Simon: The Walking Dead’s Most Underestimated Villain?

While Negan, with his leather jacket and Lucille, dominated headlines and nightmares, it was often Simon, the Saviors’ right-hand man, whose calculated ruthlessness subtly shaped the terrifying reign over Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Kingdom. Played with a chillingly casual demeanor by Steven Ogg, Simon wasn’t just another henchman. He was a complex, ambitious, and arguably more pragmatic figure whose actions had a profound impact on the trajectory of The Walking Dead. Was he a truly memorable antagonist? Absolutely. While Negan presented a spectacle, Simon was the quiet storm, making him, perhaps, The Walking Dead‘s most underestimated villain. This piece delves into the intricacies of Simon’s character, exploring his rise within the Saviors, his challenge to Negan’s authority, and his lasting legacy.

The Enforcer Simon’s Role Within The Saviors

Simon began as one of Negan’s most trusted lieutenants, a key player in enforcing the Saviors’ brutal system of control. He was responsible for collecting “tributes” – a polite word for extortion – from the communities under their thumb. Unlike Negan, who often favored intimidation and psychological games, Simon possessed a chilling efficiency. He got the job done, no matter the cost. His loyalty to Negan, initially, seemed unwavering. He followed orders without question, ensuring that the Saviors maintained their stranglehold on the surrounding area.

One of the most defining acts demonstrating Simon’s cruelty was his involvement with the Oceanside community. On Negan’s orders, Simon led the Saviors in a massacre, slaughtering all the adult men and boys of the community as a preemptive strike against any potential rebellion. This event, more than any speech or theatrical display, revealed the true heart of the Saviors’ evil. It was Simon’s willingness to commit such an atrocity, coldly and efficiently, that set him apart. He wasn’t driven by a twisted sense of justice or a need to prove a point like Negan; he was driven by a desire to maintain control and order through any means necessary.

His interactions with other groups under the Saviors’ control further highlighted his pragmatic approach. While Negan might offer lengthy speeches and philosophical justifications for his actions, Simon was more direct. He delivered demands, enforced punishments, and ensured compliance with brutal efficiency. He understood that fear was a powerful tool, and he wasn’t afraid to use it. He often took pleasure in the work, as well, showing his true sadistic nature.

Looking closer, it becomes clear that Simon’s methods often differed significantly from Negan’s. Negan’s actions, however despicable, were often accompanied by a performative element, a desire to control the narrative and maintain his image. Simon, in contrast, appeared to be motivated primarily by results. He was less concerned with appearances and more focused on achieving the Saviors’ objectives, regardless of the cost. This made him, in some ways, even more dangerous. His actions were not driven by ego or a need for validation, but by a cold, calculating logic that made him unpredictable and ruthless.

Seeds of Discontent Simon’s Growing Ambitions

As the war with Rick’s group intensified, cracks began to appear in Simon’s loyalty. The constant fighting, the losses sustained by the Saviors, and the growing resistance from the communities under their control started to erode his faith in Negan’s leadership. Simon began to perceive Negan as being too lenient, too focused on maintaining his image, and not ruthless enough in suppressing the rebellion. He saw Negan’s insistence on rules, like not killing all the Alexandrians, as a weakness.

This discontent stemmed, in part, from Simon’s different worldview. While Negan clung to a twisted sense of order and maintained a complex code of conduct, Simon seemed to view the apocalypse as a purely Darwinian struggle for survival. In his eyes, the only way to maintain control was through overwhelming force and the complete annihilation of any potential threat. He believed that Negan’s attempts to control through fear and manipulation were ultimately unsustainable, and that a more brutal approach was necessary.

Underneath the facade of loyalty, Simon began to harbor ambitions of his own. He saw an opportunity to seize power, believing that he could lead the Saviors more effectively than Negan. Whether this was driven by a genuine belief in his own abilities or simply a lust for power is debatable. But it is clear that Simon saw himself as a more capable leader, one who was willing to make the difficult decisions necessary to ensure the Saviors’ survival.

Simon’s subtle acts of defiance started small, initially. He might question Negan’s orders in private, or offer alternative strategies that were more aligned with his own brutal vision. However, as his dissatisfaction grew, his actions became bolder. He began to lay the groundwork for a potential coup, cultivating alliances within the Saviors and carefully positioning himself to seize control when the opportunity arose.

Simon’s Betrayal and Short Lived Reign

The turning point came with the Scavengers. When Jadis and her group betrayed Rick, Negan intended to use them to his advantage. Simon, however, saw them as a liability. Acting against Negan’s direct orders, Simon led a group of Saviors in a massacre, wiping out the entire Scavenger community, with the exception of Jadis. This act of wanton violence was a clear signal of Simon’s defiance and a challenge to Negan’s authority. It demonstrated his willingness to disobey orders and his belief that he knew better than his leader.

This massacre had significant consequences. It not only alienated Jadis but also further destabilized the already fragile balance of power among the communities under the Saviors’ control. Simon’s actions created chaos and undermined Negan’s authority, making it more difficult for the Saviors to maintain their grip on the region.

Eventually, Negan discovered Simon’s betrayal. He confronted him in a brutal and visceral showdown. The iconic fistfight between Negan and Simon was a culmination of their simmering conflict, a battle not just for physical dominance but also for the soul of the Saviors. Simon fought fiercely, but ultimately, he was no match for Negan’s strength and ruthlessness. Negan, fueled by rage and a desire to reassert his authority, brutally defeated Simon.

There were many factors that led to Simon’s defeat. While he was cunning and ruthless, he lacked Negan’s charisma and ability to inspire loyalty. Simon’s pragmatic approach, while effective in some ways, also alienated many within the Saviors. They might have respected his efficiency, but they didn’t necessarily trust or admire him. Negan, on the other hand, had cultivated a cult of personality that made him a figure of both fear and admiration. That, in the end, secured his win.

Simon’s Death and Lasting Impact

Simon’s death, choked to undeath in a walker pen, marked the end of his reign of terror. However, his actions had a lasting impact on the narrative of The Walking Dead. His betrayal weakened the Saviors, sowing discord and undermining Negan’s authority. His massacre of the Scavengers created a new enemy in Jadis, who would later play a crucial role in the war against the Saviors.

Simon’s death also had a profound impact on Negan himself. The betrayal by his trusted lieutenant forced him to confront the flaws in his own leadership style. It made him question his methods and consider whether his reliance on fear and intimidation was truly sustainable. In some ways, Simon’s death paved the way for Negan’s eventual redemption.

He represents a specific type of threat within the zombie apocalypse: the pragmatic opportunist who is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to survive and gain power. In a world where morality is often blurred and survival is paramount, Simon’s character serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrosive effects of power.

Conclusion

Simon’s journey from loyal enforcer to ambitious traitor underscores the complexities of morality and leadership in a post-apocalyptic world. His actions had far-reaching consequences, shaping the course of the war against the Saviors and ultimately contributing to Negan’s downfall. While Negan may have been the face of the Saviors’ evil, it was Simon’s quiet ruthlessness that truly defined their reign of terror. Therefore, Simon should be remembered as more than just a henchman. He was a force to be reckoned with, a master manipulator, and, ultimately, The Walking Dead‘s most underestimated villain. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the enduring power of pragmatism in a world gone mad. He may have been a villain, but he was undeniably effective and, in some ways, disturbingly relatable.