Tennessee (Telltale)

This article is about the Telltale Series character. You may be looking for his Road to Survival counterpart or the state.

Tennessee
Actor	Zaire Hampton
Gender	Male
Hair Color	Brown
Age	12
Occupation	Pre-Apocalypse Student at Ericson's Boarding School Post-Apocalypse Lookout for Ericson's Boarding School
Family	Minerva - Adoptive Sister † Sophie - Adoptive Sister †
Ethnicity	African-American
Status	Determinant
Episode Count	4
First Appearance	"Done Running"
Last Appearance	"Take Us Back"
Fate
Death Episode	"Take Us Back" (Alive and Zombified, Determinant)

“

I, um... I think... I think walkers won't always be around. They'll go away, someday. 'Cause the world goes in cycles, right? Ice age, stone age, um, some other ages. So it's like that. This age will end, and another one will start. ―Tennessee during "Truth or Dare".

”

Tennessee, affectionately referred to as Tenn, is a main character and a survivor of the outbreak in The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series. He is the idealistic younger brother of twin sisters Minerva and Sophie, and a lookout for Ericson's Boarding School.

Quick Answers

What is the relationship between Tennessee and Minerva in The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series?

In The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series, Tennessee, or Tenn, is the younger brother of Minerva, also known as Minnie. Upon their reunion on a bridge, Minerva reveals her longing for them to join their late parents and twin sister Sophie, showcasing a profound sibling connection.

Provided by: Fandom

How does Tennessee react to the truth about his sisters' disappearance?

Tennessee experienced a range of emotions after discovering the truth about his sisters. He confronted Marlon, whom he had trusted, for betraying him by giving his sisters away. Despite his feelings of betrayal, Tennessee forgave Marlon when he showed remorse. The revelation of his sister's death also led to feelings of sadness and depression.

Provided by: Fandom

What role does Tennessee play at Ericson's Boarding School?

In the Telltale Walking Dead series, Tennessee, or Tenn, is a resident of Ericson's Boarding School. He is characterized as a kind, helpful, and artistic individual, despite his naivety. His experiences in the series are marked by numerous challenges and hardships.

Provided by: Fandom

What are some of the traumas Tennessee has experienced in The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series?

In The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series, Tennessee, often referred to as Tenn., undergoes severe trauma. In the episode 'Take Us Back', Alvin Jr. shoots him in the neck, leading to his consumption by walkers. However, this occurrence is determinant on the player's in-game decisions.

Provided by: Fandom

Overview

Tennessee is a kind, helpful, artistic, but naïve boy. He has gone through a lot of trauma due to the supposed death of his sisters. When it is revealed Marlon traded his sisters away, Tenn feels angry and betrayed. However, when Marlon begins to break down and expresses remorse, Tenn can say that he forgives Marlon (Determinant). He is one of only three people to vote for Clementine and AJ staying after AJ kills Marlon.

Despite the harsh world, Tenn is very optimistic, saying death is not scary and one day he will see his sisters again, drawing a picture of them all together in a house. During the Truth or Dare game, he expresses his belief that one day walkers will go away and everyone will be happy. However, his trusting and naive nature can be a detriment. During the Delta's attack on the school, he is easily tricked by Lilly to come out of cover. This would lead to Mitch's death when he attempts to save Tenn. Later, when he holds Lilly at gunpoint, he is unable to kill her and begins to cry. On the bridge, when Minnie begins to get devoured, he tries to go to her. This will lead to the death of Louis/Violet or himself depending on the player's choice.

If Tenn survives the bridge, he will have an epiphany, realizing how naïve he is and that his hopeful mindset will get more people killed. He becomes cynical to the point of even calling his drawings the house with his sisters stupid. Tenn will ask AJ to teach him how to survive like him, which he can either accept or refuse.

Pre-Apocalypse

Mid-Atlantic United States

Nothing is known about Tenn's life prior to or as the outbreak began, except that he was born in 1999, had two sisters, Minerva and Sophie, and all attended Ericson's Boarding School.

Post-Apocalypse

At some point during the outbreak, the right side of Tenn's face got severely burned.

