Is The Walking Dead’s Eugene about to find love?

Is romance finally in the cards for loser-in-love Eugene on The Walking Dead?

While some characters on The Walking Dead have loved and lost several times over, Eugene is one of a handful of characters who has yet to successfully be a part of a romantic relationship. For years he has harboured a not-so-secret love for his best friend Rosita, and finally in season 10 she set him straight that it wasn’t going to happen.

Thankfully it appears that did not extinguish any hope for Eugene to find a romantic partner of his own, as soon after these events he found his radio romance (Yes, I will use a Tiffany song title every chance I get) with the mysterious Stephanie.

The instant attraction that The Walking Dead’s only AV Club members had was obvious, but now Eugene is on the road to meet Stephanie, will reality live up to their imaginations?

That was the topic of Josh McDermitt’s segment in Comic Con’s At Home Panel last week, and McDermitt was quick to point out that what Stephanie looks like isn’t forefront of Eugene’s mind.

"“I don’t know that he’s thought about that. They have similar interests, you know? I think that he is connecting with her on a level that he never really connected with Rosita on. They’re kind of into some nerdy things and that’s awesome. She laughs at his weird references and she has probably some of her own weird references.”"

He pointed out, too, that Eugene’s relationship with Rosita had always been built on a foundation of lies, with Eugene claiming he had the cure for the virus that had destroyed the world.

So, although Rosita and Eugene got past that and have a truly deep bond, what he has with Stephanie comes from a very different – and arguably much healthier – starting place.

That’s not to say a romance between Eugene and Stephanie is a given. Although the characters do quickly form a lasting love-match in the comics, Scott Gimple was quick to step in when Josh seemed to suggest a romance was inevitable.

However, it’s clear that the Eugene and Stephanie (Eugephanie? Stephene?) relationship is one that McDermitt is hoping to play out in the coming season – giving the audience a chance to see a new side of Eugene, and for the one-time outcast a chance to experience some of the personal growth other characters have enjoyed.

"“I think if you’ve ever been in a relationship and you’re able to grow in that sense too, that’s a place that’s probably lacking in his life. I’m not saying he’s definitely going to be in a relationship with Stephanie but I’m hoping that there could be something more there. So that he’s able to grow within the boundaries of being in a relationship. People talk about having a child and experiencing this immense growth as a human being, and the love that you pour out for this child. I think there’s benefits to that just being in a healthy relationship and I think that’s something he’s never really experienced. And so, I think I’d like to see him move in that direction, I’d hope he’d get the chance at that.”"

In the comics Eugene and Stephanie are together for some time, until her off-screen death during the final time jump, so there’s a precedent there for them to have a happy, long-lasting relationship on the show as well.

We all know, however, that the TV show can always take a veer to the left, and McDermitt also talked about the fact that what may work over the radio waves, may not work in person.

"“I think he’s excited about moving forward with someone who’s a little bit more like-minded. And I think it’s going to be really interesting to see what they end up not liking about each other. Maybe Eugene snores and Stephanie can’t stand that.”"

It’s certainly true that their comic counterparts have some issues to overcome, and Stephanie has her own secrets, which could cause some turbulence in their love train going forwards.

Whatever is going to happen, with the casting news that Margot Dingham will play Stephanie (and was the voice on Eugene’s radio) it looks like her character is absolutely going to have an impact on our favourite apocalyptic nerd. But who’s to say he won’t be the only one? And how will Stephanie’s group treat our Power Four who are showing up at their doorstep?

Answers can’t come soon enough, for all of us!