AMC's "The Walking Dead" concluded its sixth season more than a month ago, yet fans are still discussing that divisive cliffhanger. We have no idea which cast member was on the receiving end of Negan's baseball bat, but we do know the fallout from that scene will carry over into season seven.
Losing a core member of the team will stay with our heroes next season, especially Rick. Our protagonist will feel so guilty, in fact, that series creator Robert Kirkman agreed with a fan's assumption that Rick will be "totally broken" in the season seven premiere.
"I'd say that's a fair assumption," Kirkman responded during a Reddit AMA. "The premiere episode of season 7 is going to be hard on everyone...Rick especially."
Fans of "The Walking Dead" have gotten used to Rick's guilt-ridden mental breakdowns over the years. With each major death comes an extended period of beard growing and depression from the main character. This time, though, it's a bit more understandable. Negan did just beat one of his friends to death right in front of him.
Rick and company have never enjoyed the leisure of comfort and ease during the zombie apocalypse, but they have managed to defeat every enemy and over come every obstacle that has opposed them. Now, in Alexandria, they have found some modicum of peace. But with the arrival of Negan and the Saviors, that lifestyle is now threatened. The season six premiere, for all its major issues, did forever alter the status quo.
Rick's upcoming "broken" spell may also hint to which character was killed off in the season finale. Though Rick is close to everyone in his group, his loss would be even greater if it's one of his closes allies, say Glenn, Daryl or Michonne.
Spoiler Alert
In the comics, Negan selects Glenn as his guinea pig in that pivotal scene and it changes the remainder of the series. We'll have to see if AMC and showrunner Scott Gimple elect to follow the same path or not when season seven debuts in October. Until then, "Fear The Walking Dead" airs Sundays at 9 p.m.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
