Warning: TWD spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
Ever since the spoiler came out last week about the impending/probable death of Jesus on the TV show I`ve had time to do some thinking. At first I was angry and wanted to just leave the fandom, but I have realized that I can`t leave it completely. I love the Desus part way too much and feel that right now I can`t live without it. I`m extremely disappointed the TPTB at AMC have made this shitty decision in a long string of shitty decisions. How do they expect to keep on going when Andrew Lincoln, the heart of the show, is choosing to leave? What did they think would happen when they killed off Carl? Lauren Cohan is leaving, too. There are rumors of Ezekiel getting the comic book pike death. Yeah, he and Carol are finding some happiness, but that doesn`t last long in TWD universe does it. Danai Gurira`s contract is up at the end of Season 9 and since she has a lucrative movie career going for her would not find much reason to return. Norman Reedus may be getting a raise and a bit of a promotion, but I don`t think even Daryl can save the sinking ship. Even though one can appreciate his loyalty, it`s a bit of a fool`s paradise. I don`t know of a lot of people interested in watching ‘Ride With Daryl and Negan’. Negan is non-redemptive, unless you believe the Negan worshippers. (Nothing personal on JDM here. Just on the character of Negan.) He should have been killed off. Like I said--string of shitty decisions.
So I have to reconcile myself as to how I am going to approach my Desus fan fiction. I`m in the middle of writing one now, a sequel to my latest one on Ao3. I have always been a writer first so I can`t stop on something that I love and have taken very much to heart. I am hoping I will be able to continue to write Desus fan fiction because I see it as my escape and my retreat. It will be delving into AU a bit because I will be going off-canon. What is the “canon” of TWD universe anyway with all the remixing between comic and TV show? It`s confusing at times. So I feel comfortable in exploring the alternative pathways that “canon” refuses to go; or, more accurately, the lazy writing of the writers and showrunners refuse to go. I won`t be watching the show when Jesus exits, I don`t feel it deserves my loyalty anymore. I will remember the great interactions between Tom and Norman both on- and off-screen. I would like to think they would do a project together outside of TWD universe to bank on the chemistry they have between them, even play boyfriends.
I will continue to celebrate Desus. I haven`t read a lot of Desus fanfic by others because I didn`t want to be influenced while I was in the writing process. (It`s a hard and fast rule of mine.) Someday when I take a break or just want to read more than write, I will catch up. The few tidbits I have come across are quite good and I`ve seen recommendations from others. Please don`t delete them from Ao3! I wish Tom all my best in his future endeavors. I also wish Norman the best in a difficult situation.
