Originally published September 25, 2017. Updated February 24, 2020.
The first trailer for Season 8 of AMC’s The Walking Dead left fans a bit puzzled. Footage briefly showed a very hazy, and very old Rick Grimes opening his eyes to the camera. Fans have their theories, but it won’t be long until we find out for sure, according to series showrunner Scott Gimple. Speaking to EW, he let viewers know when, exactly, they can expect some answers:
“I will say that we won’t know exactly what that’s about after the first episode. But we will know it about halfway through the season. We won’t quite know what it’s about, and then we’ll get an answer to that about halfway through. It’s something that’s going to play out.”
Of course, comic readers may know where this is going. However, The Walking Dead television series hasn’t exactly been known to keep with continuity. At this point, anything could happen.
SEE ALSO: New promo and images for The Walking Dead season 8, All Out War to be resolved this season
Last year, Rick Grimes and his group of survivors were confronted with their deadliest challenge yet. With the comfort of Alexandria, they let their guard down, only to be reminded how brutal the world they live in can be. The introduction of Negan and the Saviors broke our group.
Feeling powerless under Negan’s rules and demands, Rick advocated the group play along. But seeing that Negan couldn’t be reasoned with, Rick began rallying together other communities affected by the Saviors. And with the support of the Hilltop and Kingdom, they finally have enough fire power to contest the Saviors.
This year, Rick brings “All Out War” to Negan and his forces. The Saviors are larger, better-equipped, and ruthless — but Rick and the unified communities are fighting for the promise of a brighter future. The battle lines are drawn as they launch into a kinetic, action-packed offensive.
Up until now, survival has been the focus of Rick and our group, but it’s not enough. They have to fight to take back their freedom so that they can live. So that they can rebuild. As with any battle, there will be losses. Casualties. But with Rick leading the Alexandrian forces, Maggie leading the Hilltop, and King Ezekiel leading the Kingdom — Negan and the Saviors’ grip on this world may finally be coming to an end.
The Walking Dead season 8 is set to premiere on October 22nd and stars returning cast members Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier), Lauren Cohan (Maggie Greene), Lennie James (Morgan Jones), Danai Gurira (Michonne), Alanna Masterson (Tara Chambler), Josh McDermitt (Eugene Porter), Christian Serratos (Rosita Espinosa), Seth Gilliam (Gabriel Stokes), Ross Marquand (Aaron), Katelyn Nacon (Enid), Austin Amelio (Dwight), Tom Payne (Paul ‘Jesus’ Rovia), Xander Berkeley (Gregory), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Negan), Khary Payton (Ezekiel), and Pollyanna McIntosh (Jadis).
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