Summary
The Walking Deadhas always been about so much more than just survival against the walkers. At its core, it’s a story about people, bonds, flaws, and sometimesheartbreaking betrayals.As some of the most iconic characters navigate through their own moralsin the apocalypse, viewers witness moments of sacrifice, loyalty, and change.
Some of these betrayals were driven by fear, some by ambition, and some by pure hatred. What makes them so memorable is how they altered the story ofThe Walking Deadand forced viewers to question what they would do in the characters' shoes. Years later, these moments stand out as some of the show’s most emotionally charged scenes. Whether it’s Shane and Rick or Dante the secret Whisperer, here are some ofthe most mind-boggling betrayals inThe Walking Deadthat still hurt to watch.
10Dante The Secret Whisperer
Enemy Within
If there’s one thingThe Walking Deadteaches viewers, it’s that a snake doesn’t always come out of the grass with a hiss.Dante’sreveal as a Whisperer Spy was a surprising betrayal that caught both new and day-one viewers off guard. Although Dante wasn’t a main character, he came to Alexandria under the disguise of a support role, the helpful doctor, creating a false sense of safety for residents.
Siddiq’s demise was a surprise for viewers as they watched Dante choke him to death, silencing the man who trusted him. It wasn’t the act of his death that stung the most; it was the realization that, in a world filled with dangers, not every enemy is outside the walls.
9Spencer’s Betrayal Of Rick
Undermining Alexandria
Spencerplayed politics in a time of survival. After losing his people, he became resentful(or was he just overly confident and arrogant?)of Rick’s leadership of Alexandria. Behind closed doors, he summoned up some unnecessary courage to remove Rick and install himself as leader.
His attempt not only betrayed Rick’s trust and the group’s, but it ultimately cost him his life when Negan literally gutted him in the middle of Alexandria. Spencer’s end is a brutal reminder that, inThe Walking Dead,betrayal is a dangerous game to play.
8Gabriel’s Lockout Of His Congregation
Freedom Taken By Fear
Father Gabriel’sbetrayal stands out not because of malice, hatred, or deceit but because of his own overwhelming fear. At the beginning of the outbreak, flashbacks reveal that Father Gabriel locked the doors of his church, refusing to let in his own parishioners.
Their screams for help as walkers got them haunted him for years, revealing a moment of survival that contrasted with the community he once stood for. His confession to Rick and the group shocked viewers and survivors equally, serving as a powerful reminder that fear can cause more harm than good.
7Dwight’s Double Cross
Sorry Negan
Dwightrepeatedly acted as a man caught between survival and redemption. As a loyal lieutenant of Negan’s onThe Walking Deadand later bringing his good morals toFear The Walking Dead, Dwight is known for doing terrible things to stay alive and protect his wife, Sherry.
His betrayal ofNegan, the witty and fear-instilling leader of the Saviors,pushed him to make a life-altering decision and ultimately cost some lives for the greater good. Viewers can argue that this betrayal wasn’t actually a betrayal, but the decision that Dwight made contributed to the deaths of both enemies and allies alike. Dwight secretly passed information to Rick’s group, aiding in their escape and paving the way for a counterattack against the Saviors. His defiance towards Negan wasn’t a redemption, it was a powerful act of darkness lighting the way to a better future.
6Nicholas, Noah, And Glenn
Abandoning Friends
All viewers can agree on one thing aboutNicholas: he was dangerous. His actions reached an obvious climax when he let zombies eat Noah. While Glenn fought to protect Noah, Nicholas left his to get torn apart by walkers so that he could escape. Nicholas wasn’t done there, as his betrayal didn’t end with Noah. During the infamous dumpster scene, Nicholas and Glenn were surrounded by walkers. Nicholas thought there was no way out, so he turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger, leaving Glenn trapped and almost getting him eaten alive.
