'The Walking Dead' Season 10 Episode 17: Why is Maggie 'marked'? Pope and Reapers' threat makes show 'intense'

While some fans were glued to the intensity of the Reapers, others wondered how many villains do we have to go through before there's an end to this nightmare
A still from 'The Walking Dead' (AMC)
A still from 'The Walking Dead' (AMC)

Spoilers for 'The Walking Dead' Season 10 Episode 17

The first bonus episode on Season 10 of 'The Walking Dead', 'Home Sweet Home' saw Maggie (Lauren Cohen) back, officially. We've been through enough villains through the 10 seasons of the series and it's quite obvious that besides running away from zombies, the gang always has another deadly faction to worry about. This time though, it's the Reapers and someone named Pope.

Before you try to figure out where in the comics this fits it, let us tell you it doesn't make this one of the first biggest mysteries of the six bonus episodes about to be released. Was Episode 17 a good episode? Probably not the best the show has to offer, but we needed the storyline or things honestly wouldn't make sense. While some fans were glued to the intensity of the Reapers, others wondered how many villains do we have to go through before there's an end to this nightmare. Not to mention, who is Pope and why on earth is Maggie marked?

RELATED ARTICLES
'The Walking Dead' Season 10 Episode 17 Preview: Maggie is back to a 'free' Negan, but will she forgive him?

'The Walking Dead' Season 10 Episode 17 Preview: Who are Reapers and who's Pope? Showrunner teases new threat

Fans react to the new threat

"We JUST defeated the Whisperers and now we have a whole new threat to face with the Reapers. Life in the apocalypse just never gets easier. #TheWalkingDead." wrote one user. Another added, "Terminus Folks Saviors Whisperers Reapers They’re all the same. #TheWalkingDead plot keeps walking in circles like a walker. Find a resolution! PLEASE!"



 



 

Some couldn't help but just react to the intensity of the gang, with a user writing, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?! The Reapers are CRAZY. #TheWalkingDead." Another added, "Holy cow these reapers are intense #TheWalkingDead".



 



 

Why is Maggie marked?

Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene on 'The Walking Dead' (AMC)

Since we have no idea who the Reapers are, or who Pope is, we have to wonder why on earth Maggie out of all people is "marked." We have to assume that marked would mean that she's on the list to be killed, but in this universe, it could mean anything. We've obviously expected a lot considering Negan and Alpha played excellent villains, could Pope top them? While we don't know why Maggie is marked, fans couldn't help but urge her to be careful and realize that Negan isn't the enemy she needs to focus on.

"Maggie is going to have to put her feels to the side about Negan since she is marked by a new person what is going to happen within only 5 episodes #TWD," wrote one user. Why she was marked is THE most testing question on Twitter right now! "“Pope marked you.” ...WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?! WHO’S POPE AND WHY DID HE MARK MAGGIE #TWD #TheWalkingDead ," wrote another frustrated user. Either way, the episode was thoroughly enjoyed with one fan writing, "In terms of the new villain, The Reapers...well...reaper. That whole tension of who's shooting and them all hunting for them, and being hunted was AWESOME & TENSE! The payoff was awesome too, with the suicide bomb/interrogation, and Maggie/Daryl fighting him"



 



 



 

We can't help but wait to find out in the next episode of 'The Walking Dead,' because if Maggie dies, the fandom will riot.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Helaena’s visions connect her children, Dreamfyre and the Dragonpit to the deaths still ahead, with many fans left wondering about her fate.
7 hours ago
'Lioness' Season 3 follows the ongoing operations of the Lioness program, expanding its covert missions and personal stakes.
8 hours ago
‘Lioness’ Season 3 has officially begun, here's the full release schedule, episode dates, streaming times, and the finale's arrival date.
10 hours ago
The 'Gabby's Dollhouse' Season 14 trailer introduces a new character first teased in the 2025 film adaptation
13 hours ago
‘Tulsa King’ Season 4 gets a major creative update as the writer behind its acclaimed first season returns ahead of the show’s next chapter.
14 hours ago
Sheepstealer’s fate in Episode 7 of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 leaves fans with big questions. Here’s what ‘Fire and Blood’ suggests.
15 hours ago
Previous episodes revealed that both Aegon and Sunfyre were burnt during the Battle at Rook's Rest
16 hours ago
After a dangerous Ukraine mission, Joe was attacked by two men at her home, which resulted in an unexpected situation.
18 hours ago
Alicent comes to Harrenhal with the intention of fulfilling Rhaenyra's wishes and reunites with her son Aemond as well as Alys
19 hours ago
DC's 'Booster Gold' series has made headlines again after years of development. Here's what the latest update means for the project.
2 days ago