The mid-season finale of The Walking Dead ended with the group leaving the prison behind, and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Carl (Chandler Riggs) left on their own for the time being. While the survivors may be at their lowest point yet in the entire series, executive producer Robert Kirkman teased that the second half of Season 4 may be more hopeful.

"We started the season pretty hopeful and pretty optimistic. We'll open our last half of the season pretty bleak and we'll move them to something a little more hopeful by the end."

The series returns with its mid-season premiere Sunday, February 9 at 9 PM ET on AMC. Here's the official description of the currently-untitled episode.

"As the survivors of the prison assault try to regroup, Rick and Carl stumble upon a vacant house in the forest. Meanwhile, Daryl and Beth realize they are being watched by someone, and a new threat begins to emerge."