Earlier today, AMC released the first poster for the second half of The Walking Dead Season 5, which kicks off with the mid-season premiere Sunday, February 8 at 9 PM ET. The poster features Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) eyeing the map that Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz) gave to Rick before they set off on their journey to Washington D.C., which reads "The New World's Gonna Need Rick Grimes." Innocuous as it may seem, this map's inclusion in the poster could be a clue that a Walking Dead reunion is just around the corner.
Clue #1: Morgan and the Map
At the very end of the midseason finale "Coda", we caught up with Morgan (Lennie James). We last saw him at the end of the Season 5 Premiere, "No Sanctuary", where he seemed to be on the right track to reunite with his old friend Rick. At the end of "Coda", Morgan made his way to Father Gabriel's church, where he found the map with that message to Rick. Taking all of that into consideration, this poster could be foreshadowing that Rick and Morgan will meet once again. It's possible that Rick and Daryl may even be looking at Morgan himself, who is hidden off camera in the poster, or that AMC is just messing with fans by prominently featuring the map.
Clue #2: A New Suburban Setting
As several of the cast members revealed in the midseason preview last month, the group really doesn't have anywhere to go, since Gabriel's church and Terminus are overrun, and a journey to Washington D.C. is no longer a necessity, after Eugene (Josh McDermitt) revealed that he really doesn't have the cure for this undead plague. Rick also said in "Coda" that the group won't be staying at Grady Memorial Hospital, after the shocking death of young Beth (Emily Kinney). So, where will Rick and his crew go? It's possible that the run-down house seen in the poster is a clue that the group will find refuge in a new neighborhood, but, naturally, nothing has been confirmed.
Clue #3: Rick and Daryl Splitting from the Group?
It's also somewhat puzzling as to why both Rick and Daryl are facing towards the map, while the rest of the group has their back turned. Do they know something that the rest of the group does not? Will they become separated from the group? Will there be a power struggle to come?
Clue #4: The Group is in for Stormy Weather
It should also be noted that there appear to be rather dark and ominous clouds in the background, possibly teasing that this group without a home could have yet another challenge to face: inclement weather. Perhaps the Atlanta area is hit with a devastating storm? Or maybe its foreshadowing the internal struggle between our group of survivors.
Clue #5: A New Source of Power
If you look closely, there is also what appears to be a power station in the background on the left side of the image. Could this be where the group is heading? Is there an area of Atlanta that still has power?
We can only speculate for now, as we impatiently await the midseason premiere for answers to these burning questions. Check out the poster below, and see if you can spot your own clues within this cryptic image.
