Before 2010, no one could have imagined the success of a decade-long series revolving around a zombie apocalypse. Frank Darabont changed everything with his creative re-crafting and dramatization of Robert Kirkman’s and Tony Moore’s comic The Walking Dead.
Darabont presented a story that would pull at its fans’ every emotion. Fans cried, yawned, raved, and rejoiced as viewership exploded and waned throughout the dramatic journey. Finally, after over a decade of entertainment, the ending draws nigh. Season eleven will be the season to end all seasons. With only eight episodes of the horror drama remaining, the only question is what fans can expect in the end.
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The Walking Dead hit living rooms on Halloween of 2010, drawing a strong and steady fandom. Not since the re-visualizing of Stephen King and George Romero’s Tales from the Crypt had a horror comic book series drawn such mass appeal. Early on, it became evident that Darabont’s post-pandemic landscape ravaged by the ghastly infected and smothered with pockets of survivors struck a chord.
But the group of survivors with massive resolve in the likes of Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Shane (Jon Bernthal), Glenn (Steven Yeun), Daryl (Norman Reedus), Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), Carl (Chandler Riggs), Andrea (Laurie Holden), Carol (Melissa McBride), Morgan (Lennie James), and Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) provided the cement. Viewers were glued to their television screens, wondering where the “Day’s Gone By” would lead.
Throughout eleven seasons, viewers have not only grown with the characters but with the many additions. Some of those added fan favorites, both lost and remaining, included Meryl, Eugene, Maggie, Herschel, T Dog, Michonne, Beth, Tyrese, Sasha, Bob, Abraham, Rosita, Tara, Ezekiel, Gabriel, Aaron, Dwight, Judith, Lydia, Jesus, and Jerry. One thing was sure throughout the 177 episodes of dramatic content; watchers gained a love-hate relationship with this diverse bunch.
However, nothing stimulated as much emotion as the core group’s interactions with an array of villains: The Governor, Gregory, Janis, Scavengers, The Wolves, Terminus, Alpha, the Whisperers, or the Saviors led by Negan. But alas, two groups would provide the most significant challenge in the final season: The Reapers and The Commonwealth.
Season Eleven Thus Far
AMC
Part I of the final season aired in the late summer of 2021 with the opening episode, “Acheron.” Part II premiered in February of this year with “No Other Way.” Despite the breaks, season eleven has proven that some things don’t change in the post-apocalyptic world. True to formula, new camps arise, and so do their maniacal leaders. And like seasons past, season eleven sets up a massive chess game betwixt new foes and old friends amidst the zombie-infested backdrop. While the rules somehow change, the name of the game is still conquest. It is the same old fight, And the intention is to make survivors pawns in an endless pursuit of domination in a world tainted by more than the dead.
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Season eleven marks Maggie’s first full season back. It’s not long before she steps into her leadership role as if she has never left. She comes back with more than little Hershel in tow. She has fresh baggage from another community that has fallen prey to usurpers. But of course, things are pretty different from how she left them. Maggie’s mortal enemy, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), walks freely in his alliance with the ones she called family.
So, naturally, strife and tension become ever-present. However, this must be pushed aside as the group must focus on making the tough decisions to salvage what they have and save those they love. And as many times before, the probability of alliance lies at the heart of considerations.
Post-Apocalyptic Alliances
The funny thing about alliances in the post-apocalyptic world, they seldom seem to work out. Hilltop, Oceanside, and Alexandria remain separate entities but equal in the struggle and bonded by members once the core of a nucleus but now dispersed. Alexandria seeks the help of the discovered Commonwealth, which seems to have found the key to establishing an organized post-apocalyptic society. Pamela Milton governs the Commonwealth. Lance Hornsby, who carries a level of authority at the Commonwealth, finds interest in Aaron and Alexandria and answers his plea for help. However, his resource reach is limited by his position.
At the ask for resources, Governor Pamela Milton suggests that she will only consider extending support to Alexandria by first touring the three allied territories in which Hornsby has taken a vested interest. However, the governor pauses after visiting Alexandria. She only expresses interest in wanting an alliance with Oceanside. But, Oceanside is bound to its collaboration with Hillside and strong ties to Maggie. And Maggie wants nothing to do with the Commonwealth, jeopardizing all alliances. Whether known or unknown to Pamela, Hornsby has alternative intentions.
But even if she does know, perhaps she does not care. Regardless Hornsby is willing to do anything to rise to a position of power, which includes manipulating and seizing the control of Hilltop, Alexandria, and Oceanside.
All Roads Lead to the Commonwealth
Ezekiel, Eugene, Juanita, and Yumiko have their struggles with the newfound Commonwealth, which they discover upon accompanying Eugene on his journey to find his apocalyptic pen pal and potential love. Daryl falls into the clutches of the Reapers, wherein an old flame Leah finds her allegiance. But he escapes their clutches and ends up with the Commonwealth as a trained foot soldier alongside Rosita.
Finally, Gabriel and Aaron find themselves unknowingly part of a duplicitous plot of a powerful emissary of the Commonwealth upon which they encounter a new group of survivors. Indeed, this season has more twists and tangles than a briar patch. And given all that is going on, there is no clear portrait of how the end will look. But there are several theories.
Immense Bloodshed and an Insane Climax
There will be blood and death. There is always death, for not only is this a necessary component of an apocalypse but the final stage of life, the precursor to an ending. Thus, it would only be poetic for there to be death and perhaps lots of it to tie up the series. Intense climaxes are also an essential part of any drama. Undoubtedly the climax will be huge and all encapsulating. No one will be left out; they all must fight.
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Considering most conclusions are not only about resolution but invoking emotionalism, it is logical that fans will see some favorites breathe their last due to the impending doom. However, given what has been revealed about what lies ahead for the franchise, it is right to assume many of the titular characters will not bite the dust. But it is more than likely we will see the deaths of Ezekiel, Eugene, Gabriel, Aaron, Rosita, and a few more to who fans have an attachment.
The Last Stand
AMC
There will be the last stand. Man vs. Man Conflict is a hallmark signature of the series. Every season of The Walking Dead has led to one last stand, and for the most part, the odds are always stacked against those deemed heroes. This plot point is not out of the ordinary for most dramatic tales, for what is an epic battle without those who must overcome insurmountable odds?
Based on the released trailer, all breadcrumbs lead to an all-out attempt to take down the Commonwealth as the Commonwealth reigns. It’s going to be quite the battle with Pam as the target. Hornsby will prove the real thorn in the side. He will surely bite the dust but not before taking a few down with him. Pam will not go down easy.
Dissolving Ties
Fans will again witness the wide dispersion of those who remain. Perhaps it will be through common consensus mid-battle, strategic maneuvers pre-battle, or forced means post-battle, but regardless of the reason, separation is inevitable. What proof undergirds this theory? According to press releases on what lies ahead, Negan and Maggie will end up in Manhattan on the Isle of the Dead. Meanwhile, Daryl will end up on an entirely different continent. As Gizmodo confirms, “TV universe head honcho, Scott Gimple, has revealed that the upcoming spin-off starring Norman Reedus’ Daryl will somehow take place in France.”
Given the announcement of a Rick and Michonne spin-off, there is a small probability that Michonne will return in the final episodes, maybe to whisk away Judith and Rick Grimes Jr.
While there is no way to know exactly how the tide will turn, long-time fans of the series will find out in a few months. The conclusion to the season will make its premiere on October 2, 2022, on AMC.
