‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Rumors and Spoilers: Negan Has Good Side, Rick Has Dark Side – TWD Showrunner

The Walking Dead Season 7
Rick Grimes and Negan will go to war in Season 7 of "The Walking Dead" Image Comics/AMC

For fans of "The Walking Dead," Rick Grimes is both the central figure and the hero of the hit AMC TV series. And the bat-wielding Negan is the epitome of everything evil. But in time for Season 8, viewers will get to see that the two characters share many things, specifically the capacity to do good and when the situation warrants, slide down to darkness.

This according to TWD showrunner Scott Gimple in a recent interview with Comicbook.com, in which he made clear that Rick the protagonist can be the antagonist too. And the same applies with Negan. While the character displayed no remorse for his evil deeds, among them the grisly execution of Glenn, Gimple said the person that used to be Negan was once good and the present Negan remains capable of dispensing good deeds or showing acts of kindness.

Gimple explained that viewers and TWD fans root for Rick because they saw the character development in the last seven seasons. Rick save lives, cared for his family and friends and brought to safety. And these acts came at a cost as there were tons of killings in between, and in some sense Rick lost his soul the way the Negan did.

The same Comicbook.com report took note that in the comic version of The Walking Dead, Negan was humanized by TWD creator Robert Kirkman. In his past, Negan was portrayed a broken man that likely set the stage for his grim present. But as suggested by Gimple, a deeper probe will indicate Rick and Negan share many things - good and evil.

But Rick no doubt has the sympathy of the TWD crowds - comic readers and TV viewers alike. "I think for Rick's experience, he's justified in what he's been doing. The world has formed him this way and what he's done has generally been a reaction to being threatened and trying to make sure that his people live," Gimple said.

In contrast, Negan while charismatic remains a mystery, which is true for the television series. And it did not help that the character was introduced by dispatching beloved TWD characters, with chilling brutality like bashing a man's head with the use of barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat. So it's hard to imagine that Negan's character will warm up to TWD fans, especially in the case of the TV series viewers.

In reality though Gimple said there is "a vast gulf between those two (Rick and Negan) but the way that they operate is very different. Their philosophies are very different and that's maybe where we see one person being the hero and one person being the villain."

For Season 8, TWD fans can expect straightforward episodes, the big scenes will be served quick and the plot development will be faster than ever. Gimple said, per NME.com, that while "things are getting greyer and greyer and greyer," they will unfold at "breakneck pace." It will be a more kinetic narrative, the TWD showrunner said.

The Walking Dead will return to AMC for Season 8 on October 2017.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.