The Walking Dead season 10 episode 17 is the first installment set to air following the season 10 finale. Originally, the current installment was meant to have a total of 16 episodes. But, it has been announced that an additional six episodes are added in season 10.
During the San Diego Comic-Con, showrunner Angela Kang confirmed that there would be an extra six episodes in season 10, making it the longest installment. Now, the current season consists of a total of 22 episodes, and The Walking Dead season 10 episode 17 is the first to air of the additional installments.
The episode has no official release date at the moment. But, it has been teased that the six episodes are arriving in 2021. The current global health crisis hugely impacted the series, with the premiere of the season 11 now pushed back.
Traditionally, the next installment would have aired in October as part of AMC's fall schedule. However, the potential release wasn't followed due to the pandemic. Now that six more episodes are added, season 11, which is the final part, won't be premiering early next year.
Meanwhile, The Walking Dead season 10 episode 17 might be released in the first half of 2021. In a previous interview with Deadline, Kang said that the extra episodes were "pandemic friendly" and the "continuation" of the current installment.
The showrunner teased that viewers would see the dynamic between Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) in the bonus episodes. She also promised more stories focusing on Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride).
The Walking Dead season 10 episode 17 will likely pick up everything that happened in the original season 10 finale. While it's nice to see Maggie back after being gone for many years, there's a concern now that she's back in the world.
A lot of things happened since she's gone, and Maggie's starting to get reacquainted. She learned about the rehabilitation of Negan, the man who's responsible for killing her ex-husband, Glenn (Steven Yeun). How will she understand that Negan is not in a cell?
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Cohan said that it may take some time for Maggie to properly understand everything that's happening in the world. This is something that should be addressed. It remains to be seen whether or not the two get some resolution.
The Walking Dead season 10 episode 17 could also answer some of the questions about Maggie in the past. She's been away for so long and her journey is a mystery until now. Her backstory might be explored, including some of what she's been through while she's gone.
