Warning: potential spoilers ahead for The Walking Dead season 7
The Walking Dead season 7 premiere airs in just over a week. It's hard to believe we're finally going to learn the identity of Negan's victim - or victims, as the case may be - but it's true. Beyond that? Well, the titles and synopses for episodes 2 and 3 have now been released. Granted, they're sparse, but they do offer a few clues about what lies in store for Rick (who we know survives) and the rest of his gang.
Let's break 'em down.
Episode 2: "The Well"
"For a number of familiar faces, a new, well-established community seems too good to be true."
A new community could be one of two places. It's either Negan's hangout or Ezekiel's domain known as The Kingdom. I'm thinking it's the latter. Teased in the season 7 trailer, we got a good look at the leader and his pet tiger Shiva, and what appears to be a harmonious living environment.
BUT! Nothing is ever as it seems on The Walking Dead. Sure, from that brief glimpse we've seen crops being tended. And no-one looks like they're about to slay their neighbor, but let's not forget Woodbury and Alexandria. It only takes a second for things to turn into a shitshow. The "familiar faces" teased are probably Carol and Morgan, and we might see one of them.... fall into a well?
Episode 3: "The Cell"
"A new group of survivors seem to have it all in their impressive community; however, there is a price."
This has to be Negan's factory aka The Sanctuary. An abandoned mill - at least in the comics - that's modified with a zombie-enforced security fence, it's likely that the third episode will be the first to reveal what life is like when you're a Savior. It's "impressive" because they've actually got a decent set-up; shelter, food, supplies.
The "price"? Yeah, that'll be having to answer to a psychopath like Negan. If he's anything like his comic book self, his demands are repugnant: sleeping with other people's wives and scorching people's faces when they don't do what he wants are but two of his hobbies.
As for the title, there's a chance that the clip we've seen of Negan dragging Rick away to that trailer - after he's finishing killing - is the start of Rick's incarceration. Remember Andrew Lincoln has said that he's not in this season as much. This title makes sense if Negan locks him away... in A CELL.
The Walking Dead season 7 airs on October 23, 2016 in the US and a day later in the UK.
Images: AMC