At last, our long national nightmare is over, and AMC's 'The Walking Dead' has finally returned with season 4 premiere "30 Days Without An Accident." Sure, there's our review and comic-to-TV comparison to dissect the episode, but why wait an entire week for fresh footage when we've got the first look at next week's tense "Infected" right here?

When last we saw Carl's friend Patrick, the boy had collapsed in the prison showers and reanimated as a walker, though it seems he's been busy in the meantime. Carl and Rick share something of a tense moment while outside farming, as Carl nervously asks his father to return his gun, before the conversation is interrupted by the sound of gunshots within the prison! Could Patrick have turned the tide of humans against the living in such a short time?

Elsewhere, ‘The Walking Dead’ season 4 features ‘The Wire’ star Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. as comic character Bob Stookey, and will introduce 'Southland' vet Michael Cudlitz as Sgt. Abraham Ford, Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter, ‘Twilight‘ vet Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa, and Alanna Masterson as a new mystery character. The returning David Morrissey’s villainous Governor has been upgraded to series regular, though beyond this season his involvement seems unlikely.

Well, what are you waiting for? Get your first look at next week's all-new 'Walking Dead' installment "Infected" above, and give us your predictions in the comments! Will the mysterious disease spell the end for our heroes before walkers can even get to them?

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