The Walking Dead season 7 episode 9: Why did Rick smile at the end of 'Rock in the Road'?

The episode ended on a rare display of happiness from the character

The Walking Dead returned from its midseason break with an episode that ended on quite a shock: Rick Grimes smiled.

In the episode's closing moments, Rick and his group were surrounded by a mysterious faction of weapon-wielding individuals and instead of panicking, the character's response was to smile - an emotion he has rare excuse to display in a series as gloomy as this one.

Speaking about the moment, showrunner Scott Gimple told The Hollywood Reporter: “That smile has a lot to do with the next episode.

"Rick is caught in this awful situation and you'd think somebody wouldn't be too happy about it - but all these people aren't just a threat; they're an answer,” he elaborated referring to Rick's attempts to recruit an army in his war against The Saviours.

The episode's director Greg Nicotero added to ComicBook.com:“ He's smiling because there's his army. However you cut it, he's gonna make sure that those people are on his side.”

We're yet to discover who this group are, but keen-eyed viewers noticed a small hint in the opening scene involving Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam).

You can read our review of the episode- which was dedicated to the show's 'unsung hero' - here.

A trailer for episode ten - titled 'New Best Friends' - teases a long-anticipated reunion.

The Walking Dead airs in the US on Sundays with the episode's UK premiere arriving the following evening on FOX.