Our attempt to figure out what season it’s supposed to be, in Alexandria and beyond.

Among life’s greatest questions: Why are we here? Where did we come from? And for God’s sake, what season is it on The Walking Dead?

Yes: as we prepare to dive back into Season 7 of the zombie drama, we can’t help but fixate on the show’s most pervasive conundrum. It’s generally impossible to figure out what time of year it’s supposed to be on this show—even if you try to do it the logical way, by simply looking at what its characters are wearing. Clearly, people in the Walking Dead universe have very different internal body temperatures.

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In a single hour-long episode, you’ll often see Michonne bare-armed and sweaty, while Negan cruises along zipped into a very thick-looking leather jacket. Negan himself looks equally comfortable whether he’s wearing his usual jacket and bandanna or just a white T-shirt. We’ve got Rick sweating through a button-down right next to Jesus in a floor-length leather jacket and a beanie.

This climatic confusion may have been plausible in Georgia—although, even there, it snows. But as the group pushes further north, the apparent lack of seasons on The Walking Dead becomes ever more puzzling. In fact, our best guess as to what the hell is happing actually may come not come from clothing at all, but from the Kingdom—specifically, its fresh fruit. Considering Ezekiel is able to offer Carol fresh apples and pomegranates, we’re guessing it’s some time between September and October.

Here, for your amusement on a Friday, is a detailed analysis of some of this season’s most perplexing costumes.

What Time of Year Is It on The Walking Dead?

Courtesy of AMC.
Daryl Dixon
This photo has a lot of layers—both literal and figurative. Clearly, the hat is a nod to the blistering sun—which, ostensibly, is also responsible for the impressive amount of sweat soaking through Daryl’s shirt. Then again, if it’s so hot, why on earth is Daryl—the king of bare biceps—wearing this loud button-down shirt? For the love of God, if we’re going to give him an unnecessary layer, make it a poncho.

King Ezekiel
King Ezekiel looks like he’s ready for a snowy hiking trip with Bane in that long, fur-lined leather jacket. Somehow, he barely seems to be breaking a sweat—not that you’d see it through that coat.

Rick Grimes
It’s been many a moon since we’ve seen Rick with dry hair. His perpetually sweat-soaked button-downs and water-logged locks are worthy of the desert—or Disney World in the summer. Yet, there he is, talking to be-leathered, unbothered King Ezekiel. If the rule of good leadership is “never let ’em see you sweat,” Rick should be fired immediately.

Carol Peletier
Carol has taken to wearing a heavy-looking, camel-colored coat. And apparently it’s so cold in this scene that even the zombie had to put on her cardigan before stalking her prey.

Negan
Again: here’s our Big Bad, zipped into his leather jacket, which looks like a thick summer sausage casing—and looking pretty comfy. In one episode, we see Negan all layered up and then totally comfy on the porch with Carl—sporting bare arms. One of those two outfits must be uncomfortable, right?

Paul Rovia (Jesus)
Jesus might be the key to unlocking this puzzle. In recent episodes, he’s been seen without his beanie and jacket—which would imply to us that it’s getting warmer. So perhaps it’s spring? But if that’s the case, how are Ezekiel and the Kingdom growing such luscious apples and pomegranates? Back to Square One.

Tara Chambler
Far be it for us to tell a woman how to dress—but why layer two short-sleeved shirts? If it’s warm, this would theoretically be uncomfortable—and if it’s cool, wouldn’t it be easier to simply wear sleeves? Perhaps long-sleeved shirts are in short supply during the zombie apocalypse.

Morgan Jones
Morgan is wearing the same clothing as Rick these days, yet he produces less sweat. That kind of biological poise is why he belongs in a place called the Kingdom, and Rick does not.

Michonne
Speaking of the Kingdom: my kingdom to whoever can explain to me Michonne and Ezekiel’s clearly polar opposite body temperatures.

Eugene Porter
God, of course Eugene wears cargo shorts. Or, wait a minute, are those. . . cargo pants? Rolled up? Somehow that’s even more fitting, isn’t it? Yet, you’ll note, as Eugene sweats through his summer look, there’s Negan. In leather. Barely sweating a drop.

Dwight
I don’t know, man. I just don’t know.

Sasha Williams
I guess it’s warm? I mean, everyone is definitely less layered than they were during the season premiere, as they all sat in a semi-circle shaking with fear in their jackets and over-shirts and long sleeves. Sasha’s even wearing short sleeves now!

Maggie Greene
Then again, here’s Maggie, in long sleeves and an undershirt with no pit stains! Oh, to have that superpower.

Enid and Carl
I give up. Here are Enid and Carl on roller skates. Enjoy the midseason premiere on Sunday night. I’ll be here, staring at everyone’s clothes and dejectedly muttering to myself.