Sunday’s ‘The Walking Dead’ premiere: 15 details you may have missed

Negan has his Whisperer mask on.

Negan shouldn’t have surprised you by wearing his Whisperer mask.

AMC

This was not a new mask that Negan had created. His previous Whisperer mask.

Negan said to Maggie in episode seven of season 11 that he preserved his mask for “practical and sentimental” reasons.

Negan is likely aware that it is a more effective and secure method for blending in with the dead than covering oneself in walker guts. When he performed this with Father Gabriel earlier, Gabe contracted an infection and lost vision in one of his eyes.

The opening title sequence was updated with two new animated sequences.

The new title sequences of the final eight episodes depict the Commonwealth’s conquest of the Hilltop and Alexandria.

AMC

Do not fast-forward through the opening credits, otherwise you may miss an enhanced title sequence featuring the Commonwealth’s takeover of the Hilltop and Alexandria.

Additionally, the iconic theme tune of the program has been slightly altered to match the new introduction.

Ten cast members have been added to the title sequence of the show.

From Eleanor Matsuura to Laila Robins, additional “The Walking Dead” cast members appear in the last eight episodes’ opening title sequence.

AMC

In addition to the new animation sequences, the main title sequence for the final eight episodes now features Eleanor Matsuura, Lauren Ridloff, Cailey Fleming, Nadia Hilker, Cassady McClincy, Angel Theory, Paola Lazaro, Michael James Shaw, Josh Hamilton, and Laila Robins.

Previously, their names were displayed before the show began. Since they all made it to the show’s final episodes, it is a fitting farewell.

The “TWD” logo has once again been updated.

Since the midseason finale, the “TWD” logo has undergone the following changes.

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The show’s emblem was covered in green and growth the last time we saw it. As we approach the final eight episodes of the series, the logo is clearer than it has been in a long time, with a faint bloodstain.

The “TWD” emblem had been in a condition of disrepair for many years until the most recent seasons, when the survivors rediscovered stability and optimism in their individual communities.

It will be intriguing to watch if the logo remains unchanged or becomes bloodier as the series nears its conclusion.

Lance attempts to radio a man named Calhoun, but no response is received.

Calhoun is the name of the man pursuing Jerry and the kids in Sunday’s premiere, in case that wasn’t clear.

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Calhoun is one of the shadowy Commonwealth members working in an undisclosed role for Lance, in case you were wondering.

Later in the premiere, Calhoun and Shira target Judith and R.J. in an effort to track out Daryl within the Commonwealth. Obviously, Lance communicated with Calhoun and Shira at some point.

Connie informs Kelly that there are still missing persons in the Commonwealth.

Are other missing persons being sold to a community we may already be familiar with?

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We would not be shocked if Lance’s clandestine organization in the Commonwealth is involved for some of these disappearances.

Earlier seasons, showrunner Angela Kang told Insider that Jadis traded people for supplies with the Civic Republic Military. Earlier in season 11, we observed Lance storing aside supplies for an unknown group. Perhaps he is also exchanging personnel and materials with the CRM.

Manslaughter committed by a member of the Commonwealth militia is replaced by the death of April.

On the show, April’s death provokes turmoil in the Commonwealth. In the comics, police violence results in the death of a man.

Skybound/Image Comics and AMC

In the comics, the community of the Commonwealth does not demand Sebastian’s head. In issue 183, they mobilize against the Commonwealth army after a violent street argument unexpectedly results in the death of a citizen, Anthony Keith.

Connie’s article indicates that Sebastian is responsible for the deaths of several citizens in the community, including April, who was briefly glimpsed in the previous block of episodes. In response, the Commonwealth begins to protest.

Instead of making a major statement about police violence, as is depicted in the Sunday premiere when tear gas is launched into a crowd of protestors, the series focuses on the dynamics of the rich versus the poor.

Rick Grimes helps bring peace to a Commonwealth on the verge of war in the comics. As a result, Sebastian later murders him.

In Sunday’s episode, Negan plays a significant position in the Commonwealth, although this was not the case in the comics.

Negan’s soaking it all in.

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Negan did not even appear in Robert Kirkman’s comics’ Commonwealth arc. This is largely due to the fact that Kirkman originally intended for Maggie to kill the character before his illustrator, Charlie Adlard, convinced him otherwise.

Negan never appeared in the Commonwealth narrative because Kirkman had the remainder of the comic’s plot mapped out years in advance.

Kirkman explained in 2020’s “Negan Lives!” comic why Negan did not appear during the Commonwealth story: “I knew the end of the series was coming nearly 20 issues later, and I didn’t want to change my plans by adding more Negan storylines.”

So it’s nice to finally see Negan inside the Commonwealth on Sunday’s episode.

Negan smiles appreciatively and silently as he takes in the neighborhood at a brief period. Before he comes back to reality, he appears extremely impressed by the fact that someone else managed to stabilize a society better than he did at the Sanctuary.

Negan suggests to Carol that he should have remained in the cabin, a reference to both the show and the comics.

