Why ‘The Walking Dead’ Doesn’t Use The ‘Z’ Word And Will Carl Soon Meet His End?


The Walking Dead devotees know by heart that the show steers clear from the “z” word. The “zombies” in the series are called walkers, floaters, biters, lurkers, roamers, and other words except that one. In a recent report, comic book co-creator and The Walking Dead’s executive producer said that they wanted to remove the audience’s preconceived notions about zombies for these creatures have always been in the spotlight.

“Well, zombie lore is very popular. We wanted to avoid that notion of, ‘Hey, why doesn’t that character just shooting that zombie in the head because it saw all those movies I saw.’ We wanted to kind of give you a sense that The Walking Dead takes place in a universe where zombie fiction doesn’t exist.”

He said that characters in The Walking Dead have no idea of what a zombie is. Nonetheless, he admitted that he still liked using the word “zombie” when penning his scripts. The show is currently at its midseason finale.

[Image by AMC]

Negan is still not over with his stealthy plans after Carl’s failed attempt to avenge the deaths of Glenn and Abraham and put an end to Negan’s life. Recently, actor Chandler Riggs had to address the rumors about his character Carl exiting the beloved series. Since the 17-year-old actor will soon enter college, The Walking Dead fans wondered if Carl would soon meet a grim fate.

Speculations have emerged when Chandler’s father implied that his son’s contract with the show is over. On the actor’s Facebook page, fans have expressed their yearning for Carl to stay. Facebook user Yorleny HB said, “You know, we, fans are not ready to let Carl go…honestly we hope you decide to continue playing this role while you attend college! TWD won’t be the same without Carl… Rick surely will die if his son is gone…so, We all need CARL.”

[Image by AMC]

He previously told The Hollywood Reporter that when it’s time for him to enter college, he’ll find a way to make things work out.

“I like to be in The Walking Dead and I like to play video games and just hang out with my friends and try to be as normal as possible so going to college would be another really cool, normal experience in my life. I want for it to work out.”

For him, studying and filming for The Walking Dead isn’t easy but “possible” although his professors “would have to be willing to cooperate.” He likewise toyed with the idea of juggling both classroom and online classes. “Theoretically, I could take one or two classes on campus and maybe an online class,” Chandler said.

[Warning: The next part of the article contains The Walking Dead comic book spoilers.]

In the latest No. 161 issue of The Walking Dead comics, it appears that Carl will meet his end. The action-packed issue depicts the Whisperers burning the Hilltop mansion. Carl and Maggie were able to rescue Maggie’s children quickly, but Carl thought of those who might still be sleeping. While helping these people evacuate, a structure came down with Carl taking the impact. Aaron and Dr. Carson managed to pull him outside to perform CPR. While readers might assume that Carl is dead, Comicbook reports that the kid might make it.

“A few pages later, scattered amidst many different frames, it looks like Carl is waking up. While his eyes are still closed, he appears to be moving, and Carson is telling him to breathe. It was hard to tell who was who in these frames, due to their smaller size. Many readers have missed this little detail, and have thought Carl to be dead. He still could be, but his stirring in this tiny frame makes it seem like the kid will survive for another issue.”

Fans have yet to see if Chandler’s character is set for death although he previously teased that there’s “a lot of stuff from the comics.”

The Walking Dead’s highly-anticipated midseason finale airs on Dec. 11 at 9 p.m. on AMC.

[Featured Image by AMC]

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