The Important Detail You Missed In ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Preview Special

Rick’s army just grew in size, exponentially, and these soldiers can’t die. They’re already dead.

During The Walking Dead Season 8 preview special which aired Sunday night on AMC, an extended look at the Season 8 premiere was revealed. In it, Rick Grimes is seen preparing for war with the leaders of the Hilltop and Kingdom communities. Meanwhile, Daryl, Carol, Morgan, and Tara are on a highway rallying Rick’s new army and potentially his greatest weapon yet.

Coming around the bend of the highway is a herd of walkers.

The clipped version of the scene does not reveal how large the herd may or may not be but based on the events of The Walking Dead comics, it’s safe to assume this herd is a part of Rick’s new plan to attack Negan and the Saviors.

Spoilers for The Walking Dead comics and possibly the Season 8 premiere follow!

On the earliest pages of The Walking Dead‘s All Out War story, Rick Grimes lead his army to Negan’s door step. Upon arrival, he fires his gun in the air and after a few words are exchanged, a gun fight ensues. While a few bodies drop in the exchange, Rick’s plan has been realized, as he tells Jesus the real winner of this war was going to be whoever attacked first.

The gunfire draws a massive herd of walkers on to Negan’s Sanctuary.

When Negan’s men see the herd approaching, the gunfire stops. This is when Negan tells Dwight the same thing Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s version tells Gabriel in the Season 8 trailer: “I hope you have your s—ting pants on.”

This move, of course, does not end the war between Rick and Negan. Instead, it truly launches the series of battles which go on to determine who will be the leader in the zombie apocalypse. The herd seen in the clip from The Walking Dead‘s Season 8 premiere might just be the boost Rick’s group needed to get the upper hand against the enemy which has bullied them for some time now.

The Walking Dead‘s sibling series Fear the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 pm ET on AMC. The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season on October 22, 2017. The Season Eight premiere will mark 100 episodes overall for the popular AMC series. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.