The Walking Dead Season 4: Decoding the Season's Mystery Illness

In the beginning of The Walking Dead season 4, Rick's group encounters a disease that baffles both the characters and the viewers. This illness, which turns its victims into walkers with lightning speed, raises a myriad of questions about its origin and nature. Although the disease itself is not explicitly identified, many fans and online researchers have speculated that it could be a variant of the bubonic plague, tuberculosis, or even a recreation of the Spanish flu. Let's delve into the possible identities and implications of this mysterious illness, as well as its impact on the show's storyline and its relevance to real-world history.

Possible Diseases in The Walking Dead Season 4

The symptoms exhibited by the characters in the episode are multiple and troubling. Bubonic Plague quickly stands out due to its severe and rapid nature. A few key points supporting this theory are:

The characters suffer from bleeding from various orifices. They exhibit cold-like symptoms and a high mortality rate within a short period. Herbal remedies with similar uses as antibiotics, which were used in historical cases, have been seen.

However, another possible disease is Tuberculosis. The symptoms observed, such as coughing up blood, rapid energy loss, and the ability to spread through the air, align well with this disease. Additionally, a character, Hershel, attempts to treat the affected using herbal remedies, similar to how they were used historically to treat tuberculosis. However, the urgent need for antibiotics suggests a more severe and infectious nature of the disease, similar to tuberculosis in its advanced stages.

Lastly, the show's producers mentioned wanting to create a sense of real danger, which could explain the inspiration behind the disease's creation. The concept of the disease being a recreation of the Spanish Flu is also plausible. In reality, the 1918 Spanish Flu was one of the deadliest pandemics in history, and its recreation in the show could serve to intensify the drama and fear in the narrative, reminiscent of how the Spanish Flu affected society back then.

Impact on the Show's Storyline

The severity of the illness in the show has significant implications for the characters and the overall storyline. The fact that the illness can be transmitted through pigs adds a new layer of tension and danger, as seen in the heartbreaking scene where characters were forced to kill the infected pigs. This decision, however difficult, highlights the dire circumstances and the harsh realities the characters face in their post-apocalyptic world. These scenes also serve to emphasize the close-knit bonds between the characters and the sacrifices they must make to survive.

Real-World Context and Historical Relevance

The mysterious illness in The Walking Dead is not just a fictional plague; it draws upon real historical events to add depth and authenticity to the show. The bubonic plague, tuberculosis, and Spanish Flu all have a rich historical context that provides a basis for understanding the impact of severe infectious diseases. The bubonic plague, with its rapid and fatal symptoms, is a stark reminder of the deadly nature of such diseases. Tuberculosis, with its long-term and debilitating effects, highlights the challenge of treating and battling chronic infectious diseases. And the Spanish Flu, with its sudden outbreak and widespread death, underscores the unpredictable and devastating nature of pandemics.

These real-world counterparts serve to emphasize the show's themes of survival, resilience, and the relentless struggle for human dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity. The creative choice to use these illnesses as inspiration not only adds to the show's realism but also provides a poignant reflection on the enduring impact of infectious diseases on society.

Conclusion

The mysterious illness in The Walking Dead season 4 has sparked much debate among fans and enthusiasts. While it could be argued to be a form of the bubonic plague, tuberculosis, or even a recreation of the Spanish Flu, the real power of the show lies in its ability to use this mystery to create a sense of real danger and to explore deep themes of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The impact of such an illness, much like its historical counterparts, is significant and serves to enhance the storytelling and the emotional resonance of the show.

Keywords

The Walking Dead Season 4, Bubonic Plague, Tuberculosis, Spanish Flu, Severe Illness in Fiction