The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live contains spoilers for episodes 1 and 2.
The Walking Dead introduced a dark trend in season 3, which Michonne's The Ones Who Live story continued years later. Even though the horror elements have not been as prominent recently, the spinoff has brought them back. While the franchise was never excessively scary, it did have some shocking and disturbing moments that made the TV series iconic. The Walking Dead has used its zombie apocalypse setting to create unsettling scenarios, which have been explored repeatedly.
The Walking Dead franchise not only focuses on brutal battles and gory deaths, but also highlights the passive ways the apocalypse has affected people's lives. In season 1, it was revealed that the virus affected everyone, turning anyone who dies into a zombie unless their brain is destroyed. This has led to emotional moments where characters have to put down their undead loved ones. Additionally, the franchise delves into darker storylines, including the horror of giving birth in this new world.
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The Ones Who Live Continues The Walking Dead's Pregnancy Horror Pattern
Breeda Wool as Aiden in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - The Ones Who Live Continues The Walking Dead's Pregnancy Horror Pattern
The Walking Dead has often portrayed the horrors of pregnancy in its storyline, and The Ones Who Live is no exception. While some characters have had successful pregnancies, not all have had happy endings in the world filled with zombies. In the spinoff featuring Rick and Michonne, the theme of tragic pregnancies continued after Michonne and her group were attacked with a chemical weapon. Michonne faced a long recovery in The Ones Who Live, but sadly, Aiden did not survive her injuries, resulting in the loss of her unborn child.
The death of Aiden during pregnancy was a heartbreaking moment in the spinoff, but it was not the first time such tragedy occurred in the franchise. In season 3, Lori Grimes met a tragic end after giving birth to her daughter Judith, foreshadowing the harsh realities within the show. Daryl Dixon also had a harrowing experience with Laurent's pregnancy, as his mother passed away during childbirth. The delivery of Laurent was further complicated by his mother, Lily, turning into a zombie, creating a disturbing scene in the series. With Michonne's storyline following a similar theme, it appears that the theme of pregnancy horror will persist in The Walking Dead.
Why The Walking Dead Uses Pregnancy Horror So Often
Zombies as seen in The Walking Dead series finale - Why The Walking Dead Uses Pregnancy Horror So Often
Pregnancy horror is a common theme in The Walking Dead, used to highlight the bleakness of the post-apocalyptic world. Despite efforts to rebuild society, the show continuously reminds viewers of the drastic changes that have occurred. The prevalent sense of hopelessness and desperation in the series is further accentuated by the disturbing portrayal of pregnancy horror. In a world where few pure and sacred things remain, the depiction of pregnancy as something twisted and corrupted is a stark reminder that even moments of joy can be tainted.
The frequent use of dark pregnancies in the show adds depth to the importance of ensuring the survival of the future generation.
The Walking Dead Is Part Of A Wider Pregnancy Horror Boom
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future for survivors, and the horror around pregnancies adds to the bleakness. Laurent and Judith could potentially become main characters in The Walking Dead if the franchise delves further into the future, highlighting their crucial role in the story. Despite the brutal circumstances of their births, the fact that they have grown up and have the potential to become future leaders shows that hope still exists amidst the horror. The prevalence of dark pregnancies in the series adds depth to the importance of the survival of the future generation.
Kim Kardashian and Emma Roberts in American Horror Story - The Walking Dead Is Part Of A Wider Pregnancy Horror Boom
Pregnancy horror may seem twisted, but it is a popular theme in entertainment beyond just The Walking Dead. American Horror Story season 12 is centered around a dark pregnancy storyline, set to return in April. In addition, upcoming movies like The First Omen and Immaculate, scheduled for release in 2024, also explore sinister themes related to childbirth. Although the idea of pregnancy horror is not new, there is a current trend focusing on this unsettling topic. Even though The Walking Dead may not have initially planned to be part of this trend, its recent spinoffs have embraced the theme.
The death in The Ones Who Live may not be as intense as some of The Walking Dead's past scary scenes, but Aiden's pregnancy was definitely used to add more emotion to her death. Pregnancy seems to be a new trend in horror, mainly because it heightens emotions and adds a sense of hopelessness to the story. It's uncertain if this trend will continue to impact The Walking Dead, but it will definitely have an effect on Michonne and her story in The Ones Who Live.
Episode # | Episode Title | Release Date |
---|---|---|
1 | "Years" | February 25 |
2 | "Gone" | March 3 |
3 | "Bye" | March 10 |
4 | "What We" | March 17 |
5 | "Become" | March 24 |
6 | "The Last Time" | March 31 |
Editor's P/S:
The article delves into the recurring theme of pregnancy horror in The Walking Dead franchise, highlighting its effectiveness in conveying the bleakness of the post-apocalyptic world. The author argues that this trend serves as a stark reminder of the fragility and vulnerability of life amidst the chaos, even during moments of joy and hope. The use of dark pregnancies adds depth to the importance of ensuring the survival of the future generation, as exemplified by the characters of Laurent and Judith.
While pregnancy horror may seem like an unsettling topic, the article also recognizes its prevalence in contemporary entertainment, citing examples from American Horror Story and upcoming movies. This suggests that The Walking Dead is part of a wider trend that explores the complexities and fears surrounding childbirth in a world grappling with darkness and uncertainty. The death of Michonne's unborn child in The Ones Who Live is a testament to the emotional weight and impact of this theme, adding another layer to the show's exploration of human resilience and the ongoing struggle for survival.