The Final Season

"Done Running"

When Marlon brought back the injured Clementine, Tenn took to caring for her. On the day Clem woke up, Tenn came to check on her, pocket knife in hand. However Clem was hiding nearby. She either pins Tenn against the wall or calmly reveals herself only for Marlon to arrive and talk her down, the outcome either shaking or changing Tenn's relationship with Clem. (Determinant)

That night, Tenn is mourning the loss of his sisters when Clementine and Alvin Jr. visit. He later draws while at dinner, something AJ bonds with him over. He also appreciates if Clem lets him have his colored pencils back that AJ had.

The next day, he is playing with toy dolls of police and firemen. AJ tries to take one but Tenn wants it back. Clem takes the toy; if she gives it to Tenn, their relationship improves while letting AJ keep it harms their rapport. (Determinant)

After Marlon accidentally kills Brody and confronts the group to pin her death on Clementine, she can reveal what Marlon was going to do with AJ and Clementine. She also references Minerva and Sophie, which can aggravate Tenn towards Marlon for making that choice.

"Suffer The Children"

At Violet's behest, Tenn invites Clem and AJ to Marlon and Brody's funeral, telling AJ that he was brave and giving him the firefighter toy. If Clem admonished AJ for killing Marlon, AJ will turn the toy down saying that firefighters are good people but that he is a murderer. If Clem supported AJ for killing Marlon, he accepts the toy and says he will work to prove his bravery to the others.

At the funeral, Tenn places an illustration of a beach on the latter's grave, saying that he hopes she finds peace in the afterlife. When Clem and AJ are exiled, Violet mentions that Tenn was left inconsolable by the decision and is refusing to speak to anyone, but that he voted to let them stay.

When Clem and AJ return, Tenn resumes his friendship with the latter and they frequently work together on lookout duty. Tenn and AJ join Clem, Violet, Louis, and Aasim for a game of truth or dare; Tenn admonishing Violet for her vulgarity when she uses her turn asks if Clem would marry, "flip", or kill Aasim, Ruby, or James. When his turn comes up and he's asked to reveal a secret he's never told anyone, Tenn states that he believes that some day the world will be free of walkers. The group is left impressed by his impassioned idealism, though Clem can cynically remark that humanity will likely die out before that happens.

When the Delta attacks Ericson's, Tenn comes out of hiding when Lilly mentions that Minerva is still alive and wanted to come on the raid. Tenn asks to see her, Lilly attempting to lure him into letting his guard down so she can grab him. Tenn escapes being captured, and after the battle he apologizes to Clem for putting her plan in jeopardy and trusting Lilly.

"Broken Toys"

The morning after the events of the previous episode, a depressed Tenn approaches a grieving Willy, offering to help carry Mitch's body to his grave, to which he is met with a violent shove to the ground. An enraged Willy blames Tenn for Mitch's death in a fit of anger and sadness. Hurt, Tenn runs off in guilt.

While Clementine is out with her scouting group, an angered Willy comments on his hatred toward Tenn, where AJ threatens him, demanding that he stop insulting him.

Tenn is not seen until later, during Ruby's party, where Willy, having acknowledged his guilt, expresses his forgiveness toward Tenn and shows him Mitch's pre-made bomb. During the party game, Willy awkwardly comments that he was sent to Ericson's for "chronic masturbation". AJ asks Clementine what Willy means, causing Tenn to lean over and whisper an explanation, leaving AJ baffled and disgusted.

Hours into the night, Tenn departs with the rest of the group to save their lost members. Before Clementine heads out, Tenn requests that she tells Minerva he forgives her for joining the Delta. When Lilly takes AJ up to the deck of the ship, it is discovered he and James had been caught and taken by Lilly. When Lilly threatened to kill James, he saw an opportunity and removes the gun from Gina's holster, holding Lilly at gunpoint. Not intimidated by Tenn, she leans into the barrel of the gun, demanding that Tenn pulls the trigger, however, he breaks down into tears, and allows Lilly to take the gun from his hands. Before being shot by her, AJ bites her in the wrist, initiating a fight between Lilly and Clementine and James and Gina. When AJ gets ahold of the gun, Lilly begins to beg him not to shoot. Tenn shouts to AJ that she is tricking him, and encourages him to shoot her. Whether AJ shoots Lilly is up to the player, however it is unknown how he reacts to Lilly's death. When the boiler bomb is set off, the ship explodes, leaving his fate unknown.

