walking dead

Armed with knowledge from the mid-season finale of ‘The Walking Dead’ that Carl Grimes was bit by a walker, we’re now getting images from the premiere which is slated to be his last episode. While there is always a chance that reports of Chandler Riggs not on set after this episode could be a well-crafted narrative by the studio execs and we’ll find that either the helicopter saves him or that Carl is immune – realistically these are some of the last shots we’ll see of the actor in the series. The back half of Season 8 is going to show Rick Grimes out for blood when it comes to Negan and here is what some of that set up is going to look like.

First, we have Rick and Michonne carrying Carl away from a burning house which is likely one of the many which were bombed in Alexandria.

Walking Dead (2018)
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

While in a safe area, we see Carl will have at least one private conversation with his father and adoptive mother figure before he goes out.

Walking Dead (2018)
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

It isn’t just about the Grimes in this new episode though as Maggie laid down a gauntlet at Negan’s feet and we see her here with a baby in the room. This isn’t hers from a time jump but is getting a head start on how to be a parent with the help of baby Grace.

Walking Dead (2018)
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 11 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

We know that Norman Reedus will have his story wrap “up in a very poetic way” with Daryl Dixon this season and it seems like this could be him preparing for action.

Walking Dead (2018)
Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 11 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

Here are Carol and Morgan looking out over something and are likely planning to take on Negan. Will this be one of the final episodes with Morgan before he heads on over to the set of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’?

Walking Dead (2018)
Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, Lennie James as Morgan Jones – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

Oh Carl, how we’ll miss you. We know that Riggs says “he’s definitely leaving behind a really long-lasting legacy” and I wonder how much of the legacy will be from the character and how much will be from this notebook he’s been writing in.

Walking Dead (2018)
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

The look on Ezekiel’s face here is one of contempt but he wasn’t actually in a position of power when we last dropped in on him.

Walking Dead (2018)
Khary Payton as Ezekiel – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

In this scene, Maggie has a serious look of contemplation on her face. It is hard to tell if this relates to her plan or the fact that she just took the life of a Savior in cold blood and used his body to send a message to Negan.

Walking Dead (2018)
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 11 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

 

There is a lot of story arcs going on concurrently right now and it will be interesting to see how many are tied up as the season progresses. We know that Carl and Daryl’s stories are going to be tied up one way or another but as to the rest of the cast it is still a mystery.

Are you looking forward to the return of ‘The Walking Dead? Which parts of the current story are you most looking forward to revisiting? Share your thoughts below!

Source: Entertainment Weekly