**tl:dr; Judith Grime was brought into a world of cruelty, the survival of the fittest, and death. She did not have to suffer like that. She did not need the trauma. It was almost cruel that an innocent child was brought into a world where everyone only defends themselves and maybe two others.** Judith Grimes was brought into a world of suffering. She was born into the apocalypse. Zombies wanted to kill her and everyone she could ever love. She would never learn what it means to love unconditionally. She would only know how she needs to protect herself. No matter what. She had to learn how to kill at an age no one should see someone dead. Not if they can help it. A kid should not have to murder someone. She did not need that trauma in her life. Her character was overly romanticized. In reality, she led a too terrifying life. Her every cry was a danger to her and everyone around her. She could have had everyone killed in a minute. Worse, she would have to live a life of fear. She would not know happiness or safety. She would only know how to run. How to keep running. It is because the Walking Dead is a fictional show that she lived that long. No producer wants to let a baby die. No audience wants to see a baby die. Never. In reality, she would have died within days. No parents should want to bring a life into a world as cruel as is depicted in the Walking Dead. If Judith were introduced in the later seasons, it would have been more reasonable. By then, they would be prepared. They would be stronger. They would have more people to look out for the baby. She did not have to suffer. She did not have to live a ‘life’ without her mother or father. It was unfair for Judith Grimes to have to live in such a world. It was a hard decision to bring her into the world. But it was also the wrong one. Giddy optimism can lead to a great downfall in a world like the Walking Dead.

**TL;DR - Judith Grimes was essential for the show to continue and be exciting to watch!** The Walking Dead has been a show that has kept me, and I’m sure many others entertained during the COVID-19 Lockdowns. As a result, I am now acutely aware of the importance Judith Grimes! She was indeed, possibly doomed from the beginning, being born into a world full of death, deceit and destruction. However, I do believe that if we remove the ethics of introducing Judith, and focus merely on her impact on the show, she was essential. The introduction of Judith Grimes had an overall net-positive impact on the show. I agree that Judith Grimes’ character had to face situations that felt often unnecessary. However, that is in relation to the world pre ‘Walkers’/‘Creepers’/‘Biters’! What the character of Judith Grimes does is allows the other characters, as well as the audience, to remember a world that used to exist. She keeps the impact of Shane, Lori and Rick alive. I feel that, on a macro-scale, the show portrayed a sense of normality by using the character of Judith, as it reminds us of the human nature of keeping life going, regardless of circumstance. The show is often centred on human nature and moral choices. I think Judith, especially as a baby, allowed other characters to show their nurturing sides. For example she was well loved and looked after by Daryl and Carol. Judith allowed characters to show a new side to them, a caring side that has been almost eradicated in the world of ‘Walkers’/‘Creepers’/‘Biters’. What I also believe Judith did is provide a sense of innocence and vulnerability in a world where these aspects of human nature are covered up. Most of the other characters are conditioned, in this difficult world, to cover up any insecurity or vulnerability, whilst Judith allows us an insight into the vulnerability of life as well as the vulnerability of the other characters. Also, the introduction of Judith Grimes made Carl Grimes less self-centred and it gave him something to focus on! Judith Grimes, as a character, allowed the show to keep moving into new and exciting situations!