A Farewell to ‘The Walking Dead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

On October 31, 2010, the world of horror changed forever. Because that particular Halloween featured the ambitious debut of a brand-new and risky series on AMC entitled The Walking Dead. And what made this decision so risky and so bold, was the sheer fact that horror really wasn’t a primetime focus back in 2010. It was best left to late night, weekend television, where it had thrived for so long. Not to mention, it featured zombies. Creatures known to consume human flesh in a brutal and detailed manner, something that also wasn’t quite a primetime thing. But once the episode started and we continued along with a kind man known as Rick Grimes, it was clear that something incredible was in front of us. 
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Something that would change our lives in ways we never thought possible. For this series would move us unlike any other show on television and it would also go on to have a profound impact on the pop culture landscape, and the horror industry as a whole and well… that’s what we would like to focus on today to properly bid farewell to this iconic series. Because it is rare to be a fan of a series that accomplished all of that over the course of twelve years and eleven seasons, and when one considers that a majority of us today are still drying our eyes from the tears and trying to put the pieces back together over the reality that this series is done… celebrating its accomplishments really is the perfect way to heal and say goodbye. 

In fact, our tears are of note today, largely because it is the emotional tie to this series that made this journey so impactful and addicting for all of us. A feat that the show accomplished through stunningly realistic characters. Because every single fictional person in this show, reminded us of either ourselves or someone we’ve known, and the wonderful acting, combined with that level of depth and writing, invested us in their lives and their safety. A move that would prove costly as the show continued along since there were some heartbreaking and devastating moments. The kind that prompted some folks to walk away, but that too… must be celebrated. Because how epic is it, that a show was able to move us to that point emotionally? But it did and our love of the characters, and the beauty of this harrowing world, basically laid down the foundation to make this series an outright juggernaut.

Because just like that… we were all obsessed with this series and every moment it sent our way, and that made this series a massive success. One that broke records from a ratings perspective and quite frankly helped the world open their eyes to the wonder of fandoms and the good they can provide us with. Since people lined up for miles to meet stars from the show and hear their stories, and the cast’s embracing of the fanbase, only fueled that fire. But it taught everyone it was okay to geek out about your favorite show and share in that wonder with others, and the fandom was so strong that while some bad apples tried to sour it, they were forgotten by the good vibes the others produced. And the demand to see the cast in person gave rise to Walker Stalker Con, a roving convention dedicated to TWD and all things horror.

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Speaking of horror, we would also be foolish to not point out… that this show basically made the genre mainstream. Because up until that point, horror was quite niche and regaled to late night for certain. But our love of this show, and our demand for more of what the genre could provide, put the genre on the map and just like that… zombie themed entertainment was everywhere, and people were talking about George A. Romero at the family dinner table instead of in film school discussions and via message boards and that popularity, continues today. Since there are now streaming services dedicated to horror and scary stories dominate the box office and enjoy continued success on television, all because of this show. 
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If anything, it is safe to say that The Walking Dead was and is… historic. For it did so much more than just entertain, it changed television forever and it made horror cool and helped to de-stigmatize being a nerd or a geek and now that the story as come to its end, this is what we need to hold onto. That we were part of history, a phenomenon, a happening, and a life changing one at that since it gave us new friends and well… all we can do now, is enjoy the memories, watch it again and give thanks.

To Scott Gimple, Angela Kang, Greg Nicotero, Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Norman Reedus, Steven Yuen, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, Christian Serratos, Josh McDermitt, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Chandler Riggs, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Khary Payton, Cooper Andrews, Lennie James, Sonequa Martin-Green, Eleanor Matsuura, Nadia Hilker, Lauren Ridloff, Cailey Fleming, Angel Theory, Paola Lázaro, Michael James Shaw, Emily Kinney, Tom Payne, Michael Cudlitz, Alanna Masterson, Cassady McClincy, the late and great Scott Wilson, Sarah Wayne Callies, Lauren Holden, Chad L. Coleman, Pollyanna McIntosh, Jon Bernthal, Samantha Morton, David Morrissey, Irone Singleton, Ryan Hurst, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Jeffrey DeMunn, Michael Rooker, Josh Hamilton, Laila Robins, Frank Darabont, Glen Mazzara and the countless other cast members and crew members that helped bring this series to life. 

For without all of you, this series never would have been possible, nor would it have made it eleven seasons and wowed us in the manner that it did. So, from the bottom of the heart of a writer that grew up with zombies and always wanted to see them have their literal Dawn of the Dead, or Day of the Dead if you prefer… I thank you and look forward to where the franchise heads next now The Walking Dead, will forever rest in peace.

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