Title: Freshly Turned Zombies in ‘The Walking Dead’: A Puzzling Conundrum in Zombie Mythology
The Walking Dead has enthralled audiences with its gripping portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world plagued by flesh-eating zombies. However, a peculiar gap in the logic of zombie behavior has emerged, particularly when it comes to newly turned zombies. These freshly reanimated corpses should, theoretically, pose little to no threat due to their lack of harmful bacteria in their mouths. This discrepancy in zombie logic has raised questions among fans, highlighting an intriguing plot hole that challenges the show’s established rules.
According to The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, the virus responsible for reanimating individuals into zombies is present within every human being, even before the outbreak. Kirkman explains that it is the subsequent bacterial infection, rather than the virus itself, that ultimately leads to human fatalities. This means that, initially, newly turned zombies should be harmless since they have not had enough time to accumulate harmful bacteria within their mouths. However, the show continues to maintain the premise that any zombie bite, regardless of its physical condition, will result in deadly consequences due to the bacteria clinging to their teeth and gums.
It is worth noting that the inclusion of this plot hole is deliberate on the part of The Walking Dead’s creators. The decision to allow reanimation upon death, regardless of whether an individual has been bitten or not, served as a pivotal plot twist that has contributed significantly to the show’s success. This revelation introduced an element of uncertainty, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and providing an unexpected twist that solidified The Walking Dead’s popularity.
Throughout The Walking Dead franchise, we have witnessed a steadfast adherence to the portrayal of slow-moving walkers who only become a threat when they manage to bite someone. This resilient rule has allowed for numerous heart-wrenching moments as beloved characters find themselves bitten during unexpected encounters, subsequently facing the agonizing decision of amputation or succumbing to rampant infection. However, it is plausible to question why a survivor would succumb to a bite from a freshly turned zombie that lacks harmful bacteria which could potentially kill them.
From a scientific standpoint, it can be argued that newly turned zombies do not pose an immediate infection risk to humans. Such reanimated corpses would require repetitive biting to cause blood loss and inflict harm, similar to a scenario where a living person bites another. Scientific reasoning supports this claim, yet The Walking Dead continues to operate on the premise that any zombie bite, regardless of its time as an undead creature, is potentially fatal due to bacterial contamination.
In a statement penned by Robert Kirkman in The Walking Dead issue #41, the creator sheds some light on the zombie infection rules. He clarifies that the virus responsible for reanimation is already present within everyone, and when an individual dies without significant brain damage, the virus reawakens the part of the brain that controls basic functions like walking and eating. Significantly, Kirkman emphasizes that it is the bacteria from a zombie bite, rather than the virus itself, that kills humans. Therefore, it follows that a recently turned zombie should not possess an infectious bite for some time after reanimation.
While the scientific inconsistencies surrounding zombie behavior in The Walking Dead are undeniable, the decision to ignore these flaws proves advantageous for the show’s storytelling purposes. Explaining the intricacies of zombie physiology would likely introduce confusion among audiences, potentially diluting the realism and immersive qualities that the franchise has worked hard to establish.
In an effort to inject fresh excitement into the series, The Walking Dead has started incorporating new variants of zombies with unique capabilities like running, climbing, and even holding objects. It remains to be seen whether these variants will introduce different methods of infecting humans or if they will continue to rely on the fearsome bite force that has become a trademark of the franchise. As future spinoffs, such as The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, explore these new variants, fans can anticipate thrilling encounters with evolved zombies that cast small plot holes aside.
In conclusion, while the discrepancy in zombie behavior regarding freshly turned zombies poses an interesting conundrum in the mythology of The Walking Dead, it is a deliberate choice made by the show’s creators. By introducing the plot twist of reanimation upon death, the series successfully captivated its audience and elevated the overall viewing experience. As the franchise continues to evolve, fans can look forward to encountering even more formidable and diverse zombie threats, leaving behind the minutiae of plot inconsistencies in this post-apocalyptic world.
