The Walking Dead preview: The Whisperers are here, and no one has a clue

After much talk about the greatest villains to grace The Walking Dead, the Whisperers are finally here. The bad news is that no one seems to realize who they are.

What stands out the most from The Walking Dead‘s trailer teasing the next three episodes leading to the midseason finale is how much everyone has changed. Carol’s working long grey locks, Michonne is fierce as ever but working a new ‘do as well, and Judith Grimes is walking, talking and wielding weapons.

Although it may just seem like growth or a fashion statement on their part, this could be a reflection of how the world around them has been transformed. I wouldn’t doubt that Rick not being around would really have that much of an impact on the communities.

While the group looks a little rough around the edges after all these years, what’s going to really matter is that they come together for when the going gets tough. In a preview for “What Comes After,” there are five new people that Judith brings back to Alexandria. In the preview, Judith assures them that they will be safe. What Judith really should be considering is whether Alexandria will be safe harboring these strangers. But Judith has also developed a relationship with Negan so who knows what her judgment is like.

The problem is that no one knows where this crew came from, what their motives are, or even if they belong to some bigger more sinister group. At worse, they could pose an unexpected threat to the communities. But if these five individuals are really looking for asylum, then the clip of one of one of them killing a walker with a slingshot may prove to be useful when they come across the Whisperers.

Check out The Walking Dead‘s latest teaser here:

As excited as we all are to see clues of the Whisperers presence, it also looks like the group doesn’t yet know what they’re coming up against. Jesus and Aaron are confused by the apparent “milling around” of walkers, with Aaron noting he’s never seen this behavior before and the walkers are changing.

Eugene and Rosita have the closest encounter with the Whisperers yet when they cover themselves in mud to camouflage themselves from a passing herd, and a bizarre walker-like voice asks “Where are they?” To anyone else, this would be a clear sign that these are humans but Eugene and Rosita may just go back and add to the theory that the walkers have evolved.

Speaking of Eugene, he’s featured in the trailer doing some amazing knife work on a walker, and it seems he has become more confident with time.

Finally, Gabriel may have been left high and dry by his love interest Anne, but that hasn’t caused him to close himself off from the world. He is hopeful to look for others, expressing to Rosita that if there are more survivors out in the world, it’s their duty to find and help them.

In Rick’s absence, Gabriel furthers Rick’s goals of expansion and recruitment. Unfortunately, the dangers that have always threatened the communities still lurk out there and Gabriel may find that reaching out to the world isn’t such a great idea.

The Walking Dead airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. on AMC. Don’t forget to check back on Culturess for reviews and all your Walking Dead news.