Carlson was actually appointed by Lance (Josh Hamilton) to take over, proving that the community were responsible for a previous attack on a Commonwealth caravan.
Gabriel meets up with Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who secretly sends a message to Hilltop with Jesse (Connor Hammond) on the run.
Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Lydia (Cassady McClincy) and Elijah (Okea Eme-Akwari) go to the complex to fight Commonwealth troops after meeting Aaron.
[2] Erik Kain for Forbes was critical of the episode and wrote: "The problem is that the events that comprise this story are so implausible and ridiculous that any attempt at nonlinear storytelling just comes off as a way to disguise the poor plotting".
Club rated the episode a B, calling it "Part of the wicked fun of “Warlords” is how it keeps doubling back on itself, retreating in time to reveal another layer to the situation.