【Yoshihiro Tanbara Archives】

This post contains spoilers for The Yoshihiro Tanbara ArchivesWalking Dead Season 7, episode 5, titled "Go Getters." If you missed the episode, check out our recap.

Every woman knows that female friendships are extremely important.

Women are traditionally pitted against each other in the workplace and in pop culture. They're often portrayed fighting over a man, their careers or a multitude of other things, sometimes just for the titillation of a male audience. Some argue that this is dangerous, because if women are too busy fighting each other, they can't band together to fight injustices in our society. (Gee, thanks, patriarchy.)

It's become increasingly important for women to reject this trope and to work together, supporting each other whenever we can. Thankfully, more and more television series are shifting their focus to female relationships rather than wallowing in the angst of the tortured male antiheroes that populated Mad Men, Breaking Badand The Sopranos.

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SEE ALSO: 'The Walking Dead' just keeps kicking us when we're down

The Walking Deadhas shown the necessity of female friendships from the beginning. Audiences saw how the rest of the women in our group of survivors stood up for Carol when her abusive husband, Ed, tried to control her. (He got what was coming to him soon after, thank goodness.)

In the same episode, fans wept at the beautiful relationship between Andrea and her sister, Amy.

Andrea later formed a strong relationship with Michonne, who literally saved her life. Though they had their problems, they were bonded together until Andrea's untimely demise at the end of Season 3.

Even when it would have been easy to pit women against each other over a guy, The Walking Deadinstead gave us a beautiful moment between two strong characters. After the loss of Abraham in the Season 7 premiere, Sasha supported Rosita in her mourning. That's not exactly how you'd expect a new girlfriend to treat her beau's "scorned former lover." It was a refreshing surprise, and it showed just how strong the bonds in this group are.

This sisterly love was on display more than ever in Season 7, episode 5, which highlighted the relationships between Sasha, Maggie, and Enid.

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These three women are from very different backgrounds. They're not the same age, they're not the same race, but they are undeniably a family.

Maggie and Sasha have been through quite an ordeal together. They both had to watch their significant others die brutally at the hands of the vicious Negan. But it is more than just this moment that binds them together. Their relationship is not defined by their ties to any men, and this week's episode reminded us that they aren't content to be victims, despite what they've been through.

Sasha demonstrates her loyalty to Maggie in this episode by refusing to back down while seeking refuge at the Hilltop. Even though the community's leader, Gregory (who is awful, by the way), shows little respect for the women and insists that they leave, lest they bring down the Saviors' wrath on Hilltop, Sasha constantly fights to keep Maggie safe, since the outpost is the only place nearby with a qualified doctor.

Complications with Maggie's pregnancy caused the group to leave the safety of Alexandria in the first place, which inadvertently delivered them into Negan's clutches. But Sasha certainly isn't blaming Maggie for what happened. She just wants to keep her friend healthy and safe at the Hilltop. She offers everything, from working to pay Maggie's way, to simply leaving altogether, just to give her friend a better chance at survival.

And the badassery doesn't end there. Maggie refuses to let Sasha fight alone. When the Saviors send a booby trapped car into the Hilltop camp, attracting walkers with music and fire, Maggie doesn't sit back and let Sasha and Jesus kick all the ass, despite doctor's orders to take it easy. She even saves the day with some impressive tractor maneuvering. She also doesn't allow Gregory to get away with being a creeper when he implies that he and Sasha should "meet alone" to discuss terms that would keep Maggie safe. Hard pass, dude.

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As for Enid, she leaves the safety of Alexandria just to see if Maggie is okay. She gets herself over another wall to get into Hilltop and reunite with the woman she obviously loves and admires. Considering that Enid is pretty reserved and isolated by choice, it's telling to see how far she's willing to go just to see Maggie and support her following Glenn's death.

It's important for women to have mentors, and it seems like Enid has found one in Maggie. Perhaps Maggie will groom Enid for leadership, just as Deanna did for Maggie last season.

After an episode chock full of inspiring moments for this squad, we leave the trio together to share a meal. They hold hands as Maggie says grace, cementing their familial bond.

We can only hope that this feminist family continues to power through together, because it looks like there are still dark times ahead.

The Walking Deadairs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.

Topics The Walking Dead