The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 1: Someone Hug Me...Please (Season Premiere)

The season seven premiere of "The Walking Dead" might be one of the most brutal hours ever seen on television. And to be honest, it's about time! Last year's finale was spent driving around in ab RV being stopped at various roadblocks by Negan's thugs. After tons of buildup, we FINALLY saw Negan... but only in the last 5 minutes of the show. I was seriously pissed. I half heartedly threatened to quit "TWD". The fans deserve better. I have invested six years of my life in this show ya know.

Apparently the "TWD" writers, producers, and showrunners heard our prayers. "The Day Will Come When You Wont Be" DELIVERS IN SPADES. The episode begins right where the finale left off six months ago. Negan has beaten someone to death with Lucille (his barbed wire covered bat) but we dont know who. Rick and Carl are safe so that leaves 9 others to choose from-- Abraham, Eugene, Aaron, Rosita, Sasha, Michonne, Daryl, Maggie or Glenn.

After the murder, Negan takes Rick into the RV where he continues to play mind games. He is determined to break Grimes. Negan throws a hatchet outside and makes Rick fetch it or face the consequences. Rick lays on the roof of the RV for a while trying to process what has happened. He thinks of each person and even envisioned everyone having a nice dinner together. We finally learn about 20 minutes into the episode that Abraham is the one who was beaten to death. The scene is absolutely brutal. Negan pummels him in the head over and over and over again. No one can help or they will all be killed. Many viewers predicted Abraham's death. He's a nice middle-of-the-road choice. He's not one of the original Atlanta crew (so I'm not as attached).

Just when we think the killing is over, Negan has another surprise in store. He continues to pontificate after slaughtering Abraham. Daryl for some reason jumps at Negan. REALLY, REALLY STUPID MOVE. Negan already told them what would happen if they disobeyed. His is a man of his word. He swings the bat. It connects with Glenn's head. His eyeball pops out. Everyone (including me) is in shock. Glenn yells "I will find you" to Maggie and he is gone. Pieces of Glenn's brain drip from the bat. Horrifying! Maggie screams uncontrollably. Dont forget, she's prego. The gang was trying to get her to the Hilltop doctor before she lost the baby. Will Maggie be able to carry the child to term? Will any of us be able to recover?

The second death was indeed shocking. After "dumpstergate" Glenn seemed to be living on borrowed time though. He is also killed in this fashion in the comics. It shouldnt come as such a shock but I REALLY liked Glenn. He's the heart of the group. He was kind and brave and selfless. I was really hoping he and Maggie could have some happiness together. Alas, it wasnt meant to be.

If all of this wasnt bad enough Negan then demands Rick chop off Carl's arm or he will kill everyone. Sweet Jesus, when is this going to end? Rick is pushed beyond his limits. Carl tells him its OK and to do what he must. Negan stops Rick at the last second. He is just testing him. Does this remind anyone else of the story of Abraham and Issac?

And just like that... Negan and the Saviors are gone. He will be back in one week to collect his tribute. Everyone is in shock. Rosita, Sasha, and Eugene help to pick up Abraham. Maggie tells everyone to leave. They refuse. Maggie tells Rick they must continue fighting. I'm not sure Rick has much fight left in him. Daryl has been drug away by Negan so he wont be around (at least initially). Hopefully Morgan will return with Bad Ass Carol (they were MIA this episode) and give Negan exactly what he deserves.

Favorite Quotes:

"Welcome to a brand new beginning you sorry shits."- Negan.
"Not today, not tomorrow but someday, I'm going to kill you."- Rick to Negan.
"Bet you thought were all going to grow old and have Sunday dinner together."- Negan.
"Today was a productive damn day."- Negan.
"Suck my nuts."- Abraham to Negan as he is being beaten to death.
"I will find you."- Glenn's last words to Maggie.

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Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). After seriously jerking us around last year, "The Walking Dead" delivers a stellar episode. I seriously felt like I was punched in the gut after watching it. The death of Abraham wasnt really a shock but I wasnt expecting two. Poor sweet Glenn. But if they REALLY wanted to freak people out they should have killed Maggie. I guess not even "TWD" is willing to go there. The deaths of Abraham and Glenn reinforce the fact that no one is safe during the zombie apocalypse (except maybe a pregnant Maggie, baby Judith and Rick since he's a main character).

Excellent performances by all the actors but especially Andrew Lincoln (Rick) and Lauren Cohan (Maggie). I felt their exhaustion and despair. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was also great as Negan. Awards all around.

Some have complained that this episode was "torture porn" and was only done for shock value. I disagree. "The Walking Dead" is a show about survival. IRL good guys dont always win. Life is at times brutal. We can pretend to be civilized from the safety of our cozy couches in our comfortable living rooms but when push comes to shove, we will all do whatever it takes to stay alive.