Nathaniel Shepard

"*Everything I did... was for the greater good...*"
—Nathaniel's last words[src]

Nathaniel Shepard is a recurring character and a survivor of the outbreak, who served as the secondary antagonist of Season 4 in Route to Paradise. He is a man who's convinced himself that he's a sly and cunning manipulator, which is partially true to an extent, but in reality Nathaniel is primarily perceived as a delusional, dishonest and incompetent person. According to Nathaniel, he was on the island of Banoi on vacation when the outbreak began. His wife would be killed, but the island was secured by the survivors there, and Nathaniel was sent to America to bring people back. He would do this by first creating a decently large group full of people willing to go to Banoi, before he'd start taking people against their will and imprisoning them until they agreed to join the group. Life would continue like this for weeks, with a ship from Banoi apparently arriving in Willamette every so often.

Over time, the ship from Banoi would no longer return to Willamette, and without communication to Banoi, there is no telling as to what happened. Nathaniel, however, remains certain that the ship will return. He is able to convince most of his people the same thing, although certain people, mainly his right-hand man Daniel Rockwell are growing suspicious. More days pass, with supplies running low, and some of Nathaniel's people even secretly leaving, having lost hope in the Banoi dream. It's around this time that Nathaniel first meets Damerae Badrick -- a sick and dying man. He learns that Badrick is a crime lord, and has a shipment of Rastas on their way to Willamette. Nathaniel offers Badrick and his Rastas a place in Banoi, which the man accepts. However, when speaking to Daniel, Nathaniel reveals that his actual plans are to sway the loyalty of the Rastas so that they abandon Badrick and to take their ship so they can get to Banoi.

With the Rastas not expected to arrive for another couple of days, Nathaniel shelters Badrick inside his stadium. While giving the man a tour of the stadium, Nathaniel shows Badrick the prisoners that they have captive. A furious Badrick recognizes a particular group of recently captured prisoners, demanding that they be killed, but Nathaniel won't allow it. Badrick freaks out, and has to be restrained. Afterwards, Badrick apologizes, and Nathaniel quickly forgives him. When Badrick's Rastas arrive at the docks the following day, Nathaniel orders Daniel, Lolida Windfield and Grant Carver to escort Badrick there. Daniel argues that Badrick can't be trusted after his outburst, but Nathaniel convinces him that it'll be okay.

When Daniel and Lolida return, everything is not okay. Daniel tells Nathaniel that Badrick had killed Grant and gone to collect his Rastas himself, and is likely coming to attack them. Here, it's evident that Nathaniel is not right in the head when he breaks down, nearly into tears, because of Badrick's betrayal, which he follows by stating that all they need is his ship. Having lost all faith in him, Daniel says that he's done, and leaves, secretly devising a mutiny.

Realizing the danger, Nathaniel uses his power and orders most of his remaining loyalists to set up a defense outside -- a sloppy defense that would result in every loyalist being killed in seconds when the Rastas ambush them. With not a single person left to support Nathaniel, Daniel shoots him in the hand, then drags Nathaniel to a window to show him Badrick's Rasta army outside - telling Nathaniel that this is all his fault. When the Rastas launch their attack, Nathaniel escapes into his office, where, realizing there's nothing left for him, he shoots himself in the head.

## **Pre-Apocalypse**

It is known that Nathaniel had a wife before the outbreak, and sometime just before the outbreak, the two of them traveled to the island of Banoi for a vacation.

## **Post-Apocalypse**

When the outbreak began, Nathaniel's wife would die of unknown causes. However, Nathaniel and the rest of the survivors in Banoi would manage to clear the island of the undead, and begin work on making it safe. As part of their plan, Nathaniel would be sent to America via ship to try and recruit as many people as possible to come back with him. The ship would land in the town of Willamette, Colorado. His plan is initially successful, with him managing to create a group of dozens of people loyal to him and wanting to travel to Banoi. However, still needing more people, Nathaniel turned to taking people in against their will and imprisoning them until they agreed to join their cause.

During all this time, the ship from Banoi had been coming and going from Willamette -- but eventually, the ship would stop returning for unknown reasons. While some of his people grow concerned, Nathaniel remains certain their boat will return. Sometime around here, Derrick Williams would bring a dying Damerae Badrick to Nathaniel's community at a football stadium. Through the quick work of Vivian Finkling, Badrick's life is saved.

