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

The Walking Dead Season 7 Latest News

Speaking with EW, The Walking Dead co-star Norman Reedus, while obviously not at liberty to disclose specific plot details, did not mince words when it comes to the state of mind of his perennial fan-favorite character Daryl Dixon. Despite already suffering his share of tragedies in seasons past, Season 7A has been an unprecedented low point for Daryl as he endured physical and psychological torture from the Saviors; stripped, imprisoned, fed dog food sandwiches and forced to listen to a lasting loop of saccharine song “Easy Street.” Yet, the most potent part was his feelings of guilt after his impulsive actions led to Negan – having just brutally executing Abraham – claiming a second victim in longtime pal Glenn. Now, having escaped with help from Hilltop ally Jesus (Tom Payne), Reedus hints that a reinvigorated Daryl will reap wanton vengeance in 7B, stating:

“He wants revenge. He’s ready to fight. When he goes back in that last episode and hands Rick back his stuff, it was like, ‘Let’s go! Let’s go beat this guy up. Let’s go take what’s ours and fight this monster.’ So, you know, he’s in kill mode.”

Daryl’s own self-loathing guilt resulted in his silent, morose demeanor during his imprisonment, which even at a crucial impasse, prevented him from accepting an offer to end the ordeal and join the Saviors. Yet, since reuniting with his own group, he’s achieved a measure of clarity about the Saviors situation. Thus, Daryl’s switch to “kill mode” seems to indicate that the tank-destroying, horde-decimating, varmint-claiming world-wrecker we all know and love is back. As Reedus continues:

“I feel like he spent his time in the hole thinking about Glenn and thinking about Abraham. He took it very personal, and felt like it was his fault and he was deserving what he was getting. Now, he’s ready to get revenge. He’s ready to go kill everybody.”

As if that bit of rhetorical adrenaline wasn’t enough to get fans excited for what’s ahead, Reedus describes what seems to be a turn of the tide in Rick and company’s dilemma with the Saviors and, specifically, Negan. Coupled with the powerfully symbolic moment in the Season 7 midseason finale when a newly-liberated Daryl hands Rick back his proverbial Excalibur in the Colt Python that Negan confiscated, Reedus states of the season-dominating barbed-wire-bat-wielding villain:

“I think you’re going to start to see a little fear in that bad guy’s eyes. He’s been walking tall long enough wielding his little toy bat around. Time to bring that guy down a notch.” Hinting cacophony-filled clashes, he adds, “It’s going to be consistently loud.”

In other news, it seems that AMC is listening to the fans when it comes to The Walking Dead, although perhaps not about every problem with the show - you know, like the fact that pretty much nothing happened in the overly-long and boring first half of season 7. But when it comes to that infamously gruesome premiere that many viewers felt was torture porn, the show has heard its fans loud and clear. 

While speaking at a conference in Miami (via Variety), TWD exec producer Gale Anne Hurd revealed that fan backlash after the premiere caused the creators to "tone down" the violence in the later episodes of the season. 

"We were able to look at the feedback on the level of violence," Hurd said. "We did tone it down for episodes we were still filming for later on in the season."

It's unclear if any of the episodes in the first half of the season were toned down, although it would go a long way to explain why all of the episodes seemed spread too thin with extended runtimes that didn't add anything to the "stories" being told. Did the producers cut any action scenes from those episodes to appease fans? It's much more likely that the episodes she's referring to haven't aired yet, as the second half of the season was still filming back in October. 

Of course, there were other notably violent moments throughout the first half of the season beyond the infamous Negan scene, such as the ironing scene at the Sanctuary and Spencer's death in the midseason finale. Yet, Hurd's revelation could explain why I rolled my eyes every single time Negan came to town. The villain made big promises and constantly reminded us that he was a really bad dude, yet didn't quite go as far as his reputation suggested. Was Negan neutered in the editing room?

Either way, Hurd wants to let fans who were appalled by the premiere - which saw Glenn and Abraham bludgeoned to death while all of their friends watched in horror - that "This is not a show that is torture porn." Hurd said that in the future the producers will make sure “we don’t cross that line.”

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

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 9: TBD

air date: 2/12/17

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 10: TBD

air date: TBD

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 11: TBD

air date TBD

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 12: TBD

air date: TBD

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 13: TBD

air date: TBD

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 14: TBD

air date: TBD

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 15: TBD

air date: TBD

The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 16: TBD

air date: TBD