When The Walking Dead premiered on AMC in 2010, no one could have predicted how much of a cultural phenomenon it would become. The show, which follows a group of survivors in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, has spawned countless products, fan theories, and of course, memes. As we look back on the past decade of The Walking Dead, it’s clear that memes have played a huge role in the show’s popularity. Let’s explore the evolution of memes about The Walking Dead.
Table of Contents
Early Days: “Coral!” and “We Are The Walking Dead”
One of the earliest memes to come out of The Walking Dead was “Coral!” Fans of the show will remember that this was the way Rick Grimes pronounced his son Carl’s name, and it quickly became a meme that was used to make fun of Rick’s southern accent. Another early meme was the phrase “We Are The Walking Dead,” which was first uttered by Rick in the show’s fifth season. It became a rallying cry for fans, and was often used in fan art and on social media.
“I remember when ‘Coral!’ was all the rage,” says Walking Dead fan and meme enthusiast Sarah Jones. “It was everywhere. People would put it on t-shirts, or make memes with a picture of Rick yelling ‘Coral!’ over and over again. It was hilarious.”
The Rise of Daryl Dixon
As The Walking Dead continued, one character in particular became a fan favorite: Daryl Dixon, played by Norman Reedus. Daryl was known for his tough-guy persona, his crossbow, and his tendency to ride a motorcycle. It wasn’t long before Daryl memes started popping up all over the internet.
“Daryl was just such a badass,” says Walking Dead superfan Mark Smith. “People loved him. So of course there were going to be memes about him. There was one where Daryl was holding a kitten, and it said ‘If Daryl dies we riot.’ It was so funny.”
The Walking Dead Gets Meta
As The Walking Dead continued to air, the show itself started to reference the memes that had become so popular. In season six, there was a scene where Eugene Porter (played by Josh McDermitt) says “I just want to say, the hair game is strong, my friend,” referencing a popular meme about his character’s mullet. And in season eight, there was a scene where Rick and Michonne find a box of old cat figurines, which was a nod to a meme about the show’s tendency to kill off cats.
“I loved it when the show started referencing the memes,” says Sarah Jones. “It was like they were in on the joke.”
The Walking Dead Goes Viral
By the time The Walking Dead reached its tenth season, memes about the show had become so ubiquitous that they were often shared by people who didn’t even watch the show. One of the most popular viral memes was the “Walking Dead Rickroll,” where a video of a scene from the show would suddenly cut to Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
“I saw the Walking Dead Rickroll everywhere,” says Mark Smith. “It was so funny, because even people who didn’t watch the show knew what it was. It just became this huge thing.”
The Future of Walking Dead Memes
As The Walking Dead heads into its eleventh and final season, it’s clear that memes will continue to play a role in the show’s legacy. Fans will undoubtedly create new memes based on the show’s final episodes, and old memes will continue to be shared on social media.
“I think memes will always be a part of The Walking Dead,” says Sarah Jones. “They’re just such a fun way to connect with other fans of the show. And even after the show ends, we’ll still have the memes.”
Conclusion
From “Coral!” to the Walking Dead Rickroll, memes have been an essential part of The Walking Dead’s cultural impact. They’ve given fans a way to express their love for the show, and have created a sense of community among viewers. As we say goodbye to The Walking Dead, we’ll always have the memes to remember it by.
