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'The Walking Dead' Season 10 Episode 20: Did Princess beat the guard? Here's the tragic past and shocking plot twist

The Alexandrians and Princess were told to surrender. Each of them was thrown into an individual boxcar. When Princess is by herself, her mind takes her for a ride

Spoilers for 'The Walking Dead' Season 10 extended episodes

'The Walking Dead' makers behind Episode 20 of the thrilling Season 10 weren't joking when they said that we'd take a deep dive into character storylines. 'Splinter' sees Eugene (Josh McDermitt), Ezekiel (Khary Payton), Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura) and Princess captured by the mysterious troopers that many have called the introduction of the Commonwealth storyline.

This episode though sees actress Paola Lázaro give an epic delivery with her character Juanita "Princess" Sanchez who struggles with memories of her traumatic past and plans to escape her hell. The episode is intense, although fans couldn't help but get emotional over how the group manages to take care of one another especially when "King" Ezekiel saves Princess. Gaining an insight into Princess's personality and character was the highlight of this episode.

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'I'm not crazy if that's what you're thinking'

The quad was traveling to find Stephanie (Margot Bingham), Eugene's crush when they were captured by the men that look like storm troopers. The episode continues the storyline from there itself when the Alexandrians and Princess were told to surrender and drop their weapons. Each of them was then thrown into an individual boxcar, and when Princess is by herself, her mind keeps going back to how her scuffle with the knife led to Yumiko being hurt.

We also get a glimpse into Princess' life before the zombie apocalypse had hit full force — we learn that her step-father was abusive towards her and her mother didn't protect her as a child. Her traumatic past brings much-needed light when it comes to how Princess is as a character — some may even say she's "too much".

As she's feeling for her past, "King" Ezekiel saves the day by finding her and delivering words of wisdom that have fans emotional. When the two are interrupted by a guard, fans see Ezekiel knock him out — it's not until later that we see the "best twist".

Turns out that Princess was disassociating and had imagined the scene that fans saw with Ezekiel, it was she who had beat up the guard. While the rest of the episode sees Princess decide to help her newfound friends, they supposedly end up with black hoods over their heads in the train yard.

If there was an episode from the extended episodes that we'd suggest you watch — 'Splinter' would 100 percent be it. "I'm not crazy if that's what you're thinking. I mean, there's the ADHD, the anxiety, the PTSD, the depression, the crushing loneliness, and the active imagination that helps me cope with all of that. But, like, maybe that's the only sane response to an insane world." — Princess.

Princess' hallucination twist steals the show

"Wow wow wow omg what a plot twist. No part of me was expecting that at all. It was Princess all along? I have chills from head to toe. Literally made me stop breathing for a minute. Incredible #TheWalkingDead #TWD," said one fan.

Another added, "Wow that twist was incredible. The writing on #TWD is great tonight. Last week, now this week, story twists that are surprising. #TheWalkingDead." One went on to say, "That might be one of the best twists I have seen on The Walking Dead in a long time. #TWD." 

"I think I spent the whole episode crying. Princess was the character that I connected with so quickly in the comic. I connected with her in the show thanks to the way @paola__lazaro has brought her to life. I’m so in love with her  #TWDFamily #twd," added a fan.

Another tweeted, "@paola__lazaro performance in #TWD  Episode 20 Splinter was outstanding! Very emotional performance on the backstory of The Princess!! Couldn’t ask for a better casting for such an iconic comic book character!! More to come in the Commonwealth story!! #FearThePrincess."

'The Walking Dead' Season 10 airs on Sundays at 9 pm EST on AMC.