AMC’s full trailer for season 10 of The Walking Dead sparked many a head-scratcher: What’s Michonne doing kissing King Ezekiel?! And will that factor into the when, why, and how the leader of Alexandria, played by Danai Gurira, will be exiting the series?
Those are just two of the major questions we have about the upcoming season. While we won’t get any answers until Oct. 6, we’ve rounded up 13 things we know about the new season ahead of its premiere.
AMC’s official description of season 10 reveals that Michonne, Daryl (Norman Reedus), Carol (Melissa McBride), and the rest of the survivors are going to continue to be tormented by the Whisperers, who killed several members of the group — including Tara, Enid, and Henry — and stuck their heads on spikes to mark the line the Whisperers do not want them to cross.
Anger about those losses and fear about the very real threat the Whisperers still pose is going to create an environment so tense that friends and allies may start turning on each other. Just take a look at the network’s official description for the season: “The Whisperers are a threat unlike any they have ever faced. Backed by a massive horde of the dead, it is seemingly a fight they cannot win. The question of what to do and the fear it breeds will infect the communities and give rise to paranoia, propaganda, secret agendas, and infighting that will test them as individuals and as a society.”
Executive producer Greg Nicotero, who directs his seventh consecutive TWD season premiere in “Lines We Cross,” hinted during the Talking Dead season preview special that the show is “really getting into fears of ‘who can you trust [of] the people who are surrounding you?’”
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
The action picks up a few months after the season 9 finale, and Rosita (Christian Serratos) has given birth to her daughter, whom she named Coco. And, to ensure there’s still a soapy drama in the apocalypse, the Love Quadrangle continues: Siddiq (Avi Nash) is Coco’s dad, Rosita remains in a relationship with Gabriel (Seth Gilliam), and lovelorn Eugene (Josh McDermitt) is changing diapers and performing other daddy duties.
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Coco is not the only new face we’ll see in season 10. American Beauty and Ghost World star Thora Birch will play Gamma, a Whisperer who is the third in charge of the group of walker skin-wearers, behind Alpha and Beta. Gamma is a character who doesn’t exist in Robert Kirkman’s now-defunct comic book, but we know she is fiercely loyal to Alpha. In a teaser clip for the new season, we get a glimpse of Gamma coming face to skin-draped face with Daryl and Michonne.
Meanwhile, The Leftovers alum Kevin Carroll pops in as Virgil, a man who crosses paths with the survivors as he is on a desperate journey to reunite with his family.
More on the Whisperers: On the Talking Dead preview special, TWD showrunner Angela Kang confirmed there will be a backstory episode focused on Alpha (Samantha Morton) and Beta (Ryan Hurst), revealing the origins of their philosophies and their relationship in much more detail than was ever disclosed in the comic book. Morton also suggested we will witness more of Alpha’s humanity.
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
The series’ previous big baddie, Negan, has earned some freedom in Alexandria after he saved Judith in the winter storm last season. Though he’s still locked in his jail cell at night, “We’re releasing the Negan a bit,” Kang joked. During the day Negan is free to roam around the community and interact with the others. But can the cunning former leader of the Sanctuary really be trusted? Not everyone thinks so, and he will be a polarizing subject among the citizenry.
“He’s going to surprise you in ways you’re not going to be ready for as an audience, whether that be good things or downright awful things,” Jeffrey Dean Morgan said on Talking Dead.
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
Kang promises a “pretty cool journey” for Michonne in season 10, but little is known about exactly when and how Michonne’s storyline will end. Gurira said much of her remaining time on the series will revolve around Michonne’s relationship with Judith, and making sure her adopted daughter is prepared to continue kicking ass in the apocalypse. The future of Judith and R.J., Michonne’s son with Rick, raises another of the season’s biggest questions: Who will raise the children when Michonne is gone? After the devastating loss of daughter Sophia and adopted son Henry, would obvious choice Carol be willing to step up again?
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
Now that Carol and Ezekiel (Khary Payton) are kaput and Carol has moved back to Alexandria, Carol and Daryl shippers are hoping anew that the two will become a couple. Kang said the BFFs will spend a lot of time together in the new season, but did not confirm that “Caryl” would become a TWD supercouple.
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
Then again, both have other things on their minds. Daryl continues to step up his role as a leader, and Carol is determined to avenge Henry’s death. There will be a meeting between Carol and Alpha in a scene that Kang called “epic.” And if we’re looking for a new nickname for the Whisperers, McBride provided a great one during the Talking Dead special when she referred to Alpha’s people as “skinfreaks.”
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
Returning to Nicotero’s ominous warning about who to trust: TWD cast members were asked to describe the new season in three words on Talking Dead. Ross Marquand said of his character Aaron, “No more Mr.-Nice-Guy.” He cheated a little, counting that last bit as one word, but it suggests that Aaron, who lost an arm last season and is committed to protecting his adopted daughter Gracie, might be one of the characters who’s in conflict with people who were once his allies. It could also mean the show is going to follow the comic book and make Aaron a key figure in the Alexandrians’ efforts to thwart the Whisperers.
By the way, Nicotero’s own three-word preview of season 10: “Watch your back.”
Michael Cudlitz, whose Abraham Ford was murdered by Negan in the season 6 finale, once again returns to the series as a director. Cudlitz, who directed the season 9 episode “Stradivarius,” helmed two episodes for season 10.
Earlier this year on the daytime talk show Strahan and Sara, the actor talked about the upcoming Walking Dead movies and hinted that Abraham could make a return appearance on screen. The movies, Cudlitz said, “are gonna move in time, go back in time, go forward in time, and I believe pair up characters that weren’t necessarily paired up in the graphic novels.” And that’s a “strong, subtle yes. Very, very possible,” he added, that Abraham will be among those newly paired up characters.
(Photo by Gene Page/AMC)
As Gurira makes her exit as Michonne, a role she has played since season 3, Kang confirmed the series is trying to bring Lauren Cohan back as Maggie Rhee. Maggie was last seen in season 9’s “What Comes After,” which was also the episode in which Andrew Lincoln made his final appearance (at least for now) as Rick Grimes. Maggie left her post as the leader of the Hilltop community to go help Georgie (Jayne Atkinson) set up her own community.
Speaking of new communities, the voice heard on Ezekiel’s radio at the end of the season 9 finale might have been the voice of a member of a new settlement … or maybe even Georgie’s group, which many fans believe will turn out to be The Commonwealth, a community that is a major part of the Walking Dead comic books.
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
More of the three-word season 10 descriptions from TWD cast members:
Norman Reedus: “Panicky, claustrophobic, pressurized.”
Melissa McBride: “So much happens.”
Danai Gurira: “Riveting, unpredictable, transforming.”
Samantha Morton: “Heart-stopping, unbelievable, incredible.”
Cassady McClincy, who plays Alpha’s daughter Lydia, a former Whisperer now living with the Alexandrians: “Silence the Whisperers.”
Josh McDermitt: “Oh, s–t, man.”
The Walking Dead returns Sunday, Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. on AMC.
(Photo by Gene Page/AMC)
Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead, “Who Are You Now?,” was the first without Andy Lincoln’s name in the opening credits, but Rick Grimes’ presence still looms large with his family and friends, six years after (they think) he died. Michonne is running the show in Alexandria, the baby Daryl nicknamed “Lil’ Asskicker” is growing up to be just that, Carol has become the frighteningly vengeful queen of The Kingdom, and Eugene Porter, spurred on by the last conversation he had with Rick, has become a brave, walker-whacking survivor.
Porter portrayer Josh McDermitt talked to Rotten Tomatoes about Eugene’s new ‘tude, his mullet-less new look, what the big time jump is allowing the show to do with the storyline, and how Eugene is going to overcome his fear to figure out why walkers seem to have developed the ability to talk.
The actor also previews the rest of the season, including the return of his friend and former co-star, Michael Cudlitz, as the director of next week’s episode.
Kimberly Potts for Rotten Tomatoes: Season 9 started with a year-and-a-half time jump, and then this very surprising six-year time jump happened. What did you think when you found out that’s how the storyline was going to move forward after Rick’s “death”?
Josh McDermitt: I loved it, because we’ve told the story many different ways. The war didn’t take place over years, even though it took place over two seasons within our show, but in The Walking Dead universe, it took place over a couple of weeks, maybe — it was a very short period of time. So to do a big time jump like that was exciting. Think about who you were a year ago, two years ago, even 10 years ago. We were different people, so it allows us to change things, and we definitely see in this episode that some things have happened in that six-year time period. We’re still affected by the loss of Rick, but these other things are impacting our lives as well. And so it’s fun to unpack those things and to figure out what’s making these people tick at this point in their lives.
Speaking of changes, Eugene has this spiffy new haircut, and more importantly, this badass attitude now. What’s been most fun about playing that evolution of Eugene?
McDermitt: It’s really cool, because I’ve been sitting on the sidelines in a way, watching everyone else kill walkers, getting their hands dirty, while I’m the corner going, “Protect me, protect me.” I know the technical things you have to do to stab a walker in the head. I know these things, but I just haven’t been able to do it myself. So the most exciting thing was to get a little more physical on the show. And it’s cool to see the evolution of this guy. He’s more confident than he’s ever been in his role as a survivor. He’s using a knife — that’s a very close-quarters weapon, and he’s not afraid of the zombies when we first see him, this new iteration of him. He’s able to go up and just handle business. He takes on three walkers at one time. If it was one walker, that’s not a lot. But as I was talking to Eddie Guzelian, who wrote the episode, and Larry Teng, who directed it, we decided that we need to show that. We needed to go from basically seeing Eugene kill one walker to going, “Holy crap, he just killed three! The last time I saw him, he was running away from them.” So we took that to (showrunner) Angela Kang and she was like, “Yeah, I love it. Let’s do it.” And it was exciting to see that he’s basically a badass now.
