The one recurring factor in all of S3's beginnings: NATE.
Here's an idea. I'll try to keep it short.
Regardless of where you decided to go in season 2, Nate will show up in some capacity, albeit playing different roles in each beginning. But the final outcome remains the same: Nate receives a facial scar during the battle, and kidnaps AJ.
WELLINGTON
Nate is the charismatic leader of an army of bandits who lay siege on Wellington's walls. A scuffle between Edith and Nate leaves the former dead, and the latter with a nasty gash on his right cheek. Nate, wanting a "worthy heir to his manly throne", seizes AJ (now a young toddler) from Clementine. Wellington is left in flame as Nate flees to the Southwest. Clementine immediately sets off in pursuit.
KENNY
Clem, Kenny, and AJ have found their own sanctuary from the apocalypse on a large sail boat that Kenny has gradually refurbished over the years into a reliable home/zombie fortress. But this semi-peaceful existence comes to an abrupt halt when Nate, along with a few other goons, attacks the group while they're searching for supplies by the coast. Kenny and Nate get into a particularly brutal fight. Although Nate gets the upper hand, putting Kenny down for good, he still manages to leave a vicious gash on Nate's right cheek. Nate grabs AJ and leaves Clementine for dead...a very big mistake.
JANE/HOWE'S (WITHOUT FAMILY)
Much like the Wellington scenario, Nate attacks Howe's Hardware with a private platoon of thugs. But this time, it's Jane who scars Nate instead of Edith. Jane is killed, AJ is kidnapped, and Clementine follows.
JANE/HOWE'S (WITH FAMILY)
The same series of events occurs, except Randy, Patricia, and Gill are seen among the community members fighting off Nate's gang.
LONE WOLF
Clem and AJ have hunkered down inside an abandoned truck trailer for the night. Nate and his goons attack at daybreak. Nate makes off with AJ, but not before Clem slashes Nate alongside the cheek.
Comments
With the beginning for Wellington, Nate sounds a lot like Carver, and with the same objective.
It's never explained why Nate would grab AJ from Clementine in the Kenny beginning. Once again the same thing with the other beginnings.
Also killing off Jane/Kenny would be a bit pointless seeing as the finale built up this Kenny and Jane rivalry. Other than that, I like the idea of Nate being in Season Three and leading some bandits. It'd be quite interesting.
Did you deliberately ignore this part?
This motivation applies for all of the scenarios.
Nate .... season 3.... nuf said
Nate doesn't seem like the type to kidnap a baby, even for "revenge" purposes. I just don't think that he'd want to take the time to take care of a baby, or share his supplies, not to mention it would put a damper on the mood when he hits on the ladies. If he were to want an heir(which I personally find kinda ooc), I think he'd want the kid to be his own flesh and blood tbh. If he's going to have a companion, he would want someone who could pull their own weight(like Clem). This theory doesn't seem plausible to me.
I like how you gave Kenny his dream sanctuary... A boat.
Seems a bit out of character in my opinion,. I think of Nate like Kenny, pretty likable about 95% of the time, but when someone does him wrong you don't want to be at the other end of that fight. I think that Kenny and Nate would be friends.
me: hey nate i heard ur kinda wild and freaky
nate:yeah hell yeah i am... im fucking horny
me:well im sooo bored i wanna play
nate: grabs my hand and takes me to his truck
thats how season 3 should start if it was about me OR if nick is alive it should be Nick but yeah this was meant for nick.
If that is how season 3 starts, then I'm in ;-[)-.
this is literally me in a za
Apparently I look like Nick so we'd get on just fine. Maybe we could get together in the zombie apocalypse. You don't need Nate for a good time ;-[)-
i'll be the judge of that, show pics ;*
I ain't to confident to be honest. I'm just a depressive old fool who likes the idea of getting freaky in the zombie apocalypse. Hair wise mine is similar to Nick. Especially after episode 4 seeing him without his hat. I also have facial hair if that tempts you into an apocalyptic rompt ;-[)-
aw you sound cute, and I understand. you definitely have the attitude and the way you talk is kinda like Nick's. Love you.
Aww thanks. Love you too :-{*-
Maybe it happens a few years in the future; I can see him being fine with a toddler, but yeah. I agree that it's hard to see taking care of a newborn child.
Someone really likes Nate.
I dunno. Intros to episodes are supposed to set the tone of the season. Unless Nate is going to be a major theme for 5 entire episodes, I don't think this would work.
NateIsGreat
As fun as an antagonist as Nate could be, I don't really picture him as a leader, or as someone who would go out his way to raise an infant.
He was so volatile and by-the-moment, it's hard to imagine any real long-term planning to what he does.
I agree, I've always seen Nate as more impulsive than anything.
Nate seems to like having boys as companions, but I don't think he's got the patience or foresight to raise a baby. The main reason why Carver was able to cultivate his obsession with heirs was because he was running a relatively stable, secure fortress with plenty of resources.
Why would Nate kidnap AJ in first place?
For food, duh.
You mean to exchange the baby for food with Clem or cannibalism?
Ever wondered what babies taste like?
Nope ... until now, but i don't wanna know
In seriousness, the OP already stated the reason: Nate wants another 'boy'.
To be honest, I'd like him as a villain but doubt he'd be the kind of person to have a large group of followers. He'd rather tear down society than create a new one.
Yeah but i think he would choose someone older like Russel or Gill atleast
I feel he'll ambush clem at some point in the season, Im also thinking he'll have Arvo with him, Nate loves a teenage lackey