We’ve come to the end of our journey. After the fifth episode cliffhanger, it should be no surprise that the season finale of The Walking Dead would shock both fans of the original comic, and newcomers alike. If you’d like to catch up on our previous comic-to-TV comparisons before diving into the new episode, here’s the first breaking down the first four episodes, and here’s the second analyzing the fifth episode.

Much like the previous two comparison analyzes, this breakdown of the season finale is heavy on spoilers. Read at your own discretion!

Episode 1.06 - “TS-19” 

TS-19 and the End of the World

CDC Goes Boom

Conclusion

" Sound off in the comments below with your wild theories as to where they’re taking the show next! "

Loved it! I can wait for more, heck I'm still waiting for Spartacus!

I highly believe that what Jenner whispered in Rick's ear was derived from the blood test: the pregnancy.

Wow. It's a long time to wait until the next season.

I have to say, that even with the deviations from the source material I thoroughly enjoyed this first season. With the majority of supernatural television shows dealing either withe threats of a demonic or vampiric nature it is a nice change of pace to get some zombies on board. While the other shows are, in my opinion, light hearted (True Blood, Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural) it is nice to see something that shows a bit more character and is a bit pessimistic. I mean if vampires were true to folk lore in these other shows I can garuntee there would not be a lot of romance or sex going on. As for the ending of the first season of The Walking Dead it did throw me for a bit of a loop, but in a good way. It made common sense to me that people would want to seek out an explanation for what was going on around them. Yes it parted from the comic, but it still makes sense. And what better place to go to for explanations then the CDC. Now the rest of the show can show them trying to evade the dead and survive in a hostile world. As for what Jenner whispered in Rick's ear, I think it is obvious it has to do with Lori being pregnant. Jenner would not have had enough time to run a DNA test, so he could not tell Rick for certain who the father was, only that Lori is pregnant. So that should leave Rick in the dark for a bit and also hopeful. I am very pleased with the show and can not wait for the next season. Much too long of a wait.

Loved it. Loved every bit of it and I hope it continues to go strong.
 
That being said, I'm not crazy about having to wait until October for more. 
 
Not one bit.

" -shakes head- so much negativity and no Belief in this show....when will the next time you'll be able to see a Zombie TV series? seriously. Of course the Direction from the comic book is going to be different on TV/Movies it always HAPPENS...I say face the facts and suck it up. 
 
At any rate. 
 
 The season Finale of The Walking Dead was AMAZING...quit frankly one of the best Finales I have ever seen on TV....thank you for not killing of Dale Andrea! Cant wait for Next Season!     "

Full retard mode on page 1 already? Is this a record?

Now we're getting to the good stuff^^
 
It's gonna be interesting to see how much and how they'll deviate from the comics, while still keeping the Walking Dead comic feel and taking some elements from it!

All I know is that I knew that Jenner guy was gonna blow something up for the season finale. I can't wait for new episodes, especially ones with Tyreese, Michonne and The Governor!

 I'm starting to think the deviation could be as comparable to the difference between marvel 616 and ultimate.  Sort of strong similarities at the start but it's more a re-imagining of the dynamics of the characters.  Also the merging of characters or ideas.  Was Edwin sort of like Eugene?  I maintain that the red neck racist guy from episode 1+2 is gonna come back as The Governor
 
And to be honest, I think it could work out that way because for people who've just watched the show and not read the books it's plot but to someone who has read them, if someone was to die who we thought would stay on longer then wahey, nice twist for the fans.  However, kill off any of the characters I love like fodder and I'll immediatley go all hipster like 'Ugh, the original was sooo much better" Jokes. Maybe.

How will Shane be killed?  
 
Considering that Darabont has a love for Tyreese, my guess is that when Shane finally does snap (considering he's a timebomb now that his life has been spared) that he'll go off on Rick and attempt to kill him. Then, a wanderer with his daughter and her beau come upon this attack and take Shane to be a crazed scavenger so Tyreese puts him down. This would by symbolic of Tyreese's role as Rick's new number 2. 
 
However, I have also considered how this would change Carl's role considering the killing of Shane is the first of many events that have lead him down a darker path of forced maturity in the comics.

I am enjoying the series, although I completely disagree with releasing season 2 in October in 2011 (?) That's just assinine, when you have an audience so hungry "no pun intended" for your product. I hope AMC reconsiders this, because I think it will hurt the show. A lot can happen over the course of one year. I feel it is time for Shane to go. He was only a secondary character in the comic book series, and he lends a lot of excess weight to the plot. I am wondering whether the CDC guy told Rick about Shane's attempted rape of Lori, or that there was another potential group of survivors, elsewhere. I don't believe revealing the source of the infection is necessary to the plot at this point. I was surprised with the variations between the graphic novel and the television series, but overall,  it has been a fun ride . My favorite character, Jacqui, died, but she did so on her own terms. I was on the edge of my seat with three minutes left to the episode, and that is a true testament to good storytelling. If anything, the television finale was even MORE grandiose than the finale of the first graphic novel. I think it was a great place to leave off, and I look forward to what the future holds. Now...bring on Michonne!  

" I highly believe that what Jenner whispered in Rick's ear was derived from the blood test: the pregnancy. "

A lot of people think that Jenner saw the attempted rape on Lori. I actually think otherwise and that Jenner found out that Lori is pregnant with her blood sample. Thing is, how pregnant is she? If he said a few months or weeks, that will give him something to think about vs. just that she is pregnant.

I like that they made Shane more sympathetic, and you were just starting to feel sorry for him before he goes and tries to rape Lori.    
 
I didn't care for too much else in this episode. 
 
Also, important safety tip, never go anywhere with T-dog, that dude is always leaving people behind.