We also see that Alexandria is thriving in certain ways; more crops, more organized, new structures and buildings, and they’ve got a pretty well-oiled society going on within the walls. Can we assume Eugene has been a big part of engineering all that as well?
McDermitt: Yeah, we saw that in the first five episodes. He was working on the plans for the bridge. He is the big brain that brings it all together. But the communities are definitely working together to make that happen, not kind of like just one person, which is awesome. Each community is six years older as well, and it’s possible that we have other survivors that we’ve come in contact with that maybe know a thing or two about building a pizza oven or whatever we were going to add. It’s not all just on Eugene, so that’s allowed him to continue to build his confidence as a survivor, learn how to be proficient in knives and that sort of thing.
His last big interaction with Rick was Rick telling him how important he was to their family, to their community, at a time when Eugene was apologizing for not having done more. You could tell, visibly, it meant a lot to Eugene to hear that from someone he respected so much. How much of that evolution of Eugene and this new confidence in him is a result of having gotten that praise, that recognition, that respect from Rick?
McDermitt: I think you nailed it perfectly. I think that’s exactly it. He’s received the recognition from Abraham back in season 6 when Eugene stepped up to take the RV and try to lead the Saviors away. Abraham said, “You are a survivor,” like, you are a person who can live in this world and be self-sufficient. That was huge for them, that moment. And then as we see him get kidnapped by Negan,
Negan starts to (spark) more and more value within Eugene. I think Eugene needs that affirmation; he needs people to say, “Hey, you’re not just this guy that’s annoying me. You actually add value to this group.” And I think to finally get that last piece from Rick was awesome. It was something that he’d never had, and he had been with Rick a long time. Not that Rick was mistreating him or anything, but it was this thing: Eugene said, “If I could have done more —” and Rick said, “Don’t say that. You did all this, and after everything, that is everything.” That’s a huge moment for Eugene. I think without that, we may not have seen Eugene, who he is after the six-year time jump.
(Photo by Gene Page/AMC)
His new confidence allows him to try to take his friendship with Rosita to the next level, too. Do you think he’s always been in love with Rosita?
McDermitt: I think he’s always been girl crazy, and I think with her, she is probably the person that he’s closest with who’s left within this group of survivors. He’s just always had an eye on her and been attracted to her, but also, they have a brother-sister relationship more than anything, so maybe he’s never really stepped up to do anything. But I think what’s really driving this is seeing that Rosita and Gabriel are together, Eugene maybe feeling left out, like, “How come I didn’t get a chance?” He says, “Look, I get it: Machete-wielding men of the cloth aren’t exactly a dime a dozen. If that’s your thing, that’s your thing. But there’s other people, people who’ve known you longer, people with a different set of skills that —” And as he’s evolving and growing into this bigger survivor who can be extremely self-sufficient — we see Daryl off living on his own. It wouldn’t surprise me if Eugene feels like he could do that, too, if push came to shove.
I think he’s been wanting to not be left out for his whole life. I don’t know that he would necessarily settle down if the apocalypse didn’t happen. He’s just comfortable being him, but he’s grown so much it’s like, OK, maybe I should try a relationship. And who’s the person I know the best? And that would be Rosita.
What do you think Eugene’s romance history is? Do you think he’s ever been in love before? Had he ever dated before? Or as you said, that just wasn’t something that was really important to him before the apocalypse?
McDermitt: I’ve always assumed that he’s never really dated. He was just comfortable being — I always thought he lived with his mother — just comfortable being in his own world, playing his video games and eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and stuff like that.
Is there a possibility that there is going to be a little love triangle with Eugene and Rosita and Gabriel?
McDermitt: I will say that there’s more story to tell as it pertains to Eugene and Rosita and their relationship, and maybe his pursuit of their relationship. We have more story to tell there. I’m not going to mention other characters and what might happen there. But really, what we see at the end of (“Who Are You Now?”) is just that the walkers are starting to talk, and Eugene has injured himself and he’s getting away. And even though he feels like he’s going to die, he still stops to just say to Rosita, “Look, I have to say this now —” and she’s like, “Don’t make this weird,” which I absolutely loved. It’s one of those things where it’s still on his mind, and he just needs to get this out, and he definitely feels like he’s going to die at this point, which is a scary place to be.
That scene with the talking walkers is, in nine seasons, the creepiest, scariest walkers have ever been. What can you say about that new development? Is this an evolving zombiedom, or — something else?
McDermitt: I think we see that it’s something completely different, and it’s throwing them for a loop. It’s a different kind of threat and scare. And I think that Eugene, as comfortable as he’s become around walkers and killing them with his knife — all of a sudden the game’s been turned on its head. Maybe everything that he knew is not true. Walkers don’t move that fast, but what we know of them has changed. He’s trying to get to safety now, but I think there will come a time where he’s going to figure out what’s happening, because he is a man of science, at the heart of who he is.
A lot has happened in six years. Carol has way more hair, Eugene has very different hair. Siddiq is hinting to Luke that something happened to make Michonne and the Alexandrians less likely to take people in. We see briefly Michonne has this giant scar on her back that looks like it might have come from some surgical procedure. Are we going to find out some of the things that the group has experienced in these last six years?
McDermitt: Yeah. We’re just starting to unpack that, and I don’t want to say too much about it, because I don’t know exactly where we’ll get more information. But this isn’t the kind of show that just leaves things unanswered. I know that we will unpack that story a little bit more.
We also don’t know why Daryl is out there in the woods by himself.
McDermitt: Yeah, for sure. And I’m really excited about where the story is headed, because Angela and her writers, they’ve all just done an amazing job with the story. I was a fan of the show at the start, and this feels like the early episodes, even though the world is bigger, the cast is bigger. It feels very rich emotionally, and it’s very story driven and character driven, not necessarily all like, “Kill!” or things like that. Our show has done that in the past, and any other show could easily just go into that full time, but this show’s done a good job of continuing to put the story first, and develop these characters and push them forward, because from that we’re going to get new storylines. That’s the cool thing: It’s like, “Yes, something has happened within this six-year time jump, and all of these people that you thought you knew are different, they’ve changed.” We’re going to see that played out more, and that’s what’s exciting.
Jumping ahead a bit to next week, Michael Cudlitz is returning as the director of the episode, “Stradivarius.” You and Christian Serratos came into the show with him as Abraham, “Abraham’s Army.” I know you guys are close. What was that like to have him back as the director?
McDermitt: It’s so exciting to have him around. This was his first time directing, and he’s great. For the last few years, probably even longer, but as long as I’ve known him, he’s been shadowing directors, learning from people, and he’s been waiting for the right time. And there was a moment where he was shadowing, maybe it was Ben McKenzie over on Gotham, because they worked together on Southland, and I texted him, and I said, “How’s that going?” and he said, “You know what, all my instincts are there, I’m not worried about anything. I’m comfortable. I’m really ready to direct an episode of The Walking Dead.” And so to have him there, a man who’s completely confident in his abilities, was exciting. And everybody who’s seen the episode, I haven’t seen it yet, but everybody who’s seen it says it’s amazing and that he did such a great job. I would hope that we get him back next year for multiple episodes.
And here’s another thing: He knows a lot of the actors, and he knows a lot of their crutches, things that they fall back on, and he can get in there and needle them a bit, and get them to give a different performance at times, instead of falling into the same old rhythm. I’m guilty of it myself, and that’s what’s great about someone who knows the people and knows the show so well: They can do that. So it was awesome that Angela was able to give him an opportunity to come and direct.
Did it feel like especially good timing to have him back? He is such a leader kind of guy. Just as Andy Lincoln was wrapping up his run on the show, did it feel good to have Michael return?
McDermitt: Absolutely. And I don’t know if there are specific episodes that certain directors are requested for. I don’t know if he was specifically requested for episode seven, or if it was just that’s how the schedule worked out. But it ended up being great, because Mike is a leader and, again, he knows everybody. Not that the wheels were coming off the bus at all, but to have someone there after Andy left, someone that we all knew and felt comfortable with, it was great.
(Photo by Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
For you, what’s the biggest difference on set without Andy Lincoln there?
McDermitt: The biggest difference honestly is off set. He and I would golf a lot, and hang out and chat, and I’m missing not having that guy there to make fun of and for him to make fun of me, and talk about life and things like. That’s the biggest difference. His fingerprints are all over this show. This has always been a collaboration, and … there’s a lot of people on our crew that were here season 1, episode one, and it’s still the same show. Also, this season was the first time I really worked with Andy in any capacity. I’ve been in group scenes, but to not have him there didn’t feel like he was gone in a weird way. It’s only seeing him outside of the show — we saw him at the premiere and things like that where he just looks different. He looks rested. He looks like the Andrew Lincoln that we knew way back before he ever started the show. That’s been the hardest part, to just not see him as much outside of set.
Who’s the better golfer, you or him?
McDermitt: He’ll tell you it’s him, but I take lessons and I’m really good — that’s all bullshit. He’s won so much money off of me. He’s ruthless.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8C on AMC.
