“Remember when a herd of walkers was the worst thing that could happen. Welcome to Season 7,” says the words during the October 23, 2016 airing of Talking Dead. The follow up AMC show to The Walking Dead, during a 90 minute outdoor event before a massive crowd of fans.
One of the guest actors for sure, I want to say Danai Gurira as Michonne, said she believes The Walking Dead season 7 premiere had introduced a new era in the series. “We now have a before Negan and after Negan,” said the actress. A statement agreeing with the two opening sentences of this blog, later appearing on the screen during the 90 minute special of Talking Dead.
As of this writing, the season 7 premiere titled, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be,” had attracted 17 million U.S. viewers. Almost equal, though at a very close second to the season 5 premiere titled, “No Sanctuary,” that attracted 17.29 million as so far the most watched episode of the series. The episode in which Rick and his group, with Carol’s help, break out of Terminus.
Even so with such a stellar rating that decimated all other TV shows that Sunday night, reviews were mixed. Undoubtedly a shockingly horrifying episode, that in the aftermath many viewers voiced leaving, whereas many others voiced praise and steadfast devotion. All this, despite the brutal deaths of two beloved characters. Needless to say, spoilers are ahead.
Yet before getting to all that, to be fair, it would be remiss not to mention it’s not as if we were never warned. Already knowing the nature of the show, as each episode begins with a warning of intense graphic violence. Furthermore, Robert Kirkman, creator of the source material The Walking Dead comics, had divulged in many sources ever since mid-January 2016 all about the introduction of the character Negan. By keeping mum on major plots, he did say what to expect.
Among the many sources, a January 15, 2016 online article from Collider by Dave Trumbore, titled, “‘The Walking Dead’: Robert Kirkman Compares Negan’s Arrival to an Atomic Bomb.” Of course this was a month before the mid-season 6 premiere, aired on February 14 th, titled, “No Way Out,” meant as a prelude for Negan when his name is first mentioned. The episode, as Daryl, Abraham and Sasha are in a fuel truck driving back to Alexandria, yet are momentarily stopped on the road by armed bikers of about eight, called the Saviors. The lead biker who seeks to disarm the three, while speaking Negan’s name for the first time. The same scene was also a preview offered at the end of mid-season 6’s episode 8 finale, titled, “Start to Finish.”
Within the January 15, 2016 Collider online article, Robert Kirkman states, “As far as shake-ups go, we have lots of shake-ups from season to season. It keeps things interesting, keeps the blood pumping. I like to say, but Negan is kind of an atomic bomb that’s going to be dropped on the show, and the show will probably never be the same after that. So buckle up, I guess?” Then later, Kirman explains that the Saviors are dangerously organized, compared to the Wolves and the Terminans. Which leads to the question, what sets Negan apart from past villains? Answer, one key attribute having already been mentioned in commentaries is his lack of deceit.
In the book The Walking Dead Psychology: Unauthorized, edited by Travis Langley, in the chapter, ‘Case File VI: Negan,’ it states, “Machiavellianism: Unlike the deceitful Governor, Negan tells the truth as he sees it. Still, he believes in ruling through fear, intimidation, and other forms of manipulation.” There’s also the commentary by OKCAg, one among the many 72 who commented on the October 24, 2016 online article by Bryan Bishop and Nick Statt of The Verge, titled, “The Walking Dead Quitter’s Club: goodbye for real.” Within the commentary, OKCAg says, “And the irony now is that they have finally come across an individual who doesn’t lie, is straightforward and without deceit, and he is the most horrifying thing yet.”
The Governor of Woodbury and Gareth of Terminus both practiced deceit. A reason why Rick and his group were wary of Deanna, leader of the Alexandrian community upon their first day entering. Despite being a community they’ve never imagined could possibly exist in a walker apocalypse. A community of beautifully maintained spacious homes as if each could be on the cover of Architectural Digest, protected by a walled perimeter, and self-contained with running hot water and electricity from solar power. Now Negan shows up, one who makes the Governor, Gareth, and Darth Vader of Star Wars all look like Snow Whites. And things won’t be the same.
A noteworthy scene in the season 7 premiere has Negan speaking to Rick (Andrew Lincoln) after their trip in the RV. “That trip was about the way you looked at me. I wanted to change that. I wanted you to understand,” says Negan. Meaning, about breaking Rick’s look of defiant resolve.
A look we’ve all seen before, going back to the season 5 premiere. The scene at Terminus, when Rick, Bob, Daryl and Glenn are all bound and about to be killed in a slaughterhouse among four other bound men. The first four men are killed, their throats slashed while all were leaning over a trough. Later, Gareth shows up, and asks Rick about the contents of a large duffel bag he had hid, just before he, Carl, Daryl and Michonne together had snuck into Terminus. Finally Rick answers Gareth, the contents having guns, automatic weapons, compound bow, night-scope, and a red handled machete. “That’s what I’m gonna use to kill you,” Rick says to Gareth. With the same look Rick gives to Negan, just after Negan brutally kills both Abraham and Glenn.
Host Chris Hardwick of Talking Dead had asked Robert Kirkman and Scott Gimple, showrunner of The Walking Dead, how long did they knew all about the storyline. Both answered within two years. Validated also, by a recent USA TODAY October 24, 2016 online article by Kelly Lawler, titled, “Has ‘The Walking Dead’ finally gone too far for fans?” Divulged within the short video.
Scott Gimple, among the cast of The Walking Dead, as all were guests on the 90 minute special of Talking Dead, had explained that he wanted to do a storyline by asking a question. “What would break Rick?” Gimple asks. He also explained that he wanted the audience to experience that brokenness, while also being careful to respect the audience.
Finally, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan was introduced to applause, also admitting he expected boos. Morgan explained that his warm admiration for the cast had made the scene hard. Though also saying, to Negan’s way of thinking, that Rick and his people had gotten off light after killing many of his men during the latter half of season 6. Beginning with the mid-season 6 premiere, when Daryl killed the eight armed biker Saviors with an RPG (rocket propelled grenade).
In the May 2016, Issue 45 International Edition of The Rake, a British magazine with Andrew Lincoln on the cover, there’s an excellent cover story written by Wei Koh, founder and editorial director. Within, Lincoln states, “Family is everything to Rick. If you stand beside him you are family, and if you stand in opposition you are a problem.” Near the end of the season 7 premiere, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) becomes defiant, initially refusing help from the others with Glenn’s body. Rick pleads, “Please, let us. He’s our family, he’s our family too,” while saying through sobs. Whereas Maggie finally accepts help, from Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Rosita (Christian Serratos). Which shortly after, Sasha and Rosita also help with Abraham’s body.
The season 7 premiere was a definite paradigm shift, and also presenting a challenge for Rick’s group. Will that family unit remain intact shortly after the two recent tragic deaths, and with the recent capture of Daryl (Norman Reedus), who may feel responsible for Glenn’s death? It will be exciting to see.