Gratitude is a theme that runs deep in The Walking Dead Universe

In the world of The Walking Dead, gratitude is a theme that runs very deep

Once upon a time there was a man named Rick who was looking for his family. He searched high and low until he found them, and when he did he was grateful to everyone who helped him along his way. Gratitude and being thankful are two themes that have always been central to the world of The Walking Dead and they’re themes that continue now.

The Walking Dead: World Beyond features a group of young people who set out on a journey to rescue someone. The person in question is Iris and Hope’s father, Dr. Bennett, and for Silas and Elton they have no stakes in this dangerous mission but they are so happy to finally have a family unit that they’re willing to risk everything to help their friends.

In the Fear the Walking Dead season 6 mid-season finale, Alicia, Charlie and Dakota came upon a man named Ed who told them his family died protecting their apocalypse home, but in reality his family died because he made mistakes, and those mistakes cost him dearly. In his final act, he sacrificed himself to save Alicia and the others. For him, it was a chance to atone for his sins because he didn’t value what he had when he had it.

One thing we have learned in all three shows in the TWD Universe is that you must be grateful for what you have, because you never know when you’re going to lose it. Every character in The Walking Dead Universe is grateful to survive another day, even when survival comes at a terrible price.

Blink, and you could lose everything.

The Walking Dead is a work of fiction, of course, but the lessons learned in the middle of the zombie apocalypse ring particularly true on Thanksgiving 2020, as so many people struggled in the midst of the global pandemic that has changed our lives forever.

Sadly, many people have been forced to say goodbye to loved ones via Facetime because they can’t be together. The hugs and celebrations with family and friends that we have always taken for granted aren’t possible right now. Someday – hopefully soon – we will have those hugs and celebrations again, and we will look back with gratitude that we can come together once more.

Until then, let’s take a moment to be thankful.

A special message of gratitude goes out to the casts and crews of The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, to AMC and to our Skybound friends for bringing the TWD Family so much wonderful content. Thank you, so much.

From all of us at Undead Walking, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!