The Walking Dead: Top 100 Moments

23. Hershel’s ‘You Risk Your Life’ Speech

Episode 403 “Isolation

Original Airdate: 10/27/2013

Submitted By: Sonya Iryna

Even in a show that is filled with inspirational speeches this short speech of Hershel’s is still amazing. Early in season 4 the group got hit by an enemy they hadn’t gone up against before – illness. And there was really no way for them to fight back against the epidemic sweeping through the prison.

By that time the group had a doctor, but Hershel’s knowledge of plants and their medicinal properties proved to be as valuable as all his other many skills. He was planning on going outside the fences to gather Elderberries and their leaves to make tea that would help manage the symptoms of those who were sick until Daryl and the rest could get back from the veterinary school with antibiotics and medication.

Rick and Maggie didn’t want him to go, but he tells them it’s worth risking his life to try and help the others hang on until the medication arrives. It was a beautiful and passionate speech that really summed up who Hershel was. He would keep trying to help others until last breath because that was his nature.

In his speech Hershel managed to convey a fundamental truth about survival in the apocalypse. Death is always an immediate threat and there is no stopping it. The only thing you can control is how you are going to live in whatever time is given to you.