If there’s a character in The Walking Dead who made us feel every emotion imaginable, it was Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun). Glenn stood out not just as another survivor but as a symbol of courage, compassion, and unwavering optimism in a world consumed by chaos and death.
Over the seasons, we watched Glenn grow from a clever, scrappy young man scavenging in the streets to someone who would risk everything for the people he loved. But his story was never just about surviving zombies. It was about holding onto his humanity when the world around him seemed determined to take it away. And through it all, there were a handful of moments so unforgettable that they became etched into the hearts of fans forever.
In this article, we've decided to take the time to look back at some of Glenn's best moments in The Walking Dead. Come on and follow us along on this journey!
Glenn's first appearance
I’ll never forget Glenn’s first appearance in The Walking Dead. It wasn’t flashy or over-the-top, but the second his voice came through Rick’s radio, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. In a show where everything feels scary, grim, and hopeless, that line, "Hey you. Dumbass. Yeah, you in the tank. Cozy in there?" hit like a breath of fresh air.
Right away, you knew Glenn wasn't just another scared survivor. He was smart, bold, and full of personality. That little bit of humor and confidence in a world gone completely insane made him instantly likable and someone you wanted to stick around to see. If it weren't for him, who knows what would've happened to Rick in Atlanta?
The revolving door scene
The revolving door scene with Glenn and Noah hits me every single time I do a rewatch of the show. It’s gut-wrenching and chaotic, but it's one of the many moments that Glenn really showed how much selflessness he carries. He wanted to be able to get himself, Noah, and Nicholas out of the warehouse safely and in one piece, and even had a plan.
But because Nicholas panicked and acted selfishly, opening the door just enough for the walkers to grab Noah, everything went horribly wrong. Glenn was then left helpless, watching in horror as Noah was dragged away and brutally killed, a moment that was both devastating and infuriating.
The dumpster scene
The infamous dumpster scene sticks out to me as one of Glenn's best moments because at first you don't know if he's going to make it out alive. My eyes were glued to the screen, eager to see how everything plays out. In the scene, a horde of walkers swarm Glenn and Nicholas as they're trapped in a dead end, and it doesn't look like the odds are in their favor. To make matters worse, Nicholas then goes on and shoots himself while he and Glenn are on top of a dumpster.
They fall to the ground, and the walkers instantly converge on them. As a viewer, you have to watch as the undead seemingly tears into them both. Obviously, Nicholas had already died after shooting himself. But you were left wondering whether the walkers devoured Glenn as well. For several episodes, viewers were left in suspense before finally discovering that Glenn had survived by sliding under the dumpster. This was all thanks to his quick thinking and sheer determination.
You can stream all 11 seasons of The Walking Dead on Netflix.