Key Deaths in Season 7 Episode 1: The Day Shall Come
The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 1, titled "The Day Shall Come," opens with immediate danger and delivers several definitive character exits. In the aftermath of the season-ending cliffhanger from Season 6, Negan wastes no time asserting control. This episode advances his reign and cements the stakes for Rick’s group. Below are the most significant, verified departures and how each reshapes the series’ power dynamics.
Confirmed Deaths in Episode 1
Season 7 Episode 1 proceeds from the midseason finale’s climactic attack and moves into a harsh new status quo. Negan’s first major move is a public execution designed to break the community’s spirit. The following characters die on-screen or are confirmed dead by narrative resolution within the episode:
- Abraham Ford — killed by Negan with Lucille at the gates
- Glenn Rhee — killed by Negan after Daryl is subduedEthan — killed earlier in the episode while holding Sasha hostage
These deaths are immediate, irreversible, and framed as warnings. Abraham and Glenn’s losses mark a definitive transition from prior seasons, removing long-standing core members and amplifying the peril facing remaining characters.
How Each Death Occurs
Abraham Ford
Abraham dies first in the sequence when Negan demands a tribute of ten people. After Daryl attacks, Negan subdues him and selects Abraham as a demonstration. With Lucille wrapped in barbed wire, Negan crushes Abraham’s skull, killing him instantly in front of Rick, Maggie, and the gathered crowd. This moment underscores Negan’s willingness to eliminate respected fighters to enforce obedience.
Glenn Rhee
Glenn’s death follows moments later. Still shaken by Abraham’s murder and physically broken from earlier beatings, Glenn is chosen as another example. Negan strikes him repeatedly with Lucille while the community watches. Although briefly shown alive after the initial onslaught in earlier promotional material, the episode and broadcast version confirm Glenn does not survive the onslaught.
Ethan
Earlier in the episode, Ethan, who had joined the group after the herd invasion, is shown as a captive. He attempts to negotiate for his life by offering Sasha. When his plea fails, Negan kills him by bashing his head against a brick wall, reinforcing that no one is safe regardless of background or recent integration.
| Character | Cause of Death | Episode Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham Ford | Crushed by Lucille (barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat) | Public execution at the gates |
| Glenn Rhee | Repeated blunt trauma with Lucille | Immediate aftermath of Abraham’s death |
| Ethan | Bashed head against wall | Early in episode during hostage negotiation |
| Reg Monroe | Infection complications, untreated | Dies later in the season, not in this episode |
| Zia | Killed in the herd during Season 6 finale | Preceding episode, referenced in this episode |
Narrative Purpose and Impact
Each death in "The Day Shall Come" serves Negan’s goal of domination. Abraham and Glenn are high-value targets: Abraham for his combat reputation and leadership, Glenn for his symbolic importance as an original survivor. Their removal destabilizes Rick’s group emotionally and strategically. Ethan’s death, while earlier, illustrates Negan’s willingness to punish defiance without regard for recent allegiance. These exits force Rick to adapt to a reality where old alliances may no longer provide safety.
Survivors and Repercussions
Key characters who remain alive but are deeply affected include Maggie, who witnesses Glenn’s killing, and Daryl, whose defiance triggers much of the violence. The community must reckon with loss while deciding whether to comply or resist. Moving forward, the group faces the challenge of maintaining morale and covert plans under an authoritarian ruler who has demonstrated he will kill the most beloved members without hesitation.
Evergreen Context: Season 7 Power Shifts
Season 7 represents one of the most brutal turning points in the series. Negan’s introduction replaces the ambiguous threat of walkers with a human antagonist who rules through terror. The deaths in this premiere linger as narrative anchors, influencing decisions, alliances, and character arcs well into later seasons. Understanding who dies and why is essential to appreciating the long-term stakes of Rick’s journey.
Quick Comparison: Lost vs. Surviving Core Members
| Status | Character | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Dead (E1) | Abraham Ford | Seasoned fighter and leader |
| Dead (E1) | Glenn Rhee | Original group member, moral compass |
| Dead (E1) | Ethan | Recent defector, cautionary example |
| Alive | Rick Grimes | Group leader under duress |
| Alive | Maggie Greene | Key voice of resistance |
| Alive | Daryl Dixon | Core ally and strategist |
Conclusion
Season 7 Episode 1 delivers irreversible consequences that define the remainder of the series. Abraham and Glenn’s deaths, along with Ethan’s, mark a clear escalation in villainy and reshape the show’s emotional landscape. For viewers seeking clarity on who dies in this episode, the takeaway is straightforward: Negan’s arrival costs Rick dearly in a single, brutal confrontation, forcing the survivors into a new, more precarious chapter. These losses are not only narrative milestones but also turning points that inform the show’s enduring themes of power, resistance, and survival.