Everything I Learned About Life I Learned from ‘The Walking Dead’

(Reprint of previously published article that has been removed from the original site)

When the creators of “The Walking Dead” launched the series, they probably had no idea how one little zombie apocalypse show would catch like wildfire, sweeping the country and shattering viewer records. It’s transcended genre fans and crossed over to mainstream America. Why? Some of the appeal lies in the survival themes that draw the “prepper” crowd, but it goes much deeper than that. “The Walking Dead” strips humanity down to its lowest, and highest, common denominator, dealing with life and death issues and how people adapt to extreme circumstances. It’s a morality play that William Shakespeare himself would envy. And as such, it’s loaded with plenty of tips about life, learned through the characters on the show.

Andrea

Some people are just too good to make it in this world. The next time you have a knife in your hand and an evil dictator sleeping next to you, take him out, Carol-style, or he may end up orchestrating your own demise, as well as dozens more.

Carol

On the other hand, when someone who has been oppressed and abused finally finds her power, it’s a runaway train that can go too far. You’re too far gone, Carol, too far gone. You should have turned that romantic tension with Daryl into a therapeutic hookup to blow off some steam.

Maggie and Glenn

Love can survive and even be born in the worst of times. But Maggie, please listen to Glenn and learn from Lori’s mistake about having kids.

Lori

Make sure your husband is really dead before shacking up with his best friend. Also, babies and childbirth don’t mix in a zombie apocalypse world.

Carl

Kids are far more resilient than we give them credit for, and can be the most hardcore, as demonstrated when someone needs to shoot their mom in the head to keep her from turning into a walker.

Lizzie

Little girls are sugar and spice and everything nice… and will shoot you smack between the eyes if you attack them. At least if they’ve been to story time with Carol. (Are Carl and Lizzie a match made in heaven or what?)

Hershel

Never make a grand speech about how you risk death every day, but what matters is what you risk it for: even Scott Wilson knew when he saw that script he was about to get the call that every cast member dreads from showrunner Scott Gimple. Grand philosophical speech means imminent demise. Also, never smile when a bad man has a big sword to your neck, as writers love to set up irony right before they deliver the coup de grace.

The Governor

You can change your name or even change your family, but a bad man after the apocalypse always was a bad man… and always will be no matter how hard he tries to change. Especially if he wears an eye patch. Never trust a man in an eye patch, or golf on an RV roof with him.

Daryl

You can change your name or even change your “family,” but a badass man after the apocalypse always was a badass man, no matter how hard he tries to change. Also, if you’re hot enough, you can pull off a poncho as a fashion statement. Just ask Clint Eastwood.

Rick

Yes, you can come back from dictatorship, seeing dead people and a lust for revenge. A good man after the apocalypse always was a good man and always will be, no matter what tragedy befalls him. Welcome back to humanity, for better or worse, Officer Grimes.

What have you learned about life from “The Walking Dead?” Tell us in the comments section below.