The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 9 Return Date, Trailer, and More Details

The Walking Dead Season 7 Latest News

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Andrew Lincoln talked a bit about how the tone of the show will change again in the second half of season 7. It's no secret, after all, that The Walking Dead loves to reinvent itself every eight-episode cycle.

"It’s probably the opposite of what you just witnessed," said Lincoln of the upcoming eight episodes. "Certainly from Rick’s point of view. You see a man in action again with some of the members of his closest family."

Rick's can-do attitude will certainly affect the tone of the show, as we go from almost BDSM-levels of torture by Negan to the "Alexandria strikes back" tone we're used to. 

"There’s a lot more levity, if you can believe that, than you’ve ever seen before in Mr. Grimes," Lincoln added. "There’s sort of a freedom in him, a feeling that comes from losing everything, and also the thrill of the fight. It’s the thrill of the fight again. He’s back in. All I’m saying is that the band is back together."

Much has been said about the tortured process of making such dreary episodes of The Walking Dead. There's no shortage of stories about Lincoln feeling sick on the night of a particularly depressing or gruesome episode. But this time around, Lincoln sounds genuinely excited to go to work every day. 

"There are several episodes that I loved being involved in and it certainly feels very much more like a show that I knew and recognized in the back eight," he said. "I loved the episodes that I was in."

If you haven't quite gotten the sense that the back eight episodes are one long victory lap for Rick and friends, this is how Lincoln describes it:

"It’s The Magnificent Seven in the back half. Rather, the magnificent eight episodes. Wait till [episode] 16. I promise you, there is one beat in 16, I dropped my script and started punching the air and did a little jig."

The tone change will certainly make reviewing this show every Sunday easier...

In an interview with ComicBook.com, showrunner Scott Gimple – while unrepentant about any perceived tonal missteps – is promising what he calls, “a very, very different” second half of what has been a difficult season for fans to endure. While Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s depiction of comic-book-iconic barbed-wire-bat-wielding villain Negan has been an exciting attraction in Season 7A, his dominance over Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and the main group has arguably turned the series into a weekly session of sadomasochism, stretched out by the sporadic episodes devoted to side stories. Thus, Gimple implies that structural shifts are imminent in the upcoming 7B portion, stating:

"I will say 7B's vibe is very different from 7A's vibe. The ending of 7B is very different than the beginning of 7A. Just the vibe in 7B, I was just talking about it with Andy [Lincoln] last night. It's just a very, very different half season than the half season that preceded it.”

Relevantly, Season 7A ended optimistically with Rick – initially overwhelmed by Negan’s threat to his loved ones – finally coming to the realization that he needs to organize a rebellion. Indeed, the ending of the December 11 midseason finale “Hearts Still Beating” saw the primary cast reunite at Hilltop Colony, with Daryl – freed from capture and torture with the Saviors – handing Rick back his confiscated proverbial Excalibur in the Colt Python, with hints that Jesus will introduce them to King Ezekiel and the Saviors-suffering group the Kingdom. Thus, with hints of the pushback happening in 7B, Gimple implies more variety in the episodes, stating:

“Even with structure, what we're doing right now with the episodes and seeing where everyone is at, the structure is very, very different than the back half. There's a lot more variety to the structure. It's just a very, very different situation, but 6, 7, 8 ... Wow, we're really close, aren't we? I would say the end of 7A is very different than the beginning of 7A. That's the thing that kind of launches that different tone of 7B."

After 17 million people tuned in on October 23 to watch the Season 7 debut resolve the show’s controversial “Who did Negan kill?” cliffhanger in heart-wrenching, gruesome fashion, the sophomore episode saw a dramatic viewer decline of nearly 5 million; a decline that gradually continued until a slight rebound with Episode 7. Indeed, as the storyline finally started seeing narrative progress, the viewer hemorrhaging stopped and the ratings (which still dwarf any other show,) have been slowly rebounding. If 7A was designed to be a difficult emotional investment, then hopefully 7B will yield a resoundingly powerful payoff as The Walking Dead comic book series’ “All Out War” storyline kicks off.

The Walking Dead Season 7 Return Date

The Walking Dead will return for the midseason premiere in February 12, 2017. Here's the first clip from the midseason premiere:

You can check out a trailer for the second half of the season below:

Read our review of the most recent episode by clicking here!

Don't forget to listen to Den of Geek's Walking Dead podcast, No Room in Hell!

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The Walking Dead Season 7 Episodes

Here's where we'll compile official synopses, and reviews as they become available. Click the titles to go to the full reviews.

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 1: The Day Will Come When You Won't Be

Last season ended with Rick and our group kneeling helplessly before Negan and his group. What Negan does will haunt those who survive forever.

Greg Nicotero directed the episode written by Scott M. Gimple.

Original airdate: 10/23/16

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 2: The Well

For a number of familiar faces, a new, well-established community seems too good to be true.

Greg Nicotero directed the episode written by Matthew Negrete.

Original airdate: 10/30/16

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 3: The Cell

We're introduced to a completely new group of survivors living in an impressive community that seems to have it all... for a price.

Alrick Riley directed the episode written by Angela Kang.

Original airdate: 11/6/16

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 4: Service

The remaining members of the group try to keep it together in Alexandria; they receive a sobering visit.

David Boyd directed the episode written by Corey Reed.

Original airdate: 11/13/16

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 5: Go Getters

Saddled with grief and surrounded by enemies, members of the group try to find safety at the Hilltop before it’s too late.

Darnell Martin directed the episode written by Channing Powell.

Original airdate: 11/20/16

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 6: Swear

Someone stumbles upon a brand new society, and this society is unlike anything seen before.

Michael E. Satrazemis directed the episode written by David Leslie Johnson.

Original airdate: 11/27/16

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 7: Sing Me a Song

A deeper look at the Sanctuary and the world of the Saviors; members of Alexandria look for supplies.

Rosemary Rodriguez directed the episode written by Angela Kang and Corey Reed.

Original airdate: 12/4/16

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 8: Hearts Still Beating

Negan’s unwelcome visit to Alexandria continues as other members scavenge for supplies; things quickly spin out of control.

Michael E. Satrazemis directed the episode written by Matthew Negrete and Channing Powell.

Original airdate: 12/11/16