"Take Us Back"

Tennessee is revealed to have escaped the sinking ship and accompanies Clem, AJ, and James (Determinant). The remaining group heads to a nearby cave. In the cave, Clementine can tell or lie to Tenn about Minerva's fate. Tenn later then gets caught by a walker and either AJ or James (Determinant) and save him. During the fight in the cave (Determinant) or the argument between Clem and AJ, Tenn remains mostly silent; and when reunited with Louis or Violet (Determinant) Tenn expresses the desire to help the boarding school expand into a functional community. When the group arrive at a damaged bridge, however, Tenn is lured out by Minerva - who had been fatally wounded by walkers - and attempts to go to her so they can die together. AJ stops him, causing Minerva to attack in a berserk frenzy and maim Clem's leg. As Minerva is grabbed and fatally mauled by walkers, Tenn attempts to run to her only to be grabbed by Louis or Violet (Determinant).

In-Game Decision

Don't trust AJ (Alive): AJ can't bring himself to shoot Tenn, causing Louis or Violet to get devoured by walkers. After that he is separated from Clem and AJ and doesn't return to school due to being ashamed. Sometime later, AJ is reunited with Tenn near the fishing shack. Tenn apologizes for the death of Louis/Violet and that he messes up all the time. Also, he gives AJ Clem's hat which he found down the river. Lastly, he tells AJ how naïve he's been and asks him to teach to be like him, to which AJ can agree or refuse. Ruby then goes to check on AJ and Rosie and finds Tenn there, hugging him. Tenn then goes with them back to school, where he is later seen eating with others and depending on the earlier choice, one of 2 scenes plays out:

If AJ agreed to teach him, he and AJ go to the target near the tree. AJ then tells him how the gun works and repeats one of the Clem's rules.

If AJ refused to teach him, he and AJ go away from the others to draw. Tenn then tells him how to draw eyes.

Trust AJ (Dead/Undead): AJ is forced to shoot Tenn in the neck - killing him to save Louis or Violet. His body is devoured by walkers shortly after. Some time later, AJ encounters zombified Tenn near the fishing shack. AJ has the option to put him down or to leave him roaming as a walker.

Death (Determinant)

Killed By

• Minerva (Caused, Alive)
• Himself (Indirectly Caused, Alive)
• Clementine (Indirectly Caused, Alive)
• Alvin Jr. (Caused, Alive; Zombified, Determinant)
• Zombies (Alive)

As Minerva is grabbed and in the process of being devoured by walkers, Tennessee attempts to run to her, but he is restrained from behind by Louis/Violet (Determinant) If AJ was trusted back at the cave, AJ will shoot Tenn in the neck, killing him in order to save Louis/Violet from being devoured by walkers. (Determinant) Tennessee is then devoured by walkers, horrifying his friends but delighting his sister, who dies along with him.

Tennessee is later seen as a walker while AJ is fishing with Rosie. AJ will either have a choice to put down the zombified Tennessee, or leave him to roam around as a walker.

Killed Victims

This list shows the victims Tenn has killed:

• Mitch (Indirectly Caused)
• Lilly (Caused, Determinant)
• Violet (Indirectly Caused, Determinant)
• Louis (Indirectly Caused, Determinant)
• Himself (Indirectly Caused, Alive, Determinant)
• Numerous counts of zombies

Relationships

For a more in-depth look all Tennessee's relationships, read here; Tennessee (Telltale)/Relationships

Allies Ericson's Boarding School Violet - Friend Louis Ruby Aasim Omar Willy Mitch † - Savior Marlon † - Former Leader and Friend Brody † Minerva † - Adoptive Sister and Determinant Caused Killer Sophie † - Adoptive Sister Ms. Martin † Rosie Clementine - Determinant Former Leader Alvin Jr. - Best Friend and Determinant Killer James

Enemies The Delta Lilly - Attempted Abductor and Attempted Killer Abel † Sullene † - Attempted Abductor Dorian † - Attempted Abductor Armando † Michael † Gina † - Attempted Killer Gad † Yonatan † Ericson's Boarding School Richard - Former Teacher

Quotes

The following is a list of some of Tennessee's most memorable quotes.

