The Walking Dead (2010 — 2022)

The Walking Dead (2010–2022), an American post-apocalyptic horror drama show, is the source material for the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard. This show and its corresponding comics make up the foundation of The Walking Dead franchise. The plot revolves around a diverse group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies, also known as ‘walkers’. As society has crumbled, these survivors must also contend with other groups who have established their own rules and beliefs, often resulting in clashes and battles. At the start, we meet Rick Grimes, a sheriff’s deputy who emerges from a coma in the premiere episode. During his unconscious state, the world has been overrun by walkers. Now, as the leader of a band of survivors from Atlanta, Georgia, he must navigate the constant threat of walker attacks and competing groups willing to do whatever it takes to survive.

Season 1 (2010). Upon awakening from a coma, sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes of King County, Georgia, learns that the world has fallen to a zombie takeover (referred to as ‘walkers’). Following an encounter with Morgan Jones, Rick sets off on his own journey to Atlanta where he is reunited with his wife Lori, son Carl, and close friend and fellow police officer Shane Walsh. The group eventually makes their way back to Atlanta after a frightening attack by walkers during the night. At the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) building, they discover from the last surviving scientist that no cure has been found for the pandemic.

Season 2 (2011–2012). Rick and his group, on the search for Carol’s daughter Sophia, seek refuge at a farm owned by Hershel Greene. Relations with Hershel’s family escalate as they uncover a barn full of walkers, who were once loved ones. Rick also discovers that Shane and Lori had been in a romantic relationship during his coma, and that Lori is now pregnant. Their friendship crumbles and eventually ends when Rick has to defend himself against Shane’s attack. The chaos draws walkers to the farm, leading both groups to evacuate for their safety.

Season 3 (2012–2013). Eight months after escaping the farm, Rick’s group—with the exception of Andrea—stumbles upon a distant prison, which they claim as their new residence after eliminating the walkers within. Tragically, Lori passes away during an emergency C section, causing Rick to spiral and experience hallucinations. Meanwhile, Michonne rescues Andrea and together they uncover Woodbury, a fortified town governed by a treacherous man known as ‘the Governor’ who desires to annihilate the prison group. Tension escalates between the two factions, leading to Woodbury’s downfall, but not before the Governor murders Andrea and escapes. The remaining residents of Woodbury seek refuge in the prison alongside Rick’s group.

Season 4 (2013–2014). Months later, a lethal flu epidemic sweeps through the prison, claiming numerous lives. During this time, the Governor locates and eliminates Martinez, his former right-hand man. He then assumes control of Martinez’s followers and leads them into the prison. In order to escape, Rick’s group is forced to split up and flee while both Hershel and the Governor meet their demise. As scattered survivors search for each other and form new connections, they come across various indications leading them to a supposed sanctuary named Terminus. Eventually, they all converge at Terminus, except for Carol, when Rick’s group is unexpectedly detained for an unknown purpose.

Season 5 (2014–2015). The inhabitants of Terminus have turned to cannibalism. Carol takes charge and helps free Rick’s group. However, some members are taken captive by corrupt police officers from Grady Memorial Hospital. Upon moving to Virginia, a stranger named Aaron extends an invitation for them to join Alexandria, a fortified community run by Deanna Monroe. It becomes clear that the residents of Alexandria are not equipped to do what is necessary to survive. Rick develops feelings for Jessie Anderson and learns she is being abused by her husband. Deanna then orders Rick to kill the man after he murders her husband, just as Morgan unexpectedly shows up.

Season 6 (2015–2016). Deanna entrusts Rick with the leadership of Alexandria in order to safeguard its residents. However, a ruthless group known as the Wolves unleashes a vicious zombie attack, resulting in the tragic deaths of Deanna and many others, including the Anderson family. Eventually, while dealing with the aftermath, Alexandria receives news about a nearby community called the Hilltop. A man named Paul ‘Jesus’ Rovia extends an invitation for a potential trade agreement between the two groups, but only if Alexandria can help put an end to the oppressive Saviors who are led by Negan. Despite successfully obliterating one Savior stronghold, Rick and his companions are eventually captured and forced into submission by Negan’s forces.

Season 7 (2016–2017). Negan’s merciless murder of Glenn and Abraham marks the beginning of his reign over Alexandria. Although Rick initially surrenders, Michonne convinces him to resist. They come across a group known as the Scavengers and seek their assistance. Meanwhile, Carol and Morgan form a bond with King Ezekiel, leader of the Kingdom, while Maggie and Sasha gather support from the Hilltop community. Rosita and Eugene team up to create a bullet capable of killing Negan, but when he blocks it with his bat, Lucille, he forcibly recruits Eugene as a Savior. The Saviors and treacherous Scavengers launch an attack on Alexandria, but are ultimately pushed back thanks to Sasha’s brave sacrifice and the aid of soldiers from the Kingdom and Hilltop.

Season 8 (2017–2018). Rick, Maggie, and Ezekiel unite their communities in an epic battle against Negan and the Saviors. The casualties are high on both sides, resulting in the loss of many of the Kingdom’s soldiers. During a Savior attack on Alexandria, Carl is bitten by a walker. In his final moments, Carl convinces Rick to seek a peaceful resolution and rebuild society from scratch. Negan launches a final assault on Rick and his allies, but Eugene foils his plan by sabotaging the Saviors’ ammunition. While Rick wounds Negan, he goes against Maggie’s desires by sparing him and placing him in captivity, effectively bringing an end to the war.

Season 9 (2018–2019). Following Negan’s defeat, Rick suggests constructing a bridge to facilitate trading, only to encounter increased animosity. Tragically, it appears that Rick perishes while destroying the bridge to prevent an influx of walkers. In the six years since his apparent death, the separation between communities has widened due to his absence, and a new danger emerges in the form of the Whisperers who possess the ability to control walkers. Their formidable leader, Alpha, holds a massive horde at her disposal and threatens to unleash them should anyone trespass into their territory. When her daughter Lydia abandons Alpha’s group for the Kingdom, she is disowned and Alpha ruthlessly slaughters numerous inhabitants during a fair.

Season 10 (2019–2021). Alpha initiates a strategy of disrupting the communities through unexpected encounters with the walking dead and destructive acts. Following Carol’s instructions, Negan infiltrates the Whisperers and successfully eliminates Alpha. In her absence, Beta assumes control of the group, but ultimately he and his followers are defeated by the survivors. Seeking new allies, Eugene leads a team to West Virginia where they encounter a different group of survivors. Meanwhile, Michonne heads north in pursuit of possible clues suggesting Rick may still be alive following his presumed demise.

Season 11 (2021–2022). Eugene’s team manages to persuade the Commonwealth, a flourishing community with a rigid social structure, to offer assistance and shelter to the Coalition. Nevertheless, their leader Governor Pamela Milton becomes antagonistic towards the Coalition when her corruption is revealed and her son Sebastian is killed. In response, the Coalition leads a rebellion against Pamela when she attempts to use the lower class as sacrifices to fend off a horde of highly intelligent walkers. In the aftermath of this conflict, Rosita succumbs to a walker bite, Maggie welcomes Negan as an ally, and Ezekiel assumes control as governor. Once the Coalition is reconstructed, Daryl departs in search of Rick and Michonne.