The Walking Dead 7.1 "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be" Season Premiere (spoiler alert)

[NewJeffCT]

In the seventh-season premiere, Negan's actions will haunt the surviving members of Rick's group forever.

sneak peek:

comic con trailer:

Jeffrey Dean Morgan on playing Negan:

[NewJeffCT]

1. Non Spoiler Alert

there is a leaked video of Maggie getting killed. It's one of the several "alternate" kills that AMC filmed this past Spring. AMC leaked it to throw people off from the real spoilers. She is NOT killed tonight.

[Goblinmonger]

8. I like that they filmed them all.

Maggie would be the only one that would upset me because I really like her plot arc that is coming in the comics.

Otherwise, I hope it's a bold choice and not one of the lesser characters. I trust the show runners. Even after the Glenn fake out.

[NewJeffCT]

9. it will be a bold choice

I think. Negan really screws with the heads of the group as well.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. .

O.M.G.! I cannot wait, though I did read a leaked script and I think I know who goes, and in what order.

[NewJeffCT]

3. I'm pretty sure I know who dies

I won't post here for now, but if anybody wants to PM me, I can respond that way.

[NewJeffCT]

4. Some recent articles

JDM on Negan and the Saviors
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/10/23/walking-dead-negan-jeffrey-dean-morgan-saviors

Who should Negan kill?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2016/10/22/this-is-who-negan-should-kill-in-the-walking-dead-season-7-premiere/#6095ff39578c

Andy Lincoln on the season premiere:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/andrew-lincoln-talks-walking-dead-season-premiere-article-1.2840062

How should Daryl Die?
http://www.inquisitr.com/3630952/the-walking-dead-how-daryl-dixon-should-die-according-to-norman-reedus/

[NewJeffCT]

5. 7 hours to go

Thought I'd share this one in here, too.

:large

[underpants]

22. Karl

[NewJeffCT]

6. a few memes

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[Solly Mack]

7. I'm kind of dreading it.

But...

[NewJeffCT]

10. same here

even though I'm pretty sure who is dying, it will still be horrific to watch.

[Solly Mack]

11. Yes :(

I'm hoping they show it in aftermath. Going back to the moment in short bursts and concentrating more on the impact it has on the rest than actually showing the damage to ...the people that die.

Still in the clearing, just seconds after the deed. Then whatever speech Negan makes after. Using sound and screams to mark the dying, and the faces of the survivors. Maggie should pass out. But not showing the actual assault in gory detail.

I'm getting to the point where while constant threats are to be expected, playing the same storyline over and over again - governor/wolf/savior/etc.. is getting kind of old.

Terminus was a twist, so I'll let that one stand alone. The others, not so much.

[NewJeffCT]

12. After the main Negan storyline in the comics

the comics lost my interest overall... it was just the same thing over and over again. New villain that was just a different version of previous villains. I'm afraid the show is getting to be like that as well.

At least with a show like Supernatural that is starting season 12, they can vary the villains - vampires, zombies, ghosts, demons, angels and the occasional "god" in there.

[skypilot]

18. New villain...different version of previous villains

I was kinda starting to feel that way about the show, although I still enjoyed it. But the arrival of Negan and his followers really feels like a game changer to me. My feeling is that Rick and his gang, after confronting various villains and doing battle with that vast zombie hoard in Alexandria, felt as though they had seen and could handle anything but the arrival of Negan is going to show them that for all the hardships and perils they've endured they've actually been kind of insulated. Someone like Negan has been out there all along, with more followers and, apparently, more resources than even the Governor and the folks at Terminus. And Rick, et al. had no idea. Last season that Jesus guy told them that their world was about to get a whole lot bigger. To me his words at first seemed optimistic but now that we've met Negan and some of his people Jesus's words have an ominous resonance. Rick and his people have no idea what the "bigger" world now contains. Anyway, that's just my take on it. Last season's finale really unsettled me, even more that the premiere of the previous season when they were almost slaughtered at Terminus.

