Following the explosive mid-season finale for "The Walking Dead," the characters in the series found themselves separated and alone, and it seems things aren't going to get better very quickly. Speaking with EW, star Andrew Lincoln spoke about the remaining 8 episodes in the season which he says has some of his favorite episodes in the series.

"I’m really excited about the back 8 episodes. I think there’s a different tone to the back 8, and I think you’re going to see a lot of characters that you haven’t seen under the microscope as much all have their chance to shine. And people are putting in some tremendous performances. I think there were three scripts that were some of my favorite that I’ve ever done in the back 8. But it’s different, and that’s what’s so admirable about it with Scott Gimple’s vision. It’s a very different tone for the show and I think you learn a lot. It’s very character driven, very soulful — much more reminiscent of the first season, I think, just because they’re all out and alone and they’re much more vulnerable. And also because they’re apart from each other you realize that without each other their family is dying. It’s almost like vignettes; it’s like character studies in all of the characters. The underpinning of all of this is the great hope they can find each other again."

Without giving too much away, Lincoln also says that the separation of the characters will lead to some interesting pairings.

"It’s not only a change of pace, but what it does is it rewards the audience that perhaps doesn’t know about certain characters’ backstories and histories. There are some very witty pairings is what I will say. Really, really witty."

"The Walking Dead" returns with all-new episodes on Sunday, February 9 at 9 p.m. on AMC.​