If you only know Hershel Greene as the soft-spoken, white-bearded "Grandpa of the Apocalypse" from the AMC show, playing the first episode of Telltale’s The Walking Dead is a total slap in the face.
The guy is mean.
Actually, "mean" might be a bit of an understatement. He's suspicious, abrasive, and basically treats Lee Everett like a potential criminal from the second they lock eyes on that porch. If you've played it, you know exactly the vibe. You’re standing there with a little girl you just found, your leg is a mangled mess, and this old farmer is basically interrogating you like he’s a DA in a small-town courtroom.
The Canon Confusion: Comics vs. TV
Most people assume the game is a prequel to the show. It isn't. Not even close.
Basically, the Telltale series exists in the comic book universe, which is why Hershel looks and acts so differently. In the comics, Hershel isn’t the diplomatic moral compass Scott Wilson portrayed on screen. He’s a deeply religious, rigid, and often cantankerous man who has a much harder time dealing with the end of the world.
There’s a huge difference in the family tree, too.
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In the game, you meet his son, Shawn Greene. In the show, Shawn is barely a footnote—a stepson mentioned as having already died. In the comics and the game, he's the center of the tragedy that defines Hershel's early apocalypse experience. You also hear Hershel mention a "daughter" inside the house; that’s Maggie. But if you’re looking for Beth, you won't find her. She was a creation for the television show.
That Infamous Barn Scene
The climax of Hershel’s role in the game is one of the most frustrating moments for players who want to be "good."
You’re out by the fence. Shawn is trying to reinforce the perimeter. Suddenly, walkers (or "lurkers" as they’re often called in this continuity) grab him. You’re given a choice: try to save Shawn or save Duck, Kenny’s son.
Here is the reality: You cannot save Shawn Greene.
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It doesn’t matter if you smash the "Q" key until your finger bleeds or choose every heroic dialogue option available. Shawn dies. The tractor pins him, the fence fails, and the walkers tear into him. This is a scripted event designed to set up Hershel's tragic arc in the comics—specifically his delusional belief that the dead are just "sick" and can be cured, leading him to keep them in his barn.
Honestly, the aftermath is what stings.
Hershel loses his mind with grief and kicks Lee, Clementine, and Kenny's entire family off the farm. He doesn't care that you tried to help. He doesn't care about the logic of the situation. He just sees a group of outsiders who brought chaos to his doorstep and a son who is now dead.
Why Hershel Calls You a Liar (Even if You Tell the Truth)
A lot of players get hung up on the "Truth vs. Lie" mechanic during the barn conversation with Hershel.
He asks you about your past. He asks how you got that injury on your leg. You can tell him the truth—that you were in a police car—or you can try to wing it with a story about being a "hitchhiker" or a "neighbor."
The trick is, Hershel is a former veterinarian. He knows how to read bodies, and more importantly, he knows how to read people. If you lie, he smells it immediately. If you tell the truth, he respects the honesty but still remains wary of a "convict."
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There is a specific sequence of dialogue that makes him "believe" you, but even then, the game’s UI often pops up with "Hershel thinks you’re full of it" (or words to that effect) because Lee is, canonically, a terrible liar in those first few days of the outbreak.
Voice Acting and Design
Chuck Kourouklis provided the voice for Hershel in the game. He did a fantastic job of capturing that specific brand of "get off my lawn" energy that the comic version of the character required.
Design-wise, he’s much younger than the TV version. He has dark hair with some grey, a trucker hat, and a stockier build. It’s a jarring shift if you’re coming straight from a Season 4 binge-watch of the show.
The Legacy of the Farm Visit
While Hershel only appears in the first episode, "A New Day," his impact is massive.
- It establishes the "No One Is Safe" rule: Seeing a character as "important" as Hershel fail to save his own son proves to the player that plot armor doesn't exist for side characters.
- It bridges the gap: Seeing Glenn and Hershel in the same space makes the world feel lived-in and connected to the broader Walking Dead lore.
- It defines Lee’s character: Your interaction with Hershel is the first time the game really tests how you want Lee to be perceived—as a repentant man or a deceptive survivor.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Playthrough
If you're planning on jumping back into Season 1, keep these things in mind to get the "best" experience with the Greene family:
- Prioritize Kenny’s favor: Since Shawn is going to die regardless of what you do, siding with Kenny to save Duck is usually the "smarter" meta-game move. It builds immediate trust with the person who will actually be in your party for the rest of the season.
- Honesty is the only policy: Tell Hershel the truth about the police car. It doesn't change the ending of the episode, but it makes the dialogue feel significantly more earned and less awkward.
- Look at the details: Take a second to look around the barn. You can see the beginnings of the "management" style Hershel uses for the walkers, which pays off massively for those who have read the comics.
Hershel Greene in the Telltale game serves as a bridge. He isn't there to be your friend or your mentor. He’s a obstacle, a tragedy, and a reminder that in this world, even the "good" people can be broken by a single bad morning.
Next Steps for TWD Fans
If you want to see how this version of Hershel's story continues, you should check out the Volume 2: Miles Behind Us trade paperback of the comics. It picks up almost exactly where the game leaves off, showing what happens when Rick Grimes eventually rolls up to that same farm and discovers what Hershel has been hiding in that barn.