[Solly Mack]

21. Yeah, but they killed JDM off in Season 1 and in Season 2 he was gone for good.

Yes, I watch Supernatural.

I hope the show (twd) decides to take a different route after the primary Negan storyline.

[Miles Archer]

14. I've read a few of the speculation articles, and...

...as I'm sure you know, a case can be built for pretty much any of the characters on a "pros" and "cons" basis. What I came away with was:

1). Rick's telling Negan "I'm going to kill you" in the Season 6 finale was a sincere statement but the more emotionally devastating the loss, the more powerful the vengeance...and the story arc that goes with it. Rick's not going to kill Negan tonight. It's going to be like Kurt Russell going after the Cowboys in "Tombstone."

2). I agree with some of the speculators who said that it can't be Carl or any of the female characters, because in the mind of a guy like Negan, killing a woman or a child would be a sign of weakness in his mind. He's going to have to take out someone who would be a fair match against him without "Lucille" in the equation.

3). It could be Glen, but as many of the speculators said, it would be too convoluted, like one of those "third set" arcs from the Grateful Dead that set out to go somewhere and didn't quite make it. Every aspect of it, from the fake death earlier to the fact that Glen was killed in the comic, makes me take him off the list.

I don't have cable at the moment so I am going to be enjoying the "process of discovery" with the rest of you folks tonight. I think I know who it is too, and soon enough, I'll find out if I was right.

[NewJeffCT]

16. I've been thinking all along the following

Scott Gimple (showrunner for seasons 3-7) and Robert Kirkman have taken pleasure in changing things up from the comics - Rick does not lose his hand to the Governor; Hershel gets the katana death that Tyreese got in the comics; Bob gets the 'tainted meat' death that Dale got in the comics; Shane survives longer on the show than in the comics, etc.

So, this time, they're going to do a double-switch and it will be Glenn getting killed, like he did in the comics because we're so expecting them to not follow the comics again.

I also think that Sasha, Eugene and Tara would not have the emotional impact of losing one of the "Atlanta 5"

Comic Negan was weird about women and making sure his guys don't rape or beat any women. However, he also had a "harem" of his own women, most of whom were the wives or girlfriends of somebody else before.

[NewJeffCT]

13. Some GIFs

[jpak]

15. 11 cast members on Talking Dead tonight

something bad is about to happen

[NewJeffCT]

17. yes - everybody from the lineup

will be on the show. It will be a tearful sendoff for at least one long-time cast member.

[rug]

19. One more, Lucille!

vimeo.com/32883975

[NewJeffCT]

20. or this one...

[Solly Mack]

23. They're in the clearing & on their knees in 6th season finale replaying now.

My tummy is in knots.

[NewJeffCT]

24. yes

less than 15 minutes till were hear "previously on AMC's The Walking Dead"

[Solly Mack]

25. I like JDM and I hate hate his being Negan.

[NewJeffCT]

28. I like him as well

He even said that it's his first time playing a bad guy. I think he'll be one of the most hated people on TV by the end of tonight, though.

[Solly Mack]

29. Yeah, but they'll hate him because he'll do it so well.

[NewJeffCT]

30. yes

he is a great choice to play Negan.

[Solly Mack]

31. Well, here we go

[bettyellen]

37. Was that pile of goo someone's head?

[Solly Mack]

39. Yes. The blanket next to it was a clue. Remember who had a blanket.

Glenn did. Daryl did. Maggie did.

[NewJeffCT]

32. No revelation right away

the aftermath - Rick with a bloody face swearing to kill Negan

[Solly Mack]

33. He'll kill Abraham now.

"right hand man"

[bettyellen]

34. Waaaaaaah.

[NewJeffCT]

40. that was a bloody mess

can't even ID them

[Iggo]

35. Okay, bye! I'm off the internet 'til my people get home and we can watch together.

[Solly Mack]

36. The discarded blanket is the only clue left to identity.

[Solly Mack]

38. Off to have a talk with Rick in the camper.

Negan does not want to kill Rick but he wants to save face.

