Finally, the wait is over as The Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, October 23. Season 6's finale left a bad taste in the mouth for many of the show's fans. Negan--the leader of The Saviors--was revealed, and the episode left viewers on the edge of their seats with a giant cliffhanger: one of the main casts members was going to meet their doom.

　　Fans have been discussing all summer what's going to happen next, and there are a lot of crazy, tin-foil-hat-wearing conspiracy theorists out there. However, we already know a lot about what's coming up this season. Here is what you need to know about Season 7.

　　There will be some Season 6 spoilers below, so if you haven't caught up, turn away now.

　　

The First Episode Picks Up Where the Season 6 Finale Left Off

At the end of Season 6, Negan stood over the characters we've come to know and love: Aaron, Abraham, Carl, Daryl, Eugene, Glenn, Maggie, Michonne, Rick, Rosita, and Sasha were all lined up, on their knees. He was about to kill one of them with his barbed-wire wrapped bat named Lucille. Then, the episode ended, and fans everywhere were screaming at their televisions.

　　Season 7 picks up right at the tail-end of Season 6, so it's all going to kick off with one of the characters meeting his or her doom. Jeffery Dean Morgan told THR that the death of the mystery character kicks off this new season, so that means The Walking Dead is getting right to the killing. Apparently, the show wants their viewers crying right at the beginning of the episode.

　　

It's a Larger World Out There

In Season 6, the fine folks of Alexandria learned that they're not the only working society around. They met the group The Saviors as well as the small community Hilltop. At the end of Season 6, we even saw a couple men in combat gear that didn't seem to be a part of any group we've seen before.

　　Those two men were more than likely part of The Kingdom. How do we know? Because it was revealed that Ezekiel (Khary Payton) will be appearing in this upcoming season with his tiger, Shiva. Without getting too deep into comic book lore, King Ezekiel is the leader of The Kingdom, and he is awesome. Be prepared for a character that very different than what fans are accustomed to.

　　

There Will Be a Shift in Power

Rick and the gang in Alexandria have been in control of their own community and answer only to themselves. In Season 7, that's all going to change. Fans may have noticed that change coming at the end of Season 6 as Negan and The Saviors seemed in full control.

　　During an interview with Deadline, Norman Reedus--who plays Daryl Dixon--discussed what viewers can expect: "[Y]ou see a shift of power completely on our show. And you see a lot of people who’ve gone through a whole lot, having to bite their tongue for a minute and deal with this new world and this new villain. If you know the comic books, it opens up even larger than that."

　　

Negan and Carl's Strange Relationship May Be Explored

In the comic book series, Negan and Carl have a bizarre relationship. Carl is a fighter who won't back down. He's one of the tougher, colder characters in the latter part of the series. However, we don't always get that version of Carl on the television series. At one point in the comic book series, Carl kills a few of The Saviors and threatens Negan. Instead of killing Carl or punishing him, Negan seems impressed with Carl and returns him to his father, unharmed.

　　We're not entirely sure how deep--if at all--this season will get into this storyline. However, The Walking Dead star, Andrew Lincoln, did talk about this plot for the show (via CinemaBlend): "I'm interested in the relationship between Negan and Carl and Carl and Rick. There's a very complicated, extraordinary psychology between those characters." Because Negan will be in charge, he'll be coming face-to-face with former leader Rick--and his son Carl--a good deal over the course of the season, so exploring this story, between Carl and Negan, would be a smart way to go.

　　

The Could Be More Than One Death in the Premiere

It seems that Negan may be killing off more than one member in the lineup for the season premiere. There would be no bigger way to shock fans than getting rid of two familiar faces right off the bat, pun intended. However, who could it be?

　　In an interview with Den of Geek, Jeffery Dean Morgan, who plays Negan on the series, shared this shocking revelation: "Negan's not just going to kill one person in [the premiere]. He's not afraid of bashing in skulls." The character has never shied away from violence in order to make a point: that he's in control. Now, we all have to be guessing which two people he's going to kill in the season opener.

　　Find out who Negan bashes to death during the Season 7 premiere of The Walking Dead when it hits AMC on October 23.

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