The zombie saga continues
‘The Walking Dead’ returns to prime time
Good things come to those who wait, as the saying goes, but the wait for new episodes can test even the most dedicated of TV fandom. Luckily for zombie fans, one of television’s most successful horror series is about to return.
Following the end of the Whisperer War, the survivors scatter and struggle to find the strength to go on as they face past traumas and deal with new threats in “The Walking Dead,” airing Sunday, Feb. 28, on AMC. The mid-season debut kicks off the final six episodes of Season 10, each of which will focus on small groups of the show’s characters in the lead-up to TWD’s 11th and final season. Subscribers to AMC’s streaming service AMC+ will get to watch the new episodes even earlier as they premiere on Thursdays, beginning Feb. 25.
Based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman,Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard, “The Walking Dead” follows a group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. Over the course of several seasons, they have banded together to battle all kinds of threats from both the undead and the living.
When the most recent episode of “The Walking Dead” aired in October, the characters had finally triumphed over the Whisperers and Daryl (Norman Reedus, “The Boondock Saints,” 1999) killed their leader, Beta (Ryan Hurst, “Sons of Anarchy”).The episode also featured the return of Maggie (Lauren Cohan, “Whiskey Cavalier”), who had been gone since Season 9, her whereabouts unknown. Originally scheduled to air on April 12, 2020, the episode was supposed to be the Season 10 finale, but it was announced during San Diego Comic Con’s Home Stream event that an additional six episodes would air between February and April 2021. In January, Cinema Blend revealed that “The Walking Dead” showrunner Angela Kang had explained that each of the six remaining episodes would focus on what is going on with specific characters, rather than moving the story forward as a whole.
“There [are] some other things that we’re doing deep dives into, like Daryl and Carol and Negan, Gabriel, and Aaron has some really cool stuff,” Kang said.
Fans can expect to meet some new characters as Season 10 winds down, too.Viewers who caught the October episode would have gotten a glimpse of Maggie’s new masked ally, Elijah, who is played by Okea Eme-Akwari (“Greenland,” 2020). Robert Patrick (“Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” 1991) will also appear in Season 10 as Mays, a “rough-looking survivor” who encounters Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam, “The Wire”). One of the six new episodes
will focus completely on Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, “Supernatural”) and give viewers some insight into his backstory with an appearance by his wife, Lucille, namesake of his trademark baseballbat-turned-weapon. Incidentally, Morgan’s real-life wife, Hilarie Burton Morgan (“One Tree Hill”), will portray Lucille.
Other storylines featured in the new bonus episodes include Maggie and Daryl battling an unseen and unknown threat, Negan’s safety once again in jeopardy, and Daryl and Carol (Melissa McBride, “Dawson’s Creek”) coming across an old cabin that makes Daryl think of the time he left the group. Gabriel and Aaron (Ross Marquand, “Avengers: Infinity War,” 2018) are put to the test while on a scouting mission, while, elsewhere, Eugene (Josh McDermitt, “Last Comic Standing”), Ezekiel (Khary Payton,“Young Justice”),Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura, “Utopia”) and Princess (Paola Lázaro, “Lethal Weapon”) are captured.Also, Daryl and Carol appear to go their separate ways.
The remaining six episodes of Season 10 will surely be bittersweet for fans of the series who know that the next season will be the show’s last. It’s been an unlikely hit in the sea of typical comedies and dramas that air on prime time. The show premiered in 2010 to solid ratings, attracting an average of between
four and six million viewers.The show’s popularity grew, and in 2014 “The Walking Dead’s” Season 5 premiere attracted more than 17 million viewers, making it one of the most watched cable series in history.The show’s ratings have slowly declined since then, but it has earned its share of industry accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series — Drama and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for Best New Series. “The Walking Dead” won a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special in 2011.
Even though the beginning of the end may be near for the original “The Walking Dead,” its legacy will live on in various spinoffs. “Fear the Walking Dead,” which looks at a totally different group of survivors earlier in the apocalypse, has been going strong since 2015. More recently,AMC premiered “The Walking Dead:World Beyond,” which focuses on a group of mostly younger survivors. It premiered in October and is slated for two seasons. Much to the delight of fans, favorites from the original show, Daryl and Carol, will get their very own as-yet-unnamed series, tentatively scheduled to premiere in 2023.
So there is hope for TWD fans.And while the subject matter is undeniably steeped in fear, many fans assert that “The Walking Dead” is ultimately about hope. Even as monsters surround them, the survivors come together to forge a future for all of humanity. Find out whether their efforts pay off in the return of “The Walking Dead,” airing Sunday, Feb. 28, on AMC.