[Solly Mack]

41. He hasn't killed the right hand man...yet.

So....will he?

Not that there is a right hand man. Rick's group doesn't really work that way. They are each the right hand to the other.

[NewJeffCT]

43. Is the right hand "man" Daryl

or Michonne?

[Solly Mack]

44. Neither, in the sense Negan means.

All of them in the sense they are a very tight group.

[Solly Mack]

42. Going through the characters. Damn them...end it already.

[NewJeffCT]

45. yes, this is a pain in the ass

after Glenn and the dumpster

[Solly Mack]

46. Negan is a fool if he thinks Rick can't survive that.

[NewJeffCT]

50. I think it's a test from Negan

to see what Rick is made of - if he survives, he's a good warrior, if he dies, he wasn't.

[Solly Mack]

52. I don't think Rick passing bodes well for Negan even if he thinks it does.

[Solly Mack]

47. Well, damn it all. Show us already.

[NewJeffCT]

49. still no reveal

but, I think it's coming up after the break

[Solly Mack]

54. On the plus side, Maggie is already mentally prepared.

Everything she said before getting her hair cut. The things she said to Aaron previously.

[Solly Mack]

55. I'll be shutting my eyes now.

[Solly Mack]

56. See. Now I hate the bull they have put Sasha through.

Why not just kill Sasha and be done with it?

[Solly Mack]

57. Well...uh...seriously? No way! Stop that! No! No! No!

[Solly Mack]

58. OK. Glenn. As predicted. Abraham and Glenn.

[herding cats]

61. I thought one, originally

Not both.

[Solly Mack]

63. I had prepared myself for both.

But that "Maggie I'll find you" got me.

[herding cats]

68. Me, too.

Damn. That was just heartbreaking.

"Me, too" to it being heartbreaking, on edit for clarity.

[Solly Mack]

59. Daryl will feel guilty for the rest of his life.

But then so will Rick.

[NewJeffCT]

65. I think most of them will feel guilty

they'll all be thinking what they could have done differently to avoid Negan or done something else.

[Solly Mack]

67. Sasha will either kill herself (bullet) or feed herself to a walker, ala Carol.

She'll go bonkers either way.

Yes, they'll all wonder what they could have done differently, but there are degrees of guilt.

[NewJeffCT]

60. Wow - that was brutal

Abraham going out with "Suck my nuts" and then Daryl tries to blindside Negan, and causes Glenn to get killed as well.

They even showed Glenn's eye popping out.

[herding cats]

72. It was too much in my opinion.

I know it's a graphic and intense series, but damn! When a seasoned hardass like me goes "yuck" you may have overstepped?

[Solly Mack]

62. I seriously need the show to take a detour from the comics and for Negan to

die painfully and soon.

[bettyellen]

64. I'm finding the unbearable to watch. Too brutal. Glenn's face just ....

It's a lot for the first 30 minutes.

[Solly Mack]

69. Rick is thinking how everyone could die if he does not survive and return the axe

[Solly Mack]

71. I'll need to rest my nerves after this.

[NewJeffCT]

76. I think there is more to come

not in death, but in Negan screwing with Rick's head.

[Solly Mack]

77. Prime time to screw with him.

[Solly Mack]

78. Rick isn't defeated. Saw how he flashed on how the others might die if he didn't get the axe and

survive? Rick still has fight.

Negan's speech lets us know he knows that too.

[Solly Mack]

79. Carl needs a haircut.

Sorry. He does.

[rug]

105. A little off the left.

[Solly Mack]

106. heh.

[Iggo]

131. I thought Negan was gonna give him a haircut.

[Solly Mack]

141. Nah. Negan likes Carl.

In his own way.

[Iggo]

148. Yeah, he does.

"...future serial killer over there..."

