If you're a fan of "The Walking Dead," then there are a few things you understand in life that others who might not watch TWD don't. You understand that walkers really are as dumb as we would think, that your romantic life will surprisingly skyrocket during an apocalypse and that having a squad is the most important thing you can possess. But, if there is also a thing or two that fans of TWD collectively understand, it's this one little word: hiatus.
You see, even though we love TWD, the hiatus almost makes you wish that you weren't a fan of the show. Why? Because it sucks to be put bluntly. Because of this two-month hiatus, we, as fans, find ourselves feeling certain emotions about the temporary halting of the show. But what do said emotions feel like?
Well, if you've never experienced show withdrawal, then this might be a foreign concept to you. But, if you're like me and know all too well the pain that comes during a show hiatus...this one is for you. But, before we face our problems, we must first be honest with ourselves on our obsessions and be honest that we're going through a withdrawal and all of its stages. Stages that I'm positive TWD fans know best.
1. The shock.
After the mid season finale of TWD, we sit with blank faces that are presented as a way to mask our sheer confusion/absolute horror for what is to come in the future. At first, it feels like another Sunday night where we expect to see what happens next. Only this time...it hits us all. It hits us that there will be no next week for the next two months, and suddenly you wish that Carol would come up behind you, telling you to look at the flowers.
2. The denial.
What do you mean I have to wait two months? What about Daryl, Sasha and Abraham? What about the crazy psycho kid who tried to kill Carl? What about Maggie and Glenn? Rick? Michonne? Wait, does anyone even take care of Judith anymore? So. Many. Questions. This can't be happening, not now. Maybe if I keep chanting "I will accept the Ricktatorship," five times in a mirror, the show will magically come back. Right? Right.
3. The freak out.
When you slowly begin to realize that the show isn't coming back for another two months, the denial starts to leave and in creeps the slow, treacherous and completely sudden panic. Hello, heart palpitations.
4. The calming down.
After you cry for about six hours, eat your feelings, scream into a pillow, throw a chair out of the window and wreck havoc on your community all because of the ache of not knowing what's going to happen next on TWD until February, you start to cool down, collect yourself and come back to reality.
5. The acceptance.
By now, you're completely and utterly emotionally drained from each round of emotions the different stages bring. By now, you've accepted it all. You've accepted that this is the way things are, you don't control AMC and the waiting game will be your new best friend.
Hang in there TWD fans; we can get through this together. The winter will make our suffering long, painful and utterly difficult, but we will survive and conquer. We'll reach the promised land and before you know it, we'll be back on our couches with our eyes glued to the TV as we watch Rick, our resident cowboy gangster, tell another bystander how his crew operates.
If you're still struggling to cope with the TWD hiatus, just think about this one little tidbit...
At least Glenn isn't dead, right? Be grateful.
