5 answers we need when The Walking Dead returns

The Walking Dead showrunner announced that all our questions will be answered during the second half of season 9. We’ve made a list of what we hope to see after the break.

The first half of this season of The Walking Dead seemed to revive the show as a whole, bringing back the best qualities that made it so good to watch in the first place. The walkers are scary again, and the new villains have even managed to one-up Negan in the terrifying department. The one thing that is unmistakable about the midseason finale is that things are about to get real. For now, all we can do is patiently await The Walking Dead‘s return… and of course, speculate in the meantime.

Even though we’ve breezed right through eight episodes of genuinely good stuff, we still have no idea what happened during the six-year gap after Rick’s faux-death. Not to mention that there’s a whole new set of questions introduced with all the developments of the finale itself. The good news is that showrunner Angela Kang says when the show returns in February, we will finally get some background on some of our burning questions in the form of flashbacks. So, let’s do something constructive with our time and theorize what we hope to see when the show returns.

The X scars explained

Michonne and Daryl both have scars resembling the letter “X” on their backs, and the only thing we know is that they got them during the six-year gap. The weird part is that there isn’t much evidence that the two spent much time together after Rick left. Perhaps a new villain or villainous group appeared during the gap and the scars remnants of war or torture. That would definitely explain Daryl’s need to be alone and Michonne’s resistance toward trusting anyone. A much darker explanation is that Michonne and Daryl were branded for doing something bad themselves. This may be why Michonne has such a strained relationship with outsiders, and other communities like Hilltop and the Kingdom.

Why Michonne separated herself from everyone

Whatever happened during those six years has made Michonne tough as nails and eager to place distance between Alexandria and the communities. What could have happened to make Michonne a staunch opposer of Maggie and Hilltop? What did Michonne do or say to make everyone including Tara dislike her? We need the scoop on how this came to be and what made Michonne retreat into her shell. As mentioned above, instead of a fight from the outside, perhaps a fight happened between the communities.

Danai Gurira as Michonne, Angel Theory as Kelly, Lauren Ridloff as Connie, Nadia Hilker as Magna – The Walking Dead _ Season 9, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Maggie’s departure from Hilltop

It would be nice to see the straw that broke the camel’s back and led Maggie out of Hilltop. I will note that when Jesus was delivering Georgie’s letters to Maggie, Maggie said that she did not agree with a lot of what Georgie said. It would be interesting to see what changed during this course of time that would encourage Maggie to leave her post as a leader to join Georgie.

The deal breaker between Maggie and Michonne

In Rick’s absence, I would have imagined that Maggie and Michonne’s relationship would have become even stronger since they both can relate to losing their lovers. But we should consider how Rick came to (sort of) perish. While we’re not necessarily blaming Maggie for Rick’s death, her determination to kill Negan set up a series of events that pretty much led to Rick having to be on his own against the herd (i.e. Maggie heading to Hilltop, Rick finding out, Daryl trying to distract Rick, herd comes along, etc. etc.) On top of this, the two definitely didn’t see eye to eye when it came to how communities should be led, and how severe a punishment should be for a crime. We’re curious to learn though what finally did their relationship in — Rick’s death, negotiating rules for the communities, or something much more intense.

How Aaron, Michonne, Eugene, Magna, and Yumiko escape the Whisperers

The season finale left our friends surrounded by Whisperers and a massive herd with no signs of escape. With Jesus already taken out, we hope there are no more casualties from their encounter with the Whisperers. As they escape, it’d be interesting if the group comes across and even captures a Whisperer alive. As baddies go on this show, this may be one of the most shocking reveals to all the communities — living people who choose to walk amongst the dead. To speak to a captive and learn more about the Whisperer way of life will definitely prove useful in eventually beating them. Whether that moment comes early on when the season returns or is a major finale moment — we’ll have to wait and see.

The Walking Dead will return on Sunday, February 10, 2019. Don’t forget to check back on Culturess for more Walking Dead news!