The Living^[1] consists of a hostile group of bandits and manipulators who are first encountered in "Nebraska" of Season 2 of AMC's The Walking Dead. There were at least 30 members before they came across the Atlanta survivors. They served as the primary antagonistic group for the second half of Season 2.

Overview[]

Though not much is known about them, the Living seem to be a group of ruthless and dangerous survivors. Rick, Glenn, and Hershel encounter two members, Dave and Tony, in a bar and they initially try to act like friendly people. When they realize that Rick's group is staying at a farm, Dave attempts to get information on where it is, saying that they can help each other. However it becomes apparent that they most likely plan on stealing their supplies and probably kill everyone there. Rick realizes this and attempts to get the two to back off, saying they can't stay at the farm. Dave and Tony then attempt to kill Rick. Judging by how coordinated their attack is, with Dave in front of Rick and Tony behind Rick watching Dave's signals, they most likely have done this before to other survivors. However, their attempt fails and Rick shoots the two in the head.

When Daryl interrogates Randall, he mentions the heinous acts of his group, such as carrying out violent raids and gang raping teenage girls while forcing the father to watch. Later, when Shane brings Randall out in the woods to seemingly join the Living, Randall mentions how the group members are tough and things can get "crazy" within the group.

Pre-Apocalypse[]

Nothing is known about the group prior to the outbreak.

Post-Apocalypse[]

During the early stages of the outbreak, the group grew to around 30 people. They formed around Philadelphia, eventually traveling towards a refugee camp near Washington, D.C., though they couldn't get close due to the roads being jammed. Afterwards, they kept heading south, never staying in one place for very long, and eventually made their way into Georgia. Their scavenging party was made up of men who did horrific things away from the rest of the group. On one occasion, they gang raped two teenage girls and forced their father to watch. They were also heavily armed with automatic weaponry.

The Walking Dead[]

Season 2[]

Dave, Tony, Nate, Sean, and Randall go to scavenge a small town. Dave and Tony encounter Rick Grimes, Hershel Greene, and Glenn Rhee in a bar. They try to get them to take them back to their farm, but, when they refuse, Dave and Tony attempt to use force, resulting in their deaths at the hands of Rick. The others hear the shots and approach the bar. Rick tries to convince them to let him and his people leave, but they open fire. Sean is shot in the chest by Hershel and devoured by walkers. Randall jumps off a roof and impales his leg on a fence post, forcing Nate to return to their camp without him. Randall is rescued by Rick and his people, who take him back to their farm as a hostage.

Hershel gives Randall medical care, saving his leg. Rick and Shane Walsh try to release Randall 18 miles away, but when he reveals that he knows Maggie Greene, they decide that he is too dangerous to be set free and take him back to the farm, fearing that he will somehow make his way back to his group and lead them to the farm, causing a war and possible slaughter. He is tortured by Daryl Dixon and reveals the atrocities committed by his group. His captors decide to execute him but eventually change their minds. Shane later sets Randall free, claiming to have left the farm group, and Randall offers to take him back to the Living's camp and introduce him to the group. However, it is a ruse and Shane snaps Randall's neck, killing him, planning to kill Rick and frame Randall for his murder. The plan falls through when Glenn and Daryl encounter and put down a zombified Randall and Rick kills Shane during their confrontation.

Roleplaying Game[]

13 years after their encounter with Rick's group, the Living has grown to include about 50 people, all living in a bombed-out factory filled with traps in Gainsville. The group would sent radio transmits claiming their haven was a thriving sanctuary, however when survivors arrived, they were killed or enslaved.

Disputes were settled in a fighting pit surrounded by chained walkers called "The Hole", where combatants fight to the death or until one agrees to surrender. Those who were too weak to fight were forced to do scavenging runs and take care of the greenhouse on the roof of the factory.

At some point, they began feuding with a religious group known as "The Reborn". One of the members of the Reborn, a teenager named Daniel Gonzalez, who left their cabin to prove to his mother Alicia that he could take care of himself, was captured by the Living. Depending on the player's roll, Daniel either joins the Living and urges other members of the Reborn to do the same, outright killed, or becomes Nate Miller's servant and forced to work for food and shelter.

In one of the two suggested endgames, the Living starts trading with the School, a group made up of teachers and ex-students, giving them ammunition, only for the Living to start using the weapons on them, turning into a powerful faction and controlling more and more of the Georgia area. Alternatively, the Reborn grow in size and challenge both the Living and the School, drawing more and more believers to Father Jack Morgan, the leader of the Reborn. Morgan murders Nate, giving the Reborn power over the Living and use it to attack and defeat the school.

Members[]

• Nate (Possible Leader)
• Jane
• Robert Lehman (Medic)
• Chloe Barnes (Radio Broadcaster)
• Daniel Gonzales (Determinant)
• Randall Culver
• Sean
• Tony
• Dave
• 47 other unnamed members

Deaths[]

• Dave
• Tony
• Sean
• Randall Culver (Alive and Zombified)
• Nate Miller (Determinant)

Killed Victims[]

This list shows the victims that the Living have killed:

• Daniel Gonzales (Determinant)
• Numerous counts of zombies and unnamed people

Appearances[]

TV Series[]

Season 2[]

• "Nebraska"
• "Triggerfinger"
• "18 Miles Out"
• "Judge, Jury, Executioner"
• "Better Angels"

Trivia[]

• It is still unknown who the original leader of the group was, as Dave has been mentioned and hinted at as the leader of the group. Although, a scared Nate mentioned to Sean and Randall he wouldn't return to the camp and inform Jane of Dave and Tony's deaths, possibly signifying her leadership, though it could be that they were in some way significant to her. However, The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game states a man named "Nate Miller", possibly Nate himself, is the leader.
• According to the RPG, the Living seem to take several aspects from other antagonistic groups in the TV Series.
  • They live an old factory, similar to the Saviors' home base, the Sanctuary.
  • Disputes are settled in a fighting pit surrounded by chained walkers called "The Hole", where combatants fight to the death or until one agrees to surrender, similar to Woodbury's fighting arena.
  • They send out radio messages claiming their haven was a thriving sanctuary, however when survivors arrived, they were killed or enslaved, similar to Terminus.

References[]