Skybound
Welcome to Skybound Insiders, the free VIP group for lovers of comics and entertainment!

Forgot Password?
Or
Fb Connect
Welcome to Skybound Insiders, the free VIP group for lovers of comics and entertainment!

Login
Creating an account means you're okay with Skybound's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy
 
Skybound
Welcome to Skybound Insiders, the free VIP group for lovers of comics and entertainment!

Or
Cancel
Fb Connect
Creating an account means you're okay with Skybound's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy
 
Skybound
Almost complete! You will now receive a confirmation email for your registration, please click the link in that email to finish the registration process and claim your comic rewards.
Skybound Entertainment
  • About
  • Comics
  • Games
  • TV / Movies
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
The Walking Dead
Invincible
Skybound Insiders
Nothing Found
View All Search Results
  • The Walking Dead
  • Comic
    • Latest
    • Story
    • Characters
  • Show
    • Latest
    • Story
    • Characters
  • Games
  • Fear TWD
    • Latest
    • Story
    • Characters
  • Galleries
  • Videos
Skybound Entertainment
  • Account
  • Logout
Nothing Found
View All Search Results

The Evolution of Father Gabriel

March 10, 2017
Johnny O'DellbyJohnny O'Dell
in TV
Reading Time: 5 mins read
5
72
SHARES
FacebookTwitterRedditQREmail

Father Gabriel has experienced one of the most dramatic character transformations of The Walking Dead yet. He has evolved from the cowardly priest we met back in Season 5 into the badass moral compass we know him in Season 7. Below we try to answer the question of why Father Gabriel changed and how it affects the story.


Season 5

4ac4747a-813a-abdf-17cd-40262dd8c4d7_TWD_514_GP_1024_0004

Overview: We first met Father Gabriel in “Strangers,” when Rick and his group rescue him from walkers and in exchange he allows them to take refuge at his parish. Their relationship wouldn’t get any easier that season.

twd_502_gp_0520_0121

Big Moments:

– Gabriel reveals he selfishly allowed his congregation to get eaten while he cowered in his parish. He later discovers Rick’s group killed members of Terminus in his church and loses it.

– During a walker attack on his church Gabriel cowers in his office and escapes through the floorboards.

twd_508_gp_0730_0242

– Gabriel kills his first walker in episode 508 and finally comes to terms with the brutality of the world. At the time he told AMC.com, “I think it’s a very troubling thing for Father Gabriel to kill a walker. Living or dead, murder is murder to him.”

tumblr_inline_nhfk06c3jq1qgp297

– Maggie calls Gabriel out on his cowardice, prompting him to throw his clerical collar into a campfire.

– After arriving at Alexandria, Gabriel warns Deanna about the dangers of Rick and his group. The surprising result? No one trusted him. Seth Gilliam himself explained Gabriel’s decision in that moment to ScienceFiction.com, “I think that by seeing that this community had a need for him and how he had let down his last community triggered something in him to say something.”

– Gabriel tries sacrificing himself to a walker but decides against it. He then leaves the door to Alexandria open (which let walkers in) and scolded Sasha about Bob and Tyreese’s deaths. Sasha strikes him down and he essentially begs for death.

gabriel5


Season 6

TWD_608_GP_0723_0196

Overview: Gabriel spent the first half of the season on Rick’s shit list and the second half trying to redeem himself. The latter is when Gabriel REALLY began to evolve.

Big Moments:

– Father Gabriel volunteers to help Rick’s walker diversion plan but is quickly shot down.

the-walking-dead22701

– Rick defiantly tears down Gabriel’s prayer circle flyers.

– Morgan saves Father Gabriel’s life during the Wolf invasion of Alexandria.

– During the giant Alexandrian walker invasion Father Gabriel suits up in walker guts alongside Rick and offers to look after Judith while Rick handles the herd. (Rick allowing Gabriel to do this signaled a HUGE trust shift between them). That night, Gabriel hands off Judith to Anna and JOINS THE FIGHT against the herd, which ended in them coming out victorious.

screen-shot-2017-03-10-at-3-49-34-pm

screen-shot-2017-03-10-at-3-48-04-pm

– Gabriel doesn’t hesitate in taking human life when he goes full Pulp Fiction on a Savior during a night raid.

tumblr_o3niryrnuk1tdkth1o1_540

– Gabriel helps rescue Carol and Maggie from the Saviors.

screen-shot-2017-03-10-at-4-15-29-pm

– Rick signals he’s finally forgiven Gabriel when he entrusts him with watching Judith AND Alexandria while he escorts Maggie to The Hilltop.

the-walking-dead22702


Season 7

Overview (so far): Gabriel has been CLUTCH this season in terms of helping Rick’s fight against Negan.

