'The Walking Dead' Season 5 Spoilers, Recap News: Showrunner Explains Shocking Premiere Episode
"The Walking Dead" midseason premiere was full of surprises and shocking moments. In the episode, Tyreese (Chad Coleman) was bitten by a walker, and the hour showed his internal struggle before his death, played out through visions and images.
Showrunner Scott M. Gimple, who wrote the episode, spoke to Entertainment Weekly to explain why it was Tyreese's time to go.
"It was his time to go in as much as that's what the story dictates — not just in that moment, but for the future too," said the showrunner.
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On breaking the news to Coleman that his character was going to be killed, Gimple said, "I'm always weary of talking about that just because it's so personal and I worry about this feeling somewhat like a reality show … We take it very seriously. Chad, throughout all of his time on the show, has been wonderful … There isn't anybody on this show I want to see to go, and that's such a strange thing."
"You know, behind the scenes of TV shows can be very dramatic and people cannot get along and stuff. That isn't the case on this show. But this is a show where people regularly die. It's a very difficult thing," he added.
Coleman also spoke to Entertainment Weekly to talk about how Gimple broke the news to him.
"Scott called me up and was like, 'Chad, I'm meeting with all of the cast,' and I'm like, 'You know Scott, I'm busy man. I don't mean harm bro, but no big deal right? Everything is cool,'" Coleman said.
"So I went in, and he said, 'Tyreese's time has come,' and I said, 'Stop joking Scott. Come on man. Stop playing.' And then he teared up, and then I knew it was real … and then I just kept saying 'wow' for like five minutes."
About next week's episode, Gimple said that everyone is on the road now and that they've made the decision to go somewhere, yet nothing is simple or easy when it comes to their journey. The showrunner says that viewers should see some physical and emotional fights play out in future episodes.
"We'll see who wins," says Gimple.
"The Walking Dead" airs on Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.
