The much anticipated trailer for The Walking Dead debuted at Comic-Con on Friday, but with the frenzy of news and other trailers, we barely had time to digest the trailer, other than to note that it obviously did not answer who Negan will kill in the season premiere. Now that we’ve had a couple of days to inspect it, here’s what we can surmise from the upcoming seventh season, based on the trailer.
The trailer begins by reminding us that Negan is “going to beat the holy hell out of one of you,” and then — through flashbacks — reminds us why certain characters would make sense from the perspective of heartbreaking storytelling:
It could be Maggie or Glenn because of their history together, and because Glenn no longer has a photo of Maggie to remind him of her.
It could be Carl or Rick because of their deep father/son bond, and the years they have spent together, have survived together.
It could be Daryl because of his bond to Carol, and Lil Ass Kicker, among others.
It could be Sasha or Abraham because they have just found each other, and they are falling in love.
It could be Michonne because of her romance with Rick and her motherly connection with Carl.
It could be Rosita because, uh, for reasons, okay?
It could be Eugene because he’s changed and adapted over the course of the last few seasons, and because he’s “a survivor.”
It could be Aaron because he’s a good soldier who was willing to risk his life to save Daryl. Also, because he does great impressions.
Finally, the trailer kicks off with actual footage from the upcoming seventh season. Here we see Morgan and Carol being led away to The Kingdom. Members of The Kingdom wear knight armor and ride on horses.
Here’s a member of The Kingdom.
Here, Carol looks high or drunk, but having a great time living with The Kingdom. Good for her!
The leader of The Kingdom is King Ezekiel, played by Khary Payton. Ezekiel has a tiger named Shiva.
The Kingdom looks like a peaceful community.
Here’s a glimpse of Negan’s compound, and one of the lieutenants of the Saviors, Dwight:
Here’s more of Negan and the Saviors, who apparently have to kneel when Negan walks by.
I’m not entirely sure who Dwight is holding a gun on, but the chin suggests that it’s Eugene, so we can maybe rule him out as one of Negan’s victims.
In case viewers have forgotten, this is Honey. She was Dwight’s girlfriend, who helped Dwight to steal Daryl’s motorcycle and crossbow in season 6. There’s some speculation that Negan burned Dwight’s face with an iron because he ran away with Honey, who is one of Negan’s wives.
Here, Spencer is whining “we should have made a deal with them when we could have,” suggesting that — when characters are asked to pick sides — Spencer may ally with Negan.
Negan most assuredly makes his way into Alexandria.
Creepy Negan is making himself at home in Alexandria with the terrified citizenry. Basically, he’s taking control and spooking everyone.
Here we have Dwight — surrounded by dead zombies — tracking something that seems to be flying above him. Will someone gain access to an aircraft this season?
Someone is going to get in a car battle with Negan’s men.
Here, it looks like pigs are being fed zombies.
There are several shots of what appears to be zombies overrunning The Hilltop Colony, so that community may not be long for this world.
This looks like Gregory looking out his window to find that the Hilltop Community is being overrun.
Oh good. Tara is also back.
So is Heath, but considering that Corey Hawkins has been cast as the lead in 24: Legacy, don’t expect him to survive long.
ENID GOT OUT OF THE CLOSET.
In sum: Negan kills someone; Morgan and Carol go to The Kingdom, where King Ezekiel runs a peaceful community; The Hilltop is overrun by zombies; Negan will continue to terrorize Alexandria; Tara and Heath are alive (although, Heath won’t be for long); Spencer is a traitor; and Enid made it out of the closet.
The Walking Dead returns on October 23.
