Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of Daryl Dixon Season 2, confirming that The Walking Dead franchise has not diminished in its appeal since its debut in 2010. Some seasons throughout the original show and various spin-offs failed to live up to expectations, but the overall quality of the horror TV series has only intensified throughout the long runtime.
Arguably one of the most appealing aspects of TWD franchise is the emotional stakes due to viewers getting attached to certain fan-favorite characters. Even controversial spin-offs such as Fear The Walking Dead and new additions such as Dead City, Daryl Dixon, and The Ones Who Live moved the audience to tears and outrage. Among the most emotional moments in the franchise are the saddest deaths, some of which broke fans' hearts and others that were so painful they turned viewers away from the show for a period.
Dale Horvath Had a Kind Heart
- Dale was played by Jeffrey DeMunn.
- He died in Season 2, Episode 11, "Judge, Jury, Executioner."
Though it's well-regarded as one of the best post-apocalyptic shows ever, The Walking Dead world is better understood when viewers understand the early days of the zombie apocalypse. A new order was designed in later years, but in the first year, the group was still trying to hold on to the old rules of the world. Dale was one of the few characters who wanted to honor their old customs, such as giving someone a fair trial before a death sentence.
He was an endearing character who wanted to see as many people survive as possible. However, survivors in this dangerous world soon learned they couldn't trust everyone and therefore resorted to killing other people rather than give them a chance. When Dale met his untimely death at the Greene Farm, the group didn't just grieve the loss of a dear friend but the downfall of previous morals and civility.
Amaia Never Had a Chance
- Amaia is played by Karina Ortiz.
- She died in Season 1, Episode 5, "Stories We Tell Ourselves."
In Dead City, Amaia is one of the survivors who aid Maggie and Negan when they journey into the city to save Hershel. Though she initially doesn't trust the newcomers, she proves herself to be a strong fighter and a compromising individual. She quickly earned the respect of Maggie and viewers alike by showcasing her strengths as a survivor and leader.
Unfortunately, Amaia's entire group dies when The Croat and his group ambush them in the arena. Insult is added to injury when she discovers her partner, Tommaso, gave away their group to save her and himself. Though Maggie offers her a place at the Bricks, Amaia is attacked by walkers while they travel through the city's sewers. This was an unfortunate end to this character, who never had a chance to shine despite her potential.
John Dorie Sr. Went Out a Hero
- John Sr. is played by Keith Carradine.
- He died in Season 7, Episode 12, "Sonny Boy"
It was initially hard for Fear The Walking Dead fans to accept John Dorie Sr. so soon after the unfortunate demise of his son. However, he quickly became a fan-favorite, dedicating himself to protecting his son's wife, June, to make amends for abandoning his son as a child. He proved to be a useful ally, using his experience as a cop to investigate and take caution.
When Victor Strand, a previous ally, becomes an enemy to the heroes, John unintentionally becomes his right-hand man while still plotting against the antagonist. In the end, he goes out a hero, walking through a horde of walkers to return Morgan's infant daughter to him. His death was honorable and a true selfless act, but it still hurt viewers to see such an interesting character meet a bloody end.
Nat Could Have Been the Next Epic Survivor
- Nat is played by Matthew August Jeffers.
- He died in Season 1, Episode 2, "Gone."
There are some characters that fail to make an impact after several seasons on a show, but Nat in The Ones Who Live left a lasting impression despite only appearing in one episode of the spin-off. He was an epic ally to Michonne during her harrowing journey to find Rick. Despite losing his entire group to a CRM poison bombing, he remains dedicated to Michonne's mission.
Fans loved that Nat wasn't the typical survivor of The Walking Dead franchise. He wasn't strong or agile, but he was an intelligent person who used his passion for inventions and explosives to aid his group. His death occurs shortly after Michonne and Rick reunite when an injured CRM soldier shoots him. He could have easily killed Rick by blowing up the CRM helicopter, but his passion and heart overshadow this accident.
Lily Carriere Had the Most Horrific Death Scene
- Lily Carriere is played by Faustine Koziel.
- She died in a flashback in Season 1, Episode 2, "Alouette."
Daryl Dixon had a good amount of intrigue and emotional stakes, but there were only a few deaths within the first season. The most tragic of these demises occurred in a flashback which told the important backstory of Daryl's ally, Isabelle. In the early days of the apocalypse, Isabelle and her sister, Lily, fled Paris. Isabelle was unaware her sister was several months pregnant and was still distraught about this realization when Lily went into labor after being bitten by a walker.
Lily's labor was even more disturbing than that of Lori Grimes in Season 3 of The Walking Dead. She succumbs to her zombie bite while in labor, and the priest and nuns at the abbey have to perform a C-Section on her corpse to save the baby, Laurent. Lily had a short and brutal storyline in Daryl Dixon, but it was also one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking scenes in the franchise.
Tyreese Williams Left Too Soon
- Tyreese is played by Chad Coleman.
- He died in Season 5, Episode 9, "What Happened and What's Going On."
Tyreese's gentle and loving side was only matched by his brutal efficiency at killing walkers. He seemed to defy the odds in this post-apocalyptic world, putting others before himself and still managing to survive for years. His dedication unfortunately led to his demise when he journeys with his group to find Noah's old home and is bitten by a walker.
