How would The Walking Dead pike victims handle the Whisperers?

Henry (Matt Lintz)

This was the death that hurt the most. Seeing a teenager who was trying to figure out his place in the post-apocalyptic world have his time cut short was heartbreaking – even moreso when you consider the impact Henry’s death had on so many characters.

Had Henry been the sole survivor from the barn, it is obvious that he would be burdened with an immense amount of guilt. Even though there was no way for him to know that Alpha would take things that far, his choice to go and rescue Lydia from a life of abuse played a role in the deaths of the remaining pike victims. Seeing Henry grapple with his guilt and eventually overcome it would have been a powerful and inspirational storyline, but unfortunately we will never get to see it come to fruition.

In dealing with this guilt, Henry would have a support structure around him that could help him cope in the form of Carol, Ezekiel, and Lydia. It’s clear that all three of them love and care about Henry a lot, so they certainly would have done whatever they could to help Henry realize that the pike deaths were not his fault.

That support works both ways, though, as Lydia certainly needs someone by her side after the abuse we’ve seen her suffer in season 10. With Henry there, Lydia has someone who is always looking out for her, making sure that she isn’t mistreated or attacked like she was by Margo, Gage, and Alfred. Had Henry survived “The Calm Before,” Lydia wouldn’t have be driven out of Alexandria because Henry could prioritize her well-being better than Daryl could, given the Daryl already has a lot on his plate.

The main concern with Henry is that he would adopt a role similar to that of Carol in season 10. To avenge the loss of her son, Carol has taken immense risks and put many of her friends in danger. We all know that Henry was reckless (even with good intentions), so it is possible that he would take too many risks in an attempt to make up for the deaths he feels at fault for.

At the end of the day, it feels like every one of the victims we lost in the pike massacre were taken too soon. Even though they are no longer on the show, their impact and legacy will be felt for seasons to come.

How do you think the pike victims would fit in in season 10? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment or tweeting me @labrosse_joe!