The Walking Dead Season 8 Implications: What 'Mercy' Really Means

9. Rick's Won The Battle

The Walking Dead Rick Grimes
Gene Page/AMC

Rick 1-0 Negan.

It may not have completely gone to plan - he didn't take out Negan, and the appearance of Gregory was a wrinkle he hadn't accounted for that lost him Gabriel - but this first battle was undoubtedly a win for Rick's team.

He succeeds in launching an attack on the Sanctuary, and most impressively he manages to outmanoeuvre Negan and the Saviours. Given how often it seemed they were omnipresent during Season 7, that's a telling victory and a sign of how much has changed (it's also a good indicator of the importance Dwight now has).

Getting off to a winning start was crucial for Rick on a psychological level, because it allows him to continue operating with his newfound hope and confidence, and that sets the tone for the rest of the season as well.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.