The season 8 finale of The Walking Dead put Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) on a collision course as The Hilltop and Saviors finally went to war. Carl’s (Chandler Riggs) death may have paved the way for some epic action-packed episodes this season, but his wish for peace and prosperity fueled both men as they went to battle. When the dust settled, Morgan’s (Lennie James) time with Rick, Carol (Melissa McBride), and the rest of The Hilltop had ended, leading him on a new path: a trip to the equally dismal world of AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead. While it seems a new world is on the horizon for The Walking Dead crew, the battle between mercy and wrath is only just beginning for the stick-wielding hero.
SPOILER ALERT: THIS ARTICLE REVEALS DETAILS OF EPISODE 16 OF SEASON 8 OF THE WALKING DEAD.
As with any war, the one on display in “Wrath” featured a lot of moving parts. In the end, though, most lingering loose ends were tied up rather nicely: Daryl (Norman Reedus) gave Dwight (Austin Amelio) closure and freedom, Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) tapped into a surprising semblance of bravery and attempted a futile escape from Negan and Eugene (Josh McDermitt), and Aaron (Ross Marquand) finally came through with the fiery assistance of The Oceanside crew. And since it’s The Walking Dead, Sunday’s episode once again showed just how quickly an audience’s perspective of a character can shift. Seriously, Eugene, you had us all fooled!
Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the biggest moments from Sunday’s big finale episode.
Since season 6, The Walking Dead has been steadily building to this moment. Rick and Negan, both wounded and battle worn, were finally fighting it out. If Negan’s death match with Simon (Steven Ogg) was any hint, this scene was sure to be as visceral as it was cathartic — for Rick, Maggie (Lauren Cohan), The Hilltop, and fans everywhere. Using Carl’s memory as a tool to take Negan off-guard, Rick swooped in for the kill and slashed the man’s throat. As harsh as it was, it was a move pulled straight out of Robert Kirkman’s comics.
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Negan has been the best and worst thing to happen to The Walking Dead. The hype behind the big bad not only drowned the series in expectations, but the scenery-chewing villain overshadowed every character. That said, it looks like the leather-clad baddie will be hanging around a while. Viewers may not have been pleased with this choice, but Rick’s move to pick mercy over wrath was something straight out of the comics, as well. And while it’s hard not to wonder just how he knew such a throat injury wouldn’t be life threatening, keeping Negan alive will surely inspire the conflict the gang will face when The Walking Dead returns next season.
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Did you watch the crossover? What did you think? Will you watch Fear the Walking Dead to find out how Morgan’s story unfolds from here? Tell us in the comments.
The Walking Dead returns for season 9 later this year; Fear the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 10/9C on AMC.
Heading into the season 8 finale, loyalties were put to the test in Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead. Dwight (Austin Amelio) and Eugene (Josh McDermitt) — two sides of the same traitor-themed coin — show once and for all where their true allegiances lie. And while a trap has been laid for Hilltop, scrutiny falls on Aaron (Ross Marquand) and the Oceanside ladies. Will he finally get the group of women — who have lived in hiding during Negan’s reign — to join Hilltop in their fight for freedom?
SPOILER ALERT: THIS ARTICLE REVEALS DETAILS OF EPISODE 15 OF SEASON 8 OF THE WALKING DEAD.
Carl’s (Chandler Riggs) death has burrowed deep into the fabric of the back-half of the The Walking Dead‘s eighth season. “Worth” found Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) finally receiving the letters Carl left each of them, which was not only a compelling narrative component to the episode, but will surely pave the way for each side’s strategies moving into the finale. And with Negan back in his leadership spot, we see firsthand how the man resolves the internal conflict that has been brewing at the Sanctuary for some time.
Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the biggest moments from Sunday’s episode.
When Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) kidnapped Eugene, his bravado completely disappeared — especially in the face of the venom Rosita spat at her former travel companion. Any expectations of a heartfelt reunion were quickly smashed; she blames Eugene for the many deaths that have plagued Hilltop and channeled her rage into almost blowing the man’s head off. Sure, they took him for his bullet-making skills, but something tells us it won’t be long before Rosita gets some personal justice for Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) and all who have perished.
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Eugene proved yet again that he’s as resourceful as a cockroach in a hurricane. Shoveling mounds of sardine-laden macaroni and cheese into his mouth had its purpose after all, and during a walker distraction, Eugene projectile vomited into Rosita’s face. When it comes to survival, like an animal in the wild, the traitor used some freshly digested dinner to get out of this dangerous situation. Sniveling, smart, cowardly, and resourceful — when all is said and done, Eugene may be the most “Negan” out of everyone at the Sanctuary.
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It’s been a long time coming and finally, Negan dealt with Simon (Steven Ogg). Early in the episode, he gave his homicidal right-hand man a pass, but that turned out to be a red herring. As Simon’s attempt at a coup came crashing down around him, he faced his former friend and leader in a battle to the death. Instead of taking Lucille to Simon’s face, the two went mano a mano in front of a packed crowd — ending with Negan choking the life out of the traitor. “To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man,” Negan said to Simon, before their bloody battle. Even in the zombie apocalypse, the epic words of wrestling legend Ric Flair lives on.
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After Negan announced his new plan of attack — conveniently drawn out on a map for all to see — Dwight made his move by copying the details on a duplicate map, with the goal of getting the info to Rick. Of all the people for him to turn to, though, Gregory (Xander Berkeley) felt like a questionable choice. Time and again, Gregory has shown himself to be an opportunist. With turmoil existing within the Sanctuary, taking the details to Rick was probably his most logical move. Pulling this all off during the Negan-Simon battle was so sneaky, it was almost poetic. Almost.
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After killing Simon, Negan unexpectedly offered Dwight a promotion to be his second in command. But as we predicted last week, he had a trick up his sleeve: Laura (Lindsley Register) was the one he had picked up on the side of the road, and she was back for vengeance. Learning he had two huge traitors under his nose put Negan in a tricky position. But instead of killing Dwight, Negan may assign him a role worse than death. We can’t help but wonder: In the zombie apocalypse, what exactly is worse for a traitor than death?
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What did you think about the episode? Tell us in the comments.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8C on AMC.
The deaths of children over the years has come with a huge emotional cost for our heroes from The Walking Dead, and the unraveling continued in Sunday’s episode, “Still Gotta Mean Something.” The loss of Carl (Chandler Riggs) has sent Rick (Andrew Lincoln) on the warpath, leading to a rogue team-up with Morgan (Lennie James) — who’s in the midst of his own mental breakdown, originally caused by the death of his wife and son and exacerbated by the disappearance of Henry (Macsen Lintz). While Carol (Melissa McBride) does her best to rein in Morgan, it’s clear that our stick-wielding hero is on the verge of bailing on the Hilltop altogether.
SPOILER ALERT: THIS ARTICLE REVEALS DETAILS OF EPISODE 14 OF SEASON 8 OF THE WALKING DEAD.
With only two episodes left this season, the action on the The Walking Dead is heating up. When Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) was captured by Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh) at the end of episode 13, fan theories swirled about the leader of the Saviors dying, but things don’t exactly go as expected. And while Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) make a plan to take out Eugene (Josh McDermitt), the Sanctuary’s bullet-maker, it’s hard not to wonder how Simon (Steven Ogg) will pay for his misdeeds once Negan makes his return.
Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the biggest moments from Sunday’s episode.
There’s something cathartic about seeing Negan as Jadis’ prisoner, bound to a dolly. But instead of watching the leader of the Heaps give the leather-clad baddie some much-deserved punishment, we end up getting an unexpected sob story about Lucille, his wife, and his bat. Bonding over some material emotional ties — Negan to Lucille, Jadis to her pile of photos — it’s becoming more and more possible that these two will partner up. Heck, watching her walk around with Negan’s bat on her shoulder, it wouldn’t have been at all surprising to hear the words “I am Negan” come out of her mouth.
https://twitter.com/musiccitymel/status/980620486903255041
This Jadis and Negan scene#TheWalkingDead #DemDeadz pic.twitter.com/Y8FKAf3h6S
— B E A N Z The Gamer Dad(beanzgotgamez.bsky.social) (@BeanzGotGamez) April 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/DeeDonuts/status/980620220296581120
With Morgan continuing to unravel, it was only fitting that Rick would join him on his bloody quest for vengeance; after all, the men have been in this since the very beginning. They also share the same sort of grief, losing their sons to the zombie apocalypse. But while Morgan’s mental instability is driving him to murder — killing Saviors seems to be the only thing keeping him from falling apart completely — it’s hard not to wonder if Rick is on the same dark path. Is it too late for Grimes to pull himself back from the brink?
That moment when you realize Rick and Morgan are the only 2 surviving characters left from the series premiere and that Morgan is leaving after this season. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/lIPDGaOm49
— Abraham Ford (Parody) (@TheAbeFord) April 2, 2018
Rick & Morgan murder rampage and I’m here for it #thewalkingdead pic.twitter.com/1u8KrNgpy5
— Black Barbie 🧜🏾♀️🪷 (@JayyNaomi) April 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/floydhe/status/980623889972846592
There is a helipad in the midst of Jadis’ trash heap. And by her panicked reaction to the sight of the helicopter that appeared above her and Negan, it seems that she may have a connection to whomever is piloting the aircraft. Not that long ago, Simon inquired about the mysterious helipad in the back — before murdering everyone she held dear. Way back in “The Big Scary U,” Rick briefly glimpsed a helicopter in the sky, leading both him and viewers to wonder if it was a hallucination. With a crossover with Fear the Walking Dead on the horizon, and new character Georgie (Jayne Atkinson) now in the mix, there are several possibilities regarding the helicopter and who may be in the pilot seat.
