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The War-King Dead: 'The Walking Dead' Premiere Photos Tease A Bloody 100th Episode

The first images from the season premiere certainly show that a bloody brawl is coming our way on The Walking Dead.

By Tom ChapmanPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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'The Walking Dead' [Credit: AMC]

Bring out your dead, because fans of AMC's The Walking Dead are hungry for more ahead of an action-packed Season 8. After that bullet-riddled trailer from San Diego Comic-Con, audiences have been left reeling by tigers, tantrums, and a certain elderly hero. However, we still haven't got a clue what will happen during the next run of 16 episodes for network television's most-viewed show.

Things will be starting with a celebration, and the rotting rollercoaster will be shuffling its way toward its 100th episode when the show returns on October 22. Now, I am not bigwig TV exec, but when your show reaches its centenary, you might want to do something a little special. Hoping to live up to its own hype of being the "best season ever," the first images from the season premiere certainly show that a bloody brawl is coming our way on #TheWalkingDead.

Forgive me Father.

'The Walking Dead' [Credit: AMC]

Picking up on the cusp of war, the threat of Negan and his Saviors is still very much alive on TWD, but it is such a shame that not all the character will be so "alive" at the end of the season. Apart from poor Shiva, it is Father Gabriel who seems top of everyone's Arya Stark kill list in Season 8, and this brooding shot from the premiere doesn't quell those fears.

We can presume that Rick will set off on his foolish quest for vengeance in Episode 100, and it would make sense that he leave the faithful father once again holding Baby Judith. So, is this how we see Gabriel captured and under the care of Negan in the trailers? While Seth Gilliam may survive past the premiere, it would be one hell of a way to kick the season off if Gabe was sent packing straight away.

The comics have a different fate for Gabe, and his stomach is slit while hanging from a ladder. The unlucky pastor is then devoured by walkers and stripped literally down to his bones. So far, the character who does this (Beta) hasn't been hinted at on the show, but we all know how Negan likes to toy with his prey before delivering that killer blow.

Son of Anarchy

The Walking Dead' [Credit: AMC]

That action-packed Comic-Con trailer has already shown the young Daryl Dixon to be a real little Hell's Angel, however, it doesn't look like we will have to wait long to see him in action. The trailer revealed a huge pyrotechnics budget as Daryl zoomed around the apocalypse amidst a war field of explosions. Seeing him astride his bike in the promo images seemingly confirms that this will take place in the premiere. It would certainly explain Andrew Lincoln's comments about an explosive start to the series, and one way to cement Episode 100 as the best ever would be to blow a sh*t load of stuff up!

Also, while some are already tipping an Ezekiel and Carol romance — who wouldn't want her to be queen? — the premiere could be time to start shipping "Caryl" once more. It has always been hard to figure out whether Daryl and Carol have shared anything more than a love of pulverizing walkers and human enemies, but as two of the show's most tragic characters, it is great to see that they will share some screen time in Episode 100.

Stick It To 'Em

The Walking Dead' [Credit: AMC]

We have all heard about the carrot and the stick method, and we also know that Lennie James prefers the latter. Coming off the back of an emotional Season 7, Morgan is likely still affected by his brutal murder of Richard after the death of Benjamin. Even though Morgan may be leaving his pacifist days behind him, it still looks like the stick is his weapon of choice — albeit with a sharpened point. The big question though is: Is that Savior or walker blood on his stick?

Remember Morgan's fragile state when we saw him back in the episode "Clear"? Sure, he may seem like a sane and valuable weapon in the war against Negan, but I'm not convinced that Morgan can hold onto his sanity again. Seeing him crumble into madness once before, an unhinged Morgan could mean big trouble for everyone.

Given that Morgan has always been a favorite character on the show, let's hope that he can make up for lost time in Season 8 and become TWD's next badass killing machine a'la Michonne and Carol. We saw a glimmer of Morgan's violent nature last season, but with the threat of war coming, he will have to shape up or ship out.

Bros Before Hos

The Walking Dead' [Credit: AMC]

And finally, who doesn't love a shot of Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus together? After Daryl's dog food trip to "Easy Street," the best buds are back together in Season 8. However, what is so interesting down there? While it looks like the pair are atop one of Alexandria's lookout points, there is clearly something important below them. A human foe, a horde of walkers, or someone coming to offer their services and help? Now could be the perfect time for that slippery Dwight to show where his allegiances really lie.

There is certainly plenty to chew over, and with the show not back until October, there is also plenty of time to do said chewing. As we head toward Season 8 and the "All Out War" storyline from the comics, you can bet your bottom dollar that it won't just be Episode 100 that will have our jaws on the floor. The war drums are most definitely beating, so our hardened survivors had better get themselves to the trenches.

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About the Creator

Tom Chapman

Tom is a Manchester-based writer with square eyes and the love of a good pun. Raised on a diet of Jurassic Park, this ’90s boy has VHS flowing in his blood. No topic is too big for this freelancer by day, crime-fighting vigilante by night.

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