Negan’s infamous introduction and the subsequent deaths of Glenn and Abraham occurred in The Walking Dead Season 7, Episode 1, titled “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be.” This episode, which aired on October 23, 2016, marked a pivotal and devastating turning point in the series.
The Aftermath of 6.16: A Cliffhanger Resolved
The Season 6 finale, “Last Day on Earth,” left viewers hanging on a torturous cliffhanger. Negan, the charismatic yet terrifying leader of the Saviors, had captured Rick Grimes and his group. Kneeling before him, unable to see who was about to die, Rick and his people faced a fate far worse than they could have imagined. The agonizing wait finally ended with the Season 7 premiere, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be,” an episode that would forever be etched in the memories of Walking Dead fans.
A Double Tragedy: The Victims of Lucille
While many suspected a single death, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” delivered a double blow. Abraham Ford was the first victim of Negan’s barbed-wire baseball bat, Lucille. His stoic demeanor and courageous spirit were abruptly extinguished, leaving his friends and allies devastated. However, the horror didn’t end there. Daryl Dixon, driven by rage and grief, lashed out at Negan, prompting Negan to retaliate with a second, even more shocking death.
Glenn Rhee, a fan-favorite character since the first season, became Negan’s second victim. The brutal and graphic nature of Glenn’s death, mirroring his fate in the comic book series, deeply impacted viewers. His final words, “Maggie, I’ll find you,” were a heart-wrenching moment that underscored the love and devotion that defined his character.
The Impact of Negan’s Arrival
Negan’s arrival marked a significant tonal shift in The Walking Dead. The series, already known for its violence and bleak outlook, became even darker and more morally complex. Negan’s leadership style, built on fear and intimidation, presented a formidable challenge to Rick and his group. This single episode not only robbed the group of two valuable members but also shattered their sense of security and forced them to confront the true nature of power in a post-apocalyptic world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H3: Why was Abraham chosen as the first victim?
Abraham’s selection as the initial victim wasn’t necessarily random. Abraham’s strength, both physically and mentally, made him a significant threat to Negan’s authority. Eliminating him first sent a clear message that even the toughest members of Rick’s group were vulnerable. Also, Abraham’s character arc had been nearing its natural conclusion in the comics. His relationship with Sasha was also blossoming, adding an emotional layer to his death.
H3: Why did Daryl lunge at Negan?
Daryl, known for his impulsive nature and fierce loyalty, was consumed by rage after witnessing Abraham’s murder. His inability to control his anger and his desire to protect his friends led him to attack Negan. This act of defiance, while understandable, had dire consequences, resulting in Glenn’s death.
H3: Why did Negan kill Glenn after Daryl’s outburst?
Negan killed Glenn as punishment for Daryl’s insubordination. Negan wanted to demonstrate the consequences of defying him and to break Rick’s will. Killing Glenn, a beloved and integral member of the group, sent a clear message that any transgression would be met with brutal and unforgiving retribution. It was a calculated act of psychological warfare.
H3: Was Glenn’s death in the show faithful to the comics?
Yes, Glenn’s death in “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” was remarkably faithful to the comic book source material. This was a deliberate decision by the showrunners to honor the comics and to deliver a truly impactful and shocking moment for fans. The visual of Glenn’s head being bashed in by Lucille was almost identical to its depiction in the comics.
H3: What was the audience reaction to the episode?
The audience reaction to “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” was intensely polarized. Many viewers praised the episode for its emotional impact, its faithfulness to the comics, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s portrayal of Negan. However, others criticized the extreme violence and brutality, finding it gratuitous and difficult to watch. The episode was also controversial due to the cliffhanger ending of Season 6.
H3: Did the episode win any awards?
While “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” didn’t win any major awards, Jeffrey Dean Morgan won a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Negan. The episode was also nominated for several other awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie, or Special.
H3: How did the deaths of Glenn and Abraham affect the show’s ratings?
Initially, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” garnered extremely high ratings, making it one of the most-watched episodes in the series’ history. However, the intense violence and the controversial cliffhanger ending of Season 6 contributed to a gradual decline in viewership in subsequent seasons. Some viewers felt the show had become too bleak and overly focused on shock value.
H3: What did the actors (Steven Yeun and Michael Cudlitz) think about their characters’ deaths?
Both Steven Yeun (Glenn) and Michael Cudlitz (Abraham) were aware of their characters’ fates based on the comic book storyline. Both actors expressed satisfaction with their character arcs and the impact their deaths had on the narrative. They understood the importance of these moments in shaping the story and challenging the remaining characters.
H3: Could anything have been done to prevent the deaths of Glenn and Abraham?
From a narrative perspective, preventing the deaths of Glenn and Abraham would have fundamentally altered the course of the story. Negan’s introduction was designed to establish him as a formidable and ruthless antagonist, and the deaths were necessary to illustrate the severity of the threat he posed. In-universe, perhaps Daryl controlling his anger could have averted Glenn’s death, but ultimately, Negan was going to make an example of Rick’s group.
H3: What was the significance of Lucille?
Lucille, Negan’s barbed-wire-covered baseball bat, became a symbol of his power and control. It represented the brutality and violence that defined his leadership style. Lucille was not just a weapon; it was a tool of psychological manipulation, used to instill fear and obedience in his followers and his enemies.
H3: How did the survivors cope with the loss of Glenn and Abraham?
The deaths of Glenn and Abraham had a profound and lasting impact on the survivors. Rick was emotionally broken, forced to submit to Negan’s authority. Maggie, pregnant with Glenn’s child, was devastated by his loss and determined to avenge his death. The entire group was traumatized and struggled to cope with the grief and the newfound reality of Negan’s rule.
H3: What happened to Negan after the events of this episode?
Negan’s reign of terror continued throughout Season 7 and Season 8. He was eventually defeated by Rick and his group in the Season 8 finale, but instead of killing him, Rick imprisoned him. This decision sparked controversy and internal conflict within the group. Negan remained a prisoner for several years, eventually earning a degree of redemption and becoming an unlikely ally in the fight against new threats. His character arc ultimately led to him leaving Alexandria and finding his own path, showing a complex transformation from villain to something approaching a hero.