The Walking Dead panel debates the long term survival of the communities

On The Walking Dead Lydia said that walls don’t keep people safe. Is she right that the traditional style of community is not sustainable long term? Our panelists have thoughts.

The Whisperers are bringing a new theory of survival to The Walking Dead that doesn’t involve a traditional community that consists of buildings or homes surrounded by fences to keep out walkers and villains. While their particular view of what it takes to survive in the apocalypse world may not be the best for long term survival it seems like they may have a point about the traditional community structure being outdated.

After all, every settlement or home the survivors have tried to build has eventually fallen either due to battles or the weather or other problems. Remember the epidemic that decimated the prison because everyone was living in close quarters in a less than hygienic or healthy situation? It does seem like the survivors are chasing a model of civilization that might not be appropriate to the apocalypse world.

It’s possible that there is a better way to build a community in that world, even if the Whisperers aren’t a great example of what a post-community society would look like. It’s interesting to think about whether or not safety can ever be achieved in that world and if it can what kind of settlement or community can really guarantee that safety to its members. Our panelists had some thoughts about the effectiveness of the traditional community in The Walking Dead world:

The Communities Chances Of Long Term Survival

Is Lydia right that walls won’t keep people safe in that world? The Kingdom is starting to fail it looks like, is that an inevitable fate for all of the communities?

Sonya says:

"I think that’s a really interesting question at this point in the apocalypse. During the early years they could scavenge food, supplies, clothes, and the other things they needed to scratch out a decent existence. But now they’re a decade into the apocalypse. No one is making those things anymore, and no one is making things like sheet metal and razor wire and other things that they previously could scavenge to beef up security. I think that it may be possible for one or two communities to survive long term but when you have three or four communities in one area all competing for scarce resources those communities aren’t sustainable. I would not be surprised if eventually all the communities merge their resources into one large community hoping for better security and a better quality of life."

Sara says:

"No matter how strong your walls are, they won’t ever completely keep danger away. There are always ways for danger to get in. As we have seen on the show, no matter the amount of preparation, danger doesn’t discriminate. So I definitely agree with Lydia that people are never really safe."

Jeffrey says:

"Lydia makes an excellent point about walls not being a total safeguard. Take Alexandria for example. How many times have the walls been breached leading to people dying? At the end of the day, walls really only give the illusion of safety and can be easily overrun. As these communities age, I believe they become more and more vulnerable."

Sarabeth says:

I think we’ve already seen what she’s talking about with the prison and Alexandria and the Sanctuary during All Out War. Walls have been breached before. Whether it’s a small hole or a truck going through a fence, it can be a big problem. I think it’s possible for walls to keep people safe, but you have to adapt to the ever-changing threats.

What do you think TWDFamily? Is the model of the traditional community something that won’t work long term in The Walking Dead world? Tweet us @SonyaIryna, @WrittenBySara, @TWalkingDWorld, @SarabethPollock, and @UndeadWalkingFS to join the discussion.