‘The Walking Dead’: Can We Talk About Gunther the Savior Real Quick?

It goes without saying that last night’s episode of The Walking Dead was an extremely heavy one. First, there was the loss of nearly the entire Kingdom army. Then we had to watch them all reanimate and try to kill  King Ezekiel, which was another gut punch. Unfortunately, those moments weren’t even the worst of it. In the episode’s closing moments, our beloved tiger Shiva sacrificed herself to a horde of walkers to save Ezekiel as he watched in horror. It was completely devastating and resulted in us all staring at our screens like this:

However, despite being an episode of heartbreak, fans of The Walking Dead were quick to find some distractions and humor throughout – mainly having to do with this Savior:

Thanks to Chris Hardwick on Talking Dead, non-comic book readers learned that this here Savior was named Gunther (even though he introduced himself to Ezekiel as Negan). Gunther hits the scene by first murdering Alvaro and then capturing a wounded Ezekiel to take him back to Negan. Now, this is all fine and well, he’s a Savior just doing what he’s been told to do, however, viewers couldn’t help but notice that Gunther looked and acted unlike any Savior we’d seen before.

Who is this clean cut nerdy Savior??? #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/P8oMsH4hLz

— Brittani Jay (@theebrittanijay) November 13, 2017

Someone please tell this Savior it isn’t 1985 anymore. Jesus, even Eugene looks better than him & he has a mullet for god’s sake #TheWalkingDead

— Lynz (@FoxyUnicorn28) November 13, 2017

That savior showed up like#thewalkingdead pic.twitter.com/UU0xhZc5nJ

— Tara Chambler (@TaraFknChambler) November 13, 2017

AMC: “We’re casting for redneck Savior”
Casting Agent: “Texas Chainsaw or adorable Redneck?”
AMC: “Deliverance Redneck”#TheWalkingDeadpic.twitter.com/u6TbfXWKhf

— Charlie Schneider (@AwesomEmergency) November 13, 2017

Almost immediately comparisons to notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer were all over Twitter and even received a mention on Talking Dead by Hardwick.

That Savior was literally Jeffrey Dahmer 2.0 #TheWalkingDead

— Jess(ica) Layburn (@jesSLAYburn24) November 13, 2017

Why does Ezekiel’s kidnapper look like Jeffrey Dahmer? #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/8qUZ4hK6gq

— kasey (@TheLittleLugo) November 13, 2017

Bizarre cameo from Jeffrey Dahmer in #TheWalkingDead but fair play to him for some how coming back from the dead to play such a pivotal role in the episode.

— Comrade Maxwell (@1999_adam) November 13, 2017

Okay but tell me why this guy on #TheWalkingDead looks exactly like Jeffrey Dahmer.

— Less Spooky Mulder (@soylatted) November 13, 2017

However, the comparisons didn’t stop there. Viewers then began giving other suggestions for who they believed Gunther was channeling and the results were absolutely perfect.

Ace Ventura/Jim Carey 

Guy who took Eziekiel hostage should be called Ace Ventura the forgotten Savior! @TheWalkingDead @AMCTalkingDead @hardwick

— Shannon (@swhollifield) November 13, 2017

This Savior looks like if Jim Carey and Jeffrey Dahmer had a baby #TheWalkingDead

— Ashley Sevs (@Asevs1986) November 13, 2017

Napolean Dynamite references were abundant!

When a man who tamed a tiger got captured by Napoleon Dynamite #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/duVOYTKmb4

— i bite if you really make me want to bite you (@NotableHowler) November 13, 2017

WTF Kip survived the apocalypse and captured the King. #TWD #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/GhJdjWozM0

— Crissy (@amorchanga) November 13, 2017

Who thought it was a good idea to cast Kip as a Savior?? #thewalkingdeadpic.twitter.com/rVw5RKGhlj

— VisualAnthology (@bethannphoto) November 13, 2017

My personal favorite

“i’m negan – assistant to the regional manager” #TheWalkingDead #TWD pic.twitter.com/hCpDyhCBFK

— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) November 13, 2017

There were some popular movie/TV dad references

Holy crap! The Cheerleader’s Dad from Heroes is also a Savior and captured Ezekiel? #TheWalkingDead

— Matt Barry (@MattBarry1199) November 13, 2017

But why is Rick Moranis a Savior now? #TheWalkingDead

— Brittney M-M (@BrittTalks) November 13, 2017

Wet Hot American Summer

That savior that found Ezekiel I’ve seen before…#TheWalkingDead#TWD pic.twitter.com/b7BYzPk9Qc

— Jessica Alsman (@jnalsman) November 13, 2017

Office Space

Ezekiel is saved by a Savior who walked right out of Office Space. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/RKo2lpzHTx

— Omari Daniels (@TheOtherBigO) November 13, 2017

Of course, there were a few fans who felt that his look wasn’t the best of distractions.

Who is this savior who looks like a 80s serial killer? Oh wait we don’t care, Jerry your timing is perfect. #chopchop #jerrytotherescue #TheWalkingDead ‍♀‍♂

— Anjali B. (@abenawra) November 13, 2017

This character seemed out of place for the apocalypse. Didn’t really seem like a savior. #TheWalkingDead

— gskarebear (@gskarebear) November 13, 2017

Like, Glasses dude? That’s just comically bad evil. It takes me out of the show because it’s so ridiculous #TheWalkingDead

— Ash (@hypest_ash) November 13, 2017

Overall, I think that we can all agree:

The young Dahmer-looking guy’s name was Gunther. It’s as dickish name for a majorly dickish Savior. #TheWalkingDead #TalkingDead

— Tyler Reznik (@Tyler_Reznik) November 13, 2017

Thankfully we didn’t have to watch Gunther torture Ezekiel for too long as Jerry showed up and sliced him in half using his iconic battle ax.

What were your thoughts on Gunther? Did he remind you of anyone?

More on The Walking Dead:

Khary Payton on The Walking Dead’s Latest Loss

The Walking Dead: in Memoriam of a Very Special Character

‘The Walking Dead’: The Best Tweets from “Some Guy”