'The Walking Dead' season 7B spoilers: EP teases more 'terror and tears' after episode 9; new promo hints danger for Rick's group

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) is ready to take action and stand up for the right thing when AMC's "The Walking Dead" season 7 returns.

The first half of season 7 felt a bit bleak for some fans because it mostly explored the characters' efforts in dealing with loss and emotional trauma. With the upcoming episodes confirmed to focus on the fight against Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), showrunner Scott Gimple promised things will be more positive for the survivors as they all come together for one common goal.

"There is something in the back half [of the season] that's kind of like joyful rebellion," he told TV Line. "They're able to finally do something, stand up for the right thing. It's like they had been asleep or just caught in stasis or anger or despondency. Some of them have been full-on trapped in a cell, listening to 'Easy Street' on repeat! That's not happening for them right now," he went on to say.

Sunday's midseason premiere picks up with Rick doing everything he can to rally support and rise up against the Saviors and their leader, Negan. Although the next episodes after that will see Rick smile, Gimple warns that the rest of the season will still feature "terror and tears."

AMC released a sneak peak on Thursday, hinting that Rick and Co. may be in serious danger. In the short teaser, Rick and his group discover that the Saviors blocked the highway with parked cars. They obviously can't return home unless they move the vehicles, so they start to work.

While Michonne (Danai Gurira) is keeping watch, she unexpectedly spots a piece of dynamite. It turns out that the Saviors have booby-trapped the entire road, making it impossible for the group to pass through the highway unscathed.

The seventh season of "The Walking Dead" returns on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.