Me when Jadis yelled "I'm here I'm here" to that helicopter @WalkingDead_AMC @TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/ZpZpX934lT
— Margo 📸📺📽️✏️ (@iMargo_CEO) April 2, 2018
That helicopter scene had me humming the opening theme from MASH.#TheWalkingDead #TWD pic.twitter.com/EpfkHnFUcx
— Colonel Paul Green, Ret. 🔔🇺🇸 📈 (@bigsexy_tote) April 2, 2018
WHO WAS IN THE HELICOPTER AND WHERE WAS IT GOING? #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/2NF7QLaVJl
— jess (@whorroricon) April 2, 2018
It’s a big deal that Carol found Henry alive. With Rick and Morgan reeling from the loss of their children, it’s hard to not think about Carol’s journey back from losing her daughter, Sophia. Sure, that season 2 story line was a bit of a slog, but watching Carol find Henry hiding in the same spot Sophia was last seen alive was a nice way of tying up some loose-ends. The Walking Dead is great at referencing plot points from earlier seasons. And the tiny detail that Lintz, the actor who plays Henry, is actually the younger brother of Madison Lintz, the actress who played Sophia, well that’s definitely a cool bow to tie around this whole emotional plotline.
Henry was hiding in Sophia’’s spot even though he’s so annoying it was nice for Carol to get a nice ending this time around #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/fNwOJfrBQP
— It’s a me Alice! (@Sakura__002) April 2, 2018
@WalkingDead_AMC @TheWalkingDead @TWDFamilyy #TWDFamily #TWD #TheWalkingDead #twd_fan_page
Sophia, Henry, in the same undergrowth by a stream. I saw what you did there AMC. pic.twitter.com/HI2SO7lO9g
— Veronica (@vcanfield) April 2, 2018
Sophia hid in a riverbank from walkers and wasn’t able to be saved. Henry was hiding in a riverbank and Carol saved him. I can’t with this parallel, it’s breaking my heart #thewalkingdead pic.twitter.com/K2JG3lGPOO
— reedusaddict (@reedusaddict) April 2, 2018
As much as audiences wanted to watch Jadis murder Negan with his own bat, it just wasn’t going to happen. Ultimately, the death of Negan needs to come at the hands of Rick; that said, Negan’s got some work to do. While it looks like he’s keeping his return to the Sanctuary on the down-low for now, it’s obvious Simon’s days are numbered. Plus, who did he pick up on the drive back home? Our bet’s on Laura (Lindsley Register), the missing Savior who shot Dwight in the arm after learning he had double-crossed Negan. The way we see it, if Daryl or Rosita don’t swoop in to stop it, Simon may not be the only one whose days are numbered.
And now Negan is free again
Ugh I can't! pic.twitter.com/7lx2v0PKXP— Wilmer (@W1lmerSarmiento) April 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/CharRhea2027/status/980626988133216257
What did you think about the episode? Tell us in the comments.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8C on AMC.
With the effects of Carl’s (Chandler Riggs) death rippling through the second half of The Walking Dead season 8, Sunday’s Rick-less (Andrew Lincoln) episode, “Dead or Alive Or,” highlighted the blurred morality that distinguishes Maggie’s (Lauren Cohan) Hilltop from Negan’s (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) Saviors. And while Carl’s charity toward Siddiq (Avi Nash) may have been the precursor to his demise, his humanitarian move could ultimately inspire change in Maggie’s leadership strategy.
SPOILER ALERT: THIS ARTICLE REVEALS DETAILS OF EPISODE 11 OF SEASON 8 OF THE WALKING DEAD.
“Dead or Alive Or” continues the zombie series’ exploration of the concept of right and wrong within this broken world, where the rule of law is as twisted and bloody as the barbed wire wrapped around Negan’s bat. The episode mostly focuses on unanswered questions from the past, but gives audiences some much-needed, albeit temporary, hope in the form of Father Gabriel’s (Seth Gilliam) continued redemption. With blood seemingly on everyone’s hands, you have to wonder: Is it possible God even exists in the zombie apocalypse?
Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the biggest moments from Sunday’s episode.
As soon as Dwight (Austin Amelio) suggested Daryl (Norman Reedus), Tara (Alanna Masterson), and Rosita (Christian Serratos) lead the Alexandria refugees through the swamps, it became clear that bloated zombies would be crawling out of the muck.
Over the years, the series has showcased Greg Nicotero and crew’s creativity and impeccable skills in bringing a variety of walkers to life. Among the best are some gory nods to classic horror movies. These walkers — err, swimmers? — feel like another nod to Dan O’Bannon’s The Return of the Living Dead. But instead of one Tarman, our heroes are faced with a gaggle of muddy walkers, all emerging from the swamp for a taste of some delicious brains.
To the swamps! What could possibly go wrong? #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/r6GgEP7SFu
— The Nerdeek Life (@NerdeekLife) March 12, 2018
#TheWalkingDead looks like they whacking a mole hahaha pic.twitter.com/JtVO2cLKeS
— 💜ʙ㉫††ƴ💜♥†Ŵd♥ (@bjuan266) March 12, 2018
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Swamp giving me war flashbacks to our biggest loss #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/tqrYKvPtZg
— Stasii Schulze💧 (@StasiiSchulze) March 12, 2018
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Daryl and Rosita were keeping Dwight alive for helpful insight into Negan’s operation, but Tara was having none of it. Let’s remember, he killed off her girlfriend Denise (Merritt Wever) back in season 6 — with Daryl’s crossbow, no less. Even after his heartfelt apology, Tara, who not that long ago fought alongside the Governor (David Morrissey), sought her own hypocritical revenge.
Then the Saviors showed up. Instead of tattling, Dwight sacrificed his freedom, leading Negan’s goons the other way. As hypocritical as this whole thing was, it looks like Tara has finally changed her tune. When they meet again, will things be copacetic?
Did… Tara forget that she was with the Governor when he killed Hershel? #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/FEt9Hufx0k
— j☄️a☄️m (@callmejam) March 12, 2018
I really believe that Tara forgot where she come from!😒#TheWalkingDead #Twd pic.twitter.com/To3PTEGiQS
— Lazaro Mendes (@Lazaromendes) March 12, 2018
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"People can't switch sides" – Tara, the girl who literally switched sides. #TheWalkingDead
When are we killing her off again? pic.twitter.com/UodgEfsVB5
— Alexandra Capotorto (@itsmealexandra) March 12, 2018
Each step of their journey, Father Gabriel and Dr. Carson (R. Keith Harris) faced one convenience after another: An abandoned cabin, antibiotics to break Gabriel’s fever, car keys, and a map. All this time, Gabriel insisted that God set them on this path and that this was all a part of His plan. And then Carson fell into a bear trap, leading to gunshots fired at the looming walker threat.
The Saviors came, of course, leading Carson to grab their captor’s gun — empowered by Gabriel’s faith — only to be shot dead. So, uh, who’s going to deliver Maggie’s baby? Great timing, Siddiq.
Me seeing the Doctor grabbing the gun. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/Jul8MHyo6c
— Travis Lloyd Rahmlow (@realTLR) March 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/RickAndThangs/status/973011345322008576
NOT DOCTOR CARSON.#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/d07632HaEx
— The Walking Dead World (@TWalkingDWorld) March 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/RickAndThangs/status/973014385131249664
Ah, the ole one doctor rule still in effect on #TheWalkingDead. pic.twitter.com/jUUD0EsW0s
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) March 12, 2018
It seems the more annoying Eugene (Josh McDermitt) gets, the more Negan seems to trust him. Aside from the sheer aggravation of seeing Abraham’s (Michael Cudlitz) former sidekick live it up in the Sanctuary — with all the wine and pickles at his disposal — there’s a strong possibility that Negan gave him his own bullet-making outpost to keep a close eye on him.
More than ever, Eugene’s got enough power and influence to treat everyone else like trash. But with the return of the near-blind Father Gabriel, the man he secretly helped escape, it’s beginning to feel that Eugene’s days may be numbered.
Eugene at the outpost #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/M5hEth1CDX
— Mexi Libertarian🔔 (@mexlibertarian) March 12, 2018
Eugene whenever he talks to Negan #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/rS7t1RnAJo
— Walking Dead Hub (@weallaretwd) March 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/ItsMeaganLeigh/status/973004578944929793
I hate Eugene!!!!!!! More and more now. I’d like to stick Lucille up his ass. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/yLJylxMJc7
— Winston Duke’s Thighs (@ChixandGiggles) March 12, 2018
Eugene isn't long for this earth. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/EwGfgah5dH
— Jean Dunn 🐈 (@jeandunn52) March 12, 2018
In his attempt to keep Negan from discovering he freed Gabriel and Carson, Eugene suggested a more visceral approach to attacking the Hilltop Using a catapult to launch zombie guts over the wall seems silly, but Eugene’s ramblings inspire a new plan.
“Dead or Alive Or” ends with Negan burying Lucille in a walker’s bloody maw. His new strategy is to infect everyone who gets in his way with the tip of his bloody bat. Gory possibilities aside, does this even make sense? The Walking Dead has long established the zombie virus is airborne, which means infected blood doesn’t turn people. Are the rules about to change, or does Negan know something we don’t?
Eugene's got a plan! pic.twitter.com/MlUg7tgwm1
— Smeary (@Smeary) March 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/Stylistaaa/status/973016787297153024
Really Eugene? Come on, man stop feeding Negan ideas. #TheWalkingDead #TWD #TWDFamily pic.twitter.com/tZHb3MtQSr
— sophie ✨ (@_multiifandomm) March 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/NicoH715/status/973004447524769793
Shhhh, Negan is speaking #TheWalkingDead #negan pic.twitter.com/8rfAS4kT6i
— ajsweetsoap (@ajsweetsoap) March 12, 2018
What did you think about the episode? Tell us in the comments.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8C on AMC.
