The Survival of Clementine in The Walking Dead Video Games: An Analysis of Plot Armor

Many fans of The Walking Dead series, including the video games, have grappled with the inconsistencies surrounding Clementine's survival in the game’s Final Season. While some have speculated about the realism of her survival, many others have pointed to plot armor as the key to understanding her remarkable journey through the infected world.

Plot Armor and the Game

For those unfamiliar with the term, plot armor refers to a character's unrealistic protection from harm or injury in a story. In the case of Clementine, many players find it hard to justify her survival when other characters, such as Lee and Sarita, did not fare as well after similar encounters. The question that arises is: why did Clementine survive when others did not?

One explanation is that Clementine's survival is primarily due to the framework of plot armor. Despite the fact that she should have bled out and was surrounded by walkers, her survival is often attributed to the narrative convenience and the emotional investment fans have in her character.

Amputation Rules in The Walking Dead

The The Walking Dead franchise—whether in the video games, comics, or television series—has alternated between different rules regarding the treatment of bitten limbs. This inconsistency can be traced back to the adaptation of the comic book series and the television show, where the removal of bitten limbs varies in its effectiveness.

For example, in the comics, a character named Allen is bitten in the ankle while exploring the prison. The television adaptation of this scene involves Hershel, who is bitten in Season 3. In both versions, Hershel and Allen have their limbs amputated, yet only Hershel survives in the show. This inconsistency highlights the limited medical knowledge and practical solutions provided for survival in the show and games.

The Case of Sarita and Lee

The survival stories of Sarita and Lee in the video games also offer insight into the logic (or lack thereof) of Clementine’s survival.

Sarita: Sarita was bitten, but her fate was sealed when she was bitten by other walkers after cutting off the bitten arm. She likely succumbed to the infection due to the delay in amputation and the multiple bites she received. Lee: Lee's survival is the most perplexing. He was bitten, but it took several hours before his arm was amputated. As a result, the infection had time to spread, eventually leading to his death, even though his limb was removed.

Given that both Lee and Sarita were bitten and had their limbs amputated, the difference in their survival outcomes is somewhat contradictory. This further emphasizes the role of plot armor

Final Thoughts

The survival of Clementine in the Final Season video game is best explained through the lens of plot armor. It is a narrative choice that prioritizes character development and emotional investment over realism. While fans may seek logical explanations, the game developers likely chose to protect Clementine for the benefit of both the story and the player's experience.

In conclusion, Clementine's survival is a product of plot armor rather than a logical medical solution. The inconsistency with Lee and Sarita's survival further reinforces this idea, making it clear that Clementine's remarkable journey is driven by the story's needs rather than a strictly realistic portrayal of survival in a zombie apocalypse.