After an impressive run of 11 seasons, The Walking Dead not only captivated audiences but also spawned numerous spinoffs, effectively expanding its universe and lore. However, this expansion has led to a convoluted timeline, generating various plot holes and inconsistencies. Although the progression of time wasn’t a focal point in the narrative—other than the evolving climate—major developments, such as the six-year jump in Season 9, posed challenges for viewers trying to follow the story’s chronology.
By the closing of Season 11, a general sense of elapsed time was established, yet the additional spinoff series complicated the timeline further. For instance, while the timelines of The Ones Who Live and Daryl Dixon seem to align, Dead City depicts events set years later. This inconsistency, combined with multiple flashbacks and varying timelines, has resulted in a fragmented narrative, creating substantial holes that undermine the plot.
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Variant Zombies Vanished Until Season 11
Variants Mysteriously Disappeared for Over a Decade
One major inconsistency involves the variant zombies, which first appeared in Season 1. These unique undead were capable of running, climbing walls, and even utilizing objects—abilities that seemed to vanish until their reappearance in the final season. The shift in showrunners affected how zombies were portrayed, resulting in a significant timeline issue that was never adequately addressed.
The unexplained absence of these walkers over a decade creates a plot hole, particularly as the survivors encounter variant behavior for the first time in the last season. This disjunction between earlier and later episodes has raised eyebrows, as the decision to reintroduce variants late in the series lacks clear justification.
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The Survivors Spent Eight Months Searching for the Prison
A Baffling Eight-Month Search for a Nearby Prison
Between seasons 2 and 3, following their departure from Hershel’s farm, the group spent an inexplicable eight months searching for a nearby prison. Despite clear visuals of the prison on the horizon at the conclusion of Season 2, the survivors wandered for months before finally reaching it.
The opening of Season 3 suggests significant time has passed, as characters discuss winter survival while Lori nears the end of her pregnancy. With T-Dog mentioning they were essentially “going in circles”during winter, this lack of progress raises serious questions about the group’s navigation skills and overall timeline coherence.
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No Mention of Rick Grimes in Dead City
Rick Grimes’ Return Overlooked in Dead City
As the series advances further into the timeline, Dead City fails to acknowledge Rick Grimes’ presumed return depicted in The Ones Who Live. While the plot focuses on Maggie and Negan’s quest to rescue Maggie’s son, it is puzzling that they do not mention Rick, particularly since their conversations touch on their shared past, including Negan’s leadership of the Saviors.
Although Dead City may have been mindful not to spoil significant narrative twists from The Ones Who Live, the omission of Rick’s name casts doubt on the cohesiveness of the overall narrative, leaving fans disappointed. Future seasons may need to address this oversight to enhance continuity.
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Confusion Over Timeline in Dead City
Timeline Ambiguity Highlighted by Negan’s Statements
Another significant flaw in Dead City lies in its inability to establish a clear timeline. Negan’s assertion regarding events occurring “12–15 years ago”suggests a lack of clarity within the series itself. This ambiguity raises questions about how survivors keep track of time, especially since seasons have referenced the passage of winter and summer.
Further complicating matters, Hershel’s age implies that it is likely closer to 15 years post-apocalypse, contradicting Negan’s estimate. Such discrepancies could suggest that Dead City is set well beyond three years after the events of Season 11, further muddling the timeline for viewers.
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Daryl Dixon’s Brief Mission After Season 11
Daryl’s Departure Lasted Only a Month
Daryl Dixon’s spinoff occurs within about a month of the flash-forward ending in Season 11. This raises questions about the rationale behind his extended farewell. Had his departure simply involved being whisked away to France without prelude, viewers might have more easily accepted it. Instead, Daryl’s comment to Carol that he would “be there in about a week”implies he intended to return shortly after leaving.
Although Daryl’s brief detour might have been a simple check-in with others at the Commonwealth, it diminishes the emotional weight of his goodbye, given that it became apparent he would soon reunite with the group.
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The Whisperers’ Missed Encounters with Survivors
Bewildering Lack of Encounters Between Communities
The Whisperers, based in Virginia, should logically have encountered the main survivor communities much earlier in the timeline. While the group led by Alpha formed several years into the apocalypse, it seems implausible that no contact was established with Alexandria, Hilltop, or other settlements, particularly during the six-year time skip.
While introducing a new villain group off-screen may not align with viewer expectations, the astonishing luck of the main communities escaping interaction with Alpha’s group until much later raises questions regarding the reality of their survival amidst a shrinking population.
4
Rapid Expansion of the Saviors in Just Two Years
Negan’s Swift Rise to Power
In contrast to other factions that took considerable time to establish themselves, Negan’s rapid ascent with the Saviors is noteworthy. Season 10’s episode titled “Here’s Negan”illustrates his transformation from a man mourning the loss of his wife to the leader of a powerful group in less than two years.
Negan’s swift growth and the consolidation of power over several established communities—including Alexandria—is surprisingly fast, particularly given the brutality associated with his leadership. Viewers are left questioning how Negan developed such an influential faction in a relatively short timeframe.
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Cluster of Major Character Deaths Within a Year
A Surprising Proximity of Major Deaths
The sheer number of significant character deaths across the series, occurring within a year, raises eyebrows, particularly since they are spaced over five seasons. For instance, the timeframe between Lori and Carl’s deaths is just one year, generating a sense of relentless tragedy throughout the series.
Furthermore, Maggie experienced back-to-back losses, with Glenn and Beth’s deaths occurring mere weeks apart. This ongoing pattern of loss from seasons 3 to 8 becomes increasingly problematic, highlighting how characters grieve and move on in an environment defined by continuous tragedy.
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The Curious Case of Carl Grimes’ Age
A Notable Aging Discrepancy
Carl Grimes’ aging represents one of the most glaring timeline blunders in The Walking Dead. Actor Chandler Riggs began the series at age 11, while Carl was around 12, fitting the role perfectly. However, as the years progressed, Riggs transitioned into a young adult, leading to significant discrepancies.
By the time Riggs filmed his final season at age 18, Carl was still depicted as being around 14-15 years old, creating a mismatch that viewers could not ignore. Although recasting may seem awkward given Riggs’ association with the character, it’s undeniable that he appeared older than the timeline allowed. Ironically, if Carl were still alive today, Riggs would fit the character’s age range much better than in his final season.
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Rick Grimes’ Time with the CRM
A Long Journey Away from the Group
Above all, Rick Grimes is a pivotal character in The Walking Dead, yet much of his journey in the post-apocalyptic world occurred off-screen with the CRM. Despite his crucial role over eight seasons, he spent the majority of his time navigating survival with this new military faction, overshadowing his pivotal relationships with the main group, including Daryl and Michonne.
This significant portrayal challenges the perception of Rick’s relationships, implying that his years spent with the CRM overshadowed his ties to his fellow survivors. The timeline’s complexities depict a narrative where Rick’s journey often feels tragically bittersweet, underscoring the show’s focus on survival over unity.
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