There are dozens of likable characters throughout the franchise that die after being infected by a zombie. However, Tyreese's demise was one of the most infuriating. He was an exceptional character who captivated viewers with his blend of heart and physicality. This sudden demise was effective shock value, but it was also one of the most controversial.
Nick Clark Had Exceptional Growth
- Nick is played by Frank Dillane.
- He died in Season 4, Episode 3, "Good Out Here."
Nick Clark was one of the original survivors from the first Fear the Walking Dead season. He had a difficult storyline, struggling to overcome his addiction at the beginning of the apocalypse and then later choosing to abandon his family. However, he became an epic hero who blew up a dam, which jeopardized the lives of his allies, but also vanquished villains and brought water to the local survivors.
Season 4 of Fear The Walking Dead was a controversial season, mainly due to the demise of Nick and the assumed demise of his mother, Madison. It seems as though the creators utilized the arrival of Morgan Jones, an original The Walking Dead character, to overshadow these shocking deaths. However, the loss of this complex character, who was beginning to prove himself as a true survivor, left the fandom split over this transitional season.
Jadis Had Unwavering Loyalty
- Jadis (Anne) is played by Pollyanna McIntosh.
- She died in Season 1, Episode 5, "Become."
Jadis (aka Anne) was more often a villain than she was an ally throughout the three shows she appeared on within the franchise. Despite her part in the overall plot, however, she had a tragic death. It was obvious that she had a caring heart, even when that meant targeting innocents and heroes to ensure the CRM's missions went as planned.
It was no surprise that Jadis was outmatched when up against Rick and Michonne, even with her significant skill set. Her demise brought mixed emotions to the viewers. Most rooted for the heroes to come out victorious, but it was respectable that Jadis remained loyal to the CRM due to their promise to restore the world. After seeing Jadis' storyline unfold throughout the years, it was obvious she was more of an anti-hero than an irredeemable villain.
Hershel Greene Was a Beloved Patriarch
- Hershel is played by Scott Wilson.
- He died in Season 4, Episode 8, "Too Far Gone."
The death of Hershel Greene marked one of the significant shifts throughout the long-running original series. He wasn't from the original Atlanta camp, like many of the main characters at the time, but changed the dynamic of Rick's group. At the prison, his knowledge of medical practices and farming ensured the new community survived and thrived.
His decapitation at the hands of the Governor was shocking and devastating, but it also destroyed the group's trust in any outsiders. However, his caring nature was a major influence on Rick and played a part in the leader learning to trust those who earn it. He didn't just make an impact because he was an entertaining character. Hershel's wisdom and survival skills lived on in his loved ones long after his departure.
John Dorie Had the Most Shocking Conclusion
- John is played by Garret Dillahunt.
- He died in Season 6, Episode 8, "The Door."
Season 6 had one of the most unpopular storylines in Fear the Walking Dead, focusing on Morgan's group after they've been split up by Virginia and her rangers. In this season, John feels lost in the world and returns to his old cabin, planning on taking his own life. While he's still struggling with his decision, he learns Virginia's younger sister, Dakota (who was really her daughter), killed one of her rangers. To keep her secret, the girl shoots John and pushes him off a bridge.
This was the overall worst death in Fear the Walking Dead because of the false hope presented to the viewers. After falling into the water, John sees a photo of his father that Morgan gave to him and his demeanor changes, suggesting he's chosen to live. In John's next scene, his heartbroken wife, June, finds his reanimated corpse on the shore of his cabin. This scene was excellent at provoking an emotional reaction, leaving fans with a horrific final scene for a beloved character.
Glenn Rhee Was an Original Survivor
- Glenn Rhee is played by Steven Yeun.
- He died in Season 7, Episode 1, "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be."
Out of the dozens in the original show, Glenn Rhee was one of the fan-favorite characters from The Walking Dead. Not all the survivors from the Atlanta group were likable, such as Shane and Lori, but Glenn quickly became an exceptional character. He didn't have a remarkable pre-apocalypse job or powerful backstory, but his intelligence and quick wit were an undeniable asset throughout the years of struggle.
Glenn was not without faults, such as putting the life of his wife, Maggie, over everything else, even to the point of risking others' safety. On the other hand, it was his dedication to his loved ones that made him so determined to find and maintain a fulfilling, happy life. Though it was predetermined, based on the source material, that Glenn would be killed by Negan, his death was so horrific that it turned many fans away from the series.
Carl Grimes Was the Future
- Carl is played by Chandler Riggs.
- He died in Season 8, Episode 9, "Honor."
Carl Grimes evaded death multiple times throughout his storyline. He was accidentally shot in Season 2 and then again in Season 6 when he lost his eye. Along with his group, he barely survived countless walker and enemy attacks and still managed to pull through while other capable survivors perished. Watching him grow up and evolve in the dangerous world was an endearing aspect in a show riddled with death and devastation.
His ability to defy the odds was exceptional and only worsened the impact of his demise due to a walker bite. Carl dying to defend an innocent was admirable but didn't overshadow fans' outrage. This was a serious departure from the comic source material in which Carl lives. As one of the few children who survived the early years of the apocalypse, his demise ruined viewers' hopes of a future for this new world.
