With the return of The Walking Dead Season 4 less than three weeks away, get ready for a series of special features leading up to the episode nine premiere. To kick things off, we have the official season 4.5 description, the synopsis for episode nine, and a high resolution version of the first new photo:

“The Walking Dead” returns with the highly anticipated final eight episodes of season four beginning Sunday, February 9 at 9pm ET/PT. Following the devastating events of the mid-season finale, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and the group are still reeling from the loss of their home, family and friends. With the destruction of the prison, the group of survivors is broken apart and sent on divergent paths, unsure of everyone else's fate. What was a challenging life behind fences and walls grows that much more perilous and precious as they are exposed to new dangers, new enemies and heartbreaking choices. They will have their faith thoroughly tested -- a faith that breaks some of them and redeems others."

For those of you on Twitter, we've been told that Norman Reedus will take part in a live Twitter Q&A in the hours leading up to the February 9th premiere of After. Our UK readers will be happy to learn that Season 4 will resume for them on Monday, February 10th, so there won't be as long of a wait as previous seasons.

Looking past Season 4, The Walking Dead Season 5 has been officially given the green light by AMC, so filming should start in Spring 2014. A spinoff series is also in the early planning stages and is expected to air in 2015. We expect to have more details on all of these projects in the coming months, but you can catch up on our recent coverage highlights by visiting the following links:

The Walking Dead Episode 409 – After: "As Rick deals with old wounds, members of the prison have to come to terms with their new environment and ask themselves if survival alone is enough."

Written By: Robert Kirkman

Directed By: Greg Nicotero

Season 4 Return Trailer:

Alternate International Embed [via SpoilerTV]:

Previously Released Trailer:

Season 4 Return Poster: