SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers from the Season 8, Episode 2 of The Walking Dead, entitled “The Damned.” Proceed with caution.
As Rick made his way through the Savior outpost, he came across many unexpected things, including a baby nursery. But the biggest shocker came at the end of the episode, when he stumbled upon the room of one of the Saviors.
Rick looked at a photo on the wall, and made the realization that he knew its subjects: the Morales family. The Moraleses were a family of four and among the original Atlanta survivors way back in Season 1.
When Rick made the decision to go to Atlanta’s CDC in search of a cure, the Moraleses decided to take their chances and head towards Birmingham, where they had relatives.
Clearly, plans changed, as Morales (first name unknown) is now part of Negan’s group. It’s unclear if his wife, son, and daughter are still alive and also part of the Saviors.
“Well, that was a long time ago Rick,” Morales said to Rick while holding him at gunpoint. Morales then told Rick he would notify his colleagues over walkie-talkie.
“Well Rick isn’t the guy he used to be,” showrunner Scott M. Gimple said during Talking Dead following “The Damned” episode. “To face the past like that is a huge thing for Rick.”
Morales isn’t the guy he used to be either, In fact, as one astute Twitter pointed out, he was the original Negan.
https://twitter.com/HershelGreene1/status/924817694263857152
Others pointed out an interesting plot point. Since Morales knew Glenn in Atlanta, will he turn on his leader after he learns Negan killed him?
https://twitter.com/TWDBreakingNews/status/924828804454998016
Carol and Carl also spent a lot of time with Morales at the old Atlanta camp, but fans will have to watch if there will more Season 1 character reunions on The Walking Dead.
