The Cure is Worse than the Disease

Hershel Greene

Up until recently, the defining aspect of Hershel’s character has been his staunch belief that Walkers are in fact sick people who could potentially be cured some day. Although he has come away from that way of thinking following the barn incident, the idea of a cure is one worth pondering. On the surface, finding a cure would seem to be the best possible outcome of such a terrible situation. People no longer having to live fear. Walkers becoming human again. The world beginning to rebuild itself to some fraction of its former glory. However, this idealistic vision thinly veils what truly would be a horrific reality.

The most basic problem is the severe deterioration Walker bodies undergo in the time since they have died and been reanimated. Millions of former Walkers would be short digits, limbs, chunks of flesh from all over their bodies. The best case scenario is the group who could live without the parts they are missing. The worst case scenario are all the ones who would suffer in agonizing pain before dying because their bodies are so far gone. It is a safe bet that by the time any sort of cure is discovered Walkers would vastly outnumber the uninfected, so the logistics of simply providing medical care are unimaginable. Considering how we are always hearing stories of nursing shortages here in the United States, and that without any global-wide disaster, there is no way adequate medical care could be given to all that would need it.

Even though a significant number of Walkers would survive the transformation back into being human, from there the problems just grow. Assuming that they regain use of all of their faculties, these former Walkers would have months, even years, worth of memories of brutally murdering innocent people and engaging in cannibalism. Many, if not most, would be unable to live with themselves knowing what they did. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be seen in those having experienced a wide range of trauma, from house fires to sexual abuse to war, so it is a sure bet that incidences of PTSD would skyrocket to unseen heights in former Walkers and surviving uninfected alike, both having experienced such horrific events. Cases of depression, violence, self-medication, and flashbacks (among others) would also crop up, whether as a result of PTSD or independently. As with the physical maladies discussed, the shear enormity of the psychological care needed would be insurmountable.

Another volatile issue in a world with the cure is handling the relations of uninfected and former Walkers. Reintegration would be a nightmare. Can you imagine living down the street from the person who tore apart your best friend with their teeth? Or moving back in with the spouse who ate your children alive? Violence between groups would be commonplace, as uninfected sought revenge for a loved one’s death or even just a way to release all of the anger. It would be the Truth and Reconciliation of Rwanda, but to the umpteenth degree.

As much as Hershel seemed to think that a cure would solve all of the post-apocalyptic word’s ills, in reality it would just create a whole new set of problems. Problems that could not be dealt with through a simple bullet to the brain. In the end, it seems the only sort of cure that would suffice is one that put Walkers out of their misery.

The Only Doctor Avaliable In A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie World

Hershel Greene & Lori Grimes

....just happens to be a veterinarian.

On the second episode of The Walking Dead, titled: 'Bloodletting', we were introduced to Hershel Greene, played by veteran character actor, Scott Wilson. We see Rick running across a field carrying his son, Carl, in his arms, because the boy had been shot when a bullet passed through a deer that was being hunted by Otis, Hershel's farmhand. Rick is seen approaching the farmhouse by Hershel's daughter, Maggie, who then yells for her father. Hershel comes out onto the porch and the first thing he asks Rick is, "Was he bit?" ....that is certainly not an unusual question to ask someone since the 'fever' has taken over our world.

When Rick says that Carl had been shot, Hershel orders Rick to, "Get him inside...INSIDE!!!" The farmhouse becomes an ER, with the good doctor telling his family to get him the medical necessities (painkillers, coagulants, alcohol, iv fluids) that he needs, in order to save Carl. Carl will need a blood transfusion, and it's fortunate that Rick is the same blood type as his son. Hershel tells Rick, "Don't wander far, I'm gonna need you." Hershel discovers that the bullet has broken into fragments...six to be exact...and that he would have to perform surgery in order to remove them. Carl is also bleeding internally...a bullet fragment nicked a blood vessel...so Hershel would have to go in and find the bleeder, and stitch it up. Hershel is highly capable of performing this life-saving surgery on Carl, except he needs a few things; a respirator to keep Carl breathing while he is under anesthesia, sutures, drapes, and extra surgical supplies. Now where to get these items, since the hospital had burned down. It is suggested by Otis that they could be found at the high school, because it had been turned into a FEMA shelter. Otis and Shane go on a mission to the high school, to get the medical supplies needed in order to save Carl. In the meantime, Maggie went out to find Lori, and she brought her to the farm. And as any mother would be upset, over what had happened to her child, she wanted to be sure that Hershel would be able to perform this surgery.

"You've done this procedure before?"
"Well yes, in a sense."
"In a sense?"

I totally understand her concern. It's not out-of-line for one to question a physician's capabilities.

"You're a doctor, right?"
"Yes mame, of course. A vet."
"A veteran? A combat medic?"
"A veterinarian."

Total shock came over Lori's face, and I thought for sure that Rick would pass out, in fact he did fall into the chair.

"And you done this surgery before on what? Cows? Pigs?"

Ok Lori, we get that you have an issue with Hershel being a veterinarian, but don't be snarky with the only one who is truly capable of saving your son! I doubt very much that you would be able to find a 'people doctor' in time, so a highly qualified vet is what you get. As it turned out, the surgical items that Hershel needed, were indeed found at the high school by Shane and Otis, but not without tragic results...we all know what happened, so I will not go into that right now. Hershel was able to operate successfully on Carl. So never underestimate the knowledge, or skills of a veterinarian...especially in a post-apocalyptic zombie world.

This is my first blog post, and I hope you all have enjoyed reading it. I want to add that I've been a devoted fan of Scott Wilson for three years now. Scott was the perfect choice for the role of Hershel too. I also work in a veterinary hospital, so...with my favorite actor playing a vet, of course I'll root for Hershel 100% :-)