"Thicker Than Water" is the fourth episode of The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier, also known as The Walking Dead: Season Three. It is the fifteenth episode in the overall The Walking Dead Telltale series. The episode was written by Luke McMullen and directed by Chris Reiser. It was initially released on April 25, 2017, for PC (via Steam and the Telltale Store), PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, iOS, and Android worldwide. A Nintendo Switch version was later released on January 21, 2020
The episode focuses on Javier (Javi) García as he navigates threats to his community and family, forming unlikely alliances to ensure their safety [1]. The narrative is structured around several key chapters, beginning with a flashback to Javi and David's past, highlighting their strained relationship before the apocalypse [1] [4]. In the present, Javi and David find themselves imprisoned by the New Frontier. Javi escapes with the help of either Gabe or Kate, depending on previous player choices [1].
A significant portion of the episode involves Javi, Gabe, and Ava attempting to acquire weapons from the armory, leading to Javi sustaining a shoulder injury [1]. This injury brings Javi into contact with Clementine and Dr. Lingard. A pivotal moment occurs when Lingard, overwhelmed by the New Frontier's actions, offers information about AJ's whereabouts in exchange for a lethal injection. Players face a critical choice here: accept Lingard's request, which removes him from the story and earns Clementine's gratitude, or refuse, leading to a rift with Clementine but allowing Lingard to potentially reappear later [1] [2].
The climax of "Thicker Than Water" unfolds in the town square, where Joan, the leader of the New Frontier, plans to execute David. Javi's group attempts to intervene, but Joan reveals Eleanor's betrayal and captures Tripp and Ava. Joan forces Javi to choose which of the two to spare, only to then execute the chosen individual anyway [1] [2]. Following this, Clint offers Javi a deal to leave Richmond peacefully. Players must decide whether to accept the deal or shoot Joan [1] [2]. Both choices lead to a chaotic shootout, with various determinant outcomes for characters like Joan, Clint, David, Gabe, and Kate [1]. The episode concludes with a herd of walkers breaching Richmond's defenses, plunging the city into further chaos [1].
"Thicker Than Water" is notable for having the most determinant deaths of any episode in the series, with all named character deaths being determinant [1]. The episode also explores the developing relationship between Javi and Kate, with a choice presented to the player regarding Javi's feelings for her [1] [2] [4]. Despite its impactful narrative choices, the episode received mixed reviews, with some critics noting performance issues and inconsistent pacing [
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