The Day Will Come When You Won't Be

I really liked the series up to the middle of 6th season, when things started to slow down a little... as if creators had run out of ideas (even though they follow the original comics, they follow them loosely at ends). But moments after Negan's introduction in the season 6 finale, I got really excited again - anybody familiar with the comics knows, how bad ass this guy is. Seeing the premiere today, I was really shocked by the brutality of what happens. You get to find out who Negan's (or better yet, Lucille's) victim becomes and what happens after that. I loved the episode - it captured the violent, scary, gruesome atmosphere perfectly. Too much violence perhaps, for my taste, actually. All the actors play their roles great, with Rick topping them all. That's all I'm about to say - the wait is over, results are here, watch the episode and prepare to be shocked.

This is in the top 3 of most dark and gritty TWD episodes since its pilot episode launched almost 6 years ago.

I was emotionally drained after watching it. I usually go on with daily life quite quickly after watching an episode, but the things that happened this time haunted me for hours. I guess that goes to show how much of an impression this first episode made. It's brute, gory, dark and gritty. All hope seems lost for Rick and our main group of survivors, which are now fully controlled by Negan and his crew. And for the first time, I had the feeling that there's absolutely NOTHING they can do about it at this point.

About Negan, the things he does and says in this episode makes you absolutely despise and hate him, but for me, that's only proof that the acting of the character by Jeffrey Dean Morgan is absolutely great (just like King Joffrey and Queen Cersei in GoT). He's the embodiment of evil in the world of The Walking Dead and is way worse than any of the previous villains. Andrew Lincoln's acting is also very impressive by the way (again).

10/10

As a huge fan of The Walking Dead, my excitement for the newest villain, Negan, and who he chose to "Lucille" was the highest it's been for any television show I've seen. This episode certainly lived up to my expectations. The sheer brutality and tension was palpable throughout the entire runtime. Step aside Game of Thrones' "The Rains of Castamere". While the Red Wedding was shocking, it didn't hold a candle to The Walking Dead 7x01.

This left me breathless, empty.. yeah just devolved of any emotions, cause I used up every tear and feeling in this episode! There is nothing that can prepare you for this! No matter how much you know.. you are never truely ready!

This was in a brilliant way.. the most uncomfortable experience i have had in a while! This actually made me feel uncomfortable, cause I saw a level of mercyless brutality i never thought I would ever see!

You were either panicking or left in a state of anxiety.. until you had to time to breathe and comprehense.. and then comes the tears, and oh boy did they flow!

That last dinner-scene, broke me, cause I saw that perfect future we will never get!

This was Walking Dead at its PEAK!!

Rick is in shock, as he has seen Abraham and Glenn brutally beaten to death at the hands of Negan, the charismatic and psychotic leader of the Saviors.

Feeling that he still hasn't gotten through to Rick yet, Negan has taken him for a drive in the RV. In a heavy fog, Negan forces Rick to go get his axe, which involves Rick fighting through a crowd of Walkers. While laying on top of the RV, Rick somberly thinks about his group as Negan taunts him.

After retrieving the axe from the herd, Rick is driven back to his group, which is still being held hostage by a large group of Saviors. Rick is given the choice of either chopping off his son's arm or watching his group get shot to death. Breaking down, Rick begs for Negan to stop and only kill him. Negan begins counting down, and just before Rick has to cut off the arm, Negan stops him. "You answer to me. You provide for me," he says. Rick agrees, completely broken. Daryl is taken in a van as the Saviors leave. As the group reels from the experience, Sasha volunteers to take Maggie to the Hilltop while the rest return to Alexandria.

"The Day Will Come When You Won't Be" is a gut-wrenching season premiere that picks up immediately after the shocking cliffhanger of Season 6. The episode starts with Negan brutally killing one of the main characters, setting a dark and somber tone for the rest of the season. This moment is one of the most memorable and impactful scenes in the entire series, as it marks a turning point for the survivors and establishes Negan as a ruthless and formidable antagonist.

The episode also explores themes of power and control, as Negan asserts his dominance over Rick and the group, forcing them to submit to his authority. The psychological toll of Negan's actions is evident throughout the episode, as the survivors grapple with grief, fear, and uncertainty about their future. The tension is palpable as Negan torments Rick, demanding complete obedience and demonstrating the consequences of defiance in a brutal and unforgiving manner.

The heartbreaking and intense scene of Negan selecting his victim with the infamous "eeny, meeny, miny, moe" rhyme is particularly chilling. The episode delves deep into the characters' emotions, showcasing their raw grief and despair as they come to terms with the loss of one of their own.