Deceit, duplicity, truth and integrity are the big themes threaded through the drama of Trust. While Hornsby ratchets up the pressure on Maggie’s defiantly independent Hilltop settlement, back within the walls of the Commonwealth the newest arrivals have begun to uncover the regime’s darkest secrets. As the clock ticks down towards an unavoidable detonation, the contrast between Hornsby’s vindictiveness and the essential humanity of his opponents is thrown into sharp relief in Kevin Deiboldt’s taut script.
As befits this point in the middle section of The Walking Dead’s final season, Trust pushes the story forward on multiple fronts. Hornsby’s team arrive at the bloodbath at Riverbend, and he’s immediately suspicious of the account that Aaron and Gabriel provide of what went down. Convinced that the troublesome outsiders at Hilltop are involved in the death of Commonwealth forces and the theft of munitions, Hornsby takes his patrol to the gates of Maggie’s settlement. As a standoff ensues, trooper Daryl intervenes to try to prevent an escalation. It’s this tense moment that circles events back round to the six-month flashforward teased in No Other Way, only with Daryl’s true motivations now clear.
While Hornsby hunts for evidence of Maggie’s complicity, back within the Commonwealth things are moving against the regime unseen. Eugene has decided that the murderous activities of the Milton leadership need to be exposed, and he calls on the most sympathetic journalist he can think of to publicise the story. He also recruits an initially reluctant Max in the hope of getting access to the Milton’s private files. Ezekiel meanwhile is ‘paying forward’ his medical good fortune by setting up a clandestine independent clinic, hidden from the authorities. Critical to the success of the simmering resistance at the Commonwealth is the support of Mercer, who’s now wrestling with guilt, divided loyalties and a determination to ‘do the right thing’.
Amidst the manoeuvring for position, there are moments of genuine tenderness throughout the episode. Eugene’s difficult connection to Max, Carol’s complex dynamic with the recuperating Ezekiel and, above all, Princess’ and Mercer’s passionate affair all exhibit warmth and intimacy. The insight into their relationship helps to explain the calming of Princess’ wild persona and reveals unseen sides of the taciturn Mercer’s nature. Without doubt, Mercer has become one of the most interesting and layered Commonwealth characters, played with complete conviction by Michael James Shaw.
At the episode’s end, a frustrated Hornsby offers an unexpected commission to a far-from-obvious recruit in the hope of removing an obstacle in his way (it’s too big a spoiler to reveal). It’s a fateful act that sets up the showdown sure to come in next week’s second-part-of-the-season finale. As it prepares to sign off on the penultimate segment of its final run, The Walking Dead remains in rude health.
New episodes of THE WALKING DEAD – SEASON 11 premiere Mondays in the UK on DISNEY+/STAR
Read our previous reviews of THE WALKING DEAD below:
Season 11, Episode 1, ACHERON: PART I
Season 11, Episode 2, ACHERON: PART II
Season 11, Episode 4, RENDITION
Season 11, Episode 5, OUT OF THE ASHES
Season 11, Episode 6, ON THE INSIDE
Season 11, Episode 7, PROMISES BROKEN
Season 11, Episode 8, FOR BLOOD
Season 11, Episode 9, NO OTHER WAY
Season 11, Episode 10, NEW HAUNTS
Season 11, Episode 11, ROGUE ELEMENT
Season 11, Episode 12, THE LUCKY ONES