[Solly Mack]

80. That is Rick's achilles heel.

[Solly Mack]

81. So it'll be Carl who loses his hand. (and not Rick)

[Solly Mack]

82. Wow. OK. Way too sick for me.

[herding cats]

86. Yep.

Even with Rick not chopping do Carl's arm. Too. Much.

Not liking this season so far. Not one bit!

I may stop watching, at least for a while.

[Solly Mack]

88. Just so overboard.

It was gruesome enough without adding extra.

[herding cats]

95. That's my thinking.

The entire premise is gruesome, graphic and intense. They've been good about balancing the plot and the gore in a way we managed to deal with. Until now. Doubling down on the graphic isn't the proper way to go.

Example A: tonight's episode. I am not entertained, I'm just grossed out predominantly, and a long second is sad. I'm supposed to be sad and stressed for their outcome, but they missed that mark for me. They way overreached, and failed me, personally.

[Solly Mack]

96. I will get over the horror and this last scene is helping.

But I could have done without the graphic deaths.

[herding cats]

99. It was a cheap opening season episode for me.

Yeah, they brought back the emotions at the end, but still they have makeup work to do for going the easy gore route in the opening. Cheap. Gore. Uncool.

That was a major let down for the whole first half, plus. I've never felt that before with this series.

[Solly Mack]

101. I was hoping they would do the telling differently. Sort of an aftermath recounting and not so gory.

[herding cats]

108. There were plenty of options that could have made it better.

They went the easy, low road here. Graphic, gore with less content. Icky, and boring.

I'm sorry to the non-critical fans, but I wasn't impressed. Which I've not ever said about the series before. Even when they've pushed the edge at times and we're delicately balancing on the precipitous. I've got where they were going, and agreed with their artistic version of the journey. Tonight I just didn't. It didn't work for me.

BUT, having said that I think killing both of the ones we expected only one to die from (I realize there was a leak, but I mean practically speaking) was interesting. I just don't agree with their means tonight.

[Solly Mack]

118. I think for going for the emotional, a better way was to be had.

I think they wanted the same level of gore as in the comics, which I don't think that always works for the show.

I think some people need the extreme visuals to understand the depth of the danger, but I'm not one of those people, and I'm betting you aren't either.

There is a point where the gore diminishes the emotional impact. Where the gore can become the point instead of a part of the story.

Maybe the creators wanted that to be conveyed to the audience in a way that was meant for the horror of it all to drive all senses out of your head. So much so a fine line to walk that it ran the risk of not landing. I think it did not land for a lot of people.

An emotional investment into the people does not require extreme horror for us to feel the pain - suffer the loss. But maybe they wanted the audience to be pushed to the limit, and again, I don't think it landed as they hoped it would.

But I don't know. I'm still digesting how it all went down.

[herding cats]

124. The problem is, comics (of which I'm a fan) are different than film.

I suspect you're correct on the creators attempts here, but it fell short for a lot of us who, yes, we've read the comics, but we wanted something different, something more, from the TV series. We want out cinema to be more, to be bigger and better, which I think the series has been by and large, than the comics. Or, at least slightly different. Yes, we love them both, but this is a different venue, a bigger and better venue, and they've elevated the emotional journey to a point so much higher than the comics, which is something I've come to expect from the series.

Tonight they let me, and I'm sure many others down. It wasn't up to their usual bar, and it left me feeling cheated. Sure, they can repair it within reason, but it was a season opener. I can let things like this pass when it's mid season more easily, but this was a big moment in their programs evolution. I've walked away from shows for similar gaffs in the past. I don't plan on leaving this one yet, but I'm not likely to stay if they make this a norm.

[Solly Mack]

83. Oh, poo. Rick ain't broken. Negan wanted to break Rick, he should have made him do it.

Rick has been in that position, more or less, before.

Sure, he can take a little time, but Rick comes back.

[NewJeffCT]

84. He can come back

I'm sure he can

[Solly Mack]

85. Daryl will never belong to Negan.

Though it is a good hostage choice where Rick is concerned.

