Fans of "The Walking Dead" were left wondering as to who the mysterious group is. At the end of the Season 7 episode 9, Rick and the rest of the gang were trying to track Father Gabriel, because the latter stole the remaining canned goods and a car. But then, they were captured by a group of survivors, and Rick caught the eye of a character who looks like a woman, and he broke into a smile.

The question that everyone has right now is, why was Rick smiling? There are a lot of speculations as to who that mysterious female figure was, and some say that this new character will be instrumental in finally defeating Negan. Entertainment Weekly talked to executive producer Greg Nicotero - who also directed the episode -  for some answers.

Nicotero said that Rick being surrounded by this new group, some of them with weapons, is the perfect ending for the episode. The whole episode, he said, is based on Rick's wins and losses, but Rick is not giving up. He is very dedicated in putting an army together, because he needs people to fight. The reason why Rick smiles? Because he sees soldiers.

Nicotero added that he does not think that Rick is worried. "I think he looks, and he's like, okay, I need a win here, and there are a lot of people here, and they have weapons, and this is what I need. So the gears are clicking. The gears start turning, and then, boom, we're out."

Meanwhile, what happens to Father Gabriel in "The Walking Dead" Season 7 episode 9? ABC News said that he drove off with a shadowy figure in the passenger seat. This intriguing character could be the same person watching Rick and Aaron when the two were traveling via rowboat on a supply run. The website added that the giveaway was, the person is wearing the same muddy boots.