It was the cliffhanger that basically broke the internet back in 2016. For months, fans were spiraling, dissecting frame-by-frame footage of a lineup to figure out who Negan’s victim was. We all wanted to know, but honestly, none of us were actually ready for the answer. If you're looking for the specific answer to what episode of the Walking Dead did Glenn die, it happened in the Season 7 premiere, titled "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be."
It wasn't just a death. It was a cultural reset for the show.
Before that night, The Walking Dead felt like a story about survival and hope, even in the dirtiest of circumstances. After Glenn Rhee—the heart of the group, the pizza delivery boy who saved Rick in the pilot—was gone? The show turned into something much darker. It became a story about trauma. A lot of people actually stopped watching after this specific episode because the violence felt so personal.
The Brutal Reality of Season 7, Episode 1
Most people remember the "eeny, meeny, miny, moe" scene from the Season 6 finale. We saw the bat swing, we heard the crunch, but the screen went black. When Season 7 kicked off, the producers didn't pull any punches.
Abraham Ford was actually the first to go. For a second, the audience breathed a sigh of relief—if you can call it that. We thought Glenn was safe. But then Daryl Dixon, being Daryl, couldn't keep his cool and lashed out at Negan. Negan had already warned them that he wouldn't tolerate that kind of "backtalk." To show he was a man of his word, he swung Lucille again.
This time, it was Glenn.
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The scene was gruesome. It was a direct lift from the pages of Issue 100 of the comic books written by Robert Kirkman. Steven Yeun, the actor who played Glenn, actually pushed for the death to be as close to the source material as possible. He felt that Glenn’s death was such a pivotal, iconic moment in the story that it deserved to be done "right," even if "right" meant one of the most stomach-turning sequences in television history. His eye popping out? That was straight from the ink and paper. His final words to Maggie—"I’ll find you"—still haunt the fanbase years later.
Why Glenn's Death Felt Different
Glenn wasn't just another body in the count. He was the moral compass.
Think about it. He never killed a living human being until the raid on the Savior satellite station in Season 6. He was the guy who stayed "good" while everyone else was losing their minds. When he died, that light sort of went out for the group. It’s why Rick Grimes looked so broken throughout the rest of that season. It wasn't just about losing a friend; it was about the realization that the world they were building was much more cruel than they ever imagined.
There’s also the "Fake Out" factor to consider. Remember the dumpster? In Season 6, the show made us think Glenn died under a pile of walkers. It was a massive controversy. When he turned out to be alive, it felt like he had plot armor. That’s why the actual death in the Season 7 premiere hit like a freight train. The writers gave us hope just to snatch it away.
The Aftermath and the Legacy of the Rhee Family
The ripple effects of what episode of the Walking Dead did Glenn die lasted until the very end of the series—and even into the spin-offs.
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Maggie Greene’s entire character arc was redefined by those few minutes in the woods. She went from a survivor to a hardened leader, eventually becoming the head of the Hilltop and a primary antagonist to Negan. Even years later, in the spin-off Dead City, the ghost of Glenn hangs over every interaction she has with Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s character.
It’s interesting to note that the show’s ratings actually started a slow decline after this episode. Many critics, including some at Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, argued that the show crossed a line into "misery porn." Whether you agree or not, you can't deny the impact. It was the peak of the show’s cultural relevance.
How to Re-watch the Arc Without Losing Your Mind
If you're planning on revisiting this era of the show, you've got to pace yourself. The transition from Season 6, Episode 16 ("Last Day on Earth") to Season 7, Episode 1 is a heavy lift.
- Watch the foreshadowing: Look at the polaroids Glenn finds at the Savior outpost. They show people with their heads bashed in. It’s a chilling hint at his own fate.
- Pay attention to the lighting: The premiere is shot in a way that feels claustrophobic and foggy, making the clearing feel like a purgatory.
- Listen to the sound design: The whistling of the Saviors is meant to trigger a physical anxiety response. It works.
Honestly, the show is different after Glenn. It's grittier. It's less about the zombies and much more about the psychological toll of living under a dictator. If you're looking for that specific episode, just be prepared for the fact that it’s not just an "episode." It’s an ordeal.
What to Watch Next
Once you've processed the trauma of Season 7, Episode 1, the best way to move forward is to track Maggie’s evolution. Her journey to Alexandria and later the Hilltop provides the necessary "revenge" arc that makes the loss of Glenn feel like it had a purpose. You should also check out the Tales of the Walking Dead anthology if you want more world-building that doesn't always feel so bleak.
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To truly understand the impact, you might want to look into:
- The Walking Dead: Dead City – To see the long-term trauma Maggie carries.
- Invincible – Another Robert Kirkman project starring Steven Yeun, which is fantastic but also very violent.
- Beef – If you want to see Steven Yeun’s incredible range beyond the apocalypse.
Glenn Rhee stayed true to himself until the very end. That’s why we’re still talking about his exit nearly a decade later. He wasn't just a survivor; he was the person we all hoped we’d be if the world ended.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you are looking to commemorate Glenn's journey or deep-dive into the lore, your next steps should be practical. Start by reading the original comic issue #100 to compare how the TV show adapted the dialogue and the visceral imagery. Understanding the source material provides a lot of context for why certain creative choices were made. Additionally, if the violence of the Season 7 premiere was too much for you, many fans find that watching the "Behind the Scenes" making-of featurettes helps "break the spell" by showing the prosthetics and the camaraderie between Steven Yeun and Jeffrey Dean Morgan on set. Finally, if you're a completionist, ensure you watch the Season 7 deleted scenes, which include a "dream sequence" of the group having a peaceful dinner—including a living Glenn and his son—which offers a bittersweet "what if" scenario for the character.