Big Moments:

– Father Gabriel REALLY does Rick a solid by misleading Negan into believing Maggie died and is now buried next to Glenn and Abraham. He then turns to Rick as if to say, “I got you.”

screen-shot-2017-03-10-at-3-36-36-pm

– Father Gabriel doesn’t take Spencer’s bait to undermine Rick’s authority, which lines up with his recent actions to side with and defend Rick. Also, he drops this knowledge on him:

– Gabriel urges Rosita NOT to try to kill Negan, and instead wait for the right moment.

screen-shot-2017-03-10-at-3-42-02-pm

– Father Gabriel discovers The Scavengers, a new group Rick that promises to help Rick’s fight against the Saviors in exchange for weapons. He holds one of them at knife-point and promises Rick can be trusted.

twd_710_gp_0830_0048-rt

– Rosita confronts Gabriel about telling her not to kill Negan but he insists the group still needs her.


Conclusion

Father Gabriel evolved because he realized his purpose: help others survive. Despite allowing his entire congregation to die, betraying Rick, and being an overall annoyance, Gabriel embraced being the moral compass and therefore earned Rick and other survivors’ respect. It hasn’t been an easy road for him, and it took a while for him to realize sacrifices had to be made to ensure the survival of his friends. He’s transformed from near-worthless weakling to an essential contributor to the Survivors.


How do you view Gabriel’s recent evolution? Do you think he’ll continue to improve? Tell us in the comments below!

Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!
Announcements

Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!

by DWelch
January 23, 2023

POPULAR

  • The Walking Dead Definitive Series’ Lee and Clem Statue Update

    The Walking Dead Definitive Series’ Lee and Clem Statue Update

    485 shares
    Share 194 Tweet 121
  • The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 15: Comic vs. Show

    11197 shares
    Share 4382 Tweet 2739
  • The Top 10 Carl Grimes Moments From The Walking Dead

    785 shares
    Share 314 Tweet 196
  • Lee and Clementine Telltale Statue Production Update

    1283 shares
    Share 513 Tweet 321
  • Launching the INVINCIBLE TRAINEE PROGRAM

    427 shares
    Share 171 Tweet 107

SkyboundShop

Recommended from the SKYBOUND shop


Tags: OverviewSeth GilliamTimelineTransformationTWD

Home | The Walking Dead | The Evolution of Father Gabriel

Previous

Robert Kirkman Hosts Image Founder’s Emerald City Comic Con 2017 Panel

Next

The Official Outcast Podcast #022

Related Posts

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue
Comics

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue

by DWelch
5 months ago
0

LOS ANGELES 10/04/2022 – Today Skybound revealed seven all-new The Walking Dead Deluxe variant covers from a lineup of superstar artists in celebration of the series’ milestone 50th issue, presented...

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer
TV

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
0

Negan returns in the easter egg-filled trailer for The Walking Dead 10c, which begins its six-episode run on February 28th, 2021.

Colman Domingo Discusses Quarantine Baking: Friday Night In With The Morgans Clip

Colman Domingo Discusses Quarantine Baking: Friday Night In With The Morgans Clip

3 years ago
“The Walking Dead: The Alien” Getting a Hardcover This July

“The Walking Dead: The Alien” Getting a Hardcover This July

3 years ago
The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 14 Opening Minutes

The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 14 Opening Minutes

3 years ago
Fans React to The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 13: “What We Become”

Fans React to The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 13: “What We Become”

3 years ago

Related Posts

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue

by DWelch
5 months ago
0

LOS ANGELES 10/04/2022 – Today Skybound revealed seven all-new The Walking Dead Deluxe variant covers from a lineup of superstar...

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
0

Negan returns in the easter egg-filled trailer for The Walking Dead 10c, which begins its six-episode run on February 28th,...

Colman Domingo Discusses Quarantine Baking: Friday Night In With The Morgans Clip

Colman Domingo Discusses Quarantine Baking: Friday Night In With The Morgans Clip

by Johnny O'Dell
3 years ago
0

Fear The Walking Dead star Colman Domingo discusses what quarantine creations he has been baking in this clip from Friday...

“The Walking Dead: The Alien” Getting a Hardcover This July

“The Walking Dead: The Alien” Getting a Hardcover This July

by Johnny O'Dell
3 years ago
1

The Walking Dead: The Alien, a special one-shot issue by Brian K. Vaughan, will be be released in hardcover form...

The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 14 Opening Minutes

The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 14 Opening Minutes

by Johnny O'Dell
3 years ago
1

Negan and Carol seem to be forming an unlikely alliance in these opening minutes from The Walking Dead Season 10...

