TV Typing: The Walking Dead

In honor of my guest post on Zombies Ruin Everything, I'm gonna start a new post series. I've been wanting to do this for a while but I feel like every other damn MBTI blog does this kind of thing. Or they try to anyway. Unfortunately there are a bunch of shitty typings out there and something needs to be done about it goddammit. I can't sit around and let people be wrong on the internet.

So uh, yeah, welcome to TV Typing.

The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead has a huge cast of characters that fluctuate throughout the seasons. I'm gonna try to cover as many as I can. This post will be fucking epic.

Note: As of the time this was posted, we are waiting for the second half of Season 5.

Season 1

Rick: ENTJ

Man I hated Rick in the first few seasons. He was all inferior Fi trying to "do the right thing", except he obviously wasn't good at it. It wasn't natural for him. Only around season 4ish when he became the badass, take-no-prisoners (literally) dude he was meant to be, did I start to like him.

Rick's strength is in planning and taking care of thangs. He, like all ENTJs, is a natural leader and the rest of the group looks to him when in doubt. Rick's not concerned with doing things the "right" way (SJ). He's very adaptive (Se) considering the circumstances of, you know, zombie apocalypse.

Shane: ESTP

I always thought Rick and Shane should've switched names. Rick is the standard bad guy name. It rhymes with dick, which Shane is. He's your typical bullheaded Se force of nature. He doesn't like taking orders one bit, and purposely rebels against Rick in spite of them being "best friends". Shane's no leader, but he also doesn't like being led, and he has no problem making that known.

If not for tertiary Fe, I don't think anyone would've put up with this guy. He knew how to get on people's good sides when he needed to. But for the most part he was a loose cannon with no direction (inferior Ni) all the way up until he turned into a zombie.

Lori: ESFJ

Oh my God this woman. When people complain about their ESFJ mothers this is what they're talking about. Lori is simultaneously a fragile little flower and a control freak. She is overly protective of Carl, and she tries to assert her power over the other females in the group. She also has this F-dom air of moral superiority.

Only in the last season she was alive did she finally realize how irritating she was. I bet it was after Andrea told her off. That was a damn good scene. Andrea became my favorite character after that. One of them anyway. Speaking of...

Andrea: ESFP

Yeah, bitch. ESFP. Andrea is like the Pamela Anderson of Walking Dead. In the beginning of the series she was just kind of "there". But later on, when she got with Shane (ew), her Se started to come out. Not to mention she always has a cute outfit. That ain't a product of any other function, I'll tell you hwat.

Girl is obviously not an introvert either. She was able to get on the Governor's good side. That takes some serious social skills. Granted it was by sleeping with him but do what you gotta do, right? Still, she had that Fi softness to her and did her best to prevent the dude from killing fucking everybody.

Dale: ENFJ

Ugh, I'm just shaking my head thinking of talking about this dude. He takes the cake for "most annoying as fuck character". The day he died was a fucking load off my back.

Dale has no problem going around and manipulating everyone into doing his bidding. Only he tries to be all coy and innocent about it. He tries to "take care" of Andrea by asserting his Fe all over her, and then when that inevitably fails he just starts spewing his impractical Idealistic bullshit all over the entire camp. Not to mention his voice is just... God. Just shut up already. Alright, next.

Glenn: INTP

I like Glenn. He's an honest dude. He's also one of the only cute guys on the show, which helps. Some people type Glenn as an INFP because he, um, idealizes Maggie I guess? I don't know. Pretty stupid typing if you ask me. What I think they're actually seeing is inferior Fe (which INTPs use a surprising amount) wanting to save everyone.

When we first meet Glenn we find out he used to be a pizza delivery guy. The reason he survived so long while still being an N type is because he knows the routes of the entire city and could figure out the logistics of how to get from point A to B without being eaten. He also doesn't have that irksome, head-in-the-clouds, blatant inability to think realistically that is characteristic of INFP.

Carl: ISFP

Carl's a cool kid too. Another of my favorites. In the beginning he was just an annoying kid with a cowboy hat, but he's grown into a very independent, self-sufficient teenager. He reminds me a lot of this ESFP I used to know...anyway. For the most part, kids should not be typed, but by the teenage years you can usually tell who's what.

