Fans are Freaking Out Over ‘The Walking Dead’ Comic-Con Trailer

Fans of AMC’s The Walking Dead are scratching their heads over the ending of the series’ season eight trailer.

The first four or so minutes of the five minute clip, which debuted at last weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con, go as one would expect. There’s plenty of action — from humans and zombies alike — that seems to be setting up a war between Rick Grimes’ group of survivors and the villainous Neegan and his group of Saviors. However, the final minute of footage goes in an unexpected direction: a visibly aged Grimes wakes up in a clean, serene room that appears like it might be in a hospital.

https://youtu.be/3l82kiUvnKM

The trailer’s ending send fans of the show into a frenzy, with some speculating that it indicated Rick Grimes awakening from a coma during which he dreamed the events of the series.

Plot twist: Rick wakes up from his coma and the whole show has just been a dream. #TWDTrailer #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/1pc0oJr45R

— The Walking Dead (@TalkOfTheDead) July 21, 2017

Imagine watching The Walking Dead from the start for the show to end by Rick waKING UP FROM A COMA DREAM pic.twitter.com/BNXYUCARLg

— Daniel (@_danielwilcox) July 21, 2017

Fans of the original Walking Dead comic quickly attempted to debunk that theory, instead theorizing that the character’s change in appearance stems from a time jump, which would match up with events from the “All Out War” story-arc.

Kirkman disproved the whole coma theory ages ago. The trailer wants you to believe it’s that but it’ll be something else, trust me

— katrina (@Iaurrencohan) July 21, 2017

The trailer met with an enthusiastic reception from fans, breaking records and prompting a statement from AMC Studios president Charlie Collier which read:

Thank you to the fans for, once again, filling Hall H at Comic-Con, our lucky seventh year in a row sharing this hallowed, fan-first experience. And, since Friday’s ‘The Walking Dead’ panel ended, thanks to fans all over the world for watching our season eight trailer more than 31 million times, and counting. To receive this type of record-breaking response heading into the series’ 100th episode is beyond gratifying. We look forward to sharing so much more with you as we count down to an unforgettable season.

The Walking Dead’s eighth season premiere, which also serves as the series’ landmark 100th episode, is scheduled to premiere on October 22.