Fear the Walking Dead is not the most popular spin-off in The Walking Dead franchise, but it did offer some exciting plots and memorable characters within the post-apocalyptic world. The series included some interesting continuations of main and secondary characters from the flagship show, including the former Saviors’ residents Dwight and Sherry, making it worth watching even when the overall plot failed to impress. While these characters had a seemingly satisfying conclusion at the end of FTWD, it also subtly provided a unique concept for another spin-off.
With the other spin-offs in the franchise becoming increasingly controversial and unpopular among die-hard fans, these hidden gems within previous storylines offer the opportunity to revitalize the extensive zombie narrative. Dwight and Sherry were heading to a familiar location with a group of unexplored characters, laying the groundwork for a new show that would honor previous plots while exploring something fresh and intriguing. Proving these two underrated characters with their own spin-off would also solve the franchise’s Negan problem, which has become exceptionally frustrating for viewers with each new installment of The Walking Dead: Dead City.
Dwight & Sherry Had an Interesting Send-Off in Fear the Walking Dead
Dwight and Sherry were introduced in Season 6 of The Walking Dead, early on in the Saviors’ plot, when the couple tried to escape the tyrannical group and betrayed Daryl to steal his motorcycle, making it easier for them to run away. Unfortunately, they were captured and forced to separate, Dwight being burned with an iron for his attempt to escape, and Sherry agreeing to become one of Negan’s wives to ensure her safety. During the war, Sherry managed to finally escape, and Dwight helped the other groups take down Negan, eventually leaving to go find his wife.
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Months later, they reunite in Fear the Walking Dead, when Dwight is working for Virginia’s Rangers and Sherry has been working with a group to take down the corrupt leader and her followers. However, their reunion is bittersweet because both of them are still dealing with the trauma caused by Negan and their time at the Sanctuary. It took them years to overcome this struggle, even having and losing their child, Finch, throughout their journey.
In the finale of Fear the Walking Dead, after they’ve defeated the dangerous leaders of Padre and saved the innocent people of the community, Sherry and Dwight decide to relocate to the Sanctuary. They bring the former residents of Padre with them, now renamed “Madre,” hoping to start a community from where their journey began. This is a risk due to their past trauma at the location and not knowing what condition the building is in, but they take the chance of creating something good from a place that used to be so terrible.
This Hinted at a Promising Spin-off Series
Though this seemed like the perfect ending to the couple’s long journey over the years, leaving them off on a hopeful and exciting note, it was also an overlooked opportunity to begin another spin-off series. So far, the new additions to the franchise have focused on immensely popular and long-running characters, many of which are from the first few seasons, but the creators are making a serious mistake by overlooking some of the promising and underrated side characters. Dwight and Sherry returning to the Sanctuary with a group of new people offers the universe another fresh plot that includes familiar people and places, but with the potential to kick-start an original storyline.
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Last time the Sanctuary tried to rebuild and work with the neighboring communities, those loyal to Negan and the old ways of the Saviors rebelled, leading to a fight that resulted in many deaths and the Sanctuary inevitably being deserted. With this in mind, it’s unlikely that Dwight and Sherry’s group will return to the building without catching the attention of communities such as Alexandria and the Commonwealth, which could result in an exciting conflict and a return of other popular characters. In addition, the members of “Madre,” most of whom did not have a significant role in Fear the Walking Dead, could add to the currently limited main cast of the franchise, providing new backstories, character development, and fresh storylines.
Right now, The Walking Dead spin-off series have dominantly focused on characters with extensive storylines, forcing their previous characterization into new scenarios. This has often led to mixed reviews, especially when the familiar long-running characters act outside their established personalities. While viewers are familiar with Dwight and Sherry’s characters, this potential spin-off would be able to lean on their experiences with the location and people while also providing fresh characters that the franchise desperately needs to rejuvenate the tired storylines.
It Could Solve the Franchise’s Negan Problem
In the first season of The Walking Dead: Dead City, Negan and Maggie working together to save Hershel was exciting and intense, resulting in a positive reception for the first installment. Unfortunately, the second season has not had the same reviews, with many die-hard fans upset about the way the plot is going and how they’re developing the long-running characters’ storylines. Currently, the plot seems unsure of how to handle Negan’s characterization, forcing him into a villainous role at one moment and then doubling down on how he has changed and evolved into a kind and caring man later on.
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Based on Negan’s storyline in The Walking Dead franchise so far, viewers were concerned following the announcement of Dead City that the spin-off would corrupt the development of his characterization. Though the series has emphasized that he is a caring person who wants to protect innocent people, especially his wife Annie and their son Joshua, the situation he has been forced into in Manhattan has resulted in him having to resort to his old ways. This back-and-forth characterization doesn’t make the former villain more complex, but leaves his storyline feeling stagnant and unconvincing.
If Dead City doesn’t have a lengthy runtime, which is more likely with the ratings and popularity of the spin-off dropping, a new show focusing on Dwight and Sherry at the Sanctuary could provide him with another plot. There would be a lot of conflict if Negan ever were to return to the Sanctuary (willingly or unwillingly), forcing him to finally confront his other victims, who arguably had a more personal and traumatic experience with the villain than even Maggie did when she watched him murder Glenn. This could finally provide Negan with a storyline that would expand his growth, solving the ongoing problem surrounding his characterization.
Right Now, the Series Has More Than One Issue To Fix
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The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, the limited series completing Rick and Michonne’s storylines, has been the best spin-off show since the conclusion of the original series. Previously, fans were excited about the other spin-offs featuring beloved main characters, but as they have continued, they’ve become more controversial, leaving audiences craving more out of the zombie franchise. After two seasons, Dead City‘s biggest problem has become finding a purpose for the whole scenario, consistently making viewers wonder why they should care about the plot, especially if the show is failing to progress the characterization of its two popular main characters.
The franchise has a really obvious way to fix the current issues surrounding the active shows, but the creators seem to be looking over all the material they have from the flagship series. There is a balance these spin-offs need to find regarding the familiarity of the characters and world, and fresh ideas that keep the audience engaged. By developing a spin-off dedicated to Dwight and Sherry rebuilding the community of the Sanctuary, the storyline can draw from some exceptional and important moments in the overall plot while also creating a fresh conflict that offers these characters the opportunity to grow outside their previous roles.
The state of storylines focusing on Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, Negan Smith, and Maggie Rhee is not promising for the future of The Walking Dead franchise, turning more fans away from the now controversial horror TV series. However, the last fifteen years of the storyline have offered the creators plenty of material to change the current reception. Previous conclusions like Dwight and Sherry in Fear the Walking Dead are hidden gems within the expansive post-apocalyptic franchise, providing fresh plots to keep the narrative entertaining.
- Created by
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Robert Kirkman
- First TV Show
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The Walking Dead
- Latest TV Show
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The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
- First Episode Air Date
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October 31, 2010
- Cast
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Norman Reedus, Andrew Lincoln, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Laurie Holden, Scott Wilson
- Current Series
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The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
The survivors of a zombie apocalypse fight to stay alive under near-constant threat of attacks from the living dead, commonly known as “Walkers.”
