicBook.com the upcoming war is all about perspective. There are people who believe Negan is right to want control Rick and vice versa. Remember, Rick isn’t so black and white. He’s this big grey mess whose moral compass changes direction depending on what he thinks is best.
"On one level, it’s very obvious that we’re getting ready for war, and everyone who knows the comic books knows that we’re about to go into a couple of years of war," James told ComicBook.com. "I don’t know how long that’s going to pan out in the television series, but it goes on for a while in the comics. So we’re about to go to war, and the second block [of eight episodes] is about meeting the protagonists and certain events that are going to decide what sides people take. And it’s not going to be a clear division of labour, let me say."
James added, "There are some people who go to the dark side who are going to take you by surprise, and there are some people who are going to come over to the light – and that’s all a matter of perspective.”
This leads us to James’ character Morgan. Remember, the last time we saw Morgan on The Walking Dead , he was a mess. He didn’t want anything to do with Rick because he blamed him for his son’s death. Rick gave Morgan a walkie talkie to try and communicate with him. Rick would turn on his walkie at the same time everyday in hopes Morgan would be on the other side. Morgan did the same, but the signal wasn’t strong enough. Morgan’s son died while they were searching for supplies.
If it was for Morgan’s chance encounter with Eastman, he wouldn’t have survived for much longer. Morgan had a strong desire to “clear” out the walkers. He would collect their bodies and burn them. It was his way of getting his frustration out. It wasn’t until Eastman found him that he got out of his mental funk. Eastman taught him all life is precious no matter what. You don’t need to kill others in order to survive, which is why Morgan built the cell in Alexandria. Morgan wanted to give him Rick another option.
But Morgan’s in The Kingdom now. He could’ve left The Kingdom once Carol was better and gone back to Alexandria. We don’t know why Morgan chose to stay for as long as he did, but it has to be at least a few weeks. Carol was shot in the leg; that’s an injury that takes time to recover. But Morgan didn’t leave.
Unlike Rick, Ezekiel also believes all life is precious. Ezekiel chose to talk to Negan instead of fight him. Ezekiel is an example of what life in Alexandria could’ve been like had Rick discussed the issue with Negan. Would Rick have eventually tried to kill Negan? Definitely. But a partnership would’ve bought them time. Rick challenging Negan cost him food, weapons, mattresses and more.
So what if Ezekiel doesn’t want to team up with Rick? What if Morgan tells Ezekiel he believes Rick is too far gone? It’s possible. Morgan isn’t exactly loyal to Rick. He’s stood up against him more than once. It’s not like Morgan blindly follows him like Daryl or Michonne. What if Ezekiel decides sticking with Negan is their best chance of survival, and Morgan does nothing to change his mind?
It’s a different world with Negan around. Morgan knows Ezekiel is a great leader, but Rick is a wild card. Morgan has seen Rick do so many questionable things that he might decide it’s best he protect Ezekiel.
Do you think Morgan is loyal to Rick? Let us know in the comments section below. The Walking Dead Season 7 returns Feb. 12 to AMC.
