Henry and Lydias relationship in The Walking Dead was wasted potential – Undead Walking

When Henry was revealed to be the final victim of the pike massacre at the end of season nine of The Walking Dead, fans were shocked. After his relationship with Lydia was a core focus of the latter half of the season, it was surprising to see his time on the show cut short.

With Carl killed off the show the season prior, Henry seemed to be taking over Carls comic storylines. This includes his relationship with Lydia, as Carl and Lydias relationship plays a key role in the comics. After so many fans complained that killing Carl was the shows biggest mistake and that it ruined the shows future, having Henry take over his role in some fashion was the logical next step.

Instead, Henry was killed off, too, ruining any future storylines and character development between him and Lydia. This was a mistake, which is only compounded by the loss of Carl in the season before. With one of Lydias only real connections to the survivors gone, her storyline seems to be a little lost with the Whisperer War finally finished.

The Romeo and Juliet-esque relationship between the two was a refreshing one and wouldve been a nice reprieve during the very dark season 10. Instead, we are left thinking about what if?

What we did end up getting in season 10 is only further proof that they shouldve kept Henry around and with Lydia.

Cassady McClincy as Lydia The Walking Dead _ Season 10, Episode 7 Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC

Throughout season 10, Lydia was mistrusted, mistreated, and abused at the hands of the people she thought would welcome her. Even Carol, Henrys adoptive mother, used Lydia for her own personal gain in the Whisperer War.

Henry would not have stood for that. He wouldve fought to make sure that Lydia was safe and happy in the communities, just as he did in season nine.

Lydia has already suffered so much on the show, so to see her misery compounded even further since Henry was killed off was cruel.

Was Henrys decision to go out and save Lydia on his own a naive one with grave consequences? Certainly. Was it also a sign of the instant connection and real feelings between the two? Absolutely.

While many people dismissed Henry and Lydias relationship as just young love, it was more than that. Henry risked his life to save Lydia from a life of abuse after recognizing the connection between them and the horrible situation she was trapped in.

Seeing their relationship continue to develop and strengthen throughout seasons 10 and 11 wouldve made them grow on people who doubted their relationship. By cutting the relationship off before it could go through much development,The Walking Dead left Henry and Lydia as wasted potential.

Had Henry survived the pike massacre, his character wouldve been challenged in new ways. His character post-time skip was always focused on doing the right thing, so to see him struggle to maintain that hopeful outlook while Lydia supports him and reminds him of the good he can do would have been intriguing.

Ryan Hurst as Beta, Matt Lintz as Henry The Walking Dead _ Season 9, Episode 12 Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Meanwhile, Lydia wouldve had someone to rely on as she adjusted to life in the communities. While her mental strength and good heart allowed her to become a contributing member of the communities despite their doubts, Lydia wouldve been able to do so in a much more natural and interesting way with Henry by her side.

And, with the majority ofThe Walking Deads relationships in shambles or non-existent going into season 11, keeping Henry and Lydia together wouldve been a sign of stability amidst the chaos of the Whisperer War, despite them only being teenagers.

With Daryl always talking about fighting for the future, this relationship couldve been a perfect example of that exact future one where people protect those who need protection and always do the right thing, rather than just living with it, as Daryl put it in season nine.

While theres nothing that can be done about it now, Angela Kang and the Walking Dead writerswasted a lot of story potential by ruining Henry and Lydias relationship. The chance to see the two grow into their own and eventually become leaders of the communities years down the line sadly will never come to fruition.

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Henry and Lydias relationship in The Walking Dead was wasted potential - Undead Walking