Zombie Apocalypse: Rick vs Joel – Who’s My Survival Pick?

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This moment has been inevitable. It’s a time for judgment or accountability. Today, I find myself in the challenging position of selecting my preferred protagonist for an apocalyptic tale, and making a decision isn’t easy…

Ok, it’s really not a tough choice, but we’ll get into that in just a bit.

If you’re familiar with me, you’d realize that I have a strong affection for zombies. In many ways, I embody the quintessential “zombie girl.” My favorite are the top-tier apocalypse films and series, and among them, there are two standouts: “The Walking Dead” and “The Last of Us.

In simpler terms, both characters are long-lived leaders in two distinct zombie realms. Given my clumsy nature, I’d need one of them to stand a fighting chance for survival. The choice is obvious, so let’s delve deeper.

I Love Both Shows So Much, And Both Mean So Much To Me

My qualifications for making this selection stem from the significant amount of time and mental energy I’ve invested in both “The Last of Us” and “The Walking Dead”. Given my level of immersion, it’s starting to feel like I might be part-zombie!

Speaking seriously now, let me make this clear: Despite my frequent teasing about it, I genuinely adore these shows, and that includes the world of “The Walking Dead.” As an ardent fan, I’ve watched every spinoff to date, savoring each moment. I can hardly contain my excitement for upcoming seasons! I’m particularly looking forward to Season 2 of “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,” even though they took out a main character in a manner that I found frustrating – but hey, the show must go on.

Similar to other discussions, The Last of Us holds a significant place for me and its upcoming series. While I’ve delved deeply into its impact in previous articles, here I’d like to keep the focus on other topics. However, rest assured that I eagerly await the release of Season 2 of The Last of Us, as evidenced by my calendar which is steadily ticking down to the 2025 TV schedule for the show.

I’m quite fond of these series and particularly the central figures, Rick and Joel. While it’s true that Ellie is a significant character in “The Last of Us,” for the purpose of this discussion, we’re zeroing in on the principal survivors – the ones who are equipped to handle major threats and are willing to go to great lengths to safeguard those they cherish. In this scenario, my choice would be…

Yeah, sorry, it’s not even a competition.

Both Rick And Joel Are Great Survivors, But I Have To Give The Lead To Joel

For a considerable period of time, Rick Grimes has been a significant figure in zombie pop culture. However, when it comes to my personal preference, that title goes to Joel, primarily due to several compelling reasons.

In simpler terms, “The world in The Last of Us series extends over a period longer than that depicted in The Walking Dead. Although The Walking Dead is quite old, it hasn’t reached the twenty-year mark as per the shows’ timelines. On the other hand, The Last of Us has surpassed this duration, suggesting that if someone has survived that long in The Last of Us, their chances of survival are relatively high.

Nevertheless, I’d like to emphasize a key factor: Joel’s universe is significantly more chilling due to the genuinely petrifying nature of his zombies.

Over the past few years, “The Walking Dead” has made significant progress in introducing various types of zombies, but they generally move at a slow pace. Apart from some exceptions in “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,” we haven’t encountered any that can sprint towards you like those in “The Last of Us” or are as fearsome as the clickers seen on HBO.

In contrast to that, The Last of Us presents a variety of zombie types – runners, stalkers, clickers, and bloaters, each equally terrifying in their unique ways. If you manage to live through them, then you’re in good shape. Time and again, Joel demonstrates his ability to endure not just them but much more.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’d say I admire Rick for his exceptional leadership skills and ability to keep people united, but when it comes to who I’d prefer by my side, Joel is the one I’d choose every time – and if he happens to resemble Pedro Pascal, that’s just an added bonus.

Either Way, They’re Both Great Shows – And Make Me Very Happy I Don’t Live In Either Of Them

These shows are fantastic, I adore them immensely, and I’m grateful I don’t inhabit either universe. Without companionship, I’d likely perish quite swiftly in these scenarios.

In essence, I’m implying that Joel has the skills to endure in “The Walking Dead” (TWD), while Rick Grimes might not survive in “The Last of Us” unless he discovers a group to lead, given his knack for uniting people for battle. However, I hold a soft spot for both characters – particularly the former – and would welcome more episodes from “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live”. Joel is simply exceptional.

I’m looking forward to the upcoming season 2 of The Last of Us, as I can’t wait to see more of Joel (as long as it lasts, being a gamer who experienced his story in Part 2). In the meantime, I’ll be rewatching the series and encouraging others to check out The Last of Us, especially those who should learn about him and my affection for this iconic survivor.

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2025-03-26 12:07