season 11, episode 9, “No Other Way,” was lovingly dedicated to the memory of Stephen Campbell, but who was he and why was he so important to the show? Based on Robert Kirkman’s comic books, follows the trials and tribulations of an ever-expanding group of survivors contending with a zombie apocalypse. They quickly come to the realization that other survivors present a greater threat than the undead. The episode dedicated to the memory of Stephen Campbell, “No Other Way,” was the midseason premiere of the series’ final season.
The A-plot of “No Other Way” sees the ragtag band of Daryl, Maggie, Negan, Gabriel, and Elijah fighting the Reapers for food supplies, while its B-plot sees Aaron and the Alexandrians in the midst of a devastating storm. The episode was written by Corey Reed, who has writing credits on 22 episodes of and producing credits on 125 episodes. It was directed by Jon Amiel, who also helmed the following episode, season 11, episode 10, “New Haunts.” “No Other Way” is dedicated to Stephen Campbell, a key figure from behind the scenes of .
Stephen Campbell was a cinematographer on , widely adored by the cast and crew. His daughter, Aubrie Campbell Canfield, confirmed in a Facebook post (via ) that Campbell had passed away on November 4, 2021, at the age of 65 at his home in Winter Park, Florida. had concluded the first half of its final season on October 10, 2021, with “For Blood.” Campbell was memorialized in the next episode – season 11, episode 9, “No Other Way” – which aired on February 20, 2022. Raised in West Orange, New Jersey, Campbell was a father of five, and a favorite on set.
Campbell’s filmmaking career dates back to the 1980s. In 1984, he got his big break with a job as a camera assistant on Michael Jackson’s Thriller World Tour. After starting his career in Florida, Campbell moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2013 to begin working as a cinematographer on . He ended up staying with the series for seven seasons, forging strong working relationships with key figures like showrunner Angela Kang, executive producer Scott M. Gimple, and star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who all posted loving tributes to Campbell after he passed away.
“No Other Way” wasn’t the first episode of to be dedicated to a beloved member of the team. season 9, episode 1, “A New Beginning,” was dedicated to the memory of Scott Wilson, the actor who played in seasons 2 through 4 of the series. Following a battle with leukemia, Wilson passed away on October 6, 2018 (via ), at the age of 76 at his home in Los Angeles. Season 9 premiered just one day later on October 7 with a dedication to Wilson.
Hershel’s tenure on the show got off to a rocky start in season 2. When Rick Grimes and his group sought refuge at Hershel’s farm, he was initially reluctant to help them. However, he eventually warmed up to Rick and became an invaluable member of the group, acting as its moral compass. The Governor was solidified as a truly despicable villain when he killed Hershel in cold blood. Five seasons later, Hershel was still remembered as one of ’s most important (and most lovable) characters and, like Campbell, Wilson was honored with a dedication after his passing.
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