The Final Season "Wasn't my fault. (…) I was trying to help..." - Tenn about his initial hostile encounter with Clementine (Determinant), "Done Running" "They're firefighters. That one's a policeman. She's gonna save the day. (…) They... these were the people who protected us. (…) No, that's not true! They were super strong!" - Tenn explaining to AJ about what firefighters and policemen were, "Done Running" "Don't worry about them. They're just sad. (…) My sisters died around this time last year. I think it's starting to get to people. ("Doesn't it get to you?") Not really. Dying's not scary. I mean, it's sad, but...not scary. (…) Maybe. All I know is that if Minnie were here...she'd tell them to "quit the theatrics"." - Tenn to Clementine about his supposedly dead sisters, "Done Running" "I try not to focus on them being gone. I like picturing where they'd be now, instead. (shows drawing) Sophie was awesome at making stuff. She'd build a place big enough for all of us to live, and paint it, too, and Minnie'd be playing whatever new song she wrote... I guess death doesn't scare me because I know I have something waiting on the other side. Someplace safe, and happy. All of us together." - Tenn to Clementine and AJ about his view on death, "Done Running" "The walkers who killed them. (…) There weren't always walkers. Wherever this place is, everyone gets to be a person again. Sometimes I draw the walkers the way they probably looked...sometimes I draw Minnie and Sophie the way they probably left them... But sometimes I draw this, too." - Tenn to Clementine and AJ about his view on death, "Done Running" "You told me they died! (…) You gave my sisters away. Why would you do something like that? I trusted you, Marlon! THEY trusted you! We all trusted you." - Tenn after finding out Marlon gave his sisters away (Determinant), "Done Running" "What about my sisters? Did you protect them?!" - Tenn confronting Marlon about giving away his sisters, "Done Running" "I forgive you." - Tenn forgiving Marlon for giving away his sisters, "Done Running" "Hey. Violet said to come get you for the funeral. We used to have them more. Then we stopped. It seems right, though. I brought you something. (offers AJ firefighter toy) I figured you'd be afraid, with everyone all upset. But you were brave last night. Like a firefighter." - Tenn inviting Clementine and AJ to Marlon and Brody's funeral, "Suffer The Children" "No, you're not. You gotta have a trial first. They decide that stuff in a courtroom. That's how it works. Er, worked. Before. Back then, there were all kinds of rules. About who was innocent, who was guilty. It was complicated." - Tenn to AJ about how people were convicted (Determinant), "Suffer The Children" "Brody. You always said you wanted to go to the beach, so I drew it for you." - Tenn as he puts a drawing on Brody's grave, "Suffer The Children" "Do you think Sophie and Minnie might be with them when they get here?" - Tenn to AJ about his sisters being with the raiders, "Suffer The Children" "I, um... I think... I think walkers won't always be around. They'll go away, someday. 'Cause the world goes in cycles, right? Ice age, stone age, um, some other ages. So it's like that. This age will end, and another one will start. It'll be better. Why's everyone looking at me like that? Did I ruin the game? (…) Yeah, but at least we know everything isn't over." - Tenn during "Truth or Dare", "Suffer The Children" "Where are they? (…) I can't. I just want them back. Please." - Tenn asking Lilly about her sisters, "Suffer The Children" "Clem. I... I'm sorry. For trusting her." - Tenn apologizes to Clementine for trusting Lilly, "Suffer The Children" "You think it's true!?" - Tenn if Clementine agrees with Willy about him causing Mitch's death (Determinant), "Broken Toys" "Hey, I...um, I've got an idea. Do you guys remember when Minnie would sing us "Don't Be Afraid" when all of us used to get scared? (…) (If Louis is saved) Could you maybe...play it for us? If Violet was here, she could sing the words, but... (If Violet is saved) You could just sing it to us like she used to. Your voice is really pretty." - Tenn to the group at the party about Minnie's song (Determinant), "Broken Toys" "Is this the guy that Clem said she'd marry?" - Tenn to the group about James (Determinant), "Broken Toys" "Louis/Violet told me... about Minnie. That Sophie died, and