When The Walking Dead returns to AMC this weekend, its characters are going to be at war. Like George A. Romero warned us, zombies aren't the biggest threat in a post-apocalyptic world, it's other people who can really screw up your chances of survival. That's something Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his people know very well now, and they're ready to fight back against the villainous Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his followers.
A newly released clip from the upcoming season shows a stage in this battle. Rick's pals Daryl (Norman Reedus), Carol (Melissa McBride), Tara (Alanna Masterson), and Morgan (Lennie James) are attending to some business in a ravaged town when a whole herd of zombies come marching down the street toward them. It's not clear what the group is up to around here, but as the clip goes on it starts to look like Daryl and Carol are going to have to deal with the zombies on their own.
What really strikes me about this clip is how hard it is to hear the whispered growl of Daryl's lines. Remember when Reedus didn't deliver his lines that way? I miss the old Daryl.
The Walking Dead's eighth season has the following synopsis:
Last season, 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.
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 season, 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 premiere episode airs in just two days, on October 22nd.