Working the over night shift, I have a lot of down time to think about everyone’s favorite Zombie Apocalypse drama. This season has ramped up the gore and drama but it’s left a lot of people wondering where the series will go and how far from the comic book’s storyline will the tv show diverge.
Series creator Robert Kirkman made it very clear that just because something happens to one character in the comics doesn’t mean that it can’t happen to another character in the tv series. This point was driven home when it was Scott Wilson, Hershel, who had his leg cut off in the prison after being bitten by a walker and then decapitated by The Governor during the prison massacre. For those of you don’t read the comic books, it was Dale who’s leg was amputated and Tyrese who’s head The Governor took. Had Frank Darabont not been fired as showrunner, Dale would have made it to the prison to have Rick cut off his leg and Hershel wouldn’t have made it off the farm.
Lizzie and Mika’s story was taken almost directly from the comic book’s, except it revolved about Donna and Allen’s twin sons, Billy and Ben. In the comics, it was Ben who killed his younger brother, knowing that Billy will come back. Carl then shoots Ben after the adult survivor’s argue about what to do with the young murderer.
Up through the end of season 4, we’re gearing up for the arrival of The Hunters, a band of survivors who’ve resorted to cannibalism. In the comics, it was Dale who was caught by The Hunters but released after finding out that Dale had been bitten but not before they ate his leg. To me, this story arc is one of the most disturbing in the entire series. But with Dale dead in the TV show, who will the Hunters eat, if they even show up? Bob? Tyrese? I doubt we’ll find out until season 5.
Lennie James’ as Morgan Jones also returns before the Season 4 finale. I’m assuming that it’ll be Michonne, Rick and Carl who find him, instead of Rick, Carl and Abraham like in the comics. The story of Morgan’s joining the group is also rather disturbing but I doubt it’ll play out like it did in the comics.
Spoilers for the end of season 4 are already floating around. A little digging on IMDB and you’ll find cast members listed for the final two episodes of Season 4. For those paying attention, the mauraders that find Daryl after Beth is kidnapped, were the same who had broken into the house that Rick, Michonne and Carl had taken refuge in. What we didn’t know, however, was that they may also be a part of the group that Glenn, Rick and Hershel had gotten into a gun fight with in Season 2.
And what about Terminus? Is this where the group meets Father Gabriel? Or will Terminus be the home of the cannibals?
Episode 15, “Us”: “Survivors rely on brutality and faith.”
Episode 16, “A”: Many paths collide; Rick faces sheer brutality; the group struggles to survive.
We can only assume that season 5 starts off with all of our survivors beck together. Will Rick be keen on heading to Washington D.C. with Abraham? According to an early released synapsis of episode 5.1, yes. “Rick and the group are heading to Washington D.C., where they meet new danger and a new enemy. Once again, Rick must do whatever it takes to keep the rest of the group safe.”
What are your thoughts? More importantly, will you be able to wait until October??
