‘The Walking Dead’ Season 6 Return: Episode 9 Synopsis, Plus Tom Payne Reveals What It’s Like Playing Jesus Monroe

With less than two weeks until the premiere of season 6 of The Walking Dead, AMC has just released the synopsis for the mid-season premiere episode. On top of this, Tom Payne has decided to open up about what it is like to play Paul “Jesus” Monroe in season 6.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information about both the comic book and TV series of The Walking Dead. Please proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

Episode 9, which is the mid-season premiere of season 6 of The Walking Dead is entitled “No Way Out.” The official synopsis has just been released by AMC.

“While trying to escape Alexandria, Rick and his group meet trouble when sudden noise draws walkers towards them with what could be fatal consequences.”

Episode 8 (entitled “Start To Finish”) of The Walking Dead saw Rick’s group having to don the ever reliable walker guts costume in order to escape Alexandria. The episode faded out with Jessie’s (Alexandra Breckenridge) son, Sam (Major Dodson), calling out to his mom as the group walked through a massive group of walkers.

Could the synopsis refer to this? Perhaps, but it does mention a “sudden noise” which doesn’t quite fit with the fact that Sam was calling repeatedly at the end of the episode. So does this mean the walkers will be startled by another noise?

Fans of the comic book series the TV show is based on, will likely be hedging their bets on the fact the “sudden noise” is actually Sam calling out to his mother, as this is how it plays out in the comics. As a result of this, some of the group manage to escape, but, others — as it usually happens in The Walking Dead — become walker fodder.

Another comic book theory involves a gunshot and the resultant loss of an eye for a major character. This theory actually works a little better with the “sudden noise” theory but would mean that Rick’s group would have to make it free from the walkers they were surrounded by in episode 8 since the characters involved are currently covered in walker guts and have no time yet for a shootout.

As well as the new synopsis, Tom Payne has revealed what it is like to play one of the favorite Walking Dead characters from the comic books, Paul “Jesus” Monroe. Comic book creator, Robert Kirkman described Jesus as thus to Entertainment Weekly recently.

“He’s smart, quick, very athletic. He’s kinda been surviving on his feet. He’s going to be bringing a lot to the show. There’s some cool stuff coming with him.”

Fans have been speculating that Jesus will be introduced in episode 9 of The Walking Dead. The theory is that Jesus will help Daryl, (Norman Reedus), Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) and Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) escape the clutches of Negan’s group as shown in the trailer video below.

In the comic books, Jesus’ fighting ability is shown from the introduction of the character, something fans are hoping will also happen in the TV series. But, for Tom Payne, the actor who will play Jesus, playing such an athletic character is a welcome return.

“I was a gymnast when I was younger but sadly didn’t really keep it up with age… With this part, it’s been an amazing opportunity for me to get back into a more dynamic physicality. The training is hard, but I’m loving every minute.”

Tom Payne describes his character, Jesus, as someone who is capable both mentally and physically — something all survivors of the zombie apocalypse in The Walking Dead have to be. However, Payne told Entertainment Weekly that Jesus will also be very careful to keep his cards close to his chest when meeting new characters in The Walking Dead.

What are your thoughts and theories on the season 6 return of The Walking Dead? Let us know by commenting below.

Season 6 of The Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, February 14, 2016.

[Photo by AMC]