Not only has it collected the thematic legacy of the famous zombie show, but it has also been able to decline it in a unique way
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| The Walking Dead/The 100 |
Set almost a century after a nuclear catastrophe, The 100 follows a group of young people sent to Earth to verify whether the planet is habitable again. Surviving thanks to the Ark, a huge space station that houses the last traces of humanity, the inhabitants must face the threat of the collapse of the life support systems. The drastic decision to send 100 young prisoners to the Earth's surface exposes them to unexpected dangers: in addition to radiation, the boys discover that the Earth is not as deserted as they thought.
The return to their home planet is initially full of a sense of wonder: after a life spent in space, the protagonists are enchanted by the pristine nature, but soon the enthusiasm turns into rebellion against the authority of the Ark. They decide to sever ties with the space station, destroying the devices that monitor their living conditions. However, this search for freedom exposes them to new threats, including hostile groups and the remnants of a civilization that survived the apocalypse, with whom they clash for control of resources and safety.
Based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead instead follows Rick Grimes and a group of survivors who try to maintain a glimmer of humanity in a world devastated by a zombie apocalypse. The series, set in a desolate America, shifts the focus from the undead to conflicts between humans, who often prove more dangerous than the "walkers". The protagonist Rick, awakening from a coma in a world now destroyed, faces continuous challenges: gangs of marauders, cannibals, and rival factions add to the constant threat of zombies.
The loss of traditional institutions - such as the police, hospitals, and supermarkets - forces the characters to develop survival skills and navigate a world without rules. As we said, in both The 100 and The Walking Dead, the central theme is not the origin of the apocalypse, but the ability to survive. The characters are forced to make extreme decisions that often question their morality and humanity. Anarchy and the absence of laws make survival a Darwinian battle, where only the strongest and most adaptable manage to emerge.
Despite the desolation, love emerges as an essential force for the characters in both series. In The 100, the bonds between the young protagonists push them to protect each other, creating a sense of belonging that goes beyond mere survival. In The Walking Dead, the relationship between Rick and his children Carl and Judith is the engine of his actions, while the loss of loved ones triggers wars and rivalries. The apocalypse, paradoxically, allows the characters to experience love in its purest form: devoid of material interests, it feeds on a genuine concern for the well-being of others.
In a world where everything has been stripped of the superfluous, emotional bonds become the only wealth left. Although belonging to different genres - science fiction for The 100 and horror for The Walking Dead - both series offer profound reflections on human nature and the ability to adapt to a world devoid of certainties. Through compelling narratives and complex characters, the two works question what it really means to be human, demonstrating that, even in the darkest moments, love and the desire to survive can give meaning to chaos.
Source: CBR
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