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

7. Simon Is Living His Best Life, Gavin Is Sick Of His

Steven Ogg was bumped up to series regular for this season, and while he doesn't get that much more to do in the season premiere, there are signs of him becoming an even bigger player.

With all of Negan's lieutenants called out by name, it's Simon who gets the chance to show off. He brings out Negan's ace card, Gregory, and then dispatches of him when the plan doesn't work. Ogg is once again brilliantly charismatic and fun to watch, and it signals him stepping up more to become the show's second biggest villain behind Negan, and its most enjoyable. That said, it presumably spells bad news for Simon in the end. His rising status, coupled with the likelihood of Negan surviving, means he's probably the most likely to take a big fall come the end of the war.

That most enjoyable claim, meanwhile, is being challenged by Gavin, although in a rather different way. Somewhat tiredly just wanting them to talk through their issues, he doesn't really seem like a bad guy, but one stuck with the Saviours. He's quite possibly the most world-weary person to ever survive the apocalypse, and since he's one of the more recognisable Saviours his unwillingness for fighting almost certainly means he's going to die as well.