Sunday
Expedition Unknown
DISC 8 a.m.
Josh takes a trip through the land of the Nile in this rebroadcast, hoping to uncover the secrets enshrouding three of the most famous and powerful women of ancient Egypt. Boning up on lore and history, he investigates Nefertiti, Hatshepsut and Cleopatra.
The Great North (14)
KARD (33) KMSS 7:30 p.m. Judy forces Beef to get back out on the dating scene in this new episode. Worried she has inherited his fear of romance, she urges him to attend a meat auction and singles mixer, hoping he might find love. Worst case scenario: he comes home with sausages.
Talking Dead AMC 9 p.m.
Join Chris Hardwick for this series’ return. Stars, celebrity super fans, creators and crew members sit down with Hardwick to discuss the just-aired “Walking Dead” episode, offering insight and answering online questions posted on social media by viewers.
Rick and Morty TOON
10:30 p.m.
Rick has some trouble with his car in the rebroadcast, leading to him and Morty taking a trip into the microverse in the car’s battery to try and fix it. Meanwhile, Summer stays behind under the protection of Rick’s car. Stephen Colbert guest stars.
Monday The Taking of Pelham 123 AMC 10 a.m.
New York City subway train dispatcher Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) is forced into the job of hostage negotiator in this action thriller based on the novel of the same name by John Godey. The leader of a group of hijackers will only speak to him. Forensic Factor
A&E 11 a.m.
Tune in for a mini-marathon of this crime-fighting series, beginning with this rebroadcast about serial killers. Focusing on the twisted high-level intelligence of many serial murderers, this episode maps the mind and actions of several past predators.
Snowpiercer TNT
8 p.m.
Melanie (Jennifer Connelly) fights for her life in a new episode of this sci-fi action series. Operating under extremely dangerous conditions, Melanie tries her best to break the mold and forge her path as the first person to do the unthinkable.
The Investigation
HBO 9 p.m.
The case is slowly pieced together in this new episode, but Jens Møller (Søren Malling) and his team are still working to get the evidence they need to close it. They race against time to get both motive and cause of death in order to lay charges.
Debris
(6) KTAL (10) KTVE 9 p.m.
Riann Steele and Jonathan Tucker star as agents of MI6 and the CIA, respectively, in this premiering series. These very different operatives are forced to work together when a destroyed alien spacecraft’s wreckage is scattered across the globe.
Tuesday Carrie SHOW 3:15 p.m.
Carrie (Sissy Spacek) is a withdrawn teenager who lives in a ramshackle house with a religiously fanatic, sexually repressed mother. Realizing she has telekinetic powers, she uses them to make her prom a night to remember in this Stephen King classic.
The Flash
(8.3) KNOE3 (21) KPXJ 7 p.m.
Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanaugh) searches for a way to save The Flash following a failed attempt to secure Barry’s (Grant Gustin) speed in this Season 7 premiere, ultimately only coming up with a rather dangerous option. Ashley Rickards guest stars.
Home Again with the Fords
HGTV 8 p.m.
College sweethearts just purchased an old Victorian home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, across the street from their cousins. Leanna and Steve help them to fix it up and get it ready for their monthly cousin dinner party in this brand-new episode.
Wednesday
American Housewife
(3) KTBS (8.2) KNOE2 (65) KATV
7:30 p.m.
It isn’t easy raising humble, well-adjusted children in a rich neighborhood where entitlement runs rampant, but that won’t stop Katie (Katy Mixon) and Greg (Diedrich Bader) from trying. This fun family comedy also stars Ali Wong and Carly Hughes.
Farmhouse Fixer
HGTV 8 p.m.
Jonathan Knight works to preserve the history of a 280-year-old farmhouse in the pilot of this new renovation series. Learning part of the foundation is beyond repair, he suggests tearing down half the house before turning it into a modern living space.
Snowfall
FX 9 p.m.
Cissy (Michael Hyatt) winds up in trouble when Franklin’s (Damson Idris) trouble begins to extend beyond the gangs. Meanwhile, Gustavo (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) and Teddy (Carter Hudson) are seeking revenge. Season 4 continues in this new episode.
Pitch Perfect
HBO 10:10 p.m.
College freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick) joins her school’s all-girl acapella group in this hilarious musical comedy. With Beca and some other fresh talent on board, the group takes on their male rivals at a national competition. Adam DeVine also stars.
Thursday
Quigley Down Under
AMC 8:30 a.m.
An American sharp-shooting cowboy in the Australian outback is hired by a land owner in need of his particular talents. After learning he was actually hired to kill Aborigines, he finds himself defending them against the land owner. Tom Selleck stars.