“My mercy prevails over my wrath,” distraught Rick (Andrew Lincoln) said with red-rimmed eyes at the beginning of The Walking Dead’s midseason premiere on Sunday, letting us know we were in for a rough time. Boy, were we ever.
Here are the top five moments from the season 8 episode 9, “Honor,” and the reactions from fans.
SPOILER ALERT: THIS ARTICLE REVEALS DETAILS OF EPISODE 9 OF SEASON 8 OF THE WALKING DEAD.
Like we really needed it, we see again that Carl (Chandler Riggs) was indeed bitten by a zombie in the midseason finale, while rescuing newcomer Siddiq (Avi Nash) in the forest. Then, there’s the montage of Carl trying to live his best life in the time he has left. Writing notes to everyone, having a cute moment with toddler Judith – and it only gets more heartrending from there.
Back in the sewers with the Alexandrians, Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) are trying to grapple with seeing Carl in his condition, while they all wait out the attack above from the Saviors, so they can escape to the Hilltop.
One by one, everyone has their moment with the dying Carl, even Siddiq, who we find out is a doctor. He tells Carl he will honor him and let everyone know what selfless thing he did in saving Siddiq’s life. Daryl gives Carl credit for saving everyone’s life by bringing them down to the sewers.
Carl saying goodbye to Judith, though, that’s almost too much. “Sometimes kids have to show their parents the way,” he tells her, adding, “Before mom died, she told me I was going to beat this world. I didn’t, but I know you will.” He then gives her Rick’s sheriff’s hat. Just stop.
https://twitter.com/katelynjoy101/status/967954144228192256
Finally, alone with Rick and Michonne, Carl tells his father that when he stopped fighting, it was the right thing to do. Then Carl opts to shoot himself in the head, so the two people he loves most won’t have to. As they sit outside, they hear the gunshot, and then they bury him. Sobbing doesn’t quite describe the emotions.
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Throughout the episode, we see glimpses of old Rick, with the beard and the cane. Walking around a thriving Alexandria, with a 10-year-old Judith. Jerry (Cooper Andrews) is there, as is Eugene (Josh McDermitt).
Turns out, it has been Carl’s vision of the future all along. As he’s dying, Carl wants his dad to be happy again. Rick says everything he has ever done has been for his kids. Carl wants him to be at peace. Rick promises he’ll make Carl’s vision of the future a real one.
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At the Kingdom, Ezekiel (Khary Payton) is now captured by Gavin (Jayson Warner Smith) and his small Savior crew. Gavin can’t believe how dumb Ezekiel is in listening to Rick, and now he’s going to die. Ezekiel doesn’t see it that way. He still has his kingly crown on, and tells Gavin he, too, can take a step in the right direction and not do Negan’s bidding. We miss Shiva, the tiger, by the way. A lot.
https://twitter.com/BrandonDavisBD/status/967952046803468289
Meanwhile, Morgan (Lennie James) and Carol (Melissa McBride) reunite at the Kingdom to rescue Ezekiel, along with young Henry, Morgan’s protege, who sneaked away and followed Carol after she told him not to. Damn those kids — can’t leave Carol alone.
https://twitter.com/TheWalkingDead/status/967946174022942720
Carol and Morgan do prevail, but in killing the Saviors, Morgan, the old killing machine, returns. He even shoves his hand into a Savior’s gut and pulls his insides out. Was that necessary?
https://twitter.com/vondeeezy/status/967957453991305216
As Gavin begs then goads Morgan, Carol and Ezekiel plead with Morgan to stop. Killing Gavin won’t help, but Morgan says he must. But it’s Henry who ends up killing Gavin — with a stick through the throat from behind. Carol reprimands him for following her, but Ezekiel urges calm: “All will be resolved.”
https://twitter.com/thenleahsaid/status/967960840593924098
https://twitter.com/stickeno/status/967960702513287168
Rick promises Carl the future world he dreams of will happen, but guess who else is there and part of the community? Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Could it happen?
https://twitter.com/IAmGuzzyBowen/status/967964538145566721
Still, that’s not the most troubling moment of the whole show. It’s the last shot of Rick up against a tree, apparently shot in the gut. Oh god, is this what we have to worry about now?
https://twitter.com/Rock_Jewelzzz/status/967968927559987200
https://twitter.com/vishaalzade/status/967963334099206146
What did you think of Carl’s final moments? Tell us in the comments.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8C on AMC.
(Photo by AMC)
Most everyone can agree that season 7 of The Walking Dead was a major downer with all the horrible things Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) did to Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Daryl (Norman Reedus), and the rest of the Alexandrians, and our favorite characters scattered and disconnected. Thankfully, the season finale set the story on a new path, with Rick and his allies (including Hilltop and the Kingdom) finally declaring war on the Saviors.
Season 8 promises to be the most action-packed of them all.
As Tom Payne, who plays the stalwart Jesus, recently gushed to Rotten Tomatoes, “The first four episodes — which we were told before we started shooting, but we couldn’t believe it — have even more action than the ones before. It just gets bigger and bigger.”
We are totally on board and ready to go, but we still have some big questions on what’s going to happen.
(Photo by AMC)
It wasn’t all that surprising when Eugene Porter (Josh McDermitt) switched sides in season 7 after being captured by Negan. He does have an enormous yellow streak running down his spine, and he’s going to do what he can to survive. We don’t particularly like him for that, but there it is. Still, we’ve seen a less selfish side to Eugene every now and then, like when he gave Sasha the poison so she could off herself and escape Negan’s clutches. The fact she did it in such a spectacular way – coming out of a coffin as a zombie to attack Negan and some Saviors – was just icing on the cake.
Eugene could be in a bit of trouble, however. Negan will most likely figure out Eugene went behind his back to give Sasha her way out, so it could turn ugly for our mullet-headed friend. Eugene could be forced to realize Rick and the gang are (and always have been) a much better option, but he’s going to have to do something remarkably admirable and redemptive if he wants to rebuild those burned bridges with Rick — who might not necessarily be in a forgiving mood.
(Photo by AMC)
You just know weasel Gregory (Xander Berkeley) is going to turn up in season 8. Last season, he left the Hilltop under the cover of night to go on a “long journey” with his loyal assistant Kal. It became very clear many of the Hilltoppers no longer trusted him because, well, he’s inept and everyone basically loves Maggie now for saving them from a severe walker attack. Boy, oh boy, did Gregory want to kill Maggie when they were out in the field, but a zombie scared him senseless and he needed her to save him.
According to the comics, Gregory is the one who tipped off Negan to the imminent attack from the Alexandrians. In the comics, as Rick and his allies attack the Sanctuary, Gregory shows up and offers a deal to those Hilltoppers not willing to fight: that they can walk away with him. It goes down differently in the show, but Gregory could definitely have had a hand in ruining the element of surprise. At this point, the former Hilltop leader is on the outs and desperate — which only makes him even more dangerous.
When Rick found Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh) and the Scavengers last season, he was excited to be able to recruit another group to join in the fight against Negan. Although there was something definitely off about this weird chick with severe bangs and clipped speech, it seemed like she was on board in helping — so long as the Scavengers got what they wanted in return. Alas, she was not to be trusted and made a surprising switch in alliances to Negan, who offered a better deal, just when Rick needed her the most.
But now that Jadis sees that Rick has a larger army to fight Negan — and could possibly win the war — will she flip flop again?
Rick probably won’t bargain with her again after she turned against him, so Jadis and company are skating on thin ice.
For much of season 7, it seemed like Dwight (Austin Amelio) was waffling between being a complete company man (i.e., torturing Daryl) to questioning Negan’s authority, particularly when it came to his wife, Sherry, and his cover-up of her escape from Negan. Then Dwight defected to Alexandria, saying he wanted to help them destroy Negan. Daryl didn’t trust him, but Rick decided to.
When it all came to head in the finale, it looked like Dwight might still be on Negan’s side, fighting the Alexandrians along with the Sanctuary folks and betraying Rick by not telling him about Negan’s deal with Jadis. That was not the case, however. Dwight left a hidden message in Alexandria, which Daryl found, that said, “Didn’t know,” meaning he had no idea about the Jadis/Negan pact.
Those women of Oceanside need to get their heads out of the sand. Last season, when Rick arrived to take their guns and ammo (on Tara’s suggestion), leader Natania knew she couldn’t really stop him — but by god, she wasn’t going to get involved in the conflict. While it’s understandable that she doesn’t want to rock the boat and lose more members after suffering the devastating deaths of all the men in their coastal community, the women can’t keep living in fear.
In season 8, we suspect Oceanside denizens Cyndie and Beatrice will convince Natania of this fact. They have to join the fight in order to at least try to be free of oppression — and let’s hope they come in at just the right moment to take a stand.
It’s a fairly minor point, sure, but every time we see the Maggie running around, putting herself in harm’s way, we can’t stop thinking about her pregnancy. She almost miscarried once before, and we sure don’t want that to happen again now that she’s maybe found some peace at Hilltop.
Alas, a little baby bump might not make an appearance any time soon considering the timeline of the story really isn’t all that long. Even though season 7 seemed interminable to us, the events that transpired — from the time Negan smashed Glenn’s head in to the war beginning — really only took a couple of weeks. Still, season 8 could could flash forward to a more pregnant Maggie and that would be satisfying. We really can’t wait for that baby to be born.
