With The Walking Dead preview weekend for Season 3 coming in just a few short weeks, fans can’t wait to get their first glimpse at the all-new episodes. There are certainly plenty of new characters coming aboard, but one of the most enticing was a casting report a few months ago that revealed one character from the series’ past would be returning. Now that filming has begun, and the actor has certainly been shown on set this week, fans are surely wondering just what the story behind his survival truly is. Now, a new set photo has popped up, and reveals a pretty Peter Pan-like accessory that will make an appearance upon his arrival.

*MAJOR SPOILERS FOLLOW. READ AT YOUR OWN CAUTION.*

After actor Michael Rooker revealed he would be returning as Merle this past March, certain people had a mantra that they would believe it when they saw it. Now, set photos have surfaced this week that have shown Rooker on set, but with both limbs still in tact many have been wondering whether or not it is simply another hallucination of Daryl’s as the character appeared last season. Thankfully today, the following set photo has hit the internet showing Merle without one of his limbs (click to enlarge):

Yes, it seems after sawing off his handcuffed right arm, Merle needed a helping hand…literally. While the truck and the supplies on top are certainly unknown, it seems safe to assume that Merle somehow ran into the prison crew after mysteriously making it out of Atlanta no problem. Exactly how he pulled off that life saving stunt is surely to be answered in the coming episodes. Furthermore, with Merle’s reemergence, what does this mean for Daryl? Daryl has certainly been the leader at times for the Survivors so far, but could blood be thicker than water especially in a Ricktatorship?

It seems we’ll find out all of the answers, along with what looks to be possibly be some awesome zombie deaths with Merle’s new attachment, this fall when The Walking Deadreturns to AMC.

SOURCE: STYD