Negan recalls Carol’s effort to send him to Leah’s cabin in “Here’s Negan,” episode 22 of season 10 of “The Walking Dead.”

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After Maggie’s return to Alexandria, Carol brought Negan to Leah’s cabin in season 10, episode 22 to live out the remainder of his days.

The joke is also a subtle tribute to comic book readers who are aware that Negan did not appear in the series’ final issues.

There is a reason why Governor Milton speculates that Connie may know who wrote the paper exposing her son’s wrongdoing.

In episode 10 of season 11 of “The Walking Dead,” Connie and Kelly inform Carol and Daryl about Connie’s former connection to the Milton family.

AMC, illustration by Kirsten Acuna/Insider

It is not the first time that Connie’s journalism has brought down the political family of Milton.

Prior to the end of the world, Governor Milton’s family and Connie ate meat. In episode 10 of season 11, Kelly stated that her older sister exposed Pamela Milton’s uncle as corrupt prior to the apocalypse. That cannot be something Pamela has forgotten.

The Commonwealth is significantly greater than what we see on television.

In episode 17 of season 11, we are given a peek of the vastness of the Commonwealth. Compare this to the AMC’s official map of the community.

AMC through Goldin

The Commonwealth consists of 50,000 individuals, but the show would have you believe otherwise. It exists primarily in a few localities.

On Sunday’s premiere, we finally get a glimpse of the entire scale of the town as a horde of zombies approaches its vast border.

How extensive is the Commonwealth?

An official map of the Commonwealth, which is being auctioned off on goldin.com, reveals that the community is divided into eight distinct areas: Public space (as seen on television), city parks, the Estates, the military sector, the lower ward, the middle ward, and the east ward. Other sections are titled “Industrial allocation” and “Agricultural allocation.”

It is important to note that the living districts differ in wealth. The wealthy and the military reside in the Community’s northern regions. This is the location of “The Estates” and a large military sector.

Presumably, the Commonwealth’s poorest citizens reside in the community’s southern regions, in the bottom, middle, or eastern wards.

The Commonwealth, unlike other communities we’ve seen over the years, has seven gates that may be entered from all sides. Here you may view a high-resolution version of the map as well as the map’s legend.

At least some Commonwealth members desire Mercer to become president.

Is this a harbinger of things to come?

Jace Downs and AMC

You could catch a glimpse of a Commonwealth resident waving a placard that reads “Mercer for President” but it’s easy to overlook.

Mercer, who has been struggling with his duty to Pamela Milton and the people, is the beloved leader of the Commonwealth army.

Is this a sign of things to come?

During discussions with the cast, Margot Bingham, who portrays Mercer’s sister, stated that she doesn’t want his character to die since she believes he would be a fantastic leader for the Commonwealth.

“When you look at him, you think, ‘Wow, maybe there is hope for the future,’” said Bingham of Mercer. If there were a leader of the future, I would want him or her to be someone powerful and passionate who believes in its people, supports everyone, and backs any battle for a noble cause.

Maggie is told by Daryl that she never needs to apologize to him for bringing up Leah.

Daryl and Maggie’s friendship runs deep.

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On Sunday’s episode, Maggie and Daryl begin to discuss Leah’s death. In episode 16 of season 11 of The Walking Dead, Daryl shot his ex-girlfriend in the back of the head to save his lifelong friend.

“I am aware that Leah held significance for you. I’m terribly sorry, “Maggie tells him.

In the episode’s most poignant scene, Daryl instantly responds without looking her in the eyes.

“Glenn would want me to take care of you,” she said, referring to her deceased husband. Then he turns to her and says, “You are never required to express regret. Not according to me.”

Daryl has always felt immense shame and responsibility for Maggie’s husband’s death, Glenn. After Abraham’s death, he acted out in the season seven opener. As a result, instead of executing Daryl for his outburst, he decided to kill Glenn at random, which had a profound effect on Daryl.

On an AMC+ additional feature for the show, Kang verified this to be true.

“I believe that Daryl believes he still owes Maggie money because of what happened to Glenn. He blames himself still, “Kang described Daryl’s reaction to Maggie.

On the “Talking Dead” aftershow, Norman Reedus revealed that bringing up Glenn was his idea.

One of the walkers that Daryl slaughtered was modeled after Freddy Krueger.

The Freddy walker is visible 31 minutes into episode 17 of season 11

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“We replicated the make-up from the first original film,” “TWD” executive producer Greg Nicotero stated on “Talking Dead” of the zombie resembling the horror classic, which is barely noticeable.

Nicotero continued, “He had the sweater and a burned glove, but I had to make it somewhat different so that he appeared to be a burnt walker.”

Apparently, Magna and Yumiko have ended their relationship.

Magna and Yumiko meet in the premiere on Sunday.

AMC/Jace Downs

In a behind-the-scenes peek on “Talking Dead,” it was revealed that the couple was through more than simply a tough patch.

“Beyond being exes, they were in the same survivor family, and it takes a lot to shatter that kind of bond,” said executive producer Denise Huth on the aftershow. They will always be devoted to and protective of one another.