Speaking of flashing forward, everyone can’t stop talking about the extended sneak peek of season 8, which premiered at San Diego Comic-Con a few months ago. The trailer ended with an image of an older, gray-bearded Rick, lying in bed with a cane nearby. WTF? Perhaps it’s hinting to what happens in the comics when it jumps to two years after the war with Negan. Or maybe not.
At least it seems like Rick survives the war — unless it’s all a dream sequence as Rick lays dying on the ground or something.
This naturally brings us to our last question: Who are we going to have to say goodbye to in season 8? Because the show frequently strays from the storylines set in the comics, you can’t necessarily go by what happens on the page.
“No one is safe, more so in this season than any other season, I think,” Payne told Rotten Tomatoes. “I’ve always said that’s one of the show’s greatest strengths. There shouldn’t be any golden geese, and it can be anyone at any time. Might be me, might be someone who has been there for years. It’s no fun if everyone is invincible.”
Our guess? Jesus will probably be one who kicks it.
What do you think? What’s the biggest season 8 question that you want answered? Tell us in the comments!
The Walking Dead season 8 premieres Sunday, October 22 at 9/8C on AMC.
The 100th episode of The Walking Dead is upon us. Before the season 8 premiere, find out where Rick, Negan, Daryl, Maggie, Michonne, and more left off last season with Rotten Tomatoes’ handy refresher course.
Have thoughts on what’s to come in season 8? Tell us in the comments.
The Walking Dead season 8 premieres Sunday, October 22 at 9/8 p.m. ET/CT on AMC.
Is it October yet?! Sunday night’s season 7 finale of The Walking Dead left us with our hearts beating, catching our breaths, and dying for more as Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of warriors finally rose up against Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and the Saviors. The episode, titled “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life,” was fraught tension — and we had to say goodbye to one of our favorite characters.
https://twitter.com/PopeTato/status/848722971686514693
The episode began with a close-up of Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) in what looked like a confined space, listening to music from an old iPod. We later discovered Negan was taking her to Alexandria to help facilitate the quelling of the uprising by transporting her in a coffin. She seemed okay with it, but while in there, she was struggling. Then she started to remember one of her final moments with Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) while they were still in Alexandria. Fans loved seeing them together again.
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One tweeter even gave a small shout-out to Sasha’s former boyfriend, Bob. Remember him?
https://twitter.com/DanielleLuvvv/status/848724609855782912
Back in Alexandria, Dwight (Austin Amelio) was still trying to win the group’s trust, saying he wanted Negan dead just as much as they did. Daryl and Tara (Alanna Masterson) were not having it. In fact, Daryl (Norman Reedus) almost killed him — Tara really wanted Daryl to slit his throat — but he stopped himself. Viewers were wondering what Dwight’s real motives were.
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Meanwhile, The Kingdom warriors, with Carol (Melissa McBride), Ezekiel (Khary Payton), and his tiger in the lead, headed to Alexandria when they came across Morgan (Lennie James). Ezekiel finally knocked some sense into Morgan, who wanted to go it alone. We’re glad he did — Morgan can be so annoying.
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The Scavengers arrived to help with the fight, as per the deal. Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh) even told Rick she’d sleep with him after it was over, asking Michonne (Danai Gurira) if she cared. That got some great reactions, both from Rick and Michonne and the viewers.
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The Saviors drove up to the Alexandrian gates, with turncoat Eugene (Josh McDermitt) acting as the Saviors’ spokesperson and telling the group to surrender. Fat chance.
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Before Rick could respond, Negan stepped from the truck, along with double-crossing Dwight, as the Scavengers suddenly turned their guns on the Alexandrians. It seemed Negan offered Jadis and her crew a better deal. Jadis even shot Rick in the side so he’d be hobbled. It didn’t go over well with fans.
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Negan once again chastised Rick for his insolence and stated Rick would have to sacrifice a person to Lucille the bat, or he would kill Sasha, whom he brought in said coffin. Except Sasha had a different plan in mind. See, she took that poison pill Eugene gave her – and when Negan opened the coffin, out popped zombie Sasha. She almost bit Negan, too. It was awesome, and while fans were sad to see Sasha go, they appreciated how she went out.
https://twitter.com/tiffanygifford2/status/848731040080420864
https://twitter.com/Ian_Lawson_/status/848731152009633792
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The Sasha thing provided a distraction for the Alexandrians to start shooting, but they still couldn’t overpower the Saviors and the Scavengers. Just as it looked like Negan was going to win again — and bash in Carl’s (Chandler Riggs) skull — in came Carol, Morgan, and The Kingdom, along with Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and the Hilltoppers, to save the day. Watching Ezekiel’s tiger maul a couple of Saviors was worth its weight in gold.
https://twitter.com/vittoriac232/status/848721464387928065
https://twitter.com/griz_24/status/848722923611443205
Jadis and Negan both escaped, but will certainly be amassing a bigger army. But at least Rick, Michonne, Carl, and the rest survived to fight again. As they were all processing what just happened, the three leaders — Rick, Ezekiel, and Maggie — stood valiantly in front of their warriors, as Maggie’s voiceover gave a touching tribute to Glenn. It might’ve caused some ugly crying, but it also warmed our hearts.
https://twitter.com/heatherappleby/status/848723113030414336
https://twitter.com/TWDFamilyy/status/848723107431010305
Now we have to wait what seems like forever for The Walking Dead to return in October.
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It’s almost go time. In the penultimate episode of The Walking Dead’s seventh season, titled “Something They Need,” Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the rest are preparing for the epic battle against Negan and the Saviors, while we see what happened to Sasha in the Sanctuary. Plus, the Alexandrians find a surprise supporter of their cause. Fans took to Twitter share their thoughts.
You knew it had to happen. They’ve got a crapload of guns, and Tara (Alanna Masterson) had to break her promise. Off Rick and the gang went to grab the weapons and ammunition with hopes they didn’t have to kill anyone to do it, all while perhaps convincing the women to join the fight.
Leader Natania (Deborah May) didn’t want to fight even though many of the others did, but they wouldn’t buck Natania — not yet, anyway. Still, people enjoyed the Alexandrians’ take-charge approach.
https://twitter.com/nikkidancee/status/846175113687023616
https://twitter.com/walkingdeadart1/status/846190564160798721
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Oh, and we loved the barnacled zombies on the beach – as did the fans.
https://twitter.com/walkingdeadart1/status/846189901511098369
https://twitter.com/ReneeNay123/status/846176063461953536
Maggie (Lauren Cohan) was definitely emerging as the leader of Hilltop, and Gregory (Xander Berkeley) wan’t too keen about it. But to actually stab her in the back while she wasn’t looking? Oh, hell no.
https://twitter.com/JohnYates327/status/846173905861644288
Gregory wussed out, of course, and then needed her help when he was attacked by a walker. Please. No one likes that idiot.
https://twitter.com/emma_fRhost2/status/846171858978459648
https://twitter.com/HerculesHandy/status/846171569609166848
Last week’s episode left us wondering what happened after Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) ran into the Sanctuary to kill Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), leaving Rosita (Christian Serratos) behind.
Unfortunately, Sasha did not succeed. Instead, she was captured. Thing is, Negan actually did something good for once when he thwarted a rape attack by one of the Saviors guarding Sasha — and then killed the guy for breaking the rules. Fans felt conflicted over the major moment.
https://twitter.com/trinh_vuong/status/846168073073766404
https://twitter.com/Abbie_Stans/status/846167935471304706
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Negan also admired Sasha’s “beach ball-sized lady balls,” as he is wont to do, and offered her a spot on the Savior team. Eugene (Josh McDermitt) came to visit her and explained he’d gone full Negan because the coward felt safer being under Negan’s wing. Then he tried to convince Sasha to do the same. As if.
https://twitter.com/RobbyRobJames/status/846171968206524420
https://twitter.com/becausetika/status/846177375335469056
Sasha played Eugene to try to get him to bring her a weapon to “kill herself.” He brought her a poison pill instead. Wah-wah.
https://twitter.com/FeelHood/status/846212967918133248
https://twitter.com/ArtKnightRises/status/846177916165799936
Fans dug the fact Rosita returned to Alexandria and brought a very important ally with her: Dwight (Austin Amelio). Actually, we weren’t all that surprised Negan’s right-hand man was willing to be a turncoat, even if Daryl is wary.
https://twitter.com/AmaniHerron/status/846182405576822784
https://twitter.com/PurpleDani89/status/846179009562120192
https://twitter.com/gravmega/status/846181535862722561
We can’t wait to see how it’s all going to shake out in next week’s extended season 7 finale of The Walking Dead.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC
There are just two weeks left of The Walking Dead season 7, but episode 14, “The Other Side,” took its time in exploring what, exactly, Rosita (Christian Serratos) and Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) planned to do to get rid of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) once and for all.
Fans were plenty anxious as they awaited Rosita and Sasha’s big move, but they also got emotional watching several touching moments back on the Hilltop.
