Inspired by the comics by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, the hit AMC series The Walking Dead took viewers on a terrifying journey into life after the world is overrun by zombies. While most of the time we’ll discuss the most brutal deaths by walkers, there were other aspects to the story. Through the fight for survival, romance emerged as relationships are tested through the threat of mortality. Who says that love can’t exist during the zombie apocalypse?
When our survivors are not trying to escape death at the hands of walkers or whatever villain of the season is out for blood, many of our characters were able to dabble in some romances. Some were everlasting. Others lasted just long enough for us to be livid when one party was killed off. With many relationships brewing over the show’s 11 seasons, these are the best TWD ships.
10
Daryl and Carol
Ok, this one is tricky, but let’s face it. Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) had the most romantic platonic relationship we’ve ever seen. Their emotional connection runs deep. Yes, they’ve had romantic partners along the way, but there was something astonishing about the stability they formed despite the conditions of their world. As two of the longest characters on the show, those who went on the journey with them from the jump truly saw something wonderful and inspiring. They had their ups and downs, but to one another, they were each other’s saviors. Yes, terrible word choice, but you get the point.
Carol and Daryl as an official romantic couple is a highly debated topic in the fandom. Surely it would have been easy for the writers to give them a season to try out kissing and such, but that’s not what their relationship was based on. Their platonic bond was deeply rooted in affection, admiration, and genuine love and care. There’s a reason why, when Daryl was given his spin-off, Carol was MIA in the first season because of a filming issue on McBride’s part. Though they may not have been Facebook official had they met pre-Apocalypse, their friendship really was couple goals.
9
Eugene and Stephanie
Now listen, I know what you’re thinking. If we’re celebrating the best ships on The Walking Dead, how can we include one that was all based on false pretenses? Well, because the journey before the con truly was one of the more hopeful and potentially beautiful narratives during its time. During the Season 9 finale, Eugene Porter (Josh McDermitt) heard a voice on the radio asking if anyone was out there. Eugene answered the call, and slowly began a personal and emotional relationship with the woman on the other side, Stephanie. Eugene had a deep infatuation with the woman on the other side of the radio, connecting on a deep level over their mutual hobbies, including sci-fi.
Upon finally agreeing on a time and place to meet, it became a ruse for capture by the Commonwealth. They do begin to have a more intimate personal connection, but as this is The Walking Dead, nothing good ever comes to pass. Eugene eventually meets the woman behind the voice, only to discover that it was just an alias for a woman really known as Shira (Chelle Ramos). Furthermore, she wasn’t even the woman he was communicating with. He does meet the real “Stephanie,” a woman known as Max Mercer (Margot Bingham). That relationship does turn into something beautiful despite major political conflicts within the Commonwealth along the way. In the end, the two marry, and Eugene and Stephanie/Max live happily ever after. No, really, they do. They have a daughter named Rosie, obviously in honor of an earlier unrequited love.
8
Tara and Denise
Visibility is important, and that was ever-present with this short-lived couple. At the time of their relationship, Tara Chambler (Alanna Masterson) and Denise Cloyd (Merritt Wever) were the first LGBTQ+ couple in Alexandria. Season 6, nevertheless. They were a wholesome pair that found positivity in life despite the extreme circumstances surrounding them. Masterson and Cloyd truly captured a realistic relationship you might have found prior to the apocalypse. Denise is first introduced as a resident of Alexandria and becomes the de facto doctor following the execution of Pete Anderson (Corey Brill). Despite being uncomfortable in her newfound position, it’s Tara’s encouragement that gets her through some of the harder attacks on the community. Had it not been for Tara being by her side, it’s likely that Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) wouldn’t have been saved when he was shot in the eye.
