In the beginning, The Walking Dead series shocked fans with unexpected deaths. As the show continued, more and more deaths were either predictable or announced, with the actor's departure often announced beforehand. But throughout the eleven seasons, many deaths caught viewers off guard, sending the fandom reeling.
The first that comes to mind includes the brutal bludgeoning of Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) at the hands of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). While this scene was featured in the comics, many viewers had no idea how brutal it would be played out on screen. Especially since the series featured two victims.
Another death that shocked the fandom was that of Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs). In the comics, Carl lives and is featured years later with a wife and child in a world where walkers aren't the threat they were in his younger years. Many believed Carl was safe and would get his comic ending, but that wasn't the case.
The death scenes above were some of the most shocking and many viewers stopped watching the series because of these deaths. Below are more shocking deaths featured in The Walking Dead.
Sophie Peletier
Most viewers were certain Sophia (Madison Lintz) wouldn't be found alive after running off and then being left alone by Rick (Andrew Lincoln). To see the thin legs of a child emerge from Hershel's (Scott Wilson) barn was a shock to most viewers; as the camera pans up, they realize it isn't just any child but Sophia. It was a significant moment in the series, one that shook many fans.
Shane Walsh
Shane (Jon Bernthal) was a hothead who did things his own way and didn't tolerate stupidity. He became obsessed with Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), and this clouded his view of everything else. Rick's return puts a wrench in his plans to be a husband to Lori and father to Carl (Chandler Riggs). He believed his only choice was to get rid of Rick. It was obvious something significant was going to happen, but it shocked viewers to see Rick kill him. The biggest shock came when he reanimated without being bitten by a walker and then to watch Carl shoot him added to the shock. This reinforced what Dr. Jenner (Noah Emmerich) told Rick at the CDC, that everyone is infected, and it was the first time Rick had proof of this.
Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies)
Love or hate Lori, her death was an emotional roller coaster. To see her willingly sacrifice herself so her child could live was emotional enough, but to watch Maggie (Lauren Cohan) deliver Judith via c-section without anything to dull Lori's pain was unreal. Then, the fact that Carl had to shoot his mother to prevent her from reanimating pushed her death high on the list of shocking deaths.
Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) & Mika (Kyla Kenedy)
Viewers got quite a shock during "The Grove" episode, which featured the deaths of sisters Mika and Lizzie. When the camera panned to Lizzie holding a knife with blood up her forearms, it was a moment viewers could never forget. To see her face filled with joy because Mika would return as she didn't hurt her brain was an indication that something was very wrong with Lizzie. And to hear her say she was just about to do the same to baby Judith added to the emotional scene. Carol (Melissa McBride) had no choice but to end Lizzie's life as she was a threat to others.
Beth (Emily Kinney)
Beth's death was so unexpected. Just when things looked like they would be ok, they went horrifically wrong in a matter of seconds. Dawn Lerner (Christine Woods), leader of the group at Grady Memorial, was always going to do something sly during the trade between her group and Rick, but killing Beth was a complete accident. That didn't stop Daryl from killing Dawn, and if he didn't, Rick would have.
Jesus (Tom Payne)
Talk about a shocking death. This one came out of nowhere, and to hear a "walker" talk blew viewers' minds. This was, of course, the introduction of the Whisperers, but things happened so fast that it was difficult to piece it together so quickly. The cemetery and foggy haze added to the confusion, but one thing was clear: Jesus was going to die. He was a true fighter to the end who volunteered to stay behind so the others could get away.
Noah (Tyler James Williams)
Noah died in one of the most gruesome deaths in The Walking Dead series. Due to the selfish acts of Nicholas (Michael Traynor), Noah was trapped on the inside of a revolving door where he was literately pulled apart by walkers in front of Glenn, who was also trapped and couldn't save Noah or escape.
Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green)
Sasha went out on her own terms, but it was shocking nonetheless. After her capture by the Saviors, Sasha enlisted the help of Eugene's (Josh McDermitt) cyanide pills to plan an attack on Negan. She was put into a coffin by Negan, who was going to use her as a hostage to negotiate with Rick. She takes one of the cyanide pills while inside the coffin, turns inside, and when Negan opens it, she is a walker and attacks him. Sadly, her plan didn't work, but this was her way of trying to get back at Negan for the death of Abraham.
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