This post contains spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 9, Episode 7, “Stradivarius.”[hhmc]
Has anyone else noticed how obsessed The Walking Dead has become with letters? First, theres the ongoing mystery around the letter “A,” which has floated around the show for years now. (Were still not entirely clear whats going on there, but at least we know an answer seems to be incoming: in Ricks last episode, we saw Jadis looking for people categorized as “A”s and “B”s.) Now, though, theres a new mysterious letter in town: “X,” which so far has shown up on two of our favorite survivors backs.
First, we saw Michonnes scar last week—a big “X” on the back of her left hip. It seemed almost certainly linked to Maggies disappearance and the apparent tensions between all of the communities. On Sunday, Daryl—who appears to finally have something to do again this season—showed off a similar mark of his own. It remains unclear what, exactly, is going on with these markings—but former Walking Dead star Michael Cudlitz, who directed Episode 7, did offer a little insight.
In an interview with INSIDER, Cudlitz promised that fans will eventually find out why Michonne has cut herself off from Hilltop—and confirmed that whatever the reason, it is related to the marks on her and Daryls backs. And yes, its likely well spot a few more survivors with the same scars.
“That is something that connects them all, even though theyre all separated right now,” Cudlitz said. “Were going to find out why.”
So far, the most logical theory is that some remaining Saviors tried to brand the group before the Sanctuary collapsed. Or maybe a new intruder (or group of them) infiltrated Alexandria, and theyre the ones who bestowed the X markings. That latter option seems most likely, as it would also explain Michonnes general wariness of strangers.
“Were going to find out why Michonne had distance with Maggie when last we saw, she didnt,” Cudlitz added. Although Maggie and Michonne did briefly fight when Maggie wanted to break into Negans jail cell in Alexandria to murder him, Maggie ultimately decided not to kill the man who killed her husband—and when she and Michonne parted ways, they were on good terms. “So theres no conflict left there, really,” Cudlitz said. “They actually agreed.”
Cudlitz hinted that the wait for all these revelations shouldnt be too long. So for now, perhaps its time to turn our attention to other, more pressing mysteries—like where Dan Foglers music teacher character, Luke, can find a Stradivarius to replace the one Michonne rudely sliced in half.
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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