‘The Walking Dead’ Midseason Premiere First Look (PHOTOS)

Evan Lewis January 11, 2017, 11:00 am

Rick, Michonne, Aaron, Tara and Rosita — Gene Page/AMC

Michonne, Jesus, Carl, Sasha, Maggie, Rick, Daryl, Tara, Rosita and Enid — Gene Page/AMC

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes — Gene Page/AMC

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Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his allies are bracing themselves for a fight in new photos released by AMC to promote the February midseason premiere of The Walking Dead. The show’s ever-expanding coalition of survivors, oppressed by Negan’s (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) tyranny and some brutally uneven writing in Season 7’s opening half, will have an uphill battle on their hands when the series returns February 12th.

Along with these production stills, AMC published an official synopsis for the back half of Season 7, clarifying the direction the series will take in the midseason premiere and beyond. As Rick declared when he got his Python and his best buddy Daryl (Norman Reedus) back in the midseason finale, the Alexandrians are ready to resist, but first they will need to collect the weapons and resources necessary for a war, and convince reluctant combatants like Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and Gregory (Xander Berkeley) to join the fray.

While these teaser photos stick to Rick’s inner circle, including Michonne (Danai Gurira), Jesus (Tom Payne), Carl (Chandler Riggs), Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green), Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Daryl, Tara (Alanna Masterson), Rosita (Christian Serratos) and Aaron (Ross Marquand), the synopsis promises unexpected new faces in the episodes to come, as well as the possibility of a betrayal from within the established group. This could explain why the other survivors are seen here giving Enid (Katelyn Nacon) a harsh stare down, though comic fans should be able to point to a more likely culprit for a plot against Rick and Maggie’s long-delayed anti-Negan campaign.

The Walking Dead, Midseason Premiere, Sunday, February 12, 9/8c, AMC