Talk The Walking Dead in San Angelo, Season 6 Ep. 3 (Spoiler Alert)

How do I even begin to write this week my dear San Angelo Walking Dead fans? Even four days later (please forgive me) my heart is heavy after Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead. I wanted to write Monday, but for the first time, I’m happy to say I’m posting this later than usual because I have had so much to do this week with our “It’s A-LIVE! Submission Story Contest.” I’m okay with being late because my thoughts are jumbled and I’m barely able to get the words out. A part of me remains in denial, especially after the note from director Scott Gimple that stated, “In some way, we will see Glenn, some version of Glenn or parts of Glenn, again—either in flashback or the current story to help complete the story.”

Now what the heck is that supposed to mean? By now, all of you TWD fans know Glenn is dead. At least, that’s what we are supposed to believe after Sunday’s episode. Those of you who said Glenn saving Nicholas would come back to bite him in the behind, well you were right. You and I were also right about the repercussions of Morgan allowing the group of Wolves to escape.

So many things happened in the third episode that it’s hard to focus on everything, but the obvious choice for this week is the loss of Glenn, another favorite character of mine. Unfortunately, that’s the beauty and tragedy of this show. For six seasons, we, TWD fans, have become so immersed in the show that we have developed a vested interest in the characters who have survived the apocalypse. We have watched many of them, especially Glenn, transform from people like you and I to these amazing survivalists struggling to maintain their humanity.

Glenn was the one person who remained true to his humanity while at the same time transforming himself into a warrior—a warrior who has sustained for so long. However, now he’s gone, and even though Talking Dead didn’t have an “In Memoriam” for him, and I’m hoping there’s a good reason for that, I find it hard to believe Glenn could survive that herd of zombies. Therefore, I feel compelled to write my own “In Memoriam” for the man because, whether he’s dead or alive, Glenn deserves it.

In Honor of Glenn

When Glenn Rhee, played by South Korean/American actor Steven Yeun, appeared in the first season of TWD, I immediately liked his sense of self. He was a young kid who called Rick Grimes a “dumb ass” for getting himself stuck in a military tanker surrounded by walkers. Because of Glenn’s quick wit, Rick escaped to safety and was able to become the hero he is today.

In fact, Glenn’s wit and actions helped save many of the characters throughout the seasons. It’s hard to point out all of the things he’s done, but here are a few:

• He helped Rick escape from the tank and led him to safety despite the danger to himself.
• He drove the red Camaro with the alarm blaring to lead the dead away from Rick and the others in Atlanta.
• He allowed himself to be lowered into the well to capture the big farmer zombie stuck at the bottom of this well on Hershel’s land.
• He saved Maggie from a walker when they went into town to do a run.
• He tried to keep Lori’s pregnancy a secret and got her pregnancy test during one of those runs.
• He helped save Maggie when walkers overtook Hershel’s farm.
• He tried to intervene when the Governor took him and Maggie hostage, and he killed a walker tied to a chair (now that was awesome).
• He helped out at the prison when everyone got sick, and ended up almost dying himself.
• He offered to go out and do numerous runs regardless of the danger to himself.
• Whenever Rick conducted a rescue mission, Glenn joined.
• Glenn saved Tara despite her role in the Governor’s attempted hostile takeover of the prison.
• Glenn never gave up on Maggie and walked miles, killed tons of walkers, and even fought against Abraham’s massiveness to find his way back to her.
• When Tara got trapped under the rubble in the underpass, Glenn didn’t leave her behind despite the walkers heading their way.
• Glenn helped get many vehicles running again thanks to Dale’s tutelage.
• Glenn pops Deanna’s son a good one when the cocky kid tries to get in his face.
• Glenn tries to save him despite that during a run for Alexandria.
• Glenn also tries to save Noah, but has to watch as walkers tear the young man apart.
• Even though Nicholas is to blame for Noah, and tries to kill him, Glenn gives him a chance to redeem himself.

Ultimately, it’s that opportunity that leads to Glenn’s end.

However, Like Hershel, Glenn stayed true to who he was, and we’ve had the pleasure of watching this character grow and mature into the man he became. In our world, he was a kid who delivered pizzas. Many literary analysts would call him the anti hero. He wasn’t tough, and he didn’t do anything great; however, in this new apocalyptic world, he transformed. Like the true hero, Glenn went from being the awkward pizza delivery guy to a man with purpose, character, strength and determination. For many seasons, he cheated death and he fought off and killed numerous walkers, but not once did he take a life.

Now, some people might determine that as his downfall, but I consider that one of his strengths because he provided the balance that Rick needs, just as Hershel did.

The Final Review

Obviously, a lot happens in this episode. Rick takes off on his own to try and divert the walkers; Sasha and Abraham are left to keep the walker herd following them; Daryl decides to go see what’s happening back at Alexandria but when he hears shots and can’t communicate with Rick any longer over the radio he turns around. Also, the same Wolves Morgan let go come after Rick. Although he succeeds in killing them, the show ends with a swarm of walkers heading his way; and with Rick hurt, who knows how that will pan out. Not to mention, a large number of walkers = death, as we saw with Glenn.

When I heard Glenn say the same thing to Rick over the radio that he did in the first season, I knew something was about to take place, but I didn’t realize it would be something so drastic. However, I should have known better when he sacrificed himself once more to go find a building to burn as a distraction for the herd of walkers heading their way. I did know though that no good would come of Nicholas joining Glenn. A part of me figured he would ruin the plan, or do something dangerous, but I didn’t see him shooting himself in the head, falling on Glenn and knocking them both into the crowd of walkers. That “thank you” to me was more like an expletive to poor Glenn.

Dying at the hands of walkers has to be one of the goriest things ever, but that’s what I love about TWD. The writers and directors don’t color coat things. They make things so realistic, and because of that, I can’t help but feel the pain, rage and anger when one of my favorite characters die such a tragic death. Because I’m a realist, I am going to rate this week’s episode and give it an A+.

Not only did this episode succeed in ruining a lot of viewers’ night, but now we’re left wondering, was that Glenn’s entrails or Nicholas’ entrails the walkers ate? Is it possible Glenn could have made his way under the garbage can? Will Daryl, Abraham and Sasha make it to Rick on time to keep him from suffering the same fate? How bad is Rick’s injury, and if he does survive, what will happen to that hand?

So now it’s your turn San Angelo fans. What do you think about these questions, and what do you think will come next?

I look forward to your responses.