Supernatural
TNT 9 a.m.
When The Mother of All’s latest creature surfaces, Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Bobby (Jim Beaver) set out to find it. Running into Samuel (Mitch Pileggi) and Gwen (Jessica Heafey) along the way, tensions rise for the opposing sides.
Hell’s Kitchen
(14) KARD (33) KMSS 7 p.m.
The nine remaining Season 19 chefs
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tackle the famous “blind taste test” challenge in this new episode. Later in the show, it’s steak night at Hell’s Kitchen. While one team proves they’re a cut above, the other falls tragically behind in their duties.
Friday Fool’s Gold AMC 12:15 p.m.
Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson star in this action-filled romantic comedy as a divorced husband and wife who rekindle their relationship while on an adventure to uncover a lost treasure. Donald Sutherland and Kevin Hart also star.
Limitless 2:30 p.m.
SYFY
Bradley Cooper stars as a struggling writer who takes an experimental drug that allows him to use 100 per cent of his brain in this sci-fi thriller. After finishing his book, he makes a fortune on the stock market but soon realizes he’s in danger.
Ant-Man USA 7 p.m.
When con-man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) steals a suit that gives him super-shrinking powers, he is recruited by its creator, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), to stop a villain in this actioncomedy based on the Marvel Comics character. Evangeline Lily also stars. Real Time With Bill Maher
HBO 9 p.m.
After 19 seasons on air, political satirist Bill Maher has a pretty good handle on the news. Tune in for a new episode of this series that features a panel of guests representing different points on the political spectrum while discussing current events.
Saturday
Thelma and Louise
9 a.m.
Two women who are fed up with men leave their responsibilities behind and take a road trip, but an unexpected incident turns them into fugitives. The experience changes their lives forever in this beloved film starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.
Rocky
AMC HBO 7 p.m.
In this inspirational story of seeking the American dream, small-time boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) finally gets his chance to prove his worth when he is granted a fight with a champion. Talia Shire and Carl Weathers also star in this classic.
Becky SHOW 8 p.m.
A young girl and her distant father take a weekend trip to reconnect, but when a gang of Neo-Nazi escaped convicts invades, 13-year-old Becky (Lulu Wilson) becomes her family’s last line of defense. Joel McHale and Kevin James also star in this thriller.
Colombiana 9 p.m.
SYFY
After witnessing her parents’ murder while growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, Cataleya (Zoe Saldana) has grown into a deadly assassin. Working for her uncle as a hitman, she is hell-bent on revenge in her free time. Lennie James and Cliff Curtis also star.
1 5 8
ACROSS
Korean sitcom? Took a load off Emmy-winning
TV star Niecy 12 Streaked 13 Dashboard inits. 14 Repeat
performance? 15 “American ___” 16 Smelter input
17 First ever Oscar
winner Jannings 18 Zombie horror,
with “The”
21 TV audience
measurement rating 22 They all lead to
Rome, supposedly 25 Significant ___ 29 Leb. neighbor 30 Genealogy TV series “Who Do You Think You ___?” 31 Martha Stewarthosted series “Martha ___” 34 Hollywood twins
Tamera and Tia 36 Christmas
landing spot
40 Classic Western series about a single father and his son 44 “Saturday Night
Live” alumna Rudolph 45 Western treaty grp. 46 Paris’s ___ d’Orsay 49 Chrysler Building architect William Van ___
50 “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) craft: Abbr.
51 ___ Bator,
Mongolia
52 L’Étoile du ___,
Minnesota’s motto 53 Some batters,
for short
54 “Frozen” (2013)
queen
1 2 3
DOWN
11th-century date Come to the rescue “Game of Thrones’” surname 4
“Modern Family” star Sarah Soundly beat Month for pranksters If-___ (programmer’s routines)
8 “You ___ worry” 9 Coyote’s supplier 10 Hollywood
star LaBeouf
11 Ship’s storage
19 Sue Grafton’s
“___ for Lawless” 20 Prefix with
magnetic
22 Barbecue offering 23 Spanish she-bear 24 “Raiders of the
Lost ___” (1981
5 6
7
adventure flick) 26 Sound of hesitation 27 Get it wrong
28 Jedi trainee 32 Quick task
33 “___ gather” 34 Delivery person? 35 Not transparent 37 Gone by 38 Superhero series,
with “The” 39 Tries out 40 Govt. agent 41 Popular video
game series 42 Appraiser 43 Partner of void 47 Some batteries 48 One ___ million
Solution on page 2