The Whisperers prove humans are still the biggest threat on TWD

The arrival of the Whisperers on The Walking Dead prove that in the end, humans really are the most terrifying villains of the apocalypse.

Forget the walkers. Walkers were so season 1. These days, The Walking Dead universe has been plagued by chilling villains that are alive and well. From Gareth to the Governor on The Walking Dead to the Filthy Woman on Fear the Walking Dead, these individuals have demonstrated that humans are still the biggest threat. Now, in season 9, The Walking Dead gives us humans who control the walkers, which is an evolution in villainy.

After recovering from the initial shock of seeing reanimated dead people, over time walkers have become somewhat predictable. Herds are always dangerous, as are the walkers who pop up in the most unexpected places. They will always be a threat, but for the most part apocalypse survivors know how to deal with them.

Imagine, though, reaching out to stab a walker in the head only to have the walker grab you and stab you first.

Imagine having a herd of walkers following you. Chasing you. Doubling back for you.

Imagine not knowing if you’re seeing walkers or living people who can control the walkers.

That’s what the Whisperers bring to the table and that’s what makes them absolutely terrifying. They’re people pretending to be walkers. Come on, walkers are scary enough. Now there are people wearing walker skins? No thank you.

One of the truths of The Walking Dead is that people will always be the biggest threat. No matter how bad things are, with walking dead people all over the place, there are living people who manage to be even worse.

Some of these villains claim that their actions are justified in the name of survival. Others just like being evil and enjoy the freedoms granted to them in the world of the apocalypse.

The bottom line, in every case, is that people are so much worse than the undead, and that’s a very sobering realization.