These first two episodes were 50x better than the majority of season two, save for a couple of cool scenes. Season one was hard to beat, and this has started off pretty strong, so hopefully it stays that way. The first half of ep 2 started feeling flat, but it picked up.
SPOILER
The helicopter fly-over from season one is likely The Governor's based on next week's teaser trailer.
The one that crashes in the commercial is the same type that flew overhead as they were leaving Atlanta.
I'm sure the dude and his son from the first season will be brought back up, though. but what I really want to know is why Rick just stopped trying to communicate with them. He gave up on trying the radio maybe an episode after that one.