Let’s get one thing out of the way before we get into the details on why Morgan could be Negan’s next victim in The Walking Dead Season 8. Ready? Here goes...
The comic books do not seal a character’s fate. Some who died in the comics are still alive, and vice versa.
Still, there are signs Morgan’s time on the show is running out. Like Carol, Morgan is living with severe PTSD, more so than other characters. Morgan goes in and out of sanity, but his latest breakdown might be an indicator that he’s ready to die.
In the comics, Morgan dies shortly after the group’s arrival to Alexandria. Morgan is bit by a walker and Michonne inevitably has to put him down. Comic book Michonne has a had a rough love life. Her fling with Morgan was short and messy. Anyway, Morgan never really had the chance to get involved with Negan. The show, on the other hand, has made Morgan the conscience of the group. He’s become the person advocating taking the path of least resistance.
Well, that was Morgan’s philosophy, until The Saviors killed his protege Ben.
Morgan saw Ben as a son, and when he died it triggered something in him. Remember, Morgan saw his walker wife kill his biological son Duane. Morgan lives with the regret of not putting down his wife after she turned. Duane froze when he encountered his mother during a run. Morgan was forced to put them both down and he lost his mind. That was until he met his Jedi trainer, Eastman.
Old feelings are resurfacing for Morgan. He’s no longer in control of his emotions like he used to be. Morgan was forced to shoot a man to save Carol, which broke his no-kill rule. Morgan later killed Richard when he found out he set the trap that led to Ben’s death.
So how does all this lead to a Morgan-Negan showdown? Well, it’s kind of been foreshadowed in the show. Morgan built a cell in Alexandria in The Walking Dead Season 6. He made one to give Rick the option of saving lives when he can. Rick wasn’t a fan of the call, but he’s gotten some use out of it. The only way Rick is going to believe Morgan’s “all life is precious” mantra is if he something happens to his conscience. Morgan’s death would serve as a reminder that there is good in the world, but it’s fragile. They’ll lose it if they don’t nurture and respect it. Morgan and the war with Negan will force Rick to realize they need people now more than ever, if people aren’t inherently good.
Morgan’s death by walker would be underwhelming for a main character. We know Negan is out for blood and will take any chance he gets to kill someone in front of Rick to watch him squirm. A Negan-Lucille death would be a fitting goodbye for the character. This will also make Negan potentially sitting in Morgan’s cell in Alexandria even more ironic.
What do you think about Morgan potentially dying by Negan’s hand? Let us know in the comments section below. The Walking Dead Season 8 premieres on AMC this fall.