Minnie is one of them now. Just... if you see her out there, tell her... tell her I forgive her. Please. I'd tell her myself, but... I just want her to be okay. I know she's different now, but... that's why I want her to know. Maybe she'll change her mind, and want to come home." - Tenn to Clementine about Minnie (Determinant), "Broken Toys" "Don't hurt him! Just... stop hurting people! Please! Give me my friends back! Let them go! All of us! Or... or else..." - Tenn as he points a gun at Lilly, "Broken Toys" "It's a trick! You can't let her hurt anyone else!" - Tenn telling AJ to shoot Lilly, "Broken Toys" "Clem, did you... did you see Minnie out there? I didn't see her anywhere. But that doesn't mean she escaped. I don't know. (…) So she'll go to the next place. With Sophie. They can be together. That's good." - Tenn asking Clementine about Minnie, "Take Us Back" "Aasim was the third. (…) The day after AJ killed Marlon. You already know Violet and I voted for you to stay. Aasim was the third vote. (…) Uh, yeah. (…) Aasim said you knew how to survive. He could just tell the school would be safer with you there. I voted for you because I liked you, but his reason, it was better. I just... I just thought you should know. Aasim was right. We were safer. We were more scared than we let on, when you met us. You made that go away." - Tenn telling Clementine and AJ that Aasim voted for them to stay, "Take Us Back" "Sorry if it seems weird to bring it up. Now that we're out of danger and going back home, it just made me think of it. If Marlon was still in charge, we'd be taken away to wherever. Or dead. Instead, we fought back. Because you showed us how. We weren't safe with Marlon. Even in his "safe zone" we were just... hiding." - Tenn to Clementine about her leadership, "Take Us Back" "Where everyone gets to be a person again..." - Tenn after Minnie tells him she wants him with her when she dies, "Take Us Back" "Minnie! Minnie!" - Tenn yelling for Minnie as she is devoured by walkers, also determinately his last words, "Take Us Back" "I... I did that..." - Tenn after he gets Louis/Violet killed (Determinant), "Take Us Back" "I'm...I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, or Clem. I'm sorry. I don't know why I mess up all the time. I'm just...I'm really sorry. I wish it was different. (…) You're still mad, though. (…) But you are. I can tell. Please don't shoot me!" - Tenn apologizing to AJ for getting Louis/Violet killed (Determinant), "Take Us Back" "So I'm just going to mess up all the time?" - Tenn to AJ about him constantly messing up (Determinant), "Take Us Back" "At first, I was ashamed. So I followed the river for a long time, just thinking about Minnie and... I found their bodies. I saw what the walkers did to them. They were...just bones and stuff.' Meat. I could still tell who they were. By their clothes, I mean. But their faces... They didn't look like them anymore. They smelled awful." - Tenn about finding Minnie and Louis/Violet's corpses (Determinant), "Take Us Back" "Do you know what "naive" means? (…) Do you remember that drawing I made for you the night Brody died? With the house and the walkers and my sisters and me? (…) Naive means you think a certain way because you don't know the way it really is. When I saw Minnie's body for real...how the walkers left her...I realized those drawings were stupid. That house will never be real. I'll never meet my sisters again. The only thing real is when we're alive. I don't think I really know anything about the world, AJ. I think you do. Can...can you teach me to be like you instead? The way I think just gets people in trouble. I don't want to be why someone dies. Ever again. I've just been thinking about it all wrong. You save people, though. I've seen it. I want to be like that." - Tenn admitting his idealistic mindset was wrong and asking AJ to teach him to be better (Determinant), "Take Us Back" "No, it's okay. I kinda just feel like playing a little. After everything that's happened. (…) What are you drawing? (…) Oh, yeah, eyes are hard. But yours are good. I like the yellow. (…) When you're starting out, you don't have to get so detailed. Just use shapes. Like a circle inside a circle works for the pupil." - Tenn to AJ about drawing eyes "Okay. Save the last bullet for myself." - Tenn as AJ teaches him how to shoot a gun (Determinant), "Take Us Back"

