SPOILERS: ‘The Walking Dead’ Reveals How Shane, Hershel & Sasha Return

The Walking Dead Robert Kirkman

SPOILER ALERT: The following article discusses how characters Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal), Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson) and Sasha Williams (Sonequa Martin-Green) factor into episode 9×05 of The Walking Dead entitled “What Comes After”. Read at your own risk.

Recently, it was announced that Jon Bernthal, Scott Wilson and Sonequa Martin-Green would make appearances in the ninth season of AMC’s The Walking Dead despite their characters’ respective deaths from earlier seasons. Bernthal, Wilson and Martin-Green played Shane Walsh, Hershel Greene and Sasha Williams respectively, and they each made an appearance in tonight’s episode, which is set to be the final episode for the series lead, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln).

The appearances of these three characters are a result of Rick having hallucinations following a major injury he’s suffering. In regards to Shane, he hallucinates about seeing him and talking to him about everything that has happened since his death, including a humorous exchange about Judith Grimes, whom Shane expresses that he knows she is his daughter.

As for the appearance of Hershel Greene, as portrayed by the late Scott Wilson, we see one of the most touching moments of the episode in which Rick shares a tender conversation with him inside Hershel’s barn. They stare at a sunset together as Hershel reassures him that his daughter Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan) and her and Glenn’s son will be strong despite the tragedies involving Hershel, Glenn and Beth.

As for how Sasha Williams appears in Rick’s hallucinations, they share a tender moment in which they reflect on all that has been lost throughout the journey. Rick, who has always been known to be preoccupied by family is assured by Sasha, who tells him:

“Your family, you’re not gonna find them because they’re not lost and you are not lost.What you need to do is wake up.”

You can read more about Rick Grimes’ send off from the series right here.

Here is the synopsis for tonight’s episode, “What Comes After”:

“Rick is forced to face the past as he struggles to maintain the safety of the communities and protect the future he and Carl envisioned.”

The Walking Dead stars Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Alanna Masterson, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Austin Amelio, Tom Payne, Khary Payton, Katelyn Nacon, Pollyanna McIntosh, Callan McAuliffe, Avi Nash, and Samantha Morton as Alpha.

The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.

Noah Villaverde

Noah Villaverde

Cinema lover. Saxophone player. Coffee consumer. Chronic complainer. Oh, I also write. #TeamHeroic