Did the Season 7 Trailer of The Walking Dead Tease Us about Negan's Victims?

Nope, and don't look for it. They screwed up and pissed off fans with their cliffhanger but no point researching and spoiling it for yourself. As someone who watched it twice, I can confidently say that the trailer does not give any concrete hints about who Negan killed.

Instead, the trailer focuses on making us more confused than ever. Despite the production quality and the mini-stories of each character, it fails to provide any valuable clues about the final episode. What we do get is a sneak peek at the Kingdom where Morgan and Carol are believed to be staying, a lot of Tara, and a glimpse of Heath. We see Jesus going into a truck, possibly hiding, and the Saviors appearing in mass, with people looking very intimidated. The trailer also gives us shots of Dwight looking angry and threatening. Interestingly, it shows people from the Hilltop and their farm, with a glimpse of Gregory.

Content Analysis and Teasing

Some of the shots in the trailer are clearly positive, such as Daryl playing with Baby Judith. However, the trailer meticulously shows everyone mulling over their happy moments without revealing anything substantial. It's clear that the producers want us to discuss the finale and speculate about the fates of the characters.

The inclusion of Ezekiel and Shiva in the franchise is a pleasant surprise, aligning with the kingdom's presence. However, since this group was expected in the finale, the reveal of Ezekiel wasn't as impactful as it could have been. The trailer wanted to create a sense of anticipation without giving away too much, which is a balance that even seasoned fans will still want to watch the season finale for.

Negan and the Final Moments

The trailer gives an extensive look at Negan, extending even beyond the ten-minute scene in the finale. His terrifying, charming, and ominous presence is a recurring theme. However, the most chilling moment is the visual of Lucille with blood on it. This graphic image is undoubtedly more terrifying than Negan's words at this point. The trailer also shows multiple scenes of Negan hitting various members of Rick's gang, which adds to the overall tension.

Glen is featured first in the trailer, but this doesn't provide any significant hints. Although he met Lucille with Michonne, most fans are aware of his fate from the comics. This, too, is a strategy to keep viewers guessing.

Final Thoughts

The trailer was undoubtedly designed to tease rather than inform. It keeps us guessing and discussing the possibilities of what happened. As a comic reader, I can spot the instances where the producers are closely following the comics and others they are leaving behind. For instance, we are glad to see Ezekiel, as he was expected to appear in the finale. However, his inclusion in the trailer was more about confirmation rather than introducing something new.

While the trailer doesn't answer the questions many of us had, it does offer a glimpse into the show's overall direction. Fans can only speculate and hope that the season finale delivers the clues they seek. The teaser successful in maintaining suspense and fostering discussions among fans, a key objective of a good trailer.