[NewJeffCT]

89. I'd hate to be Daryl

when Maggie sees him again.

[Solly Mack]

91. I can understand her feeling that way, but Negan would have killed more for the fun of it.

She has to know that.

[Goblinmonger]

122. I don't think he would have

At least not the Negan in the comics. He's a dick, but there are rules. As he said it would happen if they did anything.

[Solly Mack]

123. That's true. Negan of the comics does follow his own rules.

I guess I just mean he could have killed anyone after Daryl's actions and that Negan's brand of crazy can't be laid at anyone's feet but Negan. Most likely candidate should have been Daryl though - to kill.

But we knew it would be Glenn, so...

[Goblinmonger]

128. Oh, absolutely it was anybody after that.

Though, when Daryl did explode, I felt he was safe. Negan would not kill the one that did that. 1. That person is strong and needs to be kept around. 2. He's all about teaching people a lesson, and you don't learn if you're dead.

I do like that they killed the two that seemed to outlive their deaths last season. One by what happened and one that didn't die their comic book death. I kind of thought last season with Glenn would be a distract to make us think he wasn't going to die his comic book death. I liked the actor on Talking Dead last night saying that he told Kirkman he didn't want that death going to anyone else.

[Solly Mack]

145. Yeah. After the all the close calls with Glenn, I was already mourning him

so his death, though gruesome, wasn't a shock.

Especially because of the comics.

Still, Abraham didn't have to go, though all signs pointed to it.

[Goblinmonger]

149. I liked Abraham a lot

and he did a great job bringing that character to life. He was on borrowed time, though

[Solly Mack]

92. Poor Michonne. He threatened the 2 men she loves.

Poor Eugene - he just got his friend back, and more - he had his respect finally - and he loved Glenn.

Poor Rosita...still loved Abraham.

Poor Sasha.


Maggie blames herself. She shouldn't.

[Baitball Blogger]

129. I should have known that Abraham was on the chopping block when Eugene told him

that he was already at Stage 2 and didn't need his protection. That happened an episode or two earlier.

Didn't Negan know the relationship between Maggie and Glen? If so, it was a real dick move on his part to pick Glenn

[Solly Mack]

144. Negan has a saying in the comics I won't repeat

but he sort of did the opposite tonight with Glenn.

Though in the comics it was only Glenn that died that night.

[NewJeffCT]

93. Maggie is a wreck

Rick knows they can't fight now.

[Solly Mack]

94. Sasha has a purpose (for now)

I worry about her.

[Solly Mack]

98. Talking Dead time.

[NewJeffCT]

103. Yes, glad they have

Yvette Nicole Brown on there. She's always great.

[Solly Mack]

104. I love her! Especially her notes. She is an avid fan.

[Liberal Veteran]

107. I told myself I was prepared as a comic book reader.....

...but that was fucking harsh.

[HipChick]

109. Negan is a Trump supporter...

no other way to excuse his Loco craziness..

[Solly Mack]

110. Per Talking Dead. I don't buy it that Rick is broken.

He might be down, but he is not broken.

[blogslut]

113. Thanks everybody!

Now I know the result of the cliffhanger and I don't have to watch this damned show any more.

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

115. Same

No further reason for me to watch this, even though I actually like Aaron.

[NewJeffCT]

114. That Glenn In Memorium segment

made me tear up a bit.

[Solly Mack]

117. it was great!

[Solly Mack]

119. I love Eugene, mullet and all.

And I really don't like mullets.

[Baitball Blogger]

130. Eugene is going to be key to the revenge fulfillment.

He is going to mass manufacture bullets. His business will be known as the Mullet Bullet factory.

[Solly Mack]

143. Excellent! Love it!

[Solly Mack]

120. Sasha has become one of my favorite characters.

And I so wanted her and Abraham to raise little snipers who had an unintentional, yet humorous way with words. Sporting a killer mustache, of course.

