Warning: Spoilers Ahead

Perhaps it’s because the holidays helped to fill the void, but this Walking Dead hiatus didn’t seem that long this time around. Regardless, I am still super-excited that one of my favorite horror dramas will be returning this Sunday. And, from what we have seen thus far, we have a lot to look forward to in this second half of the season.

The mid-season finale ended with virtually all hope gone. Even though the group had survived the horrors of Terminus, Team Rick still suffered some major losses with the heart-wrenching deaths of Bob Stookey and Beth Greene. On top of this, all hope of a cure in Washington D.C. had been shattered, and the safety and sanctuary that they had worked so hard to build at the prison was also all gone. This group has faced one heartbreak right after another — how much can a person take before he finally breaks?

The title of episode 5.09 is “What Happened and What’s Going On,” and the official synopsis given by AMC is:

“After all the recent trials the group has faced, a slight detour might prove to be the solution they’ve been looking for.”

What “detour” could that be? There have been hints throughout season 5 that Noah is from the comic-book equivalent of the Alexandria Safe Zone, a fortified community that Rick’s group encounters shortly after the fall of the prison in the comic book series. Could the ASZ be what they’re talking about? I was already pretty sure that’s where we were going in 5B, but after the below first 2 minutes of the premiere were released this week, I’m all but certain now.

In the opening scenes of the premiere, the group actually has a real funeral for Beth, and Maggie is taking it particularly hard. I had almost forgotten we have a clergyman in the group now, and while I’m not a big fan of Father Gabriel, it does seem to be nice to be able to have a ceremony to put the dead to rest, instead of just throwing them in the ground — or even worse, burning them. But, the really important part in these scenes is Noah talking Rick and the group to follow him to his gated community just outside of Richmond, VA. In my eyes, that statement is a confirmation that the Alexandra Safe Zone is the next major arc in the series.

So, what if you’ve never read the Walking Dead comics and don’t even know what the ASZ is? All I can say is you WILL LOVE IT. Trust me. A whole group of fascinating new characters, compelling storylines, and a very different scenery that I think most viewers will welcome.

The Walking Dead Season 5 Mid-Season Premiere airs this Sunday at 9/8c on AMC.

VIDEO

First 2 Minutes from the Premiere:

Trailer: “Another Day”

PHOTOS

Mid-Season Premiere Photos:

 

 

Season 5B Cast Photos:

 

 

 

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