'The Walking Dead' Season 7 Release Date, News and Spoilers: Carol Doesn't Fully Trust 'The Kingdom' Leader King Ezekiel; Rick Not Immune from Fear of Negan
AMC's popular zombie series "The Walking Dead" will soon return to the screens for its seventh installment, but refuses to cushion the madness that Negan (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) will unleash upon Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and company. The official synopsis, executive producers, and the cast have all taken it upon themselves to caution viewers about the changes Negan will bring into the group, and how his oppressive reign will begin to change how they are fundamentally.
The only good news so far is the introduction of King Ezekiel (Khary Payton), the ruler of the Kingdom, who will present himself as an important ally to Rick and his group in "The Walking Dead" Season 7. Ezekiel is no fan of Negan and his Saviors group, and will vow to take him down as well.
What other things can viewers expect from the promising "The Walking Dead" Season 7 return? Here's a lowdown of everything to watch out for when the AMC series makes its comeback on Sunday, Oct. 23.
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Carol's 'interesting' mindset
Melissa McBride, who plays Carol Peletier in "The Walking Dead," had revealed that her character doesn't think as highly from King Ezekiel, whom she describes as "bizarre" and "unreal." She noted that the idea of The Kingdom living in relative peace was "too good to be true, too beautiful," and recalled the similar times that the group has arrived into such places. Historically, that always ended up badly.
Fans would recall that Carol had spent most of the past "The Walking Dead" seasons locked in an ideological battle with Morgan, who has repeatedly refused to kill. Carol herself believes in the "kill-or-be-killed" mantra, but eventually tired of the lifestyle and left Alexandria for it.
Rick's collapse
Meanwhile, if Negan's reign is just about to start, Rick's leadership has effectively come to a brutal close. Regardless of who Negan had killed in "The Walking Dead" Season 6 cliffhanger, Rick's inability to protect and keep his herd intact is blown wide open. More than power, this death will strip him clean of all hope as well.
Showrunner Greg Nicotero himself has repeatedly emphasized that Negan's introduction into their lives will cause a permanent damaging impact into their lives. And it looks like even the ever-so-tough Rick Grimes won't be able to take that as well. Andrew Lincoln had even said that when he (Rick) wakes up from his coma, he'll be a completely different man.
In summary: It's difficult to over- (or under-, depending on the viewer's point of view) emphasize just how hyperviolent "The Walking Dead" Season 7 premiere will be. Catch it for yourself when it returns to the screen this October.
