The Walking Dead: Season 7B Synopsis And Premiere Clip Unite Rick And Ezekiel For War

With the first synopsis for The Walking Dead's next eight episodes having been released this week, we can reflect on the first clip from the Season 7B premiere episode and learn from it.

In the clip, Rick, Daryl, Maggie, and the crew walk out of the Hilltop's mansion. Jesus accompanies them as Rick formulates a plan to take on Negan for the first time. While Daryl wants to use brute force to take on the Saviors, Rick understands why that won't work -- especially after the last time he followed such a thought process.

"Blow 'em up," Daryl said. "Burn 'em to the ground."

Daryl's statements back the synopsis' claim that the group has a "singular purpose" which is "to defeat Negan."

"We need more hands," Rick said. "Another group."

Not only does Jesus offer a solution to Rick's search for help before the episode ends, directing him to King Ezekiel, but the synopsis reveals how those meetings will play out.

"They need the numbers of the Kingdom and the Hilltop, but, similar to how Rick felt, Ezekiel and Gregory do not want bloodshed," the Season 7B synopsis reads. "To convince them otherwise will take more than speeches. The lengths Rick and the group will have to go to in order to find weapons, food and new fighters is nothing short of remarkable."

While it will likely be longer than the show's returning hour until we see Rick and Ezekiel come face to face, the first signs of their alliance finally exist. However, it's more probable that Rick and his bunch will encounter another new group on their way to The Kingdom (which may have been laid out in spoilers).

The full synopsis reads:

Rick's group will find out yet again that the world isn't what they thought it was. It's much bigger than anything they've seen so far. While they have a singular purpose - to defeat Negan - it won't come easy. More importantly, victory will require more than Alexandria. They need the numbers of the Kingdom and the Hilltop, but, similar to how Rick felt, Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and Gregory (Xander Berkeley) do not want bloodshed. To convince them otherwise will take more than speeches. The lengths Rick and the group will have to go to in order to find weapons, food and new fighters is nothing short of remarkable.

We'll meet new survivors in incredible places. We'll see Rick and the group tested in ways we've never seen before. We'll see treachery from people we trust. Rick is confident as he will see his group and many others band together with the common goal of taking down Negan. But no amount of planning will prepare the group for all-out war with Negan and his army.

Of course, the most exciting part of the synopsis for The Walking Dead fans who have read the comics is when it directly calls out the "All Out War" storyline. "No amount of planning will prepare the group for all-out war with Negan and his army," the synopsis said.

"There are a bunch of groups, and like everything on this show, everything comes to a head eventually," Norman Reedus told ComicBook.com. "There are definitely scenes shot that are as epic and as large."

MORE WALKING DEAD:

Andrew Lincoln's Epic Reaction To Season 7 Finale / New Season 7B Key Art / Violent Takes Were Removed From Midseason Finale / Best Moments of 2016 / Negan Featured in #162 Preview / Five Worst Storylines / Who Will Be The Next Major Death? / AMC Stock Takes Hit With TWD Ratings Drops / Spoilers: How Will Season 7 End?

The Walking Dead returns for the rest of its seventh season on February 12 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. Fear the Walking Dead's third season does not yet have a premiere date but with The Walking Dead finale set for April 2, expectations for Fear's return are set for April 9. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.