" I highly believe that what Jenner whispered in Rick's ear was derived from the blood test: the pregnancy. "

It was a good episode overall, and stood true to the comics.

Okay guys, we need to think about the time it took for Jenner to whisper to Rick. It was what, maybe a few seconds? In that time, do you really think he'd have time to say anything like, "You all have the virus and don't need to be bitten." or "I know this isn't a good time, but Shane tried to assault your wife." No, there couldn't possibly be enough time for Jenner to whisper any of that! The only things that make sense for him to whisper were along the lines of, "I looked at the test, congrats on the baby." or "Watch out for Shane." I mean, look at Rick's expression, he obviously just learned something that he can't stop and appreciate or take note of.

never read the graphic novels...but that still doesn't erase the fact that it was pretty stupid when that black women stayed to die with the Doctor...it wasn't believable at all...as a loving husband why would you allow your wife to stay and die...I would have knocked that bitch out and put her over my shoulder...the end

" Wow. It's a long time to wait until the next season. "

Only 6 episodes followed by a 10 month wait?!?!  That is insane. . 
 
I'll check back in with this series 15 years from now when it'll be on it's 4th season. =(

Wait... I have to wait a whole year?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I can't believe they left us with that as the last episode! why couldn't this episode be 1 1/2 hour long if not 2 hours, that ending was just unfulfilled to me considering it won't be back for almost a year, I just hope they air some webisodes or some shorts while we wait for season 2

The wait will kill this show for general audiences :(

The second season is only 13 episodes and it takes that long to air next October?

wait till halloween you gotta be kidding me , they should pull there finger out and get that 2nd season out pronto lol

With how this first "season" has turned out, I'm beginning to fear that Jenner did not tell Rick about the pregnancy, because there will be none. I'm doubting the network will have the guts to kill a baby off on national tv. Same with Carl's part in the saga, wouldn't be too surprised if he ends up a kill-virgo on this, perhaps not counting a few zombies if even that.  
 
And come on. Six episodes? That's not worthy of being called a season!  
Can't stop watching though. 

"I'm doubting the network will have the guts to kill a baby off on national tv. "

Jaqui not going with the group seemed rediculous as hell.  I thought that Edwin told rick about how the french scientist ( Who he mentioned earlier in the ep ) could be in DC and that could give them a reason to meat the Gov. if they decide to travel.  Also we still need to figure out about the helicopter in the first ep.

" never read the graphic novels...but that still doesn't erase the fact that it was pretty stupid when that black women stayed to die with the Doctor...it wasn't believable at all...as a loving husband why would you allow your wife to stay and die...I would have knocked that bitch out and put her over my shoulder...the end "

" @tbpinkfloyd said:

" I highly believe that what Jenner whispered in Rick's ear was derived from the blood test: the pregnancy. "

This I didn't even think about, but it seems pretty likely to be the case. Good thinking. "

I have to say, this is an excellent show. Pity it only lasted 6 episodes in its first season, and season 2 isn't coming till Halloween next year but I will wait impatiently.

I'm in two minds when it comes to the TV show. I'm slightly annoyed and slightly overjoyed about the fact that it deviates from the story told in the comics. When it came to the final scene of this episode I was ready to blow if they killed off Dale and Andrea. They were both significant characters in the comic books and I personally liked Dale being part of the group.  I hope that once the story progresses on the Tv show we'll see some more aspects of the comic being included in the tale. I'd like to hopefully see Carl maturing after the incident (not going to reveal any spoilers) with Shane and possibly some of Tyreese and Michonne. 

This episode was just silly from the contrived Doctor going, "Duh, I told you people there's no leaving..." to Dale sitting with Andrea to convince her to leave when the other black woman was basically abandoned by the black man...never mind I was NEVER convinced of her motives to stay but Andrea's motives were VERY clear. Unfortunately I didn't buy her being convinced by Dale. 
 
Pretty much a plot device because we all know what happens with Dale/Andrea...
 
Just shoehorned episode for an obligatory explosion because there was no guarantee of a season 2 when it was filmed.

I've been following the Walking Dead comics since the cover of issue 5 caught my eye, and while there are certainly some things from the comics that I felt were essential that they've skipped over (or maybe just haven't gotten to yet) I still think they're doing a great job with the series.
 
Ultimately deviation from the comics is absolutely necessary for a multitude of reasons and it's important not to get hung up on that.  What's important is that they respect and stay true to the spirit and feel of the comic and it's characters.

absolutely awesome show it will stick in my mind better than the comic did perhaps i might go back and read the four volumes to see were the show might go .im really not to keen on this whole year waiting just to see six more episodes .in fact i dont quiet understand why we have to wait so damn long!

can some one send me a clip of 

Shane to the Rescue

I know so many people are saying that Mr.Whisper (the doc from the C.D.C) told Rick what Shane tried and that logical but don't you think even Rick, the most level headed person, would show anger that someone tried to rape his wife? I don't care who you are or what is going on if someone tells you that someone tried to force themselves into your wife don't you think that that person would get pissed?
 
What I think Mr.Whisper told Rick is that Andrea has a bun in the oven. We have enough derivation from the comic as it is so I don't think this is out of the realm of possibility.

Really disappointed with this series.  Would've been much better if they just stuck with the source material, following the narrative laid out in the books.  Instead they're alienating the fans of the comics and the pacing of the show is too slow for anyone new to get too interested in it.   
 
Also this final episode was terrible.  Gimme a break with the far flung supercomputer AI and the far fetched body scan garbage.   Also, the explosion at the end.  Don't make me laugh.  Second only to a nuclear blast.  HAHAHAHA   right...