The Most Unrealistic Thing in The Walking Dead: A Deep Dive

The most unrealistic aspect of The Walking Dead isn’t the existence of zombies themselves, but rather the sheer implausibility of their sustained functionality. While the show excels at portraying human drama in the face of apocalypse, the biological realities of animated corpses are consistently stretched to, and far beyond, their breaking point. The notion that these walkers can maintain purposeful movement, sensory awareness, and even a semblance of predatory behavior for years on end, fueled by nothing, directly contradicts established scientific understanding of decay and energy requirements. It’s a fantastic premise, no doubt, but one fundamentally rooted in unrealistic biology.

The Implausibility of Walker Physiology

The human brain, even in its most basic functions, requires a significant amount of energy. Maintaining muscle control for ambulation, coordinating basic sensory input, and even exhibiting rudimentary aggression demand considerable metabolic activity. In The Walking Dead, these walkers are essentially rotting corpses. Their circulatory systems are non-functional, their digestive systems are defunct, and their respiratory systems are, well, also non-functional.

This means they have no way to replenish their energy stores. They aren’t eating in a way that provides sustenance; they’re simply biting and tearing flesh. Even if they were somehow absorbing nutrients, their bodies lack the mechanisms to process and utilize them. Muscles require a constant supply of oxygen and glucose to function. Without a working circulatory and respiratory system, these muscles would rapidly degrade and become unusable. Rigor mortis alone would freeze them in place within days, if not hours.

Furthermore, the decomposition process itself consumes energy. Bacterial activity, enzymatic breakdown, and environmental factors all contribute to the breakdown of organic matter. The Walking Dead walkers are not simply “undead”; they are actively decaying. This process should render them increasingly immobile and fragile over time. Yet, they continue to shamble, grab, and bite with surprising (and unrealistic) persistence.

The Problem with Brain Function

The walkers’ continued brain activity is another major sticking point. Even a simplified, zombie-brain capable only of the most primal urges would still require a metabolic rate far beyond what a decaying body could provide. The brain is exceptionally vulnerable to oxygen deprivation. Without a constant supply of oxygenated blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes. The idea that these walkers can maintain any level of cognitive function, however minimal, for extended periods without a functioning circulatory system is simply not plausible.

The Effects of Environmental Exposure

Consider the environmental factors at play. The walkers are constantly exposed to the elements: sun, rain, heat, cold, and scavengers. Sunlight accelerates decomposition, drying out tissues and weakening muscles. Rain promotes bacterial growth and further decay. Scavengers, from insects to animals, would rapidly pick apart exposed flesh. Yet, the walkers seem remarkably resistant to these effects, maintaining a level of structural integrity that defies the natural process of decomposition.

Addressing the “Zombie Virus” Explanation

The show often alludes to a “zombie virus” as the cause of this undead state. While a virus could theoretically reanimate the dead, it cannot circumvent the fundamental laws of biology. A virus cannot magically provide energy where none exists. It cannot rebuild decayed tissues. It cannot create a functional circulatory or respiratory system. At best, a virus could trigger brief bursts of activity using existing energy reserves. But to sustain that activity for months or years? That’s pure fantasy.

Even experts who are fans of the show find flaws in the way the walker virus works. If a virus is causing the reanimation, where is the fuel coming from, and how is the degradation reversed? These questions remain unanswered in the fictional universe of The Walking Dead.

The Importance of Suspension of Disbelief

Ultimately, The Walking Dead is a work of fiction. It relies on a willing suspension of disbelief from its audience. We accept the premise of zombies because it allows the show to explore deeper themes about human nature, survival, and societal collapse. However, it’s important to acknowledge the inherent unrealistic nature of the walker physiology. It’s a necessary element of the story, but it’s also the element that strains credibility the most.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the realism, or lack thereof, in The Walking Dead:

1. How did the zombie apocalypse start in The Walking Dead? The Walking Dead: World Beyond’s post-credits scene takes place at a biomedical facility in France, which seems to be where the Walking Dead zombie virus originated.

2. Is anyone immune to the zombie virus in The Walking Dead? In the original show and in its five spinoff series, there has never been a character that is immune to the zombie virus.

3. Why don’t they ever say the word “zombie” in The Walking Dead? The word “zombie” is never used because the creators wanted the story to take place in a universe where the concept of living dead never existed.

4. Why are the zombies sometimes faster in The Walking Dead? The fast zombies were only in season 1 because the writers were still developing the show’s zombie rules.

5. What does the doctor whisper to Rick at the CDC? Just before Rick leaves the CDC, Jenner whispers something in his ear: Everyone is infected. Whether you’re bitten or scratched by a walker or not, you will become a zombie once you die.

6. How long was Rick in a coma at the beginning of The Walking Dead? About a month passed before Rick came out of his coma.

7. Why did the zombies get slower over time in The Walking Dead? As the series settled on the walkers it’s known for today, it drifted away from the ones that were glimpsed a few times in season 1.

8. What is the most disturbing episode of The Walking Dead? Episodes like “On the Inside” (Season 11, Episode 6), “No Way Out” (Season 6, Episode 9), and “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” (Season 7, Episode 1) are often cited as the most disturbing.

9. What went wrong with The Walking Dead as the series progressed? Perhaps the biggest problem was that it was dragged out for over a decade, constantly reusing the same storytelling structure.

10. What are some of the most unrealistic situations in The Walking Dead? Examples include: Saviors not waking up when attacked, Rick escaping the RV unscathed, Dale being taken down by a weak walker, and The Governor aiming poorly.

11. What makes The Walking Dead inappropriate for some viewers? The show contains vividly violent action sequences, ample swearing, and sexual content.

12. How did Rick survive so long without water after waking up from his coma? Rick had an IV in his arm when he woke up, so liquid was going into his body.

13. What is the most brutal scene in The Walking Dead? There are many brutal scenes, including: Carl getting shot, Lucille’s suicide, Carol telling Lizzie to look at the flowers, Hershel’s slaughter, and heads on sticks.

14. Who was Patient Zero in The Walking Dead universe? Gloria, Nick’s girlfriend, was the first human to have contact with the zombie infection in Fear the Walking Dead.

15. What is the core message of The Walking Dead? Beyond the surface-level horror, The Walking Dead explores themes of survival, community, morality, and the human condition in the face of unimaginable adversity. The show examines how people adapt and maintain their humanity when societal structures collapse.

Beyond Entertainment: Learning Through Games and Media

While The Walking Dead offers a thrilling escape into a fictional world, it also highlights the power of media to engage audiences and explore complex themes. Similarly, games can be powerful tools for learning and development. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to researching and promoting the use of games for educational purposes. Just as The Walking Dead can spark conversations about human behavior and societal resilience, well-designed games can foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaboration. To find out more about the fascinating world of educational games, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

While The Walking Dead offers compelling characters, thrilling plotlines, and thought-provoking social commentary, its greatest weakness lies in the biological implausibility of its walkers. Accepting this core unreality is key to enjoying the show for what it is: a captivating work of fiction that uses the zombie apocalypse as a backdrop for exploring the depths of human nature.