The Walking Dead viewers were left utterly horrified last night as Alpha (played by Samantha Morton) continued her harrowing acts as leader of the Whisperers.
Her actions forced viewers into watching a horrific beheading, and a near-miss for Henry (Matt Lintz), who was almost killed for being with Lydia (Cassady McClincy).
During the brutal goings-on throughout the episode viewers were introduced to Alpha’s right-hand man: Beta (Ryan Hurst).
Beta quickly made himself known with a harrowing entrance, and later on in the episode proves himself as Alpha’s main enforcer.
Meanwhile, the residents of Hilltop don’t have much defence past Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Michonne (Danai Gurira), and Aaron (Ross Marquand).
And the trailer for the next episode teases an incredible battle between the patriarchs of the two factions: Daryl and Beta.
In the next episode’s promo Daryl can be seen probing Lydia for information about the villain.
He asks: “I’m sick of running. This Beta… is he their best?”
To which Lydia solemnly nods, prompting Daryl to confidently announce: “Good. We’ll kill him first.”
Cut to later in the trailer, Beta can be seen sneaking around a building with a knife drawn.
And as the music swells in the last shot Beta bursts through a wall and runs towards Daryl to lift him off his feet and slam him into a wall.
Daryl has been on AMC’s post-apocalyptic show since season one, and has struggled to find anyone who could stand up against him in a fight.
Beta is obviously a force to be reckoned with, but could he be the person to finally remove Daryl from the situation?
However as Lydia has received a great deal of care from Daryl and his group, could she somehow dive in to save him at the last minute?
Fans of the show are extremely excited to see Daryl take on the goliath that is Beta, and have already began comparing it to an infamous Game of Thrones battle.
One fan on Reddit wrote: “Beta is basically the Walking Dead’s equivalent of the Mountain I guess.”
While another said: “That fight between Beta and Daryl looks vicious and I can’t wait. My hopes are high for that scene. #TheWalkingDead”
A third agreed: “Beta is a tall beast I don’t think Daryl is ready to take him on #TheWalkingDead #TWD #TWDS9 #TWDFamily #Whisperers #Beta #DarylDixon #AMC.”
“That Daryl v Beta fight next week looks interesting! And let Negan out of his cage. I’m actually on his side I guess #TheWalkingDead.”
The Walking Dead season 9 continues Sunday on AMC and Monday at 9pm on Fox in the UK.