The Walking Dead season 7 episode 3: The 5 biggest talking points

Last week's episode of The Walking Dead saw a brief reprieve from all the traumatic bloodshed, instead introducing us to King Ezekiel over at the kingdom.

With episode three, 'The Cell,' we're back with Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who we last saw - among other things - murdering Abraham and Glenn in cold blood and taking Daryl (Norman Reedus) hostage. Sadly, everyone's favourite crossbow-wielding character is not being treated in the most hospitable of manners.

As well as being introduced to Saviours compound, the Sanctuary, this week saw the return of Dwight (Austin Amelio) and a character briefly glimpsed in season 5.

1 | Daryl's being tortured

The episode's first glimpse of Daryl shows him in a way we've never seen before: battered, bruised, naked and starved. Dwight brings him some food - a bread roll filled with dog food - before deploying some plain old torture tactics; blasting music into his cell on repeat to keep him from sleeping (the song used is happy-clappy earworm called "Easy Street" and we tracked down its writer to find out how he feels about it being used in such a way).

2 |...but he may have an ally

Namely Sherry (Christine Evangelista), who was last saw in season 5 stealing Daryl's motorcycle alongside Dwight. She remembers him the moment she lays eyes on him and warns him to toe Negan's line. "Go back while you can," she says. "Whatever he's done, there's more." This is evidently a warning that Negan's brutality knows no limits. The only problem? She's his wife... (see number four).

3 | A Saviour rebellion may be underway

This one addresses the thought that not all of Negan's people necessarily agree with his depravity. At one stage in this episode, Saviours member Gordon abscond with his leader's property, thus breaking the Sanctuary's rules. Dwight goes after and finds him, insisting he returns. His friend has other plans and refuses. "It's the only way," states Dwight, but Gordon replies: "Thug swoops in with a baseball bat and a smile and we're so scared we gave up everything - but there's only one of him and all of us so why are we living like this?" Ultimately, Dwight kills him - Gordon would rather die than live another day under Negan's rule.

4 | Negan stole Dwight's wife

Negan recounts Dwight's backstory to Daryl: he ran away - similar to the man above - with his wife, Sherry, and her sister-in-law who Negan had proposed to. They got away but instead opted to return to beg for Negan's forgiveness - however, Sherry's sister was killed in the process. In order to prevent Negan from killing Dwight, Sherry says she'll marry him instead - he accepts and puts a hot iron poker to his face instead. This makes Negan's earlier comment to Dwight - when he offers him: "A little blast in the past with you know who?" - all the more vindictive.

5 | Daryl's punishing himself for Glenn's death

Towards the end of the episode, Negan summons Daryl. He recounts the above story, praising Dwight's loyalty. "I think you are ready to be that guy," Negan states before bribing him with pleasant living arrangements. All he has to do? Answer the question "Who are you?" with the word 'Negan.' Daryl refuses and is flung back into his cell. "I get why you let him do it," he says, referring to Dwight's burns. "You were thinking of someone else - that's why I can't." Daryl is holding the weight of Glenn's death on his shoulders and being Negan's prisoner is his perfect - and most convenient - punishment.