Carl is quite clearly in his Se development phase. Though he acts tough, he doesn't have the hard personality that comes with Ti-dom. He has a moral code he follows, one that clashes with his dad's. And he has enough Se to stand up to Rick, as opposed to a timid INFP who'd go sulk in their room with a book.

T-Dog: ISTJ

T-Dog is like the Token of Walking Dead. The writers seem to have just thrown him in there, not bothering to give him much if any character development. If I had to guess, I'd say ISTJ, but honestly I don't think this dude can be reliably typed.

He has a bit of an independent streak in him, but for the most part he just tags along for the ride. He joins Shane's little posse once he decides Shane's the better bet for survival. ISTJ often latches on to whoever they consider to be in charge. Eventually the only black guy on the show gets killed off and no one notices. He is soon replaced with another black dude who has a somewhat more prominent role.

Carol: ISTJ

Poor Carol. She really drew the short end of the survival stick. She got an abusive husband, she lost her kid, said kid turned zombie and then got shot right in front of Carol's face. In the beginning I didn't like her at all. She just let everyone walk all over her. She did make a good example of an unhealthy ISTJ though.

Eventually she came into her own, but not before Te fucked her over. Following Rick's general rule that any threats should be taken care of (Si), she took the initiative and killed two sick people in the camp without getting Rick's go-ahead, and without telling anyone. SJs don't like to get caught breaking the rules, so I've heard. But, she did survive on her own, which is more than could be said for ISFJ.

Daryl: ISTP

Daryl is not your stereotypical hot guy, but if anyone, I'd say he is the show's heartthrob. I think it's also safe to say he is the fan favorite. He's definitely one of mine. If Daryl isn't ISTP, I don't know who is. His tracking and archery skills are on point. That's some serious Ti-Se shit.

ISTPs were basically made for surviving a zombie apocalypse. I don't think anyone's denying Daryl is an ISTP. Then again I have seen some downright dumb typings by Intuitives who are so far removed from reality they can't see what's right in front of them. May God have mercy on their souls.

Merle: ESTJ

Man, it's uncanny how many douchey characters end up being Te types. ESTJ and INTJ in particular. No wonder they have such a bad reputation. Anyhoo. Merle is, well, an asshole. It goes without saying that most people hate him. He looks out for Number One. No, not pee you idiot, the other number one. However, there is one redeeming quality about him. He is loyal to his brother. He may treat him like shit but above all, he's loyal. The hallmark of an SJ.

Merle is a leader. A leader without a following, sure, but a leader. And a survivor. Dominant Te allows him to judge situations rationally. He certainly don't got any Fe. Plus the whole watered-down inferior Fi morals. Yeah, unhealthy ESTJ. I can't say I completely hate him though. At least he's an asshole who's self-aware. 

Season 2

Maggie: ESFP

More proof that ESFPs are just the best characters ever. Maggie is my girl. She's fucking awesome. And I have no problem saying she's hella hot. I approve of the Maggie and Glen coupling. You know what else? She was a recurring character on season 3 of Supernatural. I mean not Maggie but you know. She's a killer villain too.

Guess I got sidetracked. So. Maggie's a pretty everyday ESFP. She's got a dominant, headstrong personality, but she's also very friendly and sweet. Except when people try to push her around. Se is a very self-protective function. It also knows how to react quickly, and Maggie can kill zombies like it's another day at the office.

Hershel: ISFJ

Hershel the family man. Standard meek ISFJ guardian who wants what's best for everyone. I don't have anything bad to say about Hershel. He's like the anti-Dale. He's got morals but not just for the sake of having them. Family is what matters most to him.

His Fe is evident near the end of season 2 when we find out he's been harboring the zombies and, um, feeding them. He's so stuck in the past that he still sees them all as his neighbors, family, friends. And you can't have houseguests without feeding them, obviously. Poor guy eventually gets jerked back into reality in the epic barn slaughter of Season 2 and eventually becomes the moral compass of the group.

Beth: ISFP

Beth. Beth, Beth, Beth. Why the fuck did you have to hook up with Daryl? Ugh. Beth is annoying in a more passive way. It's like she's completely unaware of anything outside her own reality. If it weren't for her craftiness and survival skills in the hospital, along with her attitude, I'd peg her as an out-of-touch INFP.

Beth is an example of why people find Fi selfish. Throughout the show she comes across as this little girl who's always on the verge of throwing a sissy fit. She reminds me of all the quasi-hipsters I come across in LA. And got damn with the singing. Please, girl. Your voice is about as attractive as Taylor Swift's. Apparently I'm not the only one who didn't like her.

Season 3

Michonne: ENFJ

Awww shyit. Michonne. Fucking badass. Another of my favorites. I know what you're thinking. "How the fuck is Michonne ENFJ? ISTP all the way." No dude. Michonne is not an ISTP if you actually watched the end of season 4/beginning of 5.

Michonne is another example of an unhealthy version of her type. In her case, her shadow type helps her survive. But when she finally lets her guard down, when we see her in her natural state, she is brimming with Fe. Especially when it comes to Carl. Of course it's not impossible that an ISTP could act this way, but on purpose? Because they like being affectionate? Nah, I don't think so. Fe smileyness and Se hunting skills. Not to mention that whole taking-care-of-sick-Andrea-for-months situation. Not exactly an ISTP thing.

The Governor: ENTJ

Ugh. Talk about a hateable character. If Rick is Good Guy ENTJ, the Governator is Bad Guy ENTJ. It's no wonder they don't get along. ENTJs don't tend to play well together. Let's just say he got what he had coming.

The Governor has grand, delusional Ni plans for his own Pleasantville in Zombieland. He runs his society quite well through Te, and he sure knows how to influence a crowd (Te & Fe's specialty). He's also a control freak. He has a wee little problem with "doing the right thing", thanks again to inferior Fi.

Milton: INTP

Hey look, Michael Bolton survived the zombie apocalypse. Looks like he finally got rid of that horrible name, though I can't say that new one's much of an upgrade. Bleh. No comment.

Milton is the stereotypical nerdy science geek INTP who never sees daylight and insists on using proper grammar. He's clearly not got any Se in him, though his Ti+Ne tells him that somehow the zombies are sentient, even when Andrea tells him it's patently not true. INTPs are similar to INFPs that way, believing something on the basis that it's potentially true. His inferior Fe means he absolutely sucks at covering up the truth, which ultimately leads to his demise.

Tyreese: INFJ

Tyreese is a big buff black dude. You'd think he'd be some kind of ISTP. Nope. Writers dun good this time. He's a damn INFJ softie. And guess what other show he's appeared on? The Wire. Yeah mayn.

Tyreese mostly keeps to himself. He doesn't make too much fuss and he doesn't like when other people do either. Tyreese struggles with his moral code and seems to have a heavy Ni mental load at all times. In typical NF fashion, he always wants to do the right thing. He has an immensely hard time killing anyone, including bad guys, and will do all he can to avoid it. One thing he excels at is being a father figure to Judith, thanks to Fe.

Sasha: ESTP

Sasha's a hard one because she doesn't seem to have much character development. Or at least I'm not seeing it. She just seems normal. She doesn't come across as being overly emotional, but then she also doesn't seem coldly logical. Given how good her survival skills are, I'd have to pin her as a Se-dom.

People who have a fairly even mix of logical and emotional in their personality tend to be ExxPs, whose functions are Pe Ji Je Pi. So, though the first judging function is higher up, it's hidden, and the weaker tertiary one shows up more in conversation. That said, I don't think she's a Fi user. She doesn't have a problem taking the trash out, and though ESFPs don't for the most part either, there is usually a little hesitance/resistance.

Season 4

Bob: ENFP

I like me a Bob. Bobs are usually reliable, stand-up guys. You might recognize Bob from The Wire, and if you don't you need to get on that shit because it's one of the best shows ever made. Bob is a happy-go-lucky guy, except for the little drinking problem he has. He has the hopelessly positive outlook every healthy ENFP embodies.

