The Walking Dead: 10 Awesome Moments From The Season 8 Trailer

Old Man Rick Awakes

Now we come to the moment that’s exploded the internet. At the end of the trailer, we’re shown a walking stick and a vase of flowers in what looks to be a white, sunlit room, possibly in a hospital. It’s then revealed that the patient lying in bed is Rick Grimes, now with greying hair and beard like he’s taking grooming tips from Hugh Jackman in Logan. 

Naturally, this ‘Old Man Rick’ scene has got fans speculating. Due to its similarity to the opening scenes of the pilot episode – in which Rick woke up in hospital to find himself in a zombie apocalypse – many are worrying that The Walking Dead is going to pull that most hated of plot twists on us: “And it was all a dream…”

But that can’t be what’s happening here, can it? Well, if you’re a reader of Robert Kirkman’s comic books, you probably have an idea of what this is echoing.

In the comics, the “All Out War” arc ends with Negan and Rick engaging in a bitter standoff which culminates with Negan breaking his leg. The following arc, “A New Beginning,” then jumped forwards two years and checked in on Rick, now using a cane to support his leg and sporting a more mature look.

The only thing here is that the trailer is thought to contain only footage from the first half or so of the season, as filming is still currently underway. If it follows the comics narrative, The Walking Dead shouldn’t reach the time jump until the end of the season, at least.

Whatever’s going on, at least we can rule out that it’s all a dream. Well, at least, we think we can…