This wasn’t just a betrayal of the characters in the show; it was also a betrayal of the fans. Noah’s death after he finally gained some hope left viewers shocked and wishing he had stayed longer in the series. Glenn’s near-death moment shookThe Walking Deadfandom, and, for the rare few who may have liked Nicholas, his actions confirmed that he was a character built on fear and selfishness who left a trail of betrayal no matter who was in his path.
5Lori And Shane’s Love Triangle
A Love Triangle That Tore The Group Apart
Before the world fell apart,Shanewas Rick’s best friend. After the world fell apart,Loriand Shane were lovers, and their relationship spiraled into a messy, dangerous love triangle. Lori, believing Rick was dead, turned to Shane for comfort after the loss of her husband. When Rick returned, the tension was obvious, and emotions—Shane’s jealousy and Lori’s guilt—laid the foundation for Shane’s eventual death.
Their “love story” wasn’t just a single, personal betrayal. It was the spark that ignited one of the show’s most explosive conflicts and a web of betrayal. Rick felt betrayed by Lori and Shane and had to make a tough call afterShane couldn’t hold his temper in time and time again.In the end, Rick was forced to kill his best friend, and funny enough, not because of walkers. The weight of that moment was a backdrop throughout the series as Rick raised Shane’s daughter, a reminder of the betrayal and complication that the end of the world brought. Shane’s death still serves as a reminder that human fears, desires, and betrayals can destroy faster than death ever could.
4Carol Killing Lizzie
Look At The Flowers
Heartbreak or a mask of mercy? Lizzie was just a troubled girl twisted by the horrors of the apocalypse. Viewers can all agree that killing her own sister, Mika, was brutal and that Lizzie believed death was just a game.Carolwas haunted by her own losses and hardened by the world around her. She made the decision to end Lizzie’s life, leaving viewers shocked (and some disgusted).
“Look at the flowers,” became an iconic line, as Carol whispered it a few times to give Lizzie peace before pulling the trigger. The betrayal wasn’t just Carol turning on Lizzie; it was a symbolic betrayal of innocence and a powerful reminder to fans that even the purest characters face corruption.
3Jadis Betraying Rick’s Group
The Scavengers True Colors Showed Early
Jadis, the leader of the Scavengers, aka. “the garbage people,” initially seemed like a perfect ally for Rick’s group. Her quirkiness and cryptic behavior made her an interesting character in the series, and viewers were hopeful about her role as theleader of a new survivor group inThe Walking Dead.
After forming an alliance to help Rick’s group take down Negan and the Saviors, Jadis betrayed Rick and his people, revealing that she had secretly made a better deal with Negan. The sudden betrayal during the battle for Alexandria left fans stuck. It wasn’t just a betrayal of trust, but a clear reminder that survival trumps all, and even allies can switch sides when the stakes are high.
2Eugene’s Betrayal Of The Group
Return To The Saviors
EveryThe Walking Deadfan knows thatEugenewasn’t perfect, and he struggled throughout the series. Eugene had two major betrayals: the betrayal of the Saviors and the refusal to leave when it was most necessary. Fans watched in disbelief as Eugene played Negan’s lapdog, refusing to go with Sasha.
Theawkward genius who fumbled his way through loyaltyleft viewers feeling betrayed and questioning his intentions time and time again. Was Eugene a traitor? Or was he simply a man who understood that the line of loyalty in a fallen world is extremely thin?
1Shane’s Attempt To End Rick
Best Friends Or Secret Foes?
Over 11 seasons ofThe Walking Dead,and a ton of memorable Rick Grimes moments,betrayals came in many forms. Some were subtle and some were explosive, but no single betrayal hit as hard asShane’sswitch from best friend to planning murder. Once Rick’s closest friend, Shane’s spiral into jealousy and rage wasn’t just a lapse in judgment; it was calculated.
Viewers can all agree that Shane was driven by emotions that, sadly, boiled over due to the thankless world they all lived in. After luring Rick into the woods, Shane revealed his true intentions in a confrontation that tested both characters' limits. Shane’s attempt to end Rick stands alone as one of the most stomach-turning betrayals in the series. It wasn’t an enemy or a walker; it was simply Rick’s best friend.