### **Season 3**

#### **"The Mist"**

Inside of a house in Willamette, Colorado, Nathaniel is seen sitting down with Damerae Badrick. It's revealed through dialogue that Badrick and his bodyguard had come to Nathaniel earlier on looking for help, something Nathaniel and his group gave him. Badrick is asking Nathaniel to work with him, but Nathaniel isn't hesitant to do so, not fully trusting the man. Becoming irritated, Badrick stands up and explains to Nathaniel that when his shipment of Rastas' arrive, it'll prove that he has more than enough to contribute to Nathaniel's group. Before Damerae leaves, Nathaniel tells him that if they do arrive, Badrick can expect someone from his group to get in contact with him.

#### **"What Comes After"**

On a small back lane in town, Nathaniel and seven armed guards come out from behind bushes to stop Marcus Downes, Fraser Stiller, Zac Barnes, and Kate Bloodstone. Marcus is quick to draw his revolver and keep it aimed at Nathaniel, but Nathaniel is able to calm him down by explaining that he and his people are looking to recruit people. While three of them aren't at all willing to go with him, Fraser wants his friends to hear Nathaniel out. Although he does his best to try and convince them all to come with him, they remain unwilling, which upsets Nathaniel. As Zac begins to walk off, Nathaniel stops him, telling him that they aren't going anywhere. In a few seconds, Nathaniel sends his armed guards forward to knock out the four of them.

Nathaniel has the four unconscious people taken back to a football stadium, his group's main base. When they wake up, Nathaniel is there waiting for them. He begins to explain his plan to them all, a plan which involves them being shipped off to an island off the coast of the USA to help maintain the island as a safe place for survivors. Kate and Zac express their hatred towards Nathaniel, calling him crazy and telling him that nobody will want to work for him. Nathaniel doesn't respond to their criticism, instead, he quietly gets up and tells them all to get settled in before he leaves the room.

Later that day, Daniel Rockwell, his right-hand man, returns back to the stadium with another large group of survivors. Nathaniel smiles, pleased with this. However, the new group of people quickly learn that they've walked into a trap when Nathaniel has his guards surround them with guns. Nathaniel looks to Daniel and his him escort the group down into the cells.

### **Season 4**

#### **"The Greater Good"**

Nathaniel, two armed guards escorting him, visits the group of survivors a few minutes later. Like he had done to Marcus and his crew, Nathaniel introduces himself, his group, and what awaits them once they make it to the island he speaks so highly of. William Reynes asks Nathaniel when they'll be allowed out of their cell. He replies to him by saying that as long as a person does the work assigned to them, they are freed. Nathaniel then turns and goes to leave, ignoring the commotion that was breaking out between William and Jared Kellings inside the cell.

Inside the commentators booth, Nathaniel's office, Daniel finds Nate standing in the corner looking out the window. Nathaniel once again expresses how happy is of Daniel, and offers him a coffee. As Nathaniel begins babbling on about coffee, Daniel tells him that the cells are getting quite full, and they need to ship them out to the island immediately. Nathaniel knows this, but is waiting on his boat to return. Daniel finds it suspicious that the boat Nathaniel sent out hasn't been in contact for a while, but Nathaniel quickly puts his concerns aside, not in the mood for it. Daniel continues on explaining that supplies are low and morale is even lower, and that they can't keep up like this. Still not worried, Nathaniel claims that all their problems will be solved once the boat returns. To change the topic before Daniel annoys him further, Nathaniel says that it's time Daniel meet their guest.

