The Walking Dead season 8’s first three episode titles and synopses revealed – here’s what’s in store

The Walking Dead season 8 is just around the corner, which means teasing details are bound to shamble into sight. It’s no different this time as AMC have released the synopses and titles for the first three episodes – and they hint at what’s to come. Possible spoilers for The Walking Dead season 8 follow…

This being the zombie apocalypse, things were never going to be sunshine and lollipops, were they? With the looming shadow of all-out war with Negan on the horizon it seems the pace of the trio of opening episodes will take a leaf out of the opening of The Walking Dead season 7’s book and come out swingin’.

First up, (via SpoilerTV), episode 1:

Episode 1: Mercy

Rick and his group, along with the Kingdom and Hilltop, have banded together to bring the fight to Negan and the Saviors.

AMC’s synopses are always great at being short, sweet, and providing a tiny little hint along the way. This is no different. The premiere – clocking in at 67 minutes – looks to be jumping straight into the action. Expect lots of gunfights, explosions and, as per the episode title, maybe some forgiveness from either Rick and Negan. I’ll bet it’ll have something to do with Dwight or Janis…

Episode 2: The Damned

The plan involving Alexandrians, Kingdommers and Hilltoppers unfolds; as Rick continues to fight, he encounters a familiar face.

Well, we now know that any battle in the premiere won’t be one-and-done. The battles continue in The Damned (that’s a pretty ominous name) as the holy trinity of communities come together to fight Negan. Which familiar face will Rick come across, though? Eugene, perhaps? Or another Morgan-esque blast from Rick’s past?

Episode 3: Monsters

Conflict with the Saviors leads to unintended consequences for the Hilltop, the Kingdom, and Alexandria; morality proves tricky in wartime.

The Walking Dead has always been big on asking who are the true monsters, the Walkers or the humans. We might just get an answer if the synopsis for episode 3 is anything to go by. Not only does it seem like the Saviors might unleash a counter-offensive, it appears that a good guy might turn bad to suit their own needs. Carol hasn’t gone all Murderbot 3000 in at least a season…

So, there you have it. A triumvirate of The Walking Dead season 8 episodes to kick off all-out war. It promises to be a conflict with more shades of grey than a bored housewife’s bookshelf – and I can’t wait for it to get started.

Image: AMC

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.