‘The Walking Dead’ Fans Have Strong Opinions About A Disturbing Scene In This Week’s Episode

Through nine seasons of The Walking Dead, the series has never been shy about bumping right up against the line — and sometimes arguably even crossing it, as in the case with Glenn’s death-by-baseball bat. The show has never been particularly sensitive when it come to violence, even where it concerns subjects off-limits to most shows. In season 5, for instance, Carol shot Lizzie — who was about 12 years old — in the back of the head after Lizzie went psychotic and became a danger to those around her.

However, coming off of arguably the best episode in years, this week’s episode, “Scars,” butted up against another line, again concerning children. In fact, several of them. In the episode, an old friend of Michonne’s, Jocelyn (Rutina Wesley), kidnapped Judith and several other children from Alexandria. Jocelyn’s army of children kept them captive. By the end of the episode, Michonne had no choice but to violently kill 10 or 12 kids — who were attacking her — in order to save Judith. Michonne did so reluctantly, but when the kids came after her with knives and other weapons, there was no other alternative. It was a disturbing sequence, to say the least.

The reaction from fans of The Walking Dead was strong, and to be honest, there wasn’t any disagreement. Kids or not, they had to die, and Michonne did what any good mother would do: She slaughtered a pack of feral kids.

— Jovon Baggs (@Linktheking) March 18, 2019

FUCK THEM KIDS. #TheWalkingDead

— Michael J. Fuxx (@MichaelJFuxx) March 18, 2019

Once that kid sliced her belly all bets were off #TWD #DemDeadz #TheWalkingDead

— S.Marie (@MuteTheNoise) March 18, 2019

A mama has to do what a mama has to do. #TheWalkingDead

— Tim Apple (@SheilaInCT) March 18, 2019

Michonne slaughtering these children is the content I never knew I needed but did #TWD #TheWalkingDead @WalkingDead_AMC

— Brittney (@brittneyxautumn) March 18, 2019

Michonne is out here killing kids

And I thought Carol was Savage #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/62krfcqyJz

— Ryan II (@RTIIAnimate) March 18, 2019

— Krystle (@Kryingkrys) March 18, 2019

Well….nobody said people in the apocalypse were morally sound. Kids especially. You gotta do whatcha gotta do. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/l4QMAq46TC

— Alexis Joestar (@LexiJoestar16) March 18, 2019

This show is the first show that's ever had me screaming "kill those brats already!" @AMCTalkingDead #TheWalkingDead

— kenda kirby (@missinrina09) March 18, 2019

Michonne didn't have time to say#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/PqC1ek3pNE

— CSD2 (@Mann_4ever) March 18, 2019

I would've killed every one of those crazy little bastards if it were my kids! #TheWalkingDead

— Lauren Ellinger (@disneymom21165) March 18, 2019

I don't think we've seen like actual kids getting actually slaughtered in an episode before. Whoever wrote this episode deserves an reward for being bold. #TheWalkingDead

— Wesley Mowbray (@thedarkangelth2) March 18, 2019

Those kids got what was coming to them. Michonne gave them a chance. They didn't listen. Bottom line… that's what they get. #TWD #TheWalkingDead #TWDFamily #TWDFam pic.twitter.com/YNnPsItTKW

— Nerdy Nicole Cosplay (Candiss Nicole) (@CandissNicole) March 18, 2019

And then Daryl walked out and saw all those slaughtered kids on the ground.

— Susan (@LiteracyBatman) March 18, 2019

The episode also revealed the mystery behind the X scars on Daryl and Michonne’s back, and after finding out why they have them, viewers probably better understand why Michonne cut off relations with communities outside of Alexandria.

Meanwhile, tune in next week, when the fair gets started and Daryl has to confront Alpha.