It’s fair to say that The Walking Dead‘s seventh season was the most controversial run of the smash-hit post-apocalyptic drama to date. Though it still has its supporters, the shocking opening episode and the slow, protracted pace of the rest of the season rubbed many people the wrong way. The final few episodes ramped up the interest again, however, by positioning the people of Alexandria, the Kingdom and Hilltop against Negan and his Saviors.
For season 8, then, things are sure to get a whole lot more action-packed and dramatic. While that’s certainly exciting, those are far from the only reasons why we’re looking forward to the show’s return. Among many other things, there’s also the fact that this year, The Walking Dead will celebrate 100 episodes, and to mark the occasion, AMC is sticking some fun easter eggs into the premiere for fans to pick up on.
Speaking in a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Executive Producer Greg Nicotero revealed that those who watch the opening episode multiple times will find a few nods to the show’s early days.
“In multiple viewings you’ll definitely pick up a few things that we put in there that harken back to earlier episodes,” Nicotero said.
Now on the brink of its 100th episode, The Walking Dead remains a cornerstone of mainstream television, and its episodes – particularly those nail-biting premieres/finales – tend to attract upwards of 17 million viewers. The numbers have admittedly been on the decline of late, with season 7’s swan song, “The First Day Of The Rest of Your Life,” dipping to around 11 million, but it’s still one of the top shows currently on the air.
Whether those ratings bounce back or not will be revealed in October, when the eighth season of The Walking Dead debuts on AMC. As expected, Glenn’s legacy will continue to burn bright despite the death of Steven Yeun’s fan-favorite, and those seeking answers for that Old Man Rick scene should pay close attention to the premiere, as it’s said to provide some.
