The Walking Dead: Top 100 Moments

48. Tyreese Defends Judith

Episode 501 “No Sanctuary”
Original Air Date: October 12, 2014
Submitted By: Adam Carlson

The season 5 premiere of The Walking Dead was one of the most intense and action-packed in the program’s history. While much of the attention from that episode went toward Carol’s assault on Terminus, there were two big battles going on somewhere else that deserve notice.

The first battle was between Martin and Tyreese. Tasked to watch over Judith and hold Martin prisoner while Carol visited Terminus, Martin tried to convince Tyreese to take Judith and the car and leave.

While Tyreese was distracted by some walkers near the cabin, Martin was able to escape from his ties. He held baby Judith hostage with a knife in order to gain his own freedom. This scene alone made Martin one of the most despised villains on the show, but also did something else fans did not expect.

An internal struggle was tearing Tyreese apart. He no longer wished to kill anyone, including walkers, but in an environment with so many threats, it was nearly impossible to take this stand. Martin commanded Tyreese to leave the cabin and be outside with the walkers.

Outside, Tyreese can be heard fighting off the walkers and screaming at the top of his lungs. After defeating the undead outside, he busted back through the door and beat Martin down with his bare fists. It was revealed that Tyreese had killed the walkers around the cabin with his bare hands as well.

Later on, Tyreese tells the group that he killed Martin, even though he left him beat down and bloodied in the cabin, yet still alive.