The Walking Dead has dominated cable television with a unique brand of dramatic storytelling that slowly unfolds with each season. It started out cinematic in the first season and gone on to become everything from conversational to action-packed over the years. Season 7 has provided us with a whole new tone for the show with the appearance of the brutal leader of the Saviors, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

A retrospective video that covers the events of season 7 thus far, along with interviews of the cast and crew, was released by AMC a few days ago (see video below). Now, we have a look at footage from the all-new teaser trailer that is going to air on AMC this weekend (see video above).

AMC also released this synopsis for the rest of season 7:

"We’ll meet new survivors in incredible places. We’ll see Rick and the group tested in ways we’ve never seen before. We'll see treachery from people we trust. Rick is confident as he will see his group and many others band together with the common goal of taking down Negan. But no amount of planning will prepare the group for all-out war with Negan and his army."

The first part of season 7 began with one of the most brutal and jarring television sequences in recent history. The slow burn of developing these characters in such an intimate way makes it so much more meaningful when they meet their end, especially with a rare season 1 alumni, like Glenn (Steven Yeun). The brutality of Negan and the loss of his friends has caused Rick (Andrew Lincoln) to hit a mental and emotional roadblock, falling in line under the new 'boss'. Those that follow the series realize that this wasn't bound to last long and that a serious showdown between Rick and Negan is inevitable. The final moments of the mid-season finale revealed the turning of the tide, as the Alexandria group begins to reunite at Hilltop and look towards taking back control of their lives.

The footage reveals what many already figured: the plan is for the group to approach other communities in order to form an alliance and a much-needed army to face Negan and his immense band of Saviors, who incidentally control all of the available guns and ammunition. We're going to finally see Rick meet and interact with King Ezekiel (Khary Payton) in his 'Kingdom'. Its going to be a hard sell to convince the other communities that taking the fight to Negan is the right move, but Rick will undoubtedly find a way, since his eyes are now open to the reality that they can't tolerate the tyranny anymore.

The back end of season seven is going to start one week from Sunday with the episode 'The Rock in the Road'. The Hilltop and the Kingdom will be needed for the fight, but what other wildcards will the group enlist? We still have the dangerous outlier Carol (Melissa McBride) and of course the stick-wielding Morgan (Lennie James). Let's also not forget about the ultra-violet, all-female Oceanside settlement that Tara (Alanna Masterson) encountered earlier in season 7. They're aggressive, angry and well armed. They may end up being the ultimate key to overpowering the Saviors.

The thrill-ride is no doubt going to be intense, so brace yourselves for more deaths on The Walking Dead - as this conflict finally heats-up and the Alexandria group fights for control and justice for their fallen friends.

NEXT: The Walking Dead Comic Moments Too Dark for TV

The Walking Dead returns to AMC with ‘The Rock in the Road’ on February 12th, 2017.

Source: AMC