The Walking Dead Season 8 Premiere: 6 Ups And 2 Downs From 'Mercy'

4. Rick Has His Swagger Back

The Walking Dead Rick Grimes
Gene Page/AMC

The first half of Season 7 was all about breaking down Rick Grimes. He was outmanoeuvred by Negan, seemingly defeated, and he (and viewers) were beaten over the head with that fact for eight episodes. The second half started the rehabilitation process, but it's the first episode of Season 8 where we really see the return of Rick Grimes.

We've seen him go through numerous changes over the years, from Farmer Rick to Ricktator to the shell of last year, and this is perhaps one of the most well-rounded versions we've seen yet. He's in charge and on top, ready to fight, but also very much working with everyone as a team while leading by example.

There's a newfound hope to the character too, and Andrew Lincoln somehow manages to find new layers to unravel even after all this time. He may insist during this hour that it's not about him, but he remains at the heart of this show, and Lincoln completely owns this episode.

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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.