Alpha’s arrival and subsequent barter shook up our character Power Rankings from last week. See the biggest gains and losses and let us know in the comments how you feel about the list for week eleven.
1. Daryl (+1)
Don’t adjust your screens – we have officially ranked Daryl at the top of our Power Rankings. This is no diss to Michonne, so before you guys drag us on Twitter just know the two are essentially tied. But as we’ve stated several times, we grade on a recency bias, so Daryl gets the edge. Now, to why we did it. Daryl is essentially running Hilltop and just negotiated with one of the baddest villains out there. Although we can’t reveal how that decision will affect the rest of the season, it shows how much power Daryl actually wields.
2. Michonne (-1)
Don’t worry, Michonne returns to our screens next week (in fact, the picture we used above is from that episode). But for now, we’re moving her down for the reasons we stated above. She’s still one of the most powerful (if not most powerful) characters in the show.
3. Alpha (+3)
The deal Alpha made for her daughter may be complete, but it’s not the last we’ve seen of the Whisperer leader. Her presence will remain a dark cloud over the season, and until she’s gone she’ll remain high on our rankings.
4. Tara (-1)
Tara only moved down to make room for Alpha. Although we’ve praised Daryl for making the tougher decisions at Hilltop, we’re also pleased to see Tara take the reigns of a community she didn’t intend to inherit.
5. Ezekiel
Ezekiel risked his people’s lives on a supply mission to retrieve a projector bulb that could help make his community feel a bit more normal. And you know, I think it was worth it.
6. Carol (-2)
We know, we know. Carol was amazing this episode and we don’t want to see her move down, either. But, we did have to make room for Alpha AND re-evaluate who had more power between her and Ezekiel. It’s most likely even, but we’re giving Zeke the edge since he DOES run Kingdom.
7. Lydia (+9)
Lydia receieved a HUGE bump this week because she’s A) out of jail, B) back with the Whisperers, and C) capable of divulging important info on Hilltop, Kingdom, and more to her mother. Knowledge is power, the Whisperers are power, Lydia has so.much.power you don’t even know.
8. Henry (+1)
People who are power-adjacent usually carry their own power, so Henry’s close connections with Daryl, Carol, and now Lydia give him a leg up. Although following Lydia into a beehive might not be the wisest idea, he DID eat worms with her. Teen romance is a funny thing.
9. Aaron (-2)
We’ll see Aaron (and maybe Gracie) again soon, but until then we’re moving him down.
10. Jerry (+7)
Jerry finally returned to the Top 10 this week after he successfully (although almost unsuccessfully) retrieved the projector bulb from the theater. Sure, it took Carol’s determination and everyone else’s walker-fighting skills to finish the job, but he still proved why he’s Zeke’s second-in-command (behind Carol of course).
11. Connie (+4)
Connie really did the most this episode. As if the Alpha/Lydia exchange wasn’t tense enough, we got Connie trying to rescue a damn Whisperer baby from the undead while dodging Whisperers and walkers chasing her around a cornfield. Did we mention she’s deaf? Anyway, Connie’s bravery earns her a raise in our Power Rankings past all the people in her group. Suck it, Magna.
12. Father Gabriel (-4)
Gabe’s hard to pin down in our rankings since all we’ve seen from him lately is his relationship to Rosita. Still, his position on Alexandria’s council prevents us from knocking him down any further. (Sorry for calling you out in the featured image, Gabe!)
13. Siddiq (-3)
Siddiq’s been excellent as the Hilltop’s resident doctor but hasn’t provided much else outside of that. So, we’re moving him down.
14. Judith (-3)
We really hate demoting Judith but she’s really more a victim of our recency bias. Rest assured she’ll rise again soon.
15. Magna (-3)
Magna and her group have actually been pretty valuable lately. We’re only moving them down because of Lydia, Henry, and Connie’s recent rises.
16. Yumiko (-3)
Ditto.
17. Kelly (-3)
^^^
18. Enid
Alden’s disappearance filled Enid with worry nearly every second of the day, so it was nice to see them reunited again. Still, outside of her medicinal role there’s no reason to move her up right now.
19. Rosita
Same goes for Rosita. She’s a badass with power, but hasn’t done anything notable lately to move her up.
20. Alden (+1)
Alden’s return to Hilltop earned him a slight bump up in our rankings. It remains to be seen what role he’ll play now outside of Enid’s boyfriend and Earl’s blacksmithing bud, but it’s good to have him back.
21. Luke (+1)
Luke’s return also earns him a minor bump, but otherwise doesn’t deserve to be too high on our list. Sorry.
22. Eugene (-2)
Like a lot of our characters, Eugene will return in next week’s episode, so expect a slight bump up then.
23. Negan
Negan returns next week! While that might not have any bearing on our rankings, you’ll still have fun watching him interact with Michonne.
And those were our character Power Rankings for Week Eleven! What did you think of the list? Let us know in the comments and catch us next Wednesday for our Week Twelve list.
