The Walking Dead Cast Didn’t Know About Glenn Death Fake-Out

The Walking Dead Cast Didn't Know About Glenn Death Fake-Out

As a longtime fan of The Walking Dead, I was absolutely devastated when Glenn’s supposed death in the “Thank You” episode left me feeling betrayed and confused. For years, we fans had grown accustomed to advance notice when an actor was leaving the show. But with no warning, we were left to assume that fan-favorite character Glenn (Steven Yeun) had met his end at the hands of a horde of walkers.


In the sixth season’s “Thank You” episode of The Walking Dead, viewers were left dismayed when it seemed fan-favorite character Glenn (Steven Yeun) met his end at the jaws of zombie horde. However, what transpired was a shocking twist: the scene where Glenn apparently died on a dumpster, with Nicholas (Michael Traynor) shooting himself in anguish beside him, was a deceptive ploy.

Surprisingly, it was Nicholas whose intestines we witnessed being ripped out, not Glenn. After an agonizingly long month and four episodes, the beginning of “Heads Up” disclosed that when they both tumbled into a horde of walkers, Nicholas landed on top of Glenn, allowing him to scramble under a dumpster just in time as Nicholas became lunch.

At Comic Con during the “Thank You” panel, Chandler Riggs shared his surprise about not receiving advance notice before learning that Glenn, a character he portrayed for eight seasons on “The Walking Dead,” was to be killed off in the script. Typically, actors are informed well in advance if their character is set to depart from the show. However, this time around, Riggs revealed that there was no prior warning given. In the script, it was stated that Glenn wasn’t in good condition but did not specify that he was being killed. Riggs expressed his shock upon reading this, as Glenn’s death had already occurred in issue #100 of the comic book series.

The Walking Dead Cast Didn't Know About Glenn Death Fake-Out

From a gamer’s perspective, I can relate to Riggs’ feelings when he talked about fans reacting differently if a favorite character like Glenn had truly died in the show. It’s disappointing and frustrating when as a fan, you feel deceived or misled by the creators of a series. I understand how some fake-outs or twists can add excitement and suspense, but there have been instances where they seemed unnecessary and only served to manipulate the audience for the sake of surprise, without considering the emotional investment we put into the story and characters. As fans, we want authenticity and transparency in the narratives we engage with.

After the episode written by Angela Kang was broadcasted, Scott M. Gimple, who was previously in charge of the show, made a comment on Talking Dead that suggested Glenn’s story wasn’t over yet. He stated, “We will encounter Glenn or some aspect of Glenn in either flashbacks or the ongoing narrative to wrap up his tale.” A few weeks later, Gimple appeared on the aftershow and revealed that leaving Glenn’s fate uncertain was done to let viewers share Maggie’s (Lauren Cohan) emotions as she questioned when, or even if, her husband would reappear.

“At that point, Gimple shared that the tale we were engrossed in was filled with doubt. When characters stepped beyond Alexandria’s walls, they lacked modern communication devices such as cell phones or ’80s beepers. Consequently, their fates were uncertain, and ours as viewers were too. Each departure could potentially be their last. I believed it was essential to create a narrative in that season centered around ambiguity, thereby sharing the characters’ uncertainty with the audience, just as we did in episode 5. Maggie was unaware of Glenn’s fate, and I wanted the viewers to feel the same sense of unease and uncertainty she experienced.”

As a longtime fan of “The Walking Dead” (TWD) universe, I can’t contain my excitement for San Diego Comic-Con 2024! With ComicBook/TWD and their Facebook page being my go-to sources for all things TWD, I’ll be glued to both for the latest news and insider info. And let me tell you, egmr.ru’s SDCC hub is a must-follow for anyone wanting to stay in the know. Having attended Comic-Con several times before, I can attest to the fact that it’s an experience like no other, and following these reliable sources will make my time there even more enjoyable! So mark your calendars and join me as we delve deeper into the TWD universe at SDCC 2024.

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2024-07-17 04:09