AMC’s The Walking Dead explored the real issues that a group of survivors would face during a zombie apocalypse. Unlike shows like The Last of Us, where there is a larger story and journey to go on, TWD explored how humans fall at moments of chaos and how it gives rise to various forms of societies and groups who want to survive through hook or crook.
Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes is the protagonist of the show and he is often given morally ambiguous tasks that make him question his leadership, his morality, and more. However, the ultimate test came to him at the end of season 6, when his entire group is made to kneel in front of a baseball bat-wielding Negan Smith.
Andrew Lincoln spoke about the harrowing season 6 finale with Negan
Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes begins his journey in The Walking Dead by waking up from a coma to his family missing and a zombie apocalypse raging worldwide. He reunites with them over time and begins to lead a group of survivors through treacherous terrains. He tries to do the morally right thing, even in the face of adversity.
However, he faces his biggest test when he comes in contact with the leader of a group called the Saviors. Negan Smith is an authoritarian leader who takes over the supplies of different survivors in exchange for not killing them and making them part of his group. After being built up for a whole season, Negan finally appears at the end of season 6.
The season 6 finale sees Negan capturing Rick’s group and threatening them with death and torture. He personally wants to see Rick break and hence kills one of the members of the group (later revealed to be Sgt. Abraham). It is one of the most disturbing sequences in the show and actor Andrew Lincoln also reportedly felt the same (via Variety),
I think it was the frustration I felt that I play this man who had answers to every available situation up until this point. I felt just powerless and frustrated and thwarted and angry and all of the things when I was reading it. It made me so upset. I think I was feeling all of the things you’re supposed to feel when watching it: It’s over. Everything [Rick] stood for is over.
Relating to his character to the next level, Andrew Lincoln mentioned that reading the script hurt him and that he felt extremely powerless and humbled during the scene.
Andrew Lincoln described his feelings after reading the final scene in season 6
Negan Smith is a fan-favorite villain in Robert Kirkman’s original The Walking Dead comics and he makes his first live-action appearance in the show’s sixth season finale. Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan with all the menace of the character, Negan brutally kills several members of Rick Grimes’ group almost like a sport, and turns the show towards a whole other direction.
Talking about the harrowing finale, Andrew Lincoln at the time mentioned that the crew had a moment of silence for their slain brother after Negan killed him on screen and that just reading the scene made him hurt and ill. He said to Variety,
We’re gunning towards one of the best, most appalling, and brilliant season finales we’ve ever attempted. It made me physically sick when I read it, and if we’ve done it right, you will [be] too. You’re gonna be made nauseous!
The show went on for five more seasons and several spinoff series were released. However, Negan’s entrance and subsequent killing are some of the most harrowing moments on the show.
The Walking Dead is available to stream on Netflix.
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