How does Glenn die in The Walking Dead? Exploring the grim fate of the character

The Walking Dead remains one of the top-rated TV shows of all time. Based on a namesake comic series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard, the series has received a Golden Globe Award nomination and a couple of Primetime Emmy wins.

Even though critical evaluations have been positive since its debut, the show's viewership declined in subsequent seasons.

The reason behind this is probably the gruesome death of Glenn Rhee in season 7. The character, played by the acclaimed actor Steven Yeun, was admired for his quick thinking, resourcefulness, and charming relationship with Maggie Greene.

Hence, when Negan Smith killed him brutally by smashing his head with Lucille, many reviewers felt that's when things turned around for the series, and not for good.

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Glenn’s death in The Walking Dead, though tragic, was required

In the season 7 premiere, viewers were shocked to see how cruelly Negan Smith murdered Glenn using his favorite weapon, Lucille, a wooden baseball bat covered in barbed wire. The kill was his response to the defiance shown by Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) towards Negan’s group, the Saviors.

The first episode of season 7, titled The Day Will Come When You Won't Be, started by showing Negan’s first kill (at least on the show): Rick’s ally, Abraham Ford. Furious, Daryl Dixon, Rick's trusted lieutenant, hit Negan and gave out an outburst, after which the ruthless Saviours leader retaliated by claiming his next victim, the fan- and Rick-favorite Glenn Rhee.

He struck Glenn’s head with Lucille twice, leaving him critically brain-damaged with a caved-in skull and dislocated eye. As Glenn muttered, “Maggie, I'll find you,” Negan repeatedly bludgeoned his skull into a smashed pulp.

Even though this horrific sequence left fans of The Walking Dead repulsed, it was a major catalyst in shaping the narrative going forward. The horrendous death impacted the arcs of at least three characters: Rick, Maggie, and Negan himself.

After that, these aforementioned characters underwent massive change, ultimately contributing richly to The Walking Dead plot. For instance, Rick, seething in anger, was determined to seek bloodied revenge for what Negan did to Glenn and end the Saviors.

Maggie Greene, who was expecting a child at the time of Glenn's passing, became a much stronger person. The jolt made her want a better society and strive for it. She also got her own spin-off with the murderer of her husband.

Daryl was affected as well, as he was close to Glenn. The latter’s torturous death haunted him for weeks, as he held himself responsible for the same. However, Maggie assured him that he should let go of the guilt.

The surprising and unexpected transformation was, however, that of Negan, who is now helping Maggie find her abducted son, Hershel, in The Walking Dead: Dead City. His attempt at redemption left viewers divided and contested and had them guessing about how The Walking Dead would progress.

It surely worked in favor of the team, the various spin-offs stand testimony to this fact, but the viewer base was reportedly hit after Glenn’s death.

As for the sheer gore attached to the death sequence, the makers retained its flavor, as mentioned in the comics. Glenn portrayer Stephen Yeun maintained that it was not the blood spill and the resultant disgust of viewers they were aiming for. The inhuman death was necessary for what the character stood for.

Stream The Walking Dead on Netflix.