Chester Stafford

Chester Stafford is a supporting character and a survivor of the outbreak in Route to Paradise. Before the outbreak he was a successful oil company owner, and was married to Naomi Stafford. Chester isn't very bright, and he acts as more of a servant to his wife, constantly being interrupted by her whenever he goes to talk. Nevertheless he still appears to love her, and if not for her, then for their son Henry Stafford. Chester serves as a member of the Worthwood council.

## **Pre-Apocalypse**

Chester was a wealthy oil company owner, and was married to Naomi Stafford, and together they had a son, Henry Stafford. They were presumably visiting Worthwood Castle on vacation when the outbreak struck.

## **Post-Apocalypse**

### **Season 6**

#### "**A Brighter Future**"

Inside of the Worthwood council chambers, Chester is sitting beside his wife and the other council members when Kate Bloodstone enters the room, a representative of the newest group in the community. Chester attempts to personally welcome Kate to Worthwood, but he gets quieted by Naomi, who questions why Kate was so eager to meet with them. Over the next several minutes Chester listens in as the rest of the council debates with Kate on the state of the community, as Kate continuously tries to warn them that they are not prepared for any potential attacks. She eventually loses her temper, yelling at the council, which makes Chester's jaw drop in shock at the temerity of her. She storms out of the room in a rage, and Chester remains shocked.

#### "**All Good Things**"

At the welcoming party for Kate's group, Chester is seen with Naomi and their son Henry Stafford. When Naomi spots Kate from across the room talking with Gerald Roland, she begins to march over with Henry, and so Chester follows on. There, they listen to Kate once again try to reason with the council, but this time Naomi calls her out for 'gaslighting' them, which causes Kate to curse in frustration at her. Naomi is furious that she'd curse in front of her son, the son who is staring at the ground, beyond embarrassed. Chester uncomfortably asks his teenage son if he'd like some ice cream. Just wanting to get out of there, Henry goes with him.

#### "**The Stranger**"

During one of their regular morning council meetings, Chester is in the middle of explaining to the council that Worthwood's construction crew are becoming dissatisfied with the rations they've given. Justin Bennett scoffs, sarcastically wondering if they should get a banquet, while Naomi doesn't care and Richard Neuble thinks that the construction crew has no right to complain - everyone gets the same amount. Naomi then speaks up, confronting Justin about the drugs he uses, and is angry that he's using substances like coke around her son. She tries to get Chester to back her up, but Chester's mind is somewhere else, daydreaming, not even knowing what Naomi is talking about. When Chester eventually does try to speak, Justin immediately quiets him by telling him to shut up. The meeting is then rudely interrupted when Kate comes striding in unannounced, wanting to try and hash things out with them.

Despite the council not necessarily wanting Kate there, Gerald is open to hearing what she has to say - and so for the next several minutes Kate goes on about how there need to be serious changes made to Worthwood - and if they don't listen, then her and her group will force a change in leadership. Chester looks on with wide eyes, frightened by her threat. But before they can go any further, Kate leaves to go deal with another situation.

#### "**A House Divided**"

Chester is present during William Reynes' trial to determine what should be done to the man after his brutal murder of Todd Glover. As the trial proceeds, William's defense is clear from the get-go: he believes that what he did was warranted given that Todd was abusing his daughter, and he was worried that something terrible might have befell her if he did not act when he did. But the council members hardly agree with him, and they take turns berating William for his horrific actions. When it's Richard's turn to speak, he makes it abundantly clear that he despises what William did, and is horrified that he's trying to defend what he did. He reminds William that this isn't "out on the road" anymore, this is a civilized community. Chester agrees with Richard's statement, but as he's explaining why, his wife cuts him off, and simply tells William that he is a terrible person. Later, when Father Donovan is ranting about why William should be exiled, he breaks into a coughing fit, and Justin, sitting beside Chester, leans over to him, and asks if he too thinks that Donovan might just accidently snap his own neck one day. Chester looks at him and widens his eyes, saying, "I beg your pardon?" With a frown, Justin leans away, telling him to forget it.

Eventually, the trial is intruded on by Kate and her group, who take over the room and explain to Chester and the rest of the council that from now on, they are going to work with each other, and the council will no longer have a say in the security around here.

## **Appearances**

Any episode with a checkmark over it signifies Chester Stafford appearing in any way.