He sure has balls for a Chinaman. Oh wait…he’s Korean. Whatever. What he is, is the kind of person I’d like to have at my side when the worst happens. When the horde is gathering and the body parts are flying—no matter what emotions may be racing through his adrenaline-hyped body—he remains practical, strategic, capable…and caring.
Even though Glenn isn’t really real, his innate ability to simultaneously make me smile and feel completely safe makes this young man a keeper on my post-apocalyptic wish list of companions.
Who is Glenn? He is a character from The Walking Dead—a series of graphic novels by Robert Kirkman turned into one of the world’s hottest cable television shows by AMC and an insanely talented production crew. Like the tormented character of Shane Walsh and the squirrel-tossing badass Daryl Dixon for both of whom I’ve already expressed great affection, Glenn is a character who has won my heart.
If you aren’t watching the show you should be. From the moment the show begins viewers are taken on the undead ride of a lifetime, watching a cast of beleaguered humans fight not only to survive, but to retain that which makes us most human.
Glenn’s honesty and bravery are consistently challenged in this world gone mad…and every.single.time he rises to the challenge. He remains loving and very humane in the way he interacts. The world has changed, but for Glenn—played by Steven Yeun—this bloody new reality doesn’t change the compassion he has for his fellow man. Dale may be the sage within the main survivor group, but Glenn is the group’s hope personified.
[***WARNING: Spoilers ahead***]
I’d like to say it’s his youth more than anything else that causes the disparaging remarks Glenn faced early on. Daryl Dixon’s banter around Glenn’s nationality, calling him ‘short round’ and wanting to see how red Glenn’s face would get when he drank alcohol were all pretty non-PC digs that speak to how Caucasians see stereotypes about Asians. But if we’re going to go there, …and the show certainly did, Glenn does have some “common” Asian traits. He’s generally quiet and observant, the kind of guy who assesses a situation before acting. Glenn is practical and good at devising thoughtful strategies to deal with a difficult situation. Yes, he can be a little dorky, a comic geek. But as we’ve moved into the halfway point of season two even Daryl has had to admit—if just by easing up– that Glenn’s Asianness (is that a word?) helps enhance his ability to make vital contributions to the group.
Maggie said that Glenn is a leader but the group doesn’t respect him. I think she’s right, and wrong, on both counts. Whether you ascribe to the Rick or Shane school of leadership, both understand the importance of information and how it can affect group dynamics. Glenn is discreet…and apparently very eager to learn about spark plugs. But he is unable to make a judgment call on information without seeking advice. Glenn’s bravery is unrivalled within the group. Some may ask him to do questionable things that take advantage of his bravery, …but that is not necessarily a sign of disrespect or lack of value. It is a sign of need. Glenn can do these things and remain…Glenn. The longer he survives, the older he gets, the more Glenn will come to be what Maggie already sees in him.
Glenn is the best kind of team player. He’s a caretaker. Glenn values every individual in the group and is willing to use his abilities to help protect not only their physical wellbeing, but also their emotional welfare, without any real thought about what it might cost him. Some might call it naïve—and Glenn himself admitted to falling into the trap of not seeing the zombies for the threat they present—but in a very real way this makes Glenn the heart and soul of the group. Their best hope at staying human.
Glenn sees in Maggie the opportunity to really feel alive again. Later, he admits to Dale exactly that, that he wants to be with her to feel something other than the terror of living day to day in the world of the walkers…when he might be dead tomorrow. But this poses a huge dilemma for Glenn. He makes promises to Maggie that could potentially spell trouble for the people with whom he has been through so much. Glenn is incapable of putting Rick and the others in danger, even at the cost of his personal life. Balancing his wants and needs with that of the group, and what he views as right, is no easy feat. Yet somehow Glenn handles the situation with poise and honor.
When we first met Glenn he was doing what—if we’re all being really honest with ourselves—many would not. His willingness to risk his own life to help a stranger, a dumbass stuck in a tank surrounded by walkers, was a reflection of both youthful bravado and the principles to which Glenn holds dear. Rick asks Glenn why he has taken such a major risk. His response? “Call it foolish, naïve, hope. That if I’m ever that far up shit creek, somebody might do the same for me. Guess I’m an even bigger dumbass than you.”
Hope is the operative word in that exchange…it is Glenn.
Love it! Glenn has always been a favorite of mine, and you captured all the reasons why.
One person that does not get enough attention for being one of the only people who seem to have not only a firm grasp on the situation of the world around them but is honorable in all ways. And completely sweet to boot. TEAM GLENN!! <3
You hit the nail on the head. Glenn has always been one of my favorite characters and I am happy this season is giving him more depth and more of a story line. I cannot wait to see his character grow in the second half of season two.
Thank you Mary, Star and Lora!
Very happy to see others share my love for #TeamGlenn
*salutes*
Awesome writing as always, my dear.
Glenn embodies honesty to me. Not only because it was painfully clear that he’s a terrible liar and can’t keep secrets from anyone, but because he seems to still have a sort of youthful purity to him that hasn’t yet been spoiled. His honor is born of his inability (or unwillingness) to deceive others, something that sets him apart from the others.
I only worry that his biggest strength could also be a weakness. Honor is an admirable quality, but it doesn’t always guarantee survival. It will be important that he hold onto his sense of honor as he adapts to the world around him.
Beautifully put Amy! Thank you!!
*salutes with crossbow*
Oh Glenn… he is by far my favorite character on The Walking Dead. His unfailing hope that they can keep going, continue to survive despite the walkers breathing down their necks is a light to cling to, especially in the current mess our country is in. However, Glenn does need to stand up for himself from time to time. He’s got a strong backbone, but I think he hates to disappoint anyone and risks his own neck to do what he can.
Can’t wait to see this character continue to grow into the hero we (and Maggie) see him as.
I just adore Glenn! He’s resourceful, smart, funny, and cute! Can’t wait to see what they’ll do with his character in upcoming episodes. =)
Yes and YES!
Thanks RC and Jinxie, #TeamGlenn ftw!
Although each of the men have something almost all men can identify with, I think Glenn has the most going for the honorable geek/nerd out there. Not just because Steve Yeun himself is a personable, honorable, and friendly guy, but also because those traits are so readily obvious in the character of Glenn. Maggie is right, he is underappreciated by the others, at least insofar as how they treat him. I look forward to how Glenn matures through the rest of this season and into the future. I can remember being his age, that awkward point of being “just old enough” but everyone still views you as “that punk kid”. His resourcefulness and intelligence do help him relate to most every young man – and some of us older ones who are still trying to figure out what the h3ll happened to our own youth! 😉