Brutal start but there is hope ahead for The Walking Dead

One of The Walking Dead heroes will die — but what is going to happen to the rest of them? Season seven promises some big changes ...

THE return of The Walking Dead is set to break ratings records, because everyone wants to know who got their head broken by Negan.

But, after the shock of the first episode, what can we expect to see for the rest of the season? Well, this first half-season will be pretty grim, with everyone dealing with the aftermath of Negan’s brutal battering of one of our heroes. The second half of season seven, out next year, should see a much more positive turn.

If the storyline will follow the comics, which is not always a given, the second half of season seven will see All-out War, where Rick unites Alexandria, The Hilltop and The Kingdom to defeat Negan and his Saviours, a battle that may not finish until the first half of season eight.

Meanwhile, what can we expect from our favourite characters (the ones that survive, anyway!)

There’s plenty of spoilers ahead and also discussion points. What are your predictions for season seven?

RICK GRIMES

He thought he was in control, he thought he understood the world. Obviously all that has gone. But that could be a good thing. As he kept telling Morgan, “I don’t take chances any more”. he has to. The new world needs that. Rick will be stripped back and forced to rebuild himself into a better man and a better leader. Will he do that with just one hand? Well, that’s another question but the latest trailer seems to suggest that is the case.

CARL GRIMES

It’s teenage rebellion time. Carl was already chafing at his dad’s control but the habit of obeying and trusting Rick was too ingrained. That was destroyed by Negan. Carl had it right in the RV when he suggested taking on the Saviours, only to be over-ruled by his dad. Now it’s time for Carl to show why he’s his father’s son. He’s going to be a one-eyed bad-ass.

DARYL DIXON

Daryl has been treading water, as a character, since Beth died. It’s been great watching him become friends with Aaron but he needs to take another step. Is that going to mean him finally getting together with Carol? He will have to grow and develop this season, perhaps even defying his great friend Rick.

MAGGIE GREENE

She’s got to get to The Hilltop to get medical treatment. In the RV, Rick lied to her to say everything was all right. If, as in the comics, her husband Glenn is the one killed by Negan, it’s going to blow her mind. She has already lost her father and sister. To lose Glenn as well will almost break her. She’s already showed she has leadership capabilities — now she no longer believes in Rick, expect her to take those further and emerge as the ruler of The Hilltop, a different kind of ruler. She will work with Rick but she won’t always trust him. Hopefully she will rule there with Glenn at her side but that may be wishful thinking ...

MICHONNE

She’s been a sword-wielding, death-dealing Amazon. Expect a cuddlier Michonne to emerge this season. Rick can only survive through her love and she needs to heal the hole in her heart that was left by her son’s death. She’s still going to be slaughtering Walkers and Saviours, but she’s also going to have plenty of deep and meaningful chats with Rick — and maybe with Carl as well. If the Grimeses are going to make it through, it will be with her help.

CAROL PELETIER

She was left a conflicted mess, begging for death at the end of season six. She will heal at The Kingdom and she will be back, stronger than ever. If she is at one point and Morgan is at the other, expect them both to meet in the middle.

MORGAN

He broke his vows and killed again, to save Carol in the finale. He also made contact with the knights of The Kingdom. Those are vital steps and expect Morgan to not only bring together the two camps but also to bring together his mind.

SASHA

Poor Sasha. She just can’t take a trick. First she loses Bob to zombies and the Terminus crew, then her brother gets himself chomped saving Noah. Then she falls in love with Abraham and he (probably) gets himself killed by Negan. Last time she fell apart. This time she will get stronger although, if the storyline follows the comics, she may not make it all the way through the season ...

EUGENE

He really grew in season six. If he doesn’t die at Negan’s hands then he’ll grow even more. Expect him to blame himself for being snatched in the RV and leading Negan to his friends. He’ll combine his brains with courage even more and will be a real pillar of strength for Tara. He might even help console Sasha. Also expect him to hook up with Rosita.

ROSITA

She’ll be facing mixed emotions when (if) Abraham dies. She held a torch for him and then he left her for Sasha. Then she hooked up with Spencer, who’s a useless weasel. That won’t last and expect her to find solace in the arms of Eugene, who’s the last link to Abraham. And she’ll give him a haircut. And no, that’s not a euphemism.

AARON

He’s not really been one of the core characters but this season he’ll become one. He’s already carrying the guilt of leading the Wolves into Alexandria. Now he’ll carry the guilt of watching Negan destroy one of his friends. He won’t be another Abraham but he could well step into the role of Glenn, the heart of the group.

TARA

She lost her lover Denise and she’s going to walk back into the middle of a war. She’s also likely to lose Glenn, the guy that saved her. That’s going to make her very angry and Saviours aren’t going to like her when she’s angry (although we will!) Watch out for her to step up into the Abraham warrior-style role.

ABRAHAM

It’s likely that he dies, either at Lucille’s hands or because he went mad at Glenn’s death and attacked Negan. Either way, it’s likely to be a short season for Abe. That’s a shame, because he was growing in season six. He had reached a conclusion, at least, which is more than most get. If he lives, expect him to go rogue and fight with Rick constantly about wanting to take out Saviours.

GLENN

Poor Glenn. He survived so much. He saved Rick’s bacon back in Atlanta. He was also the last internet cliffhanger and everyone thinks he will be the one who meets Lucille, because that is what happens in the comics. If he does survive, his relationship with Maggie will be tested to the limit. She wants to rule The Hilltop and he wants to be with Rick and the others. It’s not going to be pleasant either way.

IS GLENN’S DEATH A BLUFF OR DOUBLE-BLUFF?