As two of the more competent survivors, there was hope for these two. But, of course, like the theme of this show, we can’t have nice things. Comparatively, their romance didn’t last as long as some of the others, as Denise was killed off during a retaliation attack by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). As she was giving a talk to Daryl and Rosita Espinosa (Christian Serratos), she was shot in the eye with a crossbow by Dwight (Austin Amelio). It’s revealed that it was an accident as she was not the intended target; Daryl was. Her death became a turning point for Tara, who sought to avenge the unfortunate death. Meanwhile, we’re still trying to avenge Tara’s brutal murder. Can you get the image of her head on a spike out of your head? I’m still traumatized.
7
Henry and Lydia
Ah, young love. We could have gone in two different directions for the go-to teen romance inside The Walking Dead. Carl and Enid (Katelyn Nacon) were cute, but their relationship wasn’t anything more than convenience. If you’re looking for something controversial but important to the plot, look to Henry (Matthew Lintz) and Lydia (Cassady McClincy). As the resident Romeo and Juliet in the story, their romance was literally forbidden and a massive catalyst for the show’s action. They weren’t present to give younger viewers to look toward; their teenage love served as a different type of reaction to the surrounding environment.
The daughter of Alpha (Samantha Morton), the leader of the Whispers, Lydia was a pawn and a cog in the invasion of Hilltop Colony. While taken prisoner, she forms a tight bond with Henry, while he is reprimanded and imprisoned. Much to the dismay of many in the camp, their connection feared many simply due to Lydia’s perceived alliance and history. Henry is the epitome of teenage love in the way that he fell for Lydia. They both have a parental past, though drastically different, that unites them. Of course, their relationship ends at the hands of Alpha, as Henry becomes one of the Hilltop survivors to have their head on a pike. Ok, Tara’s death was brutal, but Henry? That one was easily to further the action on many fronts with a smattering of characters.
6
Gabriel and Rosita
As one of the longer-running survivors, it made sense that Rosita got around during her tenure. She was one of the most beautiful women left in the world. From Abraham to Eugene with Siddiq (Avi Nash) in between, this badass still managed to find time for love. So, when it came in an unlikely form in Father Gabriel Strokes (Seth Gilliam), The Walking Dead took a unique turn. They’re an unlikely pair because they would not have found one another had it not been for the end of the world. For Gabriel, he almost became whole thanks to Rosita. There was a newfound purpose in his life thanks to her. It may have been more in line with companionship, but it’s the apocalypse. Take anything you can get!
The biggest issue with this couple may not actually be entirely their fault. They kind of got together off-screen, but they most certainly broke up off-screen. Their relationship began during Season 9’s time skip and broke up by the series’ end. But in the interim, there was Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh). Having unofficially been revealed during The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Gabriel and Jadis engaged in an affair that may have caused Gabriel and Rosita to split up. Since there’s no verification, we can only imagine what might have been. Perhaps that’s why, without an on-screen separation, we have a bit more of an affinity for Gabriel and Rosita.
5
Aaron and Jesus
LGBTQ+ couples got a better shake at things during the later seasons. I mean, let’s be realistic, the zombie apocalypse was filled with all sorts of people, so, of course, our merry band of survivors would run into at least one gay person along the way, right? At first, we met a gay couple: Aaron (Ross Marquand) and Eric (Jordan Woods-Robinson). They were a truly beautiful couple watching the latter, willing to allow Aaron to move on when he realized his “no big deal” injury was worse than expected. His passing allowed Aaron to become a hero and healer for the survivors — a trait that seemingly attracted others to him. Though much was missed during the time jump between Seasons 8 and 9, something happened in which Aaron and Jesus (Tom Payne) found love in a hopeless place.
They had a playful nature between them, with a common bond of helping others in the community. Their chemistry was infectious. It’s unfortunate we missed so much of their romantic entanglement due to the time jump, but it was quite hard to miss their connections. Who knows what they really did during their rendezvous! As it so happened, with the Whispers around, Jesus fell victim in a heartbreaking manner. In an act of true love, Aaron was the one who put Jesus down to prevent resuscitation. Aaron went on a mission to avenge his lover’s death, and he did!
