Glenn's death during The Walking Dead season 7 premiere secretly hid a season 1 callback. The Walking Dead season 6 introduced the Saviors, ruled over by their charismatic leader, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). After the season 6 finale, many were left wondering which survivors Negan brutally killed during his intense first scene in the series, with the season 7 premiere revealing Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) and Glenn (Steven Yeun) had met their tragic ends at the hands of Negan. Also coded within Glenn and Abraham's final episode was an emotional season 1 throwback.
The Walking Dead premiered in 2010, introducing audiences to Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and a group of survivors living outside Atlanta during the early days of a zombie apocalypse. The season 1 finale, "TS-19," saw the survivors take shelter in Atlanta's CDC facility and learn more information about their new normal from scientist, The Walking Dead's Dr. Edwin Jenner (Noah Emmerich). Though the CDC turned out to be a ticking time bomb, Jenner provided valuable information about the virus, including the fact the walkers are dead, not sick, and revealing to Rick that everybody is infected. This episode was referenced later in The Walking Dead's season 7 premiere.
Why Glenn's Death Is Rick's Worst Moment Before Season 7
During The Walking Dead's season 1 finale, Rick stressed how grateful his group was for Jenner to offer them safety in the CDC, only for Jenner to reply, "the day will come when you won't be." This phrase became the episode title for The Walking Dead's season 7 premiere, ramming home that this episode detailed Rick's lowest moments. This was particularly true during Rick's one-on-one moments shared with Negan and in the brutal scenes of Abraham and Glenn's deaths. Glenn saved Rick in The Walking Dead's season 1 premiere. Over six seasons, the pair became practically brothers, meaning Glenn's death shook Rick more than anything else.
Rick had seen his fair share of tragedy before the season 7 premiere, most notably including the death of his wife, Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), in season 3 and the governor's (David Morrissey) destruction of the prison in season 4. However, Glenn's death in The Walking Dead season 7 was the catalyst for Rick's spirit to be shredded by Negan, leading to his absolute submission to the terrifying villain. Glenn's death proved Jenner right once-and-for-all, showing that Rick perhaps shouldn't have been grateful.
The Walking Dead's Season 1 Callback Makes Negan's Debut Better
Negan's debut in The Walking Dead was highly anticipated, and he came into the series with a bang. He took the lives of Abraham and Glenn while belittling Rick and the other survivors in incredibly intense and emotional moments. The shock value of his actions and Morgan's charismatic performance made Negan one of The Walking Dead's most intimidating villains.
While Negan's introduction was incredible, it was made even better by the episode title's connection to The Walking Dead season 1. The season 7 premiere, "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be," seemed predestined by Jenner's season 1 comment. Over its duration, The Walking Dead featured many callbacks to early adventures, but this was one of the most powerful and tragic.