Appearances

• List
• Table

The Telltale Series

The Final Season

• "Done Running"
• "Suffer The Children"
• "Broken Toys"
• "Take Us Back"

Episodes	1	2	3	4	5	6
Season One
Season Two
Michonne
A New Frontier
The Final Season	✔	✔	✔	✔

✔	Appears	✔	Voice is heard
👁	Appears with no lines	✔	Appears in a flashback
✔	Appears as a walker	🖼	Appears in a photograph/video
✔	Appears as a corpse	✔	Appears in a hallucination/dream

Trivia

• Tennessee is one of few characters in the series to believe in an afterlife. As a result, he doesn't consider death particularly scary like some of his fellow survivors.
• Tennessee is one of the three characters who voted Clementine and Alvin Jr. to stay at Ericson's along with Aasim and Violet.
• If Tenn dies on the bridge and killed as a zombie, then he is the last character to die in the Telltale Series overall.
• In "Broken Toys", Minerva says to Clementine that her leadership is going to get Tennessee killed. This is a foreshadow to "Take Us Back", where Tennessee can be killed depending on whether Clementine trusted or did not trust AJ to make his own decisions.
• Tennessee is the fifth character in the The Walking Dead franchise to have a burn on the side of his face, the others being Dwight and Mark, as well as their TV series counterparts.
  • It is currently unknown how Tenn got his injury, and whether it was sustained before or after the outbreak. However it can be noted there is a burned section of the Boarding School near the graveyard which may have had something to do with his injury.
• Kent Mudle on his Tumblr page confirmed that Tennessee is adopted.
• Tennessee was originally named Tennyson, but was later changed due to creative differences.
• Alongside Brie, Tenn is one of the two characters in the Telltale Series who can become zombified even if their corpse was eaten by walkers.
• Interestingly, the zombified Tenn exhibits mannerisms he had while alive, specifically his tendency to fidget with his hands.
  • These mannerisms are called muscle memory, it is a form of procedural memory that involves a specific motor task in memory through repetition. With this factor, it may be noted that even after being zombified, some parts of the brain can still work normally.
• Tennessee is one of eleven characters to appear in all four episodes of Season 4, the others being Clementine, Alvin Jr., Violet, Louis, Ruby, Willy, Omar, Aasim, Rosie, and Abel.
• In an earlier version of Episode 4, Louis/Violet and Tennessee were all supposed to survive the encounter with Minerva on the bridge. Tennessee would then freeze up, causing Clementine to get bit while rescuing him. Depending on if AJ was trusted in the cave, Tennessee would then either lure the walkers surrounding the barn away or sacrifice himself to allow AJ to get the barn doors closed.
  • This was changed, among other reasons, in order to give the choice of whether to trust AJ more weight and to make the player feel like the decision had no right answer. Additionally, planning on players reacting negatively to Tennessee reappearing at the fishing shack after seeming to be directly responsible for Clem's death felt disingenuous since it would later be revealed that she was not actually dead.
• There was originally going to be a flashback with Tenn, possibly explaining how he got his scar.
• Tennessee believes that the apocalypse is yet another "age" of the world, like the Ice Age or Stone Age, and thus will inevitably pass. This is actually true. In Issue 193 of the Comic Series, we see that society is on its way to being fully restored and the walkers are no longer a threat within safe zones. As the Comic Series and Telltale Series share the same canon, Tennessee is correct; one day the apocalypse will pass.
• Tennessee can end the game with three possible statuses; alive, dead, or undead. He is the character with the second most possible final statuses along with Jane and David García, only behind Kate, who can finish A New Frontier with all four different statuses.

International Dubbers

Language	Dubber	Other Characters Voiced
French	Thomas Sagols	Mitch Ron Anderson (6)
German	Leander Elias	N/A
Portuguese	Pedro Volpato	Moof
Spanish (Latin America)	Emiliano Ugarte	N/A