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Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead was notorious for delivering shocking and disturbing death scenes, and Beth Greene’s sudden departure from the storyline certainly elicited a wave of emotion across the apocalyptic world’s community.
Emily Kinney portrayed Beth, who made her debut on AMC’s television show during season 2 in 2011. As the 16-year-old daughter of Herschel Greene (Scott Wilson), the owner of the farm where much of the season unfolded, Beth’s journey began. Following the fall of the farm, she remained with her father and half-sister Maggie (Lauren Cohan), becoming an integral part of the main group of survivors on the road. Their next sanctuary was found in a prison, where Beth resided until its destruction in season 4.
Beth’s trajectory diverged significantly from the comics, as she was a show-only survivor. Her bond with Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) outside the prison walls and their subsequent storyline at Grady Memorial Hospital were entirely unique to the television series.
Separated from their group, Daryl and Beth journeyed together until she was abducted by police officers towards the end of season 4. Season 5 saw Beth waking up in Grady Memorial Hospital, where she was coerced by Dawn Lerner (Christine Woods) to assist Dr. Steven Edwards (Erik Jensen) in caring for patients.
Tragically, Beth met her demise in “Coda,” the mid-season finale of season 5. In a hostage exchange orchestrated by Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and the crew, Beth attempted to secure freedom for Noah (Tyler James Williams). However, a confrontation ensued, resulting in Beth stabbing Dawn with scissors, prompting Dawn to fatally shoot Beth in the head. In retaliation, Daryl promptly ended Dawn’s life. A truce was established, but the loss of Beth left a significant void, with Maggie becoming the sole surviving Greene.
Despite her absence, Beth made occasional appearances in flashbacks and hallucinations throughout The Walking Dead’s 11-season run. For fans, Beth’s unexpected and premature death was a particularly jarring moment in a series known for its impactful twists and turns.