A Tribute to Those We Lost on the Season 7 Premiere of The Walking Dead

[WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY WATCHED THE SEASON 7 PREMIERE OF THE WALKING DEAD]

Normally before I write an article on The Walking Dead, I watch the episode twice. Once for the enjoyment. Twice for taking notes. However, I couldn’t bring myself to watch the season 7 premiere a second time. I barely watched it the first time, really (I watched the entire episode hiding behind my owl pillow and risking a few peeks every now and then).

I’m not planning on watching this episode ever again (Like, why would I do that to myself?). Because of this, I decided not to write a recap this week. I’d much rather pay a tribute to the beloved characters we lost last week instead of giving you details about the tragedy that happened. If you wanted a recap, you’ve come to the wrong place my friend. I’m still grieving.

Now, let’s take a moment and reflect.

We met Abraham Ford in the season 4 premiere. He was a strong, stubborn, and hilarious smart mouth who stayed true to himself up to the very end (I’d tell you his last words, but I got to keep this PG-13). Abe embraced his love for fighting and, oddly enough, turned this into a strategy for keeping him on the edge. Killing Walkers was his playtime. He quickly became a fundamental part of Rick’s group, providing protection, friendship, and humor with his random inappropriate comments.

Robert Kirkman said he was unsatisfied with the way he ended things for Abraham in the comic books. Apparently, Abe took an arrow in the eye, like Denise did last season. So he decided to change Abraham’s fate and kill him off the way Glenn died in the comics. Before the episode was filmed, actor Michael Cudlitz even speculated he was going to die at the hands of Negan because he was on “borrowed time.” And sadly, he was right. Lucille landed on Abe. But Abe died courageously. Before he died, he stuck out the peace sign (something he did with Sasha when they would greet each other and depart) and then raised his head defiantly after getting hit the first time, saying his last few words, “…” Again, PG-13.

We love you Abraham.

Glenn Rhee. There are countless things I want to say about Glenn, but I don’t know how to express them properly. He’s such an integral part of the show and there are so many Glenn scenes that are my favorite. I can’t possibly cover how much he means to me as a fan of The Walking Dead. It’s indescribable. He was the selfless moral compass of the group. He was one of the few people willing to sacrifice his own life for everyone. He rescued stranger Rick back in season 1 when Rick was hiding inside a tank surrounded by Walkers. He volunteered to go inside a dangerous well in an attempt to take out a Walker without infecting the water supply. He refused to leave Tara alone when she was stuck in a cave full of Walkers. There is an endless list of sacrifices Glenn gave for the well-being of the group. He never feared for himself. He feared for humanity. He feared for the lives of his friends. But he never feared for his. Even in his final moments, he uttered the words, “Maggie, I will find you.” He’ll be Maggie’s guardian angel. He’ll look after the group. He was dying, and all he thought about was his wife and his group. On The Talking Dead (which I recommend you watch as a form of therapy after an episode of this depressing show), Steven Yeun said his wife told him Glenn died in such a Glenn way:

“Still not thinking of himself.”