The episode began with six minutes of no dialogue; instead, a montage showed the daily, relatively peaceful life on the compound — and was sure to reveal that Maggie’s (Lauren Cohan) baby is doing well. But Rosita and Sasha realized it was time to act on their “kill Negan” plan.
https://twitter.com/FTWDFans/status/843630008702828548
https://twitter.com/kathleen_hanley/status/843633319581564930
But when the Saviors made their way to the Hilltop, prompting Maggie and Daryl (Norman Reedus) to hide, they decided to take the doctor with them. (That doesn’t bode too well for the pregnant Maggie.)
https://twitter.com/CarlOfTWD/status/843633260504727554
After their close call with the Saviors, Daryl and Maggie had a heart-to-heart that saw Daryl apologize for causing Glenn’s death — and Maggie tell him that he wasn’t responsible.
https://twitter.com/thedivaesq/status/843638020603633664
https://twitter.com/FTWDFans/status/843637877087092736
https://twitter.com/chandlerbabee/status/843638267824214017
https://twitter.com/Cadyxo26/status/843638755001032704
https://twitter.com/Walkerfanboy/status/843637980942229504
https://twitter.com/e24mil/status/843637733591605248
Maggie also had a heart-to-heart with Jesus (Tom Payne), in which he casually revealed that, like in the comics, he is gay.
https://twitter.com/walkingkeacher/status/843631344433283072
https://twitter.com/twdcommentator/status/843630685969682432
https://twitter.com/grimblygrunkTWD/status/843630731305746432
https://twitter.com/JamesonNoChaser/status/843653854382247936
Meanwhile, back on Rosita and Sasha’s great road trip…
https://twitter.com/ecshady14/status/843642286256939008
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https://twitter.com/twdlucille/status/843641447870054401
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The women managed to find Eugene (Josh McDermitt) went in to rescue him, but he didn’t want to leave.
https://twitter.com/firedonlemon/status/843644257407848448
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The women didn’t let that hiccup get to them, and both wanted to move on with their plan (which, at this point, still consisted of nothing more specific than “kill Negan”). But when Sasha climbed inside the hole in the fence they’d made for Eugene, she closed it back up and locked Rosita outside, presumably sacrificing herself in an attempt to take Negan down solo.
https://twitter.com/melodyandrea8/status/843662153869545475
https://twitter.com/jess_alexandre/status/843644957793701888
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But that doesn’t mean Rosita was safe. In the final moments of the episode, she caught sight of someone with a crossbow lurking in the shadows — but who?!
https://twitter.com/FTWDFans/status/843644902110121985
At the end of the episode, some fans who were feeling the absence of Rick Grimes and co. made their displeasure known.
https://twitter.com/EJT___/status/843655714350546945
With just two hours left in the season, every second of screen time counts.
https://twitter.com/RavenGillians/status/843644899639676928
https://twitter.com/TWDBUZZ/status/843644786296967168
Most of all, though, people are pumped for more.
https://twitter.com/kaintblk/status/843645448594345986
https://twitter.com/batnegan/status/843633049195761665
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC
The Walking Dead had 15 people on stage for the show’s 2017 PaleyFest panel in Los Angeles, and that’s not even half of the cast. Andrew Lincoln, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, Sonequa Martin-Green, Alanna Masterson, Christian Serratos, Josh McDermitt, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Austin Amelio, and Tom Payne joined producers Scott Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert, and Greg Nicotero on stage to discuss the season 7 finale, season 8, and beyond.
Rotten Tomatoes attended the panel, where Gimple dished on the last few episodes of season 7 and the show’s future. Here are 10 things we learned at The Walking Dead PaleyFest panel.
It just so happens that the season finale of season 7 is episode 99. That means when The Walking Dead returns, the show will hit the 100-episode landmark — and the producers are already thinking long-term.
“The first episode is, I think, less about that we reached 100 episodes,” Gimple said. “It’s more about setting up the next 100 episodes. The first episode of season 8 is about setting up this gigantic epic tale to come, not only in season 8 but beyond.”
Expect a conclusion of sorts at the end of season 7, as well as a hint about the epic story to come.
“The end of this season is very much the end of a chapter,” Gimple said. “It’s very much a conclusion that promises this epic story ahead.”
Whether it’s 200, 400, or more episodes from now, Lincoln has his own idea for Rick Grimes’ last stand. The actor performed a dramatic reenactment of the proposed ending, even making fun of his own exaggerated pronunciation of Carl.
“We’re going through a desert and I jump off the bus in a very heroic act, [calling to] ‘Cararararl!’” Lincoln said. “Maybe that’s the last thing I say. I jump off and I’m kung fu kicking [zombies], I earn my action figure. Halfway through I get bit, ‘Ow.’ Doesn’t matter, keep going!”
After Rick has ensured the survivors’ safe passage, Lincoln had a twist.
“I’m dying on my own,” Lincoln continued. “A day passes, I don’t die. Holy s—, maybe I’m the cure. High shot, zombies coming. Rick gets up, follows the [bus] tracks. The herd comes towards him and they separate.”
Creator and comic book author Kirkman weighed in on Lincoln’s proposal.
“I just want to say that was cute,” Kirkman said.
Kirkman is used to people speculating about The Walking Dead after all these years, and doesn’t even entertain false theories anymore. He just shoots them down, like when Martin-Green suggested the survivors might reach shore and find a blockade, because the outbreak is only in America.
“Nope,” Kirkman said. ”Nice try.”
An audience member floated the popular theory that the whole series is just Rick’s coma dream in the hospital.
“Nope,” Kirkman said again.
When you see how far Carol has come on The Walking Dead, it’s downright shocking that McBride doesn’t feel like a badass. Maybe that’s what makes her so badass.
“Badass is really hard for me to wrap my head around because I don’t feel like I’m playing her as a badass,” McBride said. “She just does badassy things.”
It’s hard to imagine losing as much as Maggie has and still waking up every morning. First her father died, and then Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) killed her husband, Glenn (Steven Yeun). But that’s exactly why Maggie still rallies, Cohan said — so they did not die in vain, and for the life she’s about to bring into the world.
“I think that the only way she can comprehend these things happening is that she’s now come to understand it’s not about her,” Cohan said. “It’s not about any of us as individuals. It’s about them as a whole and them as a greater good and them persevering because what other reason would there be to experience such a loss but to have life inside of you? And to know that you still have to live for them.
“We’re just pieces in this puzzle now,” Cohan continued. “I think when you still have light to share, you still have a flame to pass the next torch on, that’s just who you are. That’s what you have to do. The more people she loses, the stronger the fire burns and helps strengthen everybody else she’s with. I think that’s where she takes all of her strength is knowing that you’re not just one. You’ve got family and there’s just no delineation between us as survivors.”
It is tough to hear that Negan is a fan favorite character though.
“It bugs me,” Cohan said. “It bugs me. I love Jeffrey Dean Morgan, so I get it, but Negan…”
Eugene says whatever he needs to to survive. He said he was a scientist so Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) would let him join their group of survivors. Then he joined The Saviors in calling himself Negan.
“You may see him change and adapt again if he continues to live on in the series,” McDermitt said. “That’s just how he survives. He lies, he manipulates. He’s like a cockroach, man.”
Now let’s be clear. There’s no replacing Glenn. His death will always hurt. Some fans caught Tara (Masterson) quoting Glenn, saying, “There’s nothing left in this world that isn’t hidden. We just have to find it.” Masterson, who filmed an action-packed episode just after giving birth, said hopes her character lives up to Glenn’s legacy.
“I felt like it was Tara’s time to shine,” Masterson said. “I think she’s got a lot of heart and hope she’s holding the torch for Glenn.”
Aaron (Marquand) is still new to fighting. He’s spent much of the apocalypse trying to solve conflicts peacefully, but Marquand says he just needs time. He’ll catch up.
“Now he’s seeing this breakdown of society and he’s still trying to maintain that dignity but it’s not working with the Saviors,” Marquand said. “It’s not working at all. Diplomacy doesn’t work. I think he’s finally realizing that if he’s going go fight with Rick, he has to put some of that diplomacy aside, pick up arms and fight.”
Everyone wants to be the Rick Grimes of their group, but not everyone is cut out for leadership. Jesus (Payne) had to learn that the hard way, but now he understands his role.
“He’s kind of crapped out a couple times,” Payne said. “He’s taken Rick’s group to two different places and neither of those places really worked out. He’s been on his own a lot. With the arrival of Maggie and Sasha, he sees the opportunity for a real human relationship. With the arrival of these two, he feels like actually there’s a future.”
Perhaps being of service to others is Jesus’s true purpose.
“With his connection with Rick’s group and everyone he’s meeting on the way, I think he’s in this grim world kind of excited about how he can better himself through other people,” Payne said. “He tries the best he can in the situation but he’s not a leader. I think he sees that in Maggie and is willing to help her out in any way he can.”
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC
Did you hear the collective “Awww!” as Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) got some quality time alone together in Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead? Richonne is just too cute for words. The couple that slays together, stays together.
In the episode title “Say Yes,” Rick and Michonne are on that all-important supply run, looking for the guns they’ve promised the Scavengers. This is also a mini romantic getaway for our favorite couple, as they laugh and flirt — and frequently have sex in the back of the van. #RelationshipGoals.
https://twitter.com/RickAndThangs/status/838582364200714241
https://twitter.com/nimjetti/status/838584033672114176
They aren’t finding much. Michonne wants to go back, but Rick says, “Just a little more.” We feel ya, buddy. Why face reality when you got a good thing going?
https://twitter.com/rodimusprime/status/838581613537734656
Back in Alexandria, Rosita (Christian Serratos) is still all grumpy-pants on why it’s taking so long to organize the rebellion. She wants to take action now ― and is kind of being a pain in the ass.
https://twitter.com/Is_Pelissier/status/838572900387078144
Of course, Tara (Alanna Masterson) is still keeping her promise not to tell her friends about Oceanside and all the guns they have, but it’s a dilemma she is wrestling with. Or so she tells baby Judith.
https://twitter.com/danthaman82/status/838582340720988161
Cut to Richonne, as they find a decrepit carnival, filled with military and civilian walkers. Zombie Fair! They see the soldiers are carrying guns, and they also discover a small building filled with food, including delicious, vacuum-sealed military rations. They feast on a mac and cheese and chili combo — “together,” Rick stresses — and Michonne tells Rick he would make a good president once they get rid of Negan and the Saviors.
https://twitter.com/MJP_1908/status/838581873047633920
https://twitter.com/rodimusprime/status/838581239011500032
Back to getting those guns, they come up with a plan to kill the small herd of zombies, but they don’t realize the car they’re trying to use to block a gap in the fence doesn’t have brakes. The two are stuck in the car with the walkers swarming around them. Nonplussed about the situation, they make it out. No big whoop.
