Summary
- The Walking Dead spinoffs are focusing on the origins of the zombie virus and exploring the possibility of a cure, with being a significant location in these storylines.
- Creator Robert Kirkman regrets revealing too much information in the CDC episode of season 1, but now sees its importance in connecting the spinoffs.
- The spinoffs, including Daryl Dixon and The Ones Who Live, will delve deeper into the details shared by Dr. Jenner and explore the experiments and virus origins mentioned in the CDC episode.
The Walking Dead episode creator Robert Kirkman regrets most could be more important than ever for shaping spinoffs and the franchise's future. Spinoffs like The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and The Walking Dead: World Beyond focus heavily on the origins of the zombie virus and uncovering a potential cure. While there have been connections to Dr. Jenner, the franchise seems to be putting in the spotlight, which could reveal more about the zombie variants and how they came to be.
A classic episode from The Walking Dead season 1 reveals shocking details about the zombie virus, and those will undoubtedly factor into Walking Dead spinoffs. However, Kirkman holds some regrets about how this season 1 installment played out. His regrets boil down to the details disclosed within this chapter. And while there haven't been many references to the revelations uncovered in the episode, the spinoffs are proving they're more important than anyone thought.
Walking Dead Is Making Season 1's CDC Episode Important Again
The Walking Dead fans will never forget the classic season 1 installment where Rick and his group enter the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as it offered some shocking insights into the zombie virus and its origins. The CDC episode was made 13 years ago, and Kirkman has regrets about how things played out, specifically when it comes to Dr. Jenner's revelations. The Walking Dead creator told The Hollywood Reporter:
If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t have done the CDC episode. It possibly gave away too much information and was such a big change very early on in the series. I’ve been careful in the comic series to not say what’s happening in other parts of the world. It’s something that’s going to be fun to explore in the spinoff series. But the fact that is mentioned in that episode and other things like that, I probably would have steered away from that stuff if I had to do it all over again.
Although Kirkman regrets it now, the CDC episode is perfect for connecting spinoffs, from Daryl Dixon to World Beyond. The World Beyond post-credits scene sets up The Walking Dead's future, with Dr. Jenner talking about how the virus started. He heavily suggested that was the culprit. This moment connected to the scene in The Walking Dead season 1 where the doctor discussed his research and hopes for creating a cure in the CDC. Now that Daryl Dixon's spinoff is set in , audiences will learn more about the virus experiments and how Dr. Jenner's plans to find a cure will fit into the story.
Walking Dead's Spinoffs Can Finally Pay Off Season 1's CDC Episode 13 Years Later
Once Rick's group escaped the CDC, there wasn't another mention of the place again, except for when Rick told the group they were all infected (according to what Dr. Jenner whispered in his ear). Thirteen years later, The Walking Dead is finally acknowledging what was said in the season 1 finale, and it starts by linking the spinoffs together. World Beyond ended back in 2021 after revealing clues about the outbreak, experiments, and French scientists. Now other spinoffs like Daryl Dixon and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live can expand on the details shared by Dr. Jenner.
Daryl Dixon's spinoff could have cameos, including Dr. Jenner, which pays tribute to the CDC episode and tells audiences more about what went down before the outbreak. His spinoff being set in isn't just a random detour since that country holds great significance to the plot. Rick and Michonne's spinoff, The Ones Who Live, will reveal more about the CRM and their possible connection to the experiments in . Regardless, audiences can watch the details of the CDC unfold in The Walking Dead spinoffs, making the episode more of a necessity than a regret.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter