The beloved character Morgan Jones from the hit TV series The Walking Dead has been a mainstay in the show’s fandom since its pilot episode aired on October 31, 2010. Actor Lennie James portrayed the character, who has been an integral part of the series despite his repeated departures.
Morgan’s significance to the show stems from his heroism in the premiere episode. In a memorable scene, he and his son, Duane Adrian Kali Turner, save the series’ protagonist, Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln. Morgan took in Rick, who was wandering and oblivious to the state of the world around him when he woke up. He also cares for him.
In the aftermath of the zombie outbreak, Rick’s road to recovery began with an encounter with a father-son duo who proved to be his saviors. These two individuals were the first people Rick encountered after he woke up from his coma.
The father and son took Rick under their wing and nursed him back to health, tending to his wounds and educating him on the current state of affairs since the outbreak. As seasoned survivors, they imparted their knowledge of how to deal with the undead to Rick, teaching him the skill of headshot takedowns.
Morgan’s character has come and gone throughout the series, but he has always been an important presence. Fans of the show have eagerly followed his storyline and celebrated his moments of bravery and sacrifice. So, what happened to Morgan? Is he dead, or is he alive?
What Happened to Morgan in The Walking Dead
After Rick and the Jones go their separate ways, they agree to reunite in Atlanta. Rick keeps his word and tries to contact them every night, but he never receives a response. Later, he learns that Atlanta has been overtaken by the undead, and he attempts to warn Morgan to avoid the city.
During season 3 of the show, we see Rick, Michonne (played by Danai Gurira), and Carl (played by Chandler Riggs) venturing out to gather supplies. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when they come across a man who starts shooting at them from a rooftop. As the story progresses, we come to know that this man is Morgan, whose mental state has been severely affected by the things he has experienced.
We don’t see Morgan again until season 5, when he pops up on the railroad tracks that lead to Terminus. After some wandering, he ends up at Father Gabriel’s church, where he stumbles upon a note left by Abraham that talks about Rick Grimes being the key to the world’s survival. This revelation lets Morgan know that his buddy is still out there, alive and kicking.
As the season progresses, our protagonist finds himself sitting by his campfire, only to be approached by a member of the Wolves. Soon after, he stumbles upon a van with two men, Daryl Norman Reedus and Aaron Ross Marquand, trapped inside. Showing his heroic side, he rescues them and earns an invitation to join the community at Alexandria after discovering that Rick is there.
Morgan is given a unique episode called “Here’s Not Here.” In season 5 of the show, he digs deep into his character. We get to learn more about what shaped him into the person we see in season 5. In this episode, a guy named Eastman teaches him about the art of Aikido defense and introduces him to a book called “The Art of Peace.”
Morgan undergoes a significant transformation that leads him to adopt a mantra that values all life equally. However, this newfound belief proves to be a double-edged sword when he chooses not to eliminate the wolves he encounters, and they ultimately pose a threat to Alexandria. Despite this setback, Morgan manages to become an asset to the community and remains a valuable member.
AMC is gearing up for the premiere of Fear The Walking Dead’s eighth and last season, slated for May 14, 2023. Excitingly, this season will be released in two parts and feature a seven-year time jump. Fans will be thrilled to know that Morgan, who is still kicking in the Fear the Walking Dead universe, will play a crucial part in the series’ grand finale.