Nathaniel takes Daniel down into the infirmary, explaining to him on the way that Badrick is interested in joining them and travelling to Banoi, the island paradise. They eventually arrive at the infirmary where they find Vivian Finkling patching up Badrick's wounds. When Badrick slaps Vivian's hand away, Nate steps in and asks kindly that Badrick not mistreat Vivian. He then asks Vivian how Badrick's condition is - and to put it short, it's not looking too good. Nathaniel thanks Vivian before sending her out of the room. Now alone with Badrick and Daniel, the two discuss the situation with Banoi further. Daniel is disgusted by Badrick, and the two get into a small quarrel before Nathaniel calms things down. Badrick demands to be taken to Banoi as soon as his Rastas' arrive, and Nathaniel says that's the plan. Nathaniel and Daniel then exit to let Badrick rest. Outside the room, Daniel is confused and angry. Nathaniel calmly explains that this is all part of his plan, and that he plans to have all of Badrick's men switch their loyalty his his side. Daniel doesn't like the idea, but there's nothing he can do that will change Nathaniel's mind. Nathaniel promises Daniel that soon they'll be lounging like kings in Banoi before leaving.

#### **"The Promiseland"**

Over the stadium's intercom, Nathaniel wakes everyone in the cells up. He goes through the usual, before proceeding to say that the ship will be arriving soon and they'll off to Banoi. He continues on talking about rations and then makes sure to let everyone know that if a person disobeys orders during yard time, they will be sent to the dark room for a night. To finish off the morning announcements, he lets everybody know that a special guest will be touring the stadium today.

Later on, Nathaniel's voice comes over the intercom again, reminding people to stay on good behaviour to receive benefits.

Nathaniel enters the cafeteria later and walks up to Daniel, Lolida Windfield, and Grant Carver. He asks about Daniel's coffee once more, to learn that he wasn't able to make it this morning due to the shortage of supplies. He tells them that soon they'll be in Banoi where they won't need to worry. After a little more chat, Nathaniel explains to them the reason he's come here - he needs the three of them to help Badrick tour the stadium with him. They agree to come with him. Nathaniel smiles and walks off, telling them to meet him at the infirmary in five minutes.

Nathaniel heads to the infirmary where he has a talk with Badrick. He has been informed that Badrick and Vivian has a situation happen this morning - where Badrick demanded to know how much time he *really* had left. Although Vivian told Badrick otherwise, Nathaniel lets Badrick know that they will be able to keep him alive until they reach Banoi. Daniel and the others then enter the infirmary, informing Nathaniel that they're ready.

Nathaniel begins to tour Badrick around the stadium, showing him everything. Eventually, they arrive to where the cells are, and where the most recent groups are being held. When they get there, Badrick immediately locks eyes onto one of the cells, the one containing William and his group. Badrick looks Nathaniel in the eyes and demands that he kill them. Nathaniel chuckles nervously, not knowing what to say. A completely enraged Badrick then turns to Daniel and grabs him aggressively, asking for the keys to the cell. A short fight breaks out as Grant, Lolida, and Daniel restrain Badrick before he can do anything else. Nathaniel approaches a now restrained Badrick and calmly tells him that they cannot kill them, as everyone here is important for the future. Badrick yells in anger as he has to be dragged out. Nathaniel follows.

Outside of the infirmary, Daniel suggests to Nathaniel that they should just lock Badrick up as he's clearly a danger to the group. Nathaniel doesn't see the need to do that when Badrick's ship full of Rastas' are only a day away from arriving. Daniel is worried that The Rastas' will stay loyal to Badrick, however, Nathaniel remains confident that their loyalty to a dying man can only go so far. He then leaves Daniel and heads into the infirmary to speak with Badrick alone. There, Nathaniel tells the man that they can't just kill the people they have in the cells. At first, Badrick ignores Nathaniel, but after Nate asks Badrick if he's still going to cooperate with him, Badrick smiles and apologizes for his outburst, promising that he's still very willing to cooperate. Satisfied, Nathaniel gets up and leaves the room, understanding that emotions can get the better of people sometimes.

#### **"Gunpoint"**

Nathaniel comes to check in on Badrick the next day to bring good news - his Rastas' have been spotted coming in towards the docks. Badrick is happy to go alone to meet with them, but Nathaniel insists that he allow some of his men to escort him. Badrick allows this, and with this, Nathaniel heads out to meet with Daniel.