[Baitball Blogger]

132. I'm going to miss Abraham's quick lines.

But, I suspect Sasha's story line will end when they go after Negan.

[NewJeffCT]

134. Not sure on Sasha

or Rosita. However, in the comics, Andrea is still alive as the group sharpshooter. Sasha has taken on that role for Team Rick, so could be around for a while.

[Baitball Blogger]

136. That's good to know.

[Solly Mack]

138. I hope not.

[Quiet_Dem_Mom]

135. L'il Abraham?

Twitter provides!



https://twitter.com/CTwellmann/status/757662432307412992

[NewJeffCT]

137. I saw that

I think Cudlitz might have tweeted it out, or retweeted it, too.

What would happen if both Rosita and Sasha were pregnant?

[Baitball Blogger]

147. Ha!

Two smart talking spawn of Abraham! The writers will be very busy giving them dialogue.

[Solly Mack]

139. Oh, my.

[Solly Mack]

121. It's JDM! (on talking dead)

I really like the actor.

[Baitball Blogger]

133. I almost wish they didn't bring him on the talking dead.

I wanted to hate him a little longer.

[Solly Mack]

140. lol. I still hate Negan.

[Baclava]

150. that was awesome - "if Daryl didn't do what he did, Glenn would still be alive"

good villains are hard to find

[Baitball Blogger]

125. To prepare for next week, what is the Kingdom? Friend or foe?

The sneak preview for next week has Morgan and Carol walking through this idyllic village.

[NewJeffCT]

127. potential friend

but, you never know how they play it on the show.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

142. The group will eventually get out from

under the thumb of Neeghan. The Kingdom may play some role in that, since they clearly aren't strong enough or have the resources to do it themselves. I think the next episode will show a glimmer of hope after the gruesome and crushing premiere.

It does seem strange with Neeghan's numbers that the Kingdom is able to exist anywhere near the area without Neeghan's involvement.

[Baitball Blogger]

146. Maybe it has something to do with the tiger?

And the fact that Negan has his hands busy with everyone else?

[NewJeffCT]

152. Most of the articles I've read so far

have been pretty tough on the show regarding the opener. Most felt drama would have been better served if Abe/Glenn were killed to end the season, and then pick up with the aftermath. Or, maybe Abe to end the season, and Glenn to start. And, after making fans wait 6 1/1 months for the resolution to the cliffhanger, you had to wait another 20 minutes into the show to get the resolution in a flashback.

[GOLGO 13]

153. This episode was a triumph!!!!

This is the episode that everyone will remember when TWD is no longer on the air. This. Was. It. Judging by the painful reaction in the above posts & in the media that this episode was truly B-R-U-T-A-L.

Well, yeah it's about living during an extinction event.

Also, it needed to be. TWD was getting stagnant, episodes/scenarios dragging on too long & Rick is still chewing up all the scenery. In order to make an entertainment impact in this series, the danger has to continue to be amplified. This is how it's done. 2 for 1? Son-of-a-bitch, I did not see that coming.

TWD needed Negan in a bad way. And happy to say that Negan will be around for a long, long time. Finally a true villain has emerged & "Lucille" is coming with him.

[The2ndWheel]

154. The people in charge certainly did take the long way around

Looking back, it could've been more efficient. If the last image from Season 6 was with Negan walking away from Glenn and seeing the bat with parts of Glenn still on it, that could've been a crazy way to end the season. Season 7 opens the same way it did, and everything else happens the same way, just without the flashback.

I still enjoyed the season finale and opener though. I still felt the adrenaline and anticipation, but I'm also sort of easy when it comes to that. I'm always thinking, if I could do better, I'd be the one making the show. I'm not a very good critic.

[NewJeffCT]

156. Local newspaper runs obituary for Glenn Rhee

Thought this was creative.

https://www.moviefone.com/2016/10/26/the-walking-dead-fan-placed-perfect-obit-paper-glenn/