The Walking Dead: A Requiem for [Latest Dead Character]
EntertainmentThe Walking Dead has rarely had mercy on its most lovable characters. Never would a great storyline be sacrificed for the sake of sympathy. It’s an admirable yet gut-wrenching aspect of the show. And so it goes that in Sunday night’s episode, “Thank You,” my third-favorite person was (presumably) killed off in the most heartbreaking death blow of the series thus far.
***DEATH SPOILER AHEAD, DUH. WATCH THE EPISODE, COLLECT YOURSELF AND GATHER YOUR FEELINGS BEFORE PROCEEDING***
In memoriam, this week is dedicated to Glenn, who died (?) a horrible death (?) due to a fuccboi named Nicholas. Of all the show’s grisly fatalities, this one cut the deepest and was somewhat foreshadowed when Maggie urged Glenn to stay behind at Alexandria, right before the invasion of the Wolves confirmed the community’s failure to protect its borders. The gang is all spread out now, just as Rick’s mission to hoard the walkers was prematurely set in motion. This is when the worst things happen.
An aberrant horn sent droves of walkers marching toward Alexandria, which means Rick, Glenn, Daryl, Michonne, Abraham, Sasha and the Alexandria no-names need to hurry back. To that end, Rick is running a one-man marathon back to the RV, while Michonne groups with Heath and his crew to find shelter. Glenn and Nicholas later head out together, unknowingly destined to perish. Nicholas is both harboring guilt about leaving Noah behind to die and feels indebted to Glenn, yet there’s a selfish stroke in him—Nicholas is mentally fragile and ill-equipped for survival. A walking liability.
Even after being duped by him, Glenn showed maturity. He’s had faith in people and spared lives before, for better or worse. (Remember in Season 2 when he offered himself up as tribute in that well?). But it’s hard to believe he’d be so charitable when Maggie’s at stake, waiting back at Alexandria (he mentions this more than once, another hint). Even now, Glenn the former pizza delivery boy is honorable enough to comfort Nicholas in his time of cowardice.