To my fellow Walking Dead fans,

During the season seven premiere, we were hit hard by two vicious, traumatizing losses: our favorite foul-mouthed, ginger-haired Sgt. Abraham Ford, and one of the fans' beloved and long-time favorites (and member of the OG), Glenn. It was graphic. It was horrifying. It was depressing. It was heartbreaking. There were tears. There was nausea. For a few minutes, I think we were all in denial. Many of my fellow viewers felt (and I agree) that the episode was just not enjoyable. I mean, emotionally, it wasn't. And unless you're Negan or his minions, how could it be? I can honestly say that I have never, in all of my binge-watching and Netflixing (and I've watched like, all the shows) been struck so brutally by a television show tragedy.

If you're like me, you pretty much spent the twenty four hours after the episode obsessing over, processing, and mourning the losses we took. As hard as it is to use the word "justified," I believe both deaths were justified within the narrative structure. Simply put, both deaths will force, without exception, all of the remaining characters on the show to make some serious developmental strides.

But there's a mind-blowing connection between to the show's first season finale and the title of last night's premiere that explains why the episode had to be so brutal.

If you remember, season one ended with Dr. Jenner of the CDC whispering the secret of the apocalyptic virus that creates the initial environment of the show: "We're all infected." It's an iconic scene in the series and the the closest we've come to learning anything about what makes the dead rise in our walkerfied world. But that iconic moment overshadows (and I now believe, purposely) what Dr. Jenner says to Rick immediately before whispering in his ear. Dr. Jenner allows them to escape the CDC before it explodes. Rick says, "I'm grateful" to which Dr. Jenner replies, "the day will come when you won't be."

The title of the season seven premiere episode is...yep, you guessed it: "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be."

It is very clear when Rick is laying on top of the RV during Negan's disturbing game of "fetch" with Rick's hatchet, that the day has come where we really question whether or not Rick is grateful to be alive. Between Abraham's and Glenn's brutal deaths, Rick is undoubtedly shaken, and so are we. He almost cut off his son's arm to prevent the deaths of everyone he loves, and it was so believable that he had come to the point where he would. The writer's brought us to that point of belief, only to stop just before the torture became gratuitous. We feel hopeless with the characters. It's a very real question: how do we go on without Glenn?

I think the answer to that question is in the episode's title. All of the characters will now be permanently changed. The show is now permanently changed, and so is its world. But guys, now there is so much room for "stuff and thangs!" I look forward to Rick and all of our living loved ones rediscovering hope. It seems impossible now, but if the writers planned for the day where we all question whether or not we want to keep "living" - keep watching - with Rick and the others, we have to believe they've planned for the day where we, as viewers and characters, are rewarded (for our undying loyalty) with closure.

I hope that anyone questioning whether or not they will keep watching will keep my advice in mind: trust the show runners, trust the actors, and trust the show we love.

Keep on walkin' hard <3