4
Abraham and Sasha
This fan-favorite ship saw two fierce fighters, Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz) and Sasha Williams (Sonequa Martin-Green), combine forces to find hope despite the immense loss they’ve experienced throughout the apocalypse. They explored what an unexpected and out-of-nowhere relationship looked like. They found a deep connection because they were two greatly scarred individuals. United by grief, they found solace in one another. Abraham was able to let down his guard and expose some of his softer side to himself around Sasha. Now, all you Rosita fans may be upset with this entry, but Abraham and Sasha were truly the right pairing.
Like many newfound loving pairs in this world, unless you’re a main player, chances are one party isn’t going to last long. Such was the case for Abraham. As one half of the infamous murder by Lucille, Abraham’s death was even more heartbreaking because of the promise in his relationship with Sasha. They represented healing and hope in a world of death and decay.
3
Rick and Michonne
There will certainly be an entire faction of TWD fans who ship this one to the top. And I respect that, but there was also something a tad contrived about Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) getting together. They just happened to be two major characters who needed a new spicy plot line. Well, not exactly. Richonne became a long-lasting central romance and one that was able to form a blended family along the way. Despite Michonne being a fierce warrior, her secret weapon was supporting Rick during his darker times. She became an important presence in his children’s lives and then had a child of their own. Family is what drew them together and kept them alive.
The reality of a strong relationship is shared experience. They both experienced the immense loss of a partner. They both found a way to survive on their own. And when their paths crossed, they both emerged as leaders. Richonne was going to happen, it was just a matter of time. Had Rick not had Michonne in her life, Rick likely would not have come out of this thing alive. They truly are a power couple. So much so, they earned their own spin-off.
2
Ezekiel and Carol
There was only one person who could ever come between King Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and Shiva: Carol Peletier. Family is a major theme within The Walking Dead, and it’s something that ultimately made and broke Ezekiel and Carol’s relationship. Before they knew they were going to be a thing, we saw it coming a mile away. They were compatible in the sense that there was an inherent tenderness in their heart. Though hardship gave them a rough exterior, there was something inside that allowed both individuals to let their guards down and open up their true feelings.
Maybe you could say they had a Beauty and the Beast start of things when Carol was first welcomed into the Kingdom, but that’s what was so fascinating to see their connection evolve. They both needed someone. And when they found that, they realized they needed something even more. In came their adopted son, Henry. Unlike the Grimes, this was a family born out of no familiar ties. In the zombie apocalypse, they proved that blood and water are as thick as thieves. When tragedy struck and Henry was killed, it absolutely tore them apart. Carol, reverting to grief and rage, pushed Ezekiel away. Their separation and interactions from that point forward were rough to consume, but they always had a mutual respect for one another.
1
Glenn and Maggie
Now, I will admit, I’m not the biggest fan of Maggie (Lauren Cohan) as an overall character. There was something about Lauren Cohan’s characterization in the arc Maggie was given that irked me. But when she was with Glenn (Steven Yeun), everything seemed right in the world. And then that thing we’re not going to talk about just yet happened that still has me traumatized. Anyway, like other couples in this universe, Maggie and Glenn would likely have never met had it not been for the end of the world, but boy, are we happy they did! Maggie and Glenn exemplified what true love in the zombie apocalypse should look like. A casual fling with a crush turns into the pinnacle of romance and a bright spot during times of trouble.
With so much loss and terror during their fight to survive, their undying love was central to their relationship. They would go to the ends of the earth for one another. Ok, fine. We’ll talk about it. It’s why, when Glenn was brutally killed off at the hands of Negan’s bat Lucille, we sympathized harder for Maggie than any other loss we had witnessed her suffer before. Many have criticized how, following Glenn’s death, Maggie’s entire identity centered around her revenge tour, but do you blame her? She was a single mother who had just lost the love of her life! As fate would have it, we’ve gone on a mission with Maggie and the man who killed her husband to save her son in The Walking Dead: Dead City. Surely she didn’t predict that. The legacy of Glenn Rhee will forever live on through Maggie.
