We have already heard from theshowrunner ofThe Walking Deadabout thecontroversial cliffhangerthat ended Sundays season finale.
And from thedirector of the episode.
And from thevillain who made his long-awaited debut.
Credit: Gene Page/AMC
ANDREW LINCOLN:Same with us!
This is a cruel and unusual show, Dalton!
Its a terrible, horrendous situation Rick and the gang are in.
And there is no way out.
I find that fascinating.
Its a double-edged sword, our show.
Because we have this incredibly rich source material beautiful.
And this incredible landscape has been drawn and continues to be drawn by Robert Kirkman.
You know what Im saying?
And I think that was very much Scott and the writers intention.
To focus on a man who is crumbling before your eyes and in front of everybody else.
And he had been so cocky lately!
Talking about how the world was theirs, and they can handle anything.
I think youre right.
He was a man who was breathing his own inflated sense of self.
His hubris is a big part of his journey.
And he was wrong.
He made some calls that were probably damaging to the group.
Although its much, much easier to say that in hindsight.
And probably is suffering for his sins.
What was the mood like there?
And what sort of head space were you trying to put yourself in for that?
It was incredibly intense.
It was two nights.
And I just wanted to position him as if he was lost.
The atmosphere reminded me of season 1.
It was a very exciting time and it felt like everyone was terribly focused on creating the right atmosphere.
We wanted Jeffrey Dean Morgan to come in and feel this suffocating, oppressive tension.
And he rose to the challenge.
That was one of the most phenomenal entrances Ive seen in my career.
I feel like so much is being said at that moment with no words.
Theres a very small scene where even Carl has inherited this hubris when theyre carrying Maggie through the woods.
And its a tiny little scene but its a moment that I loved playing.
We wanted this slow unpicking of this leader.
Hes met in match and then some.
And you see that realization in that scene where hes like Oh, God.
We are in a world of pain.
Were really entering into the Heart of Darkness.
Who much do you know right now about season 7?
Well, we all know Mr. Gimple.
He likes to play things very close to his chest.
Because it can change, its a loose sketch.
Thats the challenge we have and were going to do it.
I think theres always been a pressure on the show and it continues and increases year by year.
Thats why its so exciting and terrifying.
Which gives an audience time to grieve or get used to the idea.
Generally you want the fireworks.
This is what I love about Scott and the writers: This isnotthe usual way to do it.
Because we know someones dead.
And thats the beginning of season 7.
Weve got a big challenge that we have to rise too.
