The Walking Dead Timeline of The Walking Dead

[pr0xyt0xin]

So this is something that I have been pondering.

How much time has elapsed since the show started? How much time has passed at each of the major events?

 

[Sawyer]

I believe S1 and 2 took place over just a couple months (if that), then there was an eight month gap between 2 and 3, S3 took place over about a month (by episode 9, barely a week had passed since episode 4), and then it's probably been close to eight months again between S3 and 4.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

And how long after the outbreak did Rick wake up from his coma? a little over a month maybe?

So by the end of season 2, the zombie party had been going on for about 4 months maybe?
Plus 9 months until the end of season 3 makes a little over a year. then we're at almost 2 years at our current episode? That's kinda what I was thinking.

It's actually interesting, that kinda proves the zombies in this definitely don't starve. Some have probably gone over a year without feeding on anything.

 

[Sawyer]

In one episode from last season, the Governor brought that up to Milton, but Milton said they do starve, they just do it slower than we do.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

Well, even still it's interesting. But the concept would kinda make the show seem finite. Maybe if we see a starvation arc the show doesn't have to be over though. And we'll see a very large gap in time between two seasons.

Speculative scenario:
Rick's crew plays a large part in eradicating the majority of a the zombie population in the southeast US and makes contact with similar situations across the globe. Large peaceful communities become self-sufficient and thats where a season leaves off.

several years pass before the start of the next season. Most zombies have long since been killed or have starved. then we see a zombie come down from the snowcapped mountains having been frozen in suspended animation. He does what zombies do and causes a ton of mayhem. Breathing new life into the show for several more seasons.

(bear in mind I've only read Vol. 1 of the comics. I understand things probably end much differently. Just letting my imagination go.)