‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’ Recap – ‘The Last Light’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’.
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Over the course of the past two years, the AMC series, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, has provided us with some fascinating examinations regarding the human condition. For instance, the show leaned heavy into how hard it is for us to discover the realities of the world, when we set out on our own to conquer it. Plus, it has also taken the time to examine the nature of evil and how it grabs hold of everyday people to further its interests and of course… it has also leaned hard into what motivates good people to turn upon oppressive regimes and fight a revolution in the name of freedom. But while that has made for some powerful storytelling, the kind that has seen good people exit this series, there is one particular question the series has yet to answer.
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One that The Walking Dead universe has been eager to explore and answer for some time now. In that, is humanity a species that is worth saving? Which is a question that has merit and deserves answering since we have taken part in cruel acts upon one another, and fight each other constantly in the name of causes and beliefs and political affiliations and according to this show… we would continue to do so even when faced with the reality that our end was near and well… as it turns out, the series finale of this dynamic and intriguing show finally answers that all important question with a resounding yes. But before we get into how ‘The Last Light’ accomplishes that, let’s talk about how the cliffhanger from last week ended, first.

Because when we last saw the Endlings, they were facing more insurmountable odds. For the Civic Republic Military was hunting for them for escaping the Project Votus research facility and they were also facing quite the hard loss. For they were unable to destroy the Votus bioweapon that was to be deployed upon Portland. But as it turns out, there was still hope to be found in this story. Since Huck came to discover that all of the gas was moved to Dennis’ culling facility and if by chance they acted quickly enough, they could destroy the gas and save countless lives and that prompted the Endlings to make their way to that facility post haste and give Huck and Dennis the C-4 they needed to blow the place sky high and that led to some incredible and heartbreaking moments.

For shortly after some tearful goodbyes took place, the kind where Silas stayed behind in the hopes of helping Huck and Dennis expose the CRM’s criminal acts, a problem arose. One where Huck realized that she needed timers for the detonators, a revelation that sent Silas and Dennis away… so that Huck could play the hero. For she knew Jadis was near, and she knew the CRM would do anything and everything to get that gas back. Which is why she sent them away, to keep them safe while she fought her old pupil… and to delay Jadis and her lackeys from obtaining their twisted prize and sadly… this is an act that cost Huck her life. For Jadis was stronger in that moment and mortally wounded Huck. But not before she revealed she used her dad’s watch to set the timers, giving Jadis mere seconds before the facility exploded in a blaze of glory. Giving the heroes a win and seemingly… a perfectly happy ending.

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But alas, a bite on Elton’s arm in the midst of his escape with Hope and Iris, and the fact that Silas had to put down Dennis in order to save his own hide, provided them and the audience with a bittersweet ending at best. One that slowly brought about the answer in question. For Silas eventually found himself in the midst of the CRM’s forces, going along to get along so that he could eventually bring the truth to light… and of course, Jadis found more power as baddie’s often do. Courtesy of the fact that she had Lieutenant Colonel Kublek take the fall for Project Votus. But on the plus side, Elton survived, and the scientists found a mall a la Dawn of the Dead, to conduct their research within in the hopes of finding a cure for the end, and Iris and Elton and other survivors, made it to Portland, and it is their arrival and a grand reveal at the end of this story that gives us the answer we seek.

For a quick cut away to France, wherein a research scientist curious about finding a cure for this mess as well, via old video chats with Dr. Edwin Jenner from The Walking Dead, revealed not only that it was French scientists that were responsible for creating the virus that reanimates the dead… but that they also might have created a horrific variant that features human like stamina and strength shortly after reanimation. Which is a revelation that should in fact, speak to how we are not worth saving. Since tinkering with death, our core biological purpose in life, and unleashing that bastardized version of our end upon the world… would make us nothing more than unworthy to carry on. But alas, the opposite is the case, primarily because of what Elton had to say at the end of this story and because of the heroic acts that the Endlings took part in.

Because their actions and the reality that someone finally stood up to evil in a broken and desolate world, teaches us that we are worth saving… because there are those of us, who dream of better. Who desire unity and harmony and thirst for equality, and are willing to fight to obtain just that and see evil be put away. And our ability to recognize our mistakes and demand better of ourselves, does indeed make us worth saving. Because we can recognize our follies and we can improve upon them and do better and be better and the more we instill that in future generations the closer we will come to the harmony we seek now and that really is a wonderful way to answer that question and it does leave one wondering, exactly how future generations in this universe will correct and cure this mistake, and how The Walking Dead will answer that same question come next year, since it too is pondering up this matter.

But while we wait to see how that will play out, in the here and the now, we can celebrate one complete and fascinating tale. One that really did take us on quite the powerful and emotional journey, and it will be sad to see this show go off the airwaves. For this really was a special corner of The Walking Dead Universe, and its contributions to the franchise will never be forgotten. Since it not only helped us to cope with the reality that shows in this universe will indeed come to a close, but it also presented this rich universe with all kinds of new possibilities storytelling wise, and well, that’s really all there is to say about The Walking Dead: World Beyond. But while it has indeed come to its end, the good news is that we can revisit this saga, whenever we feel the need to be reminded of what we can be and what can accomplish, when we apply ourselves to something just and true.

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