WARNING: HERE THERE BE SPOILERS

For seven grueling months, fans of AMC’s hit show “The Walking Dead” waited in heart-wrenching suspense to see which unfortunate cast member would fall victim to last season’s deadly game of eenie meeny miney moe.

The grand prize, Lucille’s dreaded kiss of death, was first awarded to Abraham Ford, played by Michael Cudlitz in seasons four through seven. True television junkies might’ve seen this one coming. For those of you headed on a re-watch spree, take careful note of Abraham’s out puffed chest and defiant eye contact in both the season six finale and season seven premiere; his alpha male posture shone like a bright and shiny target if juxtaposed with the hunched over, submissively stooped body language of his fellows joining him on the firing line. Given Ford’s already intimidating physic, this additional outward display of dominance marked him as a clear target for the first swing. Some speculate that this was an intentional move on Ford’s part, playing the soldier as always and ready to take the first hit for the team.

Glenn Rhee, an original character played by Steven Yuen and branded in recent years as one of the so-called Atlanta Five, was the second man to get a taste of Negan’s lady friend. Although this particular death was hard to bear, the character’s feigned death last season had already exposed fans to feelings of remorse in regards to Rhee. Even the story’s comic book origins had given fans a heads up in Issue #100, though the show’s head writers have been known to diverge from Robert Kirkman’s storyline. In a way, some believe this softened the blow for those who have been emotionally invested in this plot for the past seven years. Comfort was also found in Glenn’s reaction to his imminent death. True to his selfless, cinnamon roll heart, everyone’s favorite pizza boy died with his wife’s name on his lips. Yuen was quick to comment on Rhee’s death on series’ after show, saying, “…Glenn died in a very Glenn way- still not thinking about himself.” The same of course could be same for Abraham Ford, whose dicey last words reminded us that this man was never afraid to speak his mind.

Despite the shock value of two main character deaths, the weight of this episode did not solely lie with those on the opposite side of Negan’s bat. As was noted on “The Talking Dead”, the breaking of an essentially fearless leader’s mental resilience and free will was the primary objective of both Negan and the creative minds behind the show. And did Rick Grimes finally break? Many would answer “yes”. Interestingly enough, Maggie Greene (or Rhee I should say) did not. Even in her fragile state, the farmer’s daughter was the only one of Rick’s survivors to dare to harbor thoughts of rebellion after the slaughter of Abraham and her husband. Could Mrs. Rhee, and possibly even Sasha, be the next leader to kindle an upcoming coup? Or will rash actions only lead to further punishment, as was seen in Daryl’s case. Much debate has yet to be had, and not only over this theory.

While devotees argue over the evolution of Maggie’s character and the blame (or lack of) on Daryl’s part for the incitement of Glenn’s death, forums are filled with bloggers’ frustrated commentary regarding the mixed flurry of emotions caused by the newest baddy, Negan, as portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Do we love him? Do we hate him? Is it even possible to do both? How can one wish all the plagues of Egypt upon this calculating psychopath while still admiring the brilliance of his intimidation tactics? He killed our favorites! He’s evil incarnate! Yet that devil-may-care smile painted with unassailable confidence, the mischievous smirk behind the pointedly executed cycle of reinforcements of fear and ownership, has cast some wicked spell of strange and twisted attraction upon audiences.

By all means this shouldn’t make any sense. There is no “other-side” to this guy; he has no redeemable qualities or claims to empathy as far as we can see. Negan represents Terror in its worst form- premeditated, deliberate, and joyful. And in these times when terrorism, whether directly or through the pixelated, impersonal realities trapped within your television screen, victimizes peoples of countless nations, you would think viewers would shelter feelings of immediate loathing for this sadistic dictator. Some do, to be sure, labeling Negan as a regular Ramsay Bolton; yet many find themselves mesmerized by Governor 2.0. Modern audience’s inexplicable fascination with bright psychopaths is nothing new. Hannibal Lector and Amy Dunne still hold special places in our hearts. Yet perhaps this unfathomable obsession with the cruel and unusual speaks greater truths about those of us watching from first world countries, detached from what we see as the unrealities of far away places and eagerly turning blind eyes to the real Negans for the sake of enjoying an easy sleep to sharpen our decision-making skills for the next morning’s order debate in the Starbucks drive-through line.

However, when one purely judges from a purely objective perspective, examining the logical flow of his plan and his execution of it, one may come to admire Negan as a successful strategist. Everything a potential dictator needs must accomplish to force unwilling peoples into submission was achieved in less than twenty-four hours; dominance was asserted through incomprehensible and unrestrained violence as coercive punishment for the simplest acts of disobedience, the old leader’s will was broken after a couple mind games and his lack of power publicly exhibited before his followers, and their strongest warrior- the people’s poster boy- stolen from them without much of a struggle. Thus, ownership was established through cyclic reinforcement of consequential as well as illogical, random violence forcing victims into making truly incomprehensible choices, such as choosing which of their own to subject to harm. A few hits with the bat here and there, a quick drive into a walker herd, and false displays of benevolence after some potential head shots and salami chopping of child arms oughta do it, right? There’s also the tangible goal you set up for your new favorite wretches; in this case, it was the “look” of total and complete acceptance of the simple message of proprietorship you keep feeding your sheep (and the message has to be simple enough for their minds to handle after you’re done messing with them). Oh, and make sure to take a picture of the pretty boy’s brains for good measure. Nobody’s going to be flashing secret peace signs (again, re-watchers take a look at Abraham!) to their girlfriends any time soon.

So is this game getting heated enough for you? Some are relishing in the show’s new pace and rejuvenation of suspense; others have announced via twitter that they’re opting out of this freak show while they can, especially since Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, and even Chris Hardwick have reminded us that this is only the beginning of a new batch of horrors yet to come. And for those of you who are still waiting for Rick to wake up from his coma to see Glenn delivering pizzas to the living, breathing wife and two-eyed son waiting patiently at his bedside, don’t hold your breath. There’s still a long ways to go before we get that “Lost” ending at Gabriel’s church. So sit back, grab a box of tissues, and try not to get teary at your next Sunday dinner.