The reason Bob and Sasha work as a couple is because he shines a ray of cheery idealism on her stark STP reality. Bob is all too happy to help everyone out wherever he can. He's an extrovert's extrovert. When the group gets split up, Bob, in true Inspirer form, encourages Maggie to go after her husband at Terminus. Unfortunately his Realist girlfriend can see Terminus for what it really is, and it ends up being, well, not ideal.

Tara: INFP

Tara seems like an alright girl and all, but there's a reason she spent the entire first year of the apocalypse in the same damn apartment. She's not exactly equipped for survival. In the race for Least Likely to Survive a Zombie Apocalpyse, INFP comes out the winner. INFJ at least has inferior Se going for them.

Tara's true colors come out in the big jailhouse showdown. She is so shellshocked after being removed from INFP LaLaLand that she literally spends the whole time cowering in the corner. The only reason she's survived this long is sheer dumb luck. She tags along with Glenn and champions his idealistic search for Maggie, all the while staring at her shoes and kinda sorta insisting that the group should just do what Glenn says because he's sooo dreamy.

Rosita: ESFP

I'm not as fond of Rosita. I can definitely relate to her, but she just doesn't seem very likable. She obviously got invited into Sarge's group because she can tackle the walkers. But like fellow ESFP Andrea, she just loves a man in power. Loves. Because Abraham is super sexy. (barf)

Rosita's got that Se dominant personality, but you can tell she's got a soft side behind it all. She truly cares about Abraham. She also has a bit of a Fi moral streak in her. Call it tough love.

Sgt. Abraham: ESTJ

Alright, as an ESFP, I just... I seriously can't even. Like, what? Handlebar mustache and square-shaped red hair? How on earth is this attractive, Rosita? Whatever. Sarge here is as SJ as you're gonna get. He demands order goddammit.

Unfortunately, Abe is not too up on his people-reading skills. That comes with Se and potentially Fe. And he's not too good at foreseeing the future either, thanks to low Ne. So when Eugenius reveals himself to be a not-scientist who cannot save the world, let's say it doesn't go over very well.

"Dr." Eugene: INTJ

Eugene is a nice example of a redneck INTJ. Thinks and acts like he knows everything when really he's just good at spinning his bullshit into a credible verbal format. Gotta hand it to that inferior Se though, it knows how to survive, albeit barely. Dat Ni evil plotting.

Eugene's not a complete idiot, though. He knows how to read. And he's intent on being seen as an NT intellectual, thanks to Te. Te needs external validation that it's smart.

Season 5

Father Gabriel: ISFJ

Hey hey hey, another Wire alum. Father Gabriel is a naughty ISFJ. He did the unthinkable: he ignored his Fe and saved himself, and he will forever punish himself for it. "But how can he be an ISFJ? Isn't Fi the one that's selfish?" No. People act abnormally under stress. 

Gabe here is quite aware he's unfit for survival out there. What he was good at was being a moral leader in his community, and well, you can't exactly come back from leaving your neighbors for dead when you have an entire church to house them in. He's a lost little ISFJ who no longer has a sense of purpose, and thus spends most of his time in the grip of inferior Ne, fretting about what other awful shit will happen in this life and the afterlife that follows.

Noah: ISFP

Noah's another looker. When I think of ISFP, he's what comes to mind. Laid-back nice guy who's not afraid to strike out on his own. And not afraid to stick up for what he believes in.

There's not much to say about Noah because he just got introduced. He hasn't done much. But he does know how to survive. And he seems to be a pretty cool guy. I bet he and Carl will become friends.

Alright, let's round up which types would survive a zombie apocalypse...

SP: 9

SJ: 7

NT: 5

NF: 5

Neh. Way too many Intuitives and not nearly enough SPs. Excellent job on representing all the types though, fellow screenwriters. Here's hoping an ENTP will round out Season 5. Or you know, more SPs, like there should be during a damn apocalypse.

Jesus my brain is tired. That took me seven fucking hours. I think I'm done for the week.