I'm no longer making some long introduction about Episode 3 of the 6th season of the incredible, action-packed The Walking Dead (TWD), but I have to say one of the best haunting parts of this episode was that scene wherein Nicholas takes his own life by pulling the trigger with the gun pointed to his head after uttering the final words "Thank you," which eventually leads to both of them falling down the hungry herd---Nicholas somewhat arching Glenn.
The last part of this scene shows Glenn helplessly crying out in loss of hope, just "dying" in the hands of the same person this noble character and Rick's moral compass has saved. But did Glenn really die? I have a big feeling he survived and here are five reasons why Glenn, our pizza delivery boy, had a high chance of surviving the deadly grind.
The last part of this scene shows Glenn helplessly crying out in loss of hope, just "dying" in the hands of the same person this noble character and Rick's moral compass has saved. But did Glenn really die? I have a big feeling he survived and here are five reasons why Glenn, our pizza delivery boy, had a high chance of surviving the deadly grind.
1. Human shield Nicholas
When both Nicholas and Glenn were about to fall, as viewed from a cameraman's perspective, it seemed like Nicholas was surely falling on top of Glenn. And this gave Glenn the accidental shield that could help him survive this episode's walker dominance. Maybe Nicholas' last words connote that he's thankful enough he found meaning for a more acceptable death---to some point helping Glenn make an escape by using Nicholas' body as feeds? Maybe he committed suicide for the best reason, that is, to let someone live?
2. Glenn's facial expression
As he fell down and reached the ground, the camera showed walkers feeding on some innards. Was it Glenn's? It's probable that it was Glenn's, but in all reality, when your innards are already being taken out, it's either you faint due to blood loss and shock or you die instantly. But at that point in time, Glenn was seen helplessly shouting out loud, crying for help, but it also seemed that he was crying to what he was seeing---maybe he was watching dear Nicholas being scavenged on the spot in an entire blood bath that's too horrific to watch.
3. Glenn's position and the walkers' circle
At a zoomed out, artistic view of the attack on Nicholas and Glenn, you would notice Glenn's head still moving despite the circumstance wherein someone's gut and other abdominal contents have already been taken out and devoured. Notice also that Glenn's head and upper body appears less prone to walkers, assuming that Nicholas' body just have covered Glenn's lower half, which seemingly appears as the point of interest for the walkers.
It surely appears that there are really a few walkers surrounding Glenn's area, thanks to that blocking dumpster which is also primarily the greatest reason Glenn still has the chance to live, if he gets that instant adrenaline kick and acts accordingly. How? The dumpster.
It surely appears that there are really a few walkers surrounding Glenn's area, thanks to that blocking dumpster which is also primarily the greatest reason Glenn still has the chance to live, if he gets that instant adrenaline kick and acts accordingly. How? The dumpster.
4. The Dumpster
Speaking about the dumpster, I really have a big hunch that Glenn----which at this time is now drenched in Nicholas' blood given that he's not yet bitten because the blood and other body parts rained down on his body---was able to survive by rolling or crawling under the dumpster. Why? The space underneath the dumpster is really big it can fit one human (Asian) body a size like Glenn's. If he's able to do it, there's a big chance he could have survived the attack with the stench of Nicholas' death as his best camouflage.
Can walkers kneel down or bend over to reach underneath? I have seen walkers go under the truck but that's because they lost their lower half and still managed to crawl under. Or maybe I'm wrong and walkers can still grab humans wherever they may be hiding, but not humans masked in blood of the dead.
5. Lucille
If you are reading the comics from which TWD is based, Glenn's death takes place upon the arrival of Negan, one of the best villains in TWD world, armed with a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire named Lucille. Now, this is definitely the coolest way of killing a seasoned TWD survivor. It can also be remembered that major deaths in The Walking Dead usually take place at the very end of an episode. In this TWD "Thank You" episode, the action ended 10 minutes prior to the third episode's finale, which indicates that during this time period, Glenn might have been able to slip himself in the spacious shelter under the dumpster and stayed there until the coast has cleared. And where are we yet in the track of episodes for this season? Third! Just third! Glenn can't just die like that.
BONUS REASON:
At this year's San Diego Comic Con, creator Robert Kirkman told fans to expect “a lot of cool stuff” with Glenn. Meanwhile, actor Steven Yeun (who plays Glenn) said, “The way that we make the show — the writers and everybody really want to focus on making things poignant and purposeful and meaningful. So if it were for Glenn to go, then it's probably going to be awesome." The way that Glenn dies early in the hands of Nicholas doesn't really equate to "poignant and purposeful."
Another bonus reason for me to really believe he's alive is that Steven Yeung has been spotted in the TWD set with a character (named Jesus) that is yet to be introduced in the series.
Glenn on set with Jesus Paul Monroe who hasn't been introduced yet. pic.twitter.com/bhtJ8cGcnS
— sp00ky jacob! (@TheAgeOfThanos) October 26, 2015
Another bonus reason for me to really believe he's alive is that Steven Yeung has been spotted in the TWD set with a character (named Jesus) that is yet to be introduced in the series.
@TheAgeOfThanos more Glenn and Jesus! pic.twitter.com/qWekYjXEoG
— sp00ky jacob! (@TheAgeOfThanos) October 26, 2015
Other possible things that may have happened at that time include Nicholas hallucinating on what might happen if he decides to kill himself as they stand atop the dumpster or Glenn just having a beyond-walker-apocalypse bad dream.
So these are the five reasons why I believe Glenn is still alive after that traumatic scene, and these are just my beliefs and opinions. I could be wrong, but my gut feel tells me he's still alive.
However, if Glenn really is dead, then I guess I'd just have to accept what happened and move on. And if that's the case, I can say his meaningless death was poorly written considering all the trials he's been through. He can't just die because of someone's inability to cope up and act tough. What's your take on this? Are my theories somewhat acceptable?
However, if Glenn really is dead, then I guess I'd just have to accept what happened and move on. And if that's the case, I can say his meaningless death was poorly written considering all the trials he's been through. He can't just die because of someone's inability to cope up and act tough. What's your take on this? Are my theories somewhat acceptable?
Yeah. I'm with you. I believe that Glenn is still alive.. This episode is just like Beth's death. Heartbreaking..
ReplyDeleteI disagree. His death was purposeful. Not to the other characters, but to the maintain theme of the show: You either kill, or you die. Had glenn killed nicholas when he had the chance they may not have been in that predicament. Glenn didn't kill, so glenn must die.
ReplyDeleteAlso, his death was foreshadowed though out the episode: David, the character who mirrors Glenn dies and is never able to get his letter to his wife delivered. Glenn's last radio transmission to Rick mirrored that of his first radio transmission to Rick. And the possibility of Rick losing his hand in the same episode Rick loses another one of his "hands" aka Glenn.