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Teamwork makes the dream work when ‘The Walking Dead’ returns
When last we left our heroes on “The Walking Dead,” something miraculous happened: They got a happy ending. After a torturous season that saw fan-favorite characters killed, morale destroyed and some of the most gruesome human-on-human violence one would imagine, it often left us feeling pretty hopeless — and not in the way that engages fans to tune back in.
After such a grueling first half of Season 7 though, there was a spot of hope as the survivors were reunited and resolved to take out Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) once and for all. This is the kind of attitude fans have been waiting for.
As has been proven on “The Walking Dead” time and again, the real power is in numbers. When split up, the survivors often fall prey to the world they inhabit. Together though, there’s really nothing stronger. If you don’t believe that, ask the Governor (David Morrissey) how he’s holding up these days.
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That’s why it’s so refreshing to see these people back together. That loving embrace between Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) at the end of the midseason finale repaired so much of Season 7’s damage with a single moment — and now they’re reenergized and ready to avenge the deaths of Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Abraham (Michael Cudlitz).
They can’t do it alone, though.
Which is why “The Walking Dead” has been setting up these various groups over the last year: From Hilltop to the Kingdom, there’s plenty of eager soldiers for their army — and if they happen to be short on firepower, there’s always the heavily armed Oceanside community.
There are plenty of people under Negan’s thumb and it’s likely none of them could take him out alone. But working as a team, banding together to overthrow the Saviors? That’s the key to victory — and finally Rick’s realizing that, after spending way too long just accepting the way Negan controlled him.
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The season has been difficult to watch thus far — but the renewed focus on the survivors viewers have been following for years is reassuring. If we’re lucky, “The Walking Dead” is on its way back to a greatness that wouldn’t be possible without teamwork.
“The Walking Dead” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC.