The Walking Dead debuted in 2010 as a post-apocalyptic horror drama TV show, based on the comic books of the same name. Known for being mostly true to its source material, the show might have ended in 2022 but its legacy as a gripping, complex, and unflinching tale of a post-apocalyptic world has continued to push boundaries of television horror, immersing viewers in a relentless struggle for survival against the undead.
Thanks to its blend of immersive storytelling and intense action as it explores the depths of human nature in the face of unimaginable challenges, The Walking Dead remains as relevant as ever in popular culture. And one moment, in particular, continues to spark debates that even lead actor Andrew Lincoln accepts went too far.
Andrew Lincoln on One Scene that Continues to Torment Fans
The Walking Dead is gory in its most brutal and raw form. Filled with some memorable characters and memorable events, the show also features some of the most gut-wrenching scenes in the history of cinema. Throughout its run, several of its scenes and plotlines have been criticized for being too brutal or unfulfilling. But none have caused the level of trauma that Glenn Rhee’s death caused to fans in season seven of the show.
Unlike most characters, Glenn Rhee, portrayed by Steven Yeun, has been an integral part of The Walking Dead mythos since the start. His role only grew bigger and better as the series progressed, becoming one of the most admired and loved characters of the post-apocalyptic TV show.
So when Jeffrey Dean Morgan‘s Negan brutally butchered him in season seven’s premiere with a baseball bat, The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be, despite being faithful to Rhee’s death in the comics, fans were outraged. And even Andrew Lincoln, the lead of the show, feels they went too far ahead with this one scene.
I do still think [Glenn’s death] might have been when we over-egged the omelette. Maybe it was lingering too much.
Stated Lincoln in a recent interview with Empire Magazine. Lincoln’s candid reflection on this one moment is synonymous with fans’ outrage about Glenn Rhee’s death. Although integral to the storyline. the scene remains a topic of intense discussion and debate even after all these years.
Glenn Rhee’s Death Continues to Cause Ripples in The Walking Dead Fandom
Steven Yeun’s Glenn Rhee’s death in The Walking Dead remains one of the most contentious and impactful moments in the series. A direct adaptation from the comic books, the scene has since caused many fans and critics to exclaim that it was too brutal for television, leading to hundreds of viewers even quitting the show right after the episode (see Forbes).
Rhee being more of a cornerstone of the series since the very start, his death was and continues to be criticized across various corners of the fandom. While some felt his death was like a squandered opportunity to further develop an integral character, others felt his death was painful since Yeun was one of the few Asian leads in a major television production.
His relationship with Maggie, portrayed by actress Lauren Cohan, was further seen as a step towards inclusivity, which came undid the moment he was brutally killed off. Some even went on to draw parallels between Rhee’s death to the tragic murder of Vincent Chin, an Asian-American man who was brutally beaten to death with a bat in a racially motivated attack in 1982 (via CNN).
As the fandom continues to grapple with the brutal depiction of Glenn Rhee’s death, it is undeniable that Steven Yeun’s portrayal and character left a deep impact that continues to resonate with viewers even after all this time.
The Walking Dead can be streamed on Netflix.
