When it comes to The Walking Dead, there’s no shortage of heroes, villains, and morally gray characters who have left a lasting impression. But few have sparked as much debate as Eugene Porter.

Was he a coward? A traitor? A necessary survivor? Or just a selfish opportunist who hid behind others until it was too late?

One thing is for sure: If it wasn’t for Rosita and Father Gabriel knocking some sense into him, Eugene might have single-handedly ensured that Rick’s group was slaughtered in the final battle against Negan.

So let’s dive deep into why Eugene was one of the most frustrating characters in The Walking Dead—and why some fans think Abraham went too easy on him.

Eugene Porter: Coward or Master Survivor?

Eugene was introduced in Season 4 as part of Abraham’s mission to get him to Washington, D.C., under the pretense that he knew the cure for the zombie apocalypse. From the very beginning, he was a liar—a man willing to manipulate others to ensure his own survival.

His strengths? He was smart, a skilled engineer, and knew how to adapt. But his weaknesses were painfully obvious—he was a coward who lSet featured imageet others fight his battles while he hid behind them.

His biggest offenses?

Lying About the Cure – Eugene manipulated Abraham, Rosita, and others, making them believe he had the key to saving the world. He selfishly wasted their time and put them in danger—and only confessed when he had no other choice.

Choosing to Betray Rick’s Group – When Negan captured Eugene, he didn’t fight back, didn’t resist, and didn’t even try to help his friends. Instead, he embraced his new life under The Saviors, acting as if he was one of them.

Almost Dooming Everyone in the Final Battle – The biggest issue with Eugene? He was willing to let Rick and the others die. If Rosita and Gabriel hadn’t pushed him to wake up, Negan’s plan would have worked. Eugene almost handed victory to The Saviors on a silver platter.

So, was Eugene just playing the long game? Or was he truly a coward who only changed sides when it was safe to do so?

The Battle for Eugene’s Soul: Rosita and Father Gabriel’s Last Attempt

Eugene’s “redemption” came at the very last moment.

Right before the final battle between Rick’s group and Negan’s Saviors, Eugene was fully on Team Negan. He was the one manufacturing bullets for The Saviors, giving them the firepower they needed to wipe out Rick’s people once and for all.

But Rosita and Father Gabriel weren’t giving up on him just yet.

They reminded him that he wasn’t a coward deep down—that he still had a choice. That he could still do the right thing.

And in the end, Eugene sabotaged Negan’s bullets—causing them to backfire and leading to Negan’s ultimate defeat.

It was a genius move. But was it too little, too late?

Abraham Should Have Been Harsher on Eugene

If there was one person who saw through Eugene from the beginning, it was Abraham Ford.

He treated Eugene like a mission, protecting him at all costs because he believed in the “cure” story. But when Eugene finally admitted he had been lying the whole time, Abraham lost it—and rightfully so.

He punched Eugene and nearly killed him on the spot. But looking back, did he go too easy on him?

Imagine if Eugene had been forced to toughen up earlier—if Abraham had made sure he learned how to fight instead of always running away.

Would Eugene have turned into a real warrior? Or was he always destined to be a selfish coward who only acted when it was absolutely necessary?

Was Eugene’s Redemption Too Convenient?

Some fans argue that Eugene’s last-minute hero moment was way too convenient.

Think about it—if Negan had won, Eugene would have continued living comfortably as one of The Saviors. He had zero plans to betray Negan until he realized Rick’s group still had a chance.

So was he really trying to do the right thing? Or did he just switch sides at the last moment because it was his safest bet?

Even after the war, Eugene never truly earned back the trust of many fans. He survived because of his intelligence, but let’s be honest—he never truly became a fighter.

Final Verdict: Eugene’s Legacy in The Walking Dead

At the end of the day, Eugene will always be one of The Walking Dead’s most controversial characters.

He lied, manipulated, and betrayed his friends multiple times.
He chose comfort and survival over loyalty.
He only “redeemed” himself when the odds finally shifted against The Saviors.

Sure, he had a few moments of bravery. But does that erase everything else he did?

Abraham was one of the strongest, most fearless characters in the series. And yet, he put all his faith in Eugene—a man who never truly deserved it.

Maybe if Abraham had been tougher on him, Eugene wouldn’t have wasted so much time running and hiding. Maybe if he had been forced to fight from the start, he wouldn’t have almost doomed Rick’s group in the final battle.

So what do you think?

Was Eugene a coward, an opportunist, or just a man doing what he had to do to survive?

Did he deserve forgiveness? Or did Abraham go too easy on him?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—Team Eugene or Team Abraham?