Fans React to The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 13: “What We Become”

Fans React to The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 13: “What We Become”

by Johnny O'Dell
3 years ago
1

Watch as these Walking Dead fans react to Danai Gurira's last episode as Michonne in Season 10 Episode 13 of...

Comments 5

  1. Nogle says:
    6 years ago

    Hard to trust Carver fully

    Reply
  2. Neutral-Grey says:
    6 years ago

    I love Father Gabe. As a total comic snob elitist, I’ll say that Father Gabriel’s character is one thing the show did absolutely 110% better than the source material.

    Reply
    • QuinnCapeSurvives says:
      6 years ago

      Agreed on every front. I really hope he doesn’t meet the same fate

      Reply
      • flagg_is_god says:
        6 years ago

        I agree with your agreement, but hope that if he meets a similar fate it will be a choice where he could have lived somehow, but chose something similar to the comic because doing so helps his friends/ fellow soldiers.

        Reply
        • QuinnCapeSurvives says:
          6 years ago

          Further agreement here, it’d be much better if he ended up sacrificing himself instead of just tripping and crying.

          Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Mairghread Scott Sea Serpent's Heir

Mairghread Scott on Her YA Fantasy Trilogy Sea Serpent’s Heir

March 21, 2023
Glitch Busters: Stuck on You logo

Check Out the Glitch Busters: Stuck on You Release Date and Trailer!

March 21, 2023
FIRST LOOK AT THE ALL-NEW SUMMONERS WAR: AWAKENING COMIC BOOK SERIES

FIRST LOOK AT THE ALL-NEW SUMMONERS WAR: AWAKENING COMIC BOOK SERIES

March 21, 2023
Arcade Kings 1 cover

ARCADE KINGS TRAILER: DIVE FISTS FIRST INTO DYLAN BURNETT’S NEW COMIC SERIES

March 21, 2023
Invincible Collectible Art Print

Grab These Walking Dead and Invincible Collectible Art Prints This Week at PAX East!

March 20, 2023
Follow @skybound Tweet to @skybound Tweets by Skybound
  • afterschool
  • assassin-nation
  • baldurs-gate
  • battle-pope
  • battle-pope
  • big-con
  • birthright
  • brit
  • callisto-protocol
  • clementine
  • clone
  • creepshow
  • crude
  • cuphead
  • dark-ride
  • dead-body-road
  • deaths-gambit
  • die-die-die
  • disco
  • the-electric-state
  • escape-academy
  • everyday-herd
  • excellence
  • extra-fabulous
  • extremity
  • fear-the-walking-dead
  • fire-power
  • gasolina
  • ghosted
  • glitch-busters
  • grimm-forest
  • grimm-masquerade
  • guardians-call
  • guarding-the-globe
  • hardcore
  • heart-attack
  • homestead
  • icewind-dale
  • hate-this-place
  • invincible
  • invincible-universe
  • kroma
  • last-man
  • the-labrynth
  • the-long-dark
  • manifest-destiny
  • murder-falcon
  • mr-lovenstein
  • neverwinter-nights
  • notmycar
  • oblivion-song
  • the-obsoletes
  • outcast
  • outer-darkness
  • outpost-zero
  • pitchstorm
  • planescape-torment
  • rainbow-billy
  • redneck
  • the-walking-dead-saints-and-sinners
  • science-dog
  • scurry
  • sea-serpent-heir
  • six-sidekicks
  • skull-girls
  • skybound-x
  • slime-rancher
  • the-walking-dead-something-to-fear
  • sorcerer-city
  • stealth
  • stillwater
  • stray
  • superfight
  • tech-jacket
  • the-walking-dead
  • the-walking-dead-last-mile
  • telltales-the-walking-dead
  • thief-of-thieves
  • tidal-blades
  • trial-by-trolley
  • vice
  • wrestle-quest

READ

About
Comics
Games
TV / Movies
Podcasts

SHOP

Games
Clothing
Accessories
Comics & Books
Toys & Collectibles

LEARN

Robert Kirkman
Contact
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Careers

© 2023 Skybound, LLC and/or its affiliates. The Skybound mark and any related logos are trademarks of Skybound, LLC

  • Login
  • About
  • Comics
  • Games
  • TV & MOVIES
  • Shop
  • Podcasts

Forgotten Password?
Don't have an account yet?
Sign Up
Copyright © 2018 All Site Content and © 2018 SKYBOUND, unless otherwise noted here. All Right Reserved.

Fill the forms bellow to register

Cancel
Already have an account?
Log In
All fields are required.

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In