The recent revelation regarding the safest country in the wake of a zombie outbreak marks a significant narrative shift for The Walking Dead, aligning it somewhat with the themes explored in the 28 Days Later series. Zombie apocalypse stories, whether in film or television, commonly showcase the rapid spread of a contagion, and this trend is evident throughout The Walking Dead. The franchise has depicted a grim reality across the United States, where no region remains untouched by the undead menace.
This eerie pattern extends to foreign territories as well, such as Mexico, France, and Spain, which will serve as significant backdrops in the upcoming season of Daryl Dixon. The Civic Republic Military, a notable faction within the series, believed that nearly the entire world had succumbed to The Walking Dead’s overarching zombie virus. Despite the widespread chaos, one specific location appears to be managing the apocalypse better than others.
Is the UK the Safest Haven in The Walking Dead?
Anarchy is Not Present in the U. K.
As suggested by the events unfolding at the end of Daryl Dixon’s second season, the United Kingdom seems to have weathered the zombie apocalypse relatively well. Upon their journey back from France, characters Daryl and Carol encountered a couple of survivors from Scotland. This couple revealed that the U. K.government swiftly implemented lockdown measures when the virus first emerged in 2010, effectively enforcing martial law. Fast forward over a decade, and the U. K.has maintained some semblance of order amidst the chaos. While the virus has certainly made its mark, it appears that 10 Downing Street remains the sole recognized government entity still operational in The Walking Dead universe.
Even so, questions linger regarding the true safety of the United Kingdom. The trailer for Daryl Dixon season 3 hints at a landscape that bears a disturbing resemblance to other countries ravaged by the outbreak, showcasing desolate London streets lined with abandoned red buses and weary survivors. This raises the possibility that while the U. K.may be holding up better than others, normalcy is far from restored. Alternatively, the conditions may have worsened while the Scottish survivors were in France.
The Walking Dead: A Contrast to 28 Days Later
Alex Garland’s Pessimism About the U. K.’s Resilience Against Zombies
An intriguing aspect of The Walking Dead’s narrative hinges on its global implications, especially contrasting with the 28 Days Later universe. The Walking Dead illustrates a scenario where the virus has permeated the globe, yet the U. K.remains relatively unscathed. This is in stark contrast to Danny Boyle’s seminal 2002 film, where England served as the epicenter of the Rage Virus, while other nations appeared largely unaffected as the story progressed. The conclusion of 28 Days Later introduces a glimpse of hope with Scandinavian evacuation efforts and subsequent U. S.intervention in 28 Weeks Later, emphasizing a global response to the crisis.
The inquiry into whether 28 Days Later qualifies as a zombie film continues, primarily because those infected by the Rage Virus are alive, albeit dangerously aggressive.
As we anticipate the release of the sequel, 28 Years Later, in 2025, it seems that the U. K.is still enveloped in the grip of the Rage Virus, while the remainder of the world is depicted as stable. This inversion of roles paints the U. K.as a small island of chaos surrounded by relative safety. The parallels between The Walking Dead and 28 Days Later are especially relevant, given that both significantly influenced the zombie genre, and their respective narratives share the common theme of protagonists awakening to a post-apocalyptic world.
Distinct Global Dynamics in The Walking Dead vs.28 Days Later
A Lack of International Assistance from the U. K.
Interestingly, the global response to the crises in The Walking Dead and 28 Days Later highlights a striking difference in international dynamics. In 28 Days Later, countries untouched by the virus actively sought to assist the beleaguered U. K.by evacuating survivors. This effort culminated in 28 Weeks Later, where NATO led a successful response to the escalating crisis. Even in the much-anticipated 28 Years Later, NATO maintains its involvement in managing the aftermath in the U. K.
In stark contrast, the United Kingdom’s apparent retreat from the world stage in The Walking Dead leaves a void that subsequent storylines could explore. Despite possessing relative stability compared to other regions, the UK cut itself off from the rest of the world after the outbreak began in 2010, creating checkpoints to avert the influx of survivors from France. Throughout the timeline of The Walking Dead, there has not been a single representative from the U. K.who has attempted to connect with or assist U. S.communities in their struggle for survival.
This raises questions about the U. K.’s capacity to extend assistance. It’s possible that they are merely trying to stabilize their own situation, as hinted in the Daryl Dixon season 3 trailer, or they may still be grappling with the implications of their lockdown. The absence of the United Kingdom on the global crisis management stage in The Walking Dead leaves room for exploration in future narratives.
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