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Then, as they divide and conquer, slashing walkers in their separate areas…
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Rick sees a deer and remembers he owes Michonne one after he made her miss the last one. Yet, in his attempts to kill the animal, he falls from his perch on the Ferris wheel — and the zombies zero in. Michonne runs over to help, but for one long, desperate moment, it seems the walkers are eating — gasp! — Rick.
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Then Rick pops out of a box, and he’s OK!
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It’s almost too much for Michonne, that she can’t ever lose him, but Rick tells her that if it came down to it, she could survive.
https://twitter.com/BlkNrdProblems/status/838582280692072448
They give the guns to the Scavengers, but they have to make another deal to find more guns. Damn that Jadis.
https://twitter.com/meisben1010/status/838585001637724160
Oh, and Rosita has had it and goes seeking help from Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) to kill Negan. Sasha will, so long as she can take the shot. They agree that it’s a one-way ticket for both of them.
https://twitter.com/Swiftnesse/status/838587015662825474
Then there’s next week’s sneak peek: Has Carol finally come to her senses?
https://twitter.com/asimoalex/status/838586036456411140
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC
On the latest installment of The Walking Dead on Sunday night, Eugene (Josh McDermitt) quickly reminded fans just how much of a cowardly lion and survivor he truly is.
In the episode, titled “Hostiles and Calamities,” Eugene did everything he could to get in the good graces of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and stay at The Sanctuary, and by the end of the episode, Eugene even said he is Negan. In fact he said, “I am Negan! I am utterly, completely, stone-cold Negan. I was Negan before I even met you. I just needed to meet you properly to know. I am Negan.”
Eugene is so convincing, fans don’t know if he’s serious or if he’s putting on the ultimate act to do what he does best: stay alive.
https://twitter.com/YTM1staWu1fy/status/836055098044252160
And:
https://twitter.com/HerculesHandy/status/836050078083268608
Whatever is going on with Eugene, at least he’s smart enough to pretend to be smarter and more invaluable than he is, and he’s smart enough not to listen to Negan’s wives. For a while there it seemed like they had tricked him, but Eugene is a man of many unexpected gifts.
https://twitter.com/LordPenniless/status/836051697185226753
Speaking of gifts, Dwight (Austin Amelio) has a knack for fooling viewers and being a bigger SOB than anyone could ever imagine. The way he double-crossed and framed the doctor is both inspiring and horrifying. Sherry’s (Christine Evangelista) letter was right: Dwight has become a monster, and it’s partially her fault. In fact, Sherry said she didn’t know if Dwight would embrace her, turn her in or kill her, so she ran away.
https://twitter.com/DerreckBlaise/status/836043989589626880
It’s no wonder that Eugene’s fear of Negan and the Saviors only grew once he saw Negan throw the doctor in the fire on Dwight’s word. As it turns out, Eugene also figured out that Negan valued Dwight over the doctor in order for him to spare Dwight’s life. But the Saviors have a backup M.D., right?
https://twitter.com/AfroDite_87/status/836046893822128130
Plus:
https://twitter.com/Drew__Warren/status/836053231088386048
The strangest alliance to come out of this episode has to be the bond between Eugene and Dwight. On one hand, you could interpret this as game recognizing game. Both men are cowards and both men know how to ingratiate themselves with Negan in order to stay alive.
But viewers also haven’t forgotten that it was just a season ago that Eugene bit Dwight’s man region in order to escape. #neverforget
https://twitter.com/LadyHida/status/836014149893160960
https://twitter.com/_jpstroop/status/836082424127827970
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.
So many stories, so little time. But in a lot of ways, The Walking Dead fall finale wrapped up many of those stories Sunday night and gave fans a satisfying conclusion for the first half of season 7.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
STOP HERE IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN EPISODE 8, SEASON 7 OF THE WALKING DEAD
The 90-minute “Hearts Still Beating” had viewers on the edge of their seats, because we all knew there would be blood. We just didn’t know whose death would bring tears to Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln) sad blue eyes.
https://twitter.com/JessicaCanTweet/status/808147987776073728
For a minute there, it looked like villainous Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan ― who, by the way, won a Critics’ Choice Award for the role on Sunday night) might kill Carl (Chandler Riggs) or Judith (Chloe and Sophia Garcia-Frizzi), because of all the time he spent in Rick’s house casually shaving his beard, making jokes, and cooking up dinner. But ultimately, he seemed to enjoy the awkward tension and the house’s many amenities, and some fans kind of liked Negan’s usurping approach.
https://twitter.com/DarkSharkRanger/status/808130671596150785
Others wanted Carl to remember that he wanted to kill Negan in the first place and try again. And then there are those who fretted over Carl’s health.
https://twitter.com/trevmikewrites/status/808130778571927552
And:
https://twitter.com/NectarousD/status/808131051046506497
But the episode’s stakes ultimately proved higher than Carl’s exposed eye.
Rick and Aaron (Ross Marquand) fought a horrifyingly convincing lake full of zombies; Richard (Karl Makinen) tried unsuccessfully to convince Morgan (Lennie James) and Carol (Melissa McBride) to tell Ezekiel (Khary Payton) that the Kingdom needs to proactively attack the Saviors; Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Sasha (Sonequa Martin), and Enid (Katelyn Nacon) made new friends and pissed off Gregory (Xander Berkeley) over at the Hilltop; and Daryl (Norman Reedus) overkilled Fat Joey (Joshua Hoover) before he and Jesus (Tom Payne) escaped the Saviors’ settlement.
Meanwhile, Spencer (Austin Nichols) tried to ingratiate himself with Negan in Alexandria.
https://twitter.com/TheWalkingDead/status/808140958332174340
And Michonne (Danai Gurira), on a quest to take down Negan on her own, rode shotgun with a free-range Savior.
With all these storylines unfolding at once, fans seemed most grateful and frightened by the zombies in the lake, especially when it seemed like Aaron might die.
https://twitter.com/ShoghTaNOie/status/808133453346701313
But more importantly:
https://twitter.com/TheOnlyMattBuek/status/808133489174396928
Rick and Aaron’s watery adventure reaped a lot of goods to give Negan, but it also introduced a shadowy mystery man who watched the pair as they packed up their truck and split. Yikes!
Is this guy with the weird boots a friend or a foe? Guess we’ll find out in February.
https://twitter.com/galvatron_jones/status/808134377343488000
More than anything, fans wanted to see what it would take for Rick to be Rick again and fight back. Thankfully, it happened, but it involved a lot of death ― Spencer and Olivia (Ann Mahoney) ― and loss. Negan nabbed Eugene (Josh McDermitt), cut Rosita’s (Christian Serratos) pretty face, and took all of the supplies that Rick, Aaron, and Spencer brought in.
https://twitter.com/waIkingscenes/status/808193847259987968
https://twitter.com/JoshMcDermitt/status/808146322998104064
To make matters worse, a couple of Negan’s henchmen beat up Aaron really badly. So by the time Michonne came home ready to get that old loving feeling back with her Sheriff boo, Rick had already decided it was time to fight and Twitter rejoiced.
https://twitter.com/PhotosByBeanz/status/808148996921425920
And this:
https://twitter.com/ImmortalDixon/status/808149735689375744
As for Rosita’s crappy shot, which ended up inside Lucille instead of Negan, and Spencer’s gruesome death ― yeah, fans had thoughts on that scene too.
https://twitter.com/tani_vegas97/status/808191386507804673
https://twitter.com/jacquereid/status/808147819169271808
https://twitter.com/Amctwdfanpage/status/808145002312400896
https://twitter.com/entrancetohell/status/808163821235896321
Even Spencer’s foray into zombie life turned out to be sad and short-lived, because Rick killed him as soon as he turned. Rick had bigger fish to fry, and when he reunited with Daryl and the gang at the Hilltop, the reunion fired up fans who are ready for the gang to move onward and upward in the second half of season 7 ― and lay some serious hurt on homicidal Negan and his alt-Dead Savior drones.
https://twitter.com/JoshMcDermitt/status/808150696147165184
https://twitter.com/LynnetteFaye/status/808152007672373248
https://twitter.com/ChrisMattCook/status/808156541366976513
https://twitter.com/MDavisbot/status/808167750187307008
https://twitter.com/haleynjones3/status/808151756064587776
https://twitter.com/TheCarlGrimes_/status/808153093342953472
Oh, and Rick got his gun back too! Yay!
https://twitter.com/brettjw13/status/808151368506679298
https://twitter.com/bethhannel/status/808150111352131584
https://twitter.com/fansoftwd/status/808167374419529728
https://twitter.com/EssentialDead/status/808150865018286082
https://twitter.com/bunnyjiyong/status/808151350836166656
https://twitter.com/DarylDixonSwag/status/808151315708837890
https://twitter.com/JanellWheeler/status/808157154188333057
The Walking Dead season 7 returns Sunday Feb. 12 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC
