It'll be a while before The Walking Dead closes its doors. Still, that doesn’t mean the TV series might not come to an end soon enough, especially considering how the comic books concluded very abruptly. Due to this, there’s always that general wondering if the show might follow suit.
The comics’ finale was well received for the most part, and fans won’t mind if this is reflected on-screen. However, there are many reasons why this might not be the best decision, and perhaps certain changes are needed. With that in mind, here are five reasons the comic book ending should be adapted, and five why the finale should be changed.
10 Adapt: The Time Jump Makes Sense
There’s always speculation and theories over the future, but the comics negated the need for this by jumping into the future itself. Twenty years later, the characters were seen after having brought civilization back.
This can be a good way to cap off the series too, because it makes sense to simply show the outcome in the long-run. There won’t be any need for the TV show to waste time in the finale going over every detail, as the time jump will do the explaining.
9 Change: The Ending Was Too Open Ended
For most fans, the ending was perfect in a lot of ways. However, it left too much to interpretation. Stuff like the extreme restriction in the law, infighting between the community, and the current lifestyles of several characters were left up in the air.
This will be more striking for the TV series due to fans investing more in these characters. It would be far too much of an outrage if people like Daryl and Carol’s endings aren’t absolute, so the show will definitely have to give a fair conclusion rather than letting fans make up their own minds.
8 Adapt: To See The Commonwealth In Its Entirety
The Commonwealth became the main location in the end, with the community numbering about 100,000 people. Getting to see this will truly be a sight to behold, and this will only be possible if the comic book ending is followed.
Since the last issue showed all the places in this community, the TV series finale will also have to follow suit. Places like Rick’s statue (which will most likely be replaced by a current TV show character), the court, central city, and more will be even more surreal in live-action.
7 Change: Following The Comics Would Make Things Too Predictable
There’s a reason why predictions are made over the future of characters, and this is because it keeps things interesting. Up until Season 6, the TV series had followed the comics closely, so fans started knowing what to expect.
Deviating away from the original ending will have people on their toes and excited over what’s to come, which can only be a good thing. Following the same ending might be an easy option, and the TV show can instead improve upon it.
6 Adapt: Rick Would Return This Way
Rick’s death in the comics is what paves the way for the eventual finale. It’s his martyrdom that seals the future, with Rick’s legacy being upheld and used to write the law. If the comics are followed faithfully, it would mean that Rick will have to return in the TV series.
Although it would be heartbreaking for most to see Rick’s demise, it would also be the appropriate way to end things, since Rick was the one who started it all. It would also go a long way in justifying all the hardships he went through, even giving his long absence significant meaning.
5 Change: An Explanation For The Apocalypse Is Needed
The comics ended without ever giving an explanation about why the zombie outbreak began in the first place. The TV series placed greater emphasis over the reasoning behind this, with the CDC storyline still fresh in fans’ minds.
Ending things without clearing this up will feel like a bit of a missed opportunity. By providing viewers the answer to this big question, the TV series finale will easily set itself apart from the comics’ ending and will no doubt go down as one of the most memorable endings in television history.
4 Adapt: The Current Changes Haven't Been Too Good
The changes the show has made over the years have been either better or worse, sometimes very much worse. Some of these include the decision to kill off the likes of Carl and Jesus, along with making Negan a straight-up good guy over the anti-hero he was in the comics.
For this reason, it would be better to stick with the source material for the conclusion, since it’s been proven to be non-controversial. Any potentially unpopular change can have the effect of retroactively ruining the whole series. To this end, keeping the comic book ending sounds like a much better option.
3 Change: The Main Character Shouldn't Die Like In The Comics
There’s no escaping the fact that the main character’s death is vital for the comics series finale. At present, it is Daryl who occupies this role on the TV series. No matter what storylines Daryl might have in the coming seasons, it’s for certain that fans don’t ever want to see him die.
However, the ending will require that martyr figure to be sacrificed and become a legend for the community, meaning Daryl will have to bite the dust. In order to avoid this, the series finale accommodating Daryl in a different - and alive - capacity is a better deal that will keep everyone happy. Besides, Daryl just isn't the Rick Grimes type character whose sacrifice will have the same impact.
2 Adapt: The Definite Ending
Every season finale of The Walking Dead so far has presented a cliffhanger or a hook for the next season. This means there’s a chance the series finale might not be as conclusive, which is why the comic book ending route might be better.
Here, the theme was how “life goes on,” and there was no chance of the story returning since there were no twists left to shake things up. Going by this, there might not be a better way to finish things on the TV series either, and having the characters accepting their futures sounds fitting enough.
1 Change: Comics' Ending Isn't Realistically Possible
The comic book finale is told from the point of view of the adult Carl, and has him married to Carol’s daughter Sophia while his relationships with Negan and Lydia are also shown. Additionally, Aaron and Jesus are a couple, and Michonne is with her grown-up daughter.
None of these are possible for the TV series, seeing as most of these characters are either deceased or permanently off the show. Due to this, it’s probably the only real option to change the ending, otherwise sticking close to it might just come across as a poorly made rehash.