In the cafeteria, he finds Daniel, Lolida, and Grant. He happily approaches them and informs them about the arrival of Badrick's Rastas'. Daniel has finally had enough, and he says exactly what's been on his mind. He thinks the entire plan of having Badrick's men switch sides is ridiculous. An unhappy Nathaniel shuts Daniel up and tells him what his real plan is - to take the ship that Badrick's men have arrived off. He knows Badrick's days are numbered. After hearing this, Daniel is still against the plan, knowing that Banoi would take weeks to get to by ship - they wouldn't have the supplies to keep everyone alive. Now becoming furious, Nathaniel yells at Daniel, claiming that he's seen Banoi and knows it's real and a safe place they can go. He calms down a bit, and explains how he was on vacation with his family when the outbreak started, and that he was one of the people sent over to the USA to bring people back to the island. Hearing his story, Daniel tells Nathaniel that he was stupid to leave the island and come here. In a last ditch effort to get Daniel to listen to him, he plays the sympathy card, reminding Daniel that he would be dead if it weren't for him, and that all Nathaniel wants to do is make it to Banoi where they'll be safe. Daniel finally gives in and asks what Nathaniel needs him to do.

Daniel agrees to escort Badrick to the docks. He then leaves the cafeteria and goes to wait out by the entrance.

At the entrance, Nathaniel looks on as Daniel, Grant, and Lolida are packed into a car with Badrick, ready to head out. He wishes them safe travels and watches them speed off.

#### **"Consequence"**

Sitting at his desk, Nathaniel suddenly hears Daniel yelling his name before he comes storming into the commentators booth. Grant is dead, Lolida is injured, and Badrick escaped to meet his men alone, is what Nathaniel is told. Nathaniel smiles, now knowing that Badrick does indeed have a ship they can use if theirs does not return. Daniel looks at him, and tells him that their ship isn't coming back. Nathaniel looks at him and begins monologuing to himself about Banoi, eventually grabbing Daniel and shaking him. Daniel pushes him off and stares at him. Having begun to lose his mind, Nathaniel falls to his knees and finally says that Badrick may have betrayed him - and if he is, they need to set up defenses. Daniel tries to knock some sense into him by saying that Badrick is a dying man and has nothing to lose by attacking the stadium. Seemingly not hearing Daniel, Nathaniel says again that once they get Badrick's ship they'll be off to Banoi. Daniel doesn't say another word, instead going to leave the room.

#### **"All the King's Men"**

Having calmed down and recovered, Nathaniel calls Nick Parker up into his office. He informs Nick that he's making Nick his new right-hand man, replacing Daniel. He calmly explains how Daniel came to him earlier, unhappy with the way he was running things. He wants Nick to keep an eye on Daniel, and Nick, the loyalist he is, says he will. Nathaniel, looking out his window, says that they need to prepare for Badrick's attack and get his ship.

Later on, Daniel comes storming inside Nathaniel's office with a pistol drawn. However, it's Nathaniel who catches Daniel off-guard, stepping from behind a wall, pointing his own gun at Daniel. The two stand in a stalemate as Nathaniel once again tells Daniel that they'll soon be on a ship heading for Banoi once they kill Badrick and his Rastas'. He expresses his disappointment in Daniel, explaining to him that he wouldn't have had him replaced with Nick if he was just loyal. Daniel then implies to Nathaniel that Nick is dead, which upsets Nathaniel. As he goes to leave the room to supposedly fight alongside his people, Daniel tells him that all of the prisoners are armed. Nathaniel stops in his tracks and goes to tell Daniel something. Before he can, Daniel fires a single shot, blowing off some of Nathaniel's fingers. He yells in agony as Daniel approaches him and begins dragging him elsewhere.

Daniel drags Nathaniel out towards the entrance, where he finds all of his own guards shot to death, as well as the dozens of armed Rastas' waiting outside the walls. Seeing everything, Nathaniel knows he's lost. He says for the last time that everything he did was for the greater good. Directly after, The Rastas' begin open fire and attack the stadium. Nathaniel manages to crawl away during the chaos.

Nathaniel is last seen when Delroy Shakir breaks into the commentators booth, finding Nathaniel's corpse slumped over in his chair, his brains blown out and a gun resting on the floor next to him.

## **Death**

Killed by
* Himself *(Suicide)*

Seeing that all of his guards have been killed, his prisoners freed, and Damerae Badrick's army waiting outside his walls, Nathaniel gives up, managing to make it back to his office when Badrick attacks. There, he shoots himself in the head.

## **Quotes**

The following is a list of Nathaniel Shepard' notable quotes

Season 3

"**Nathaniel**: Oh - I believe you, fear not. But I’m part of a much larger organization, Mr. Badrick. Something so… impressive. People banding together to - create a new society. After a mere month. Can you believe it? How quickly things move? Thousands of people involved in the construction--**Badrick**: Against their will, no?**Nathaniel**: For the greater good. It’ll benefit everyone in the end. But in such a lawless time - a bit of organization is needed, wouldn't you agree?"- Nathaniel explaining his ideology to Damerae Badrick in 3x08

"**Nathaniel**: I’ve done absolutely nothing that indicates hostility in any way.**Marcus**: Except turn the corner with a firing squad.**Nathaniel**: If they were a firing squad, I imagine they’d have fired by now."- Nathaniel trying to recruit Kate, Marcus, Fraser and Zac in 3x10

"**Nathaniel**: We’re building civilization. Not here - not in Colorado… but-- Once people have built the walls - the defenses around our location… Everyone benefits from it. Everyone gets to reap the reward of what they worked for. Safety.**Zac**: Why are you telling us all this as if it matters…**Nathaniel**: Because you’re here just in time to be shipped off in the next week to start working. Banoi is a difficult island to maintain. But - it’s a paradise. A beautiful resort… And if we can make a beautiful paradise like that - a fortified location for life to blossom. Then we’ll recruit hundreds of workers like you to help make it a possibility."- Nathaniel explaining his group's purpose in 3x10

Season 4

"**Nathaniel**: You sound like one of them, Daniel… One of them out there. The ones who are sitting in cells, the ones who need to-- see it to believe it. Are you one of them? (...) We’re so close, don’t you see? One final trip, and we’ll be there, I assure you. But I need you and your boys to stay keen, to stay strong."- Nathaniel trying to ensure Daniel's loyalty in 4x01

"**Nathaniel**: Look at him, Daniel. He’s sickly and dying, he’s harmless. But if we can get him to bring his gang here, have them find out about the paradise in Banoi that awaits them. Their loyalties will surely shift… and we will turn up to Banoi with an entire group of loyalists… Our job would be done. We’d have done so much for the project, just think about this. We just need Badrick himself to vouch for it when they get here.**Daniel**: I don’t like this…**Nathaniel**: You don’t have to. You just have to go along with it. Soon enough we’ll be lounging like kings. Remember that."- Nathaniel outlining his true plan to Daniel in 4x02

"**Nathaniel**: You’re losing faith.**Daniel**: Damn fucking right I am. What do you expec--**Nathaniel**: BANOI IS REAL. YOU DOUBT ME - BUT I’VE SEEN IT! You all doubt me… and yet I thought when I told you the first time that I came from there, to bring people there-- I was on vacation with my family when this all started, and we met with so many people who vowed to band together and create something more, something better. A safe place for everyone, but we need people, Daniel. The population of Banoi is scarce, the outbreak hit it hard. I’m one of the many who was sent over to bring people, perhaps against their will, but it’s hard to believe in… I understand that… but in the end… everyone benefits. Everyone reaps the reward - don’t you remember that? (...) We’re due to be going back… and we will be going back. I just need you to buy into this plan… to buy into this - please. Think of all I’ve done for you… when I found you… you were nearly dead. You’d be dead if it weren’t for the dream I was believing in, for the better future I’m enforcing. I took you in, I told you what I was fighting for… my wife believed in Banoi… it was her favourite destination to go to… and I lost her there before we could begin making it safe."- Nathaniel's delusions about Banoi in 4x03

"**Nathaniel**: The PARADISE across the sea that awaits us, remember?! Fresh fruit! Stable walls! Free of the dead! DO YOU REMEMBER? IT’S - OURS - WE’RE PART OF THAT--"- Nathaniel's growing desperation after finding out Badrick went rogue in 4x04

"**Nathaniel**: Everything I did… was for the greater good."- Nathaniel's last words while his world is crumbling around him, moments before his suicide in 4x05

## **Appearances**

Any episode with a checkmark over it signifies Nathaniel Shepard appearing in any way.