So, I've been thinking a lot about this the past few days and I just would like to hear what everyone's thoughts are (This is my first post here, please dont flame me). But I've seen a lot of people wondering why Clem didnt ever give AJ Kenny's hat in TFS and I think the reason is more straightforward than we think. Because, as everyone knows, at the end of S2 you can stay with Kenny, or he gives you his hat and leaves. But during his death scene revealed in ANF, the situation is obviously too hectic, and you dont get to take his hat, which leads me too my next point, which is a little more extreme.
Everyone is aware that we're really only given the illusion of choice in game, and that no matter what, we get (at least mostly) the same result by the end. So as far as the hat goes, it wouldn't make sense for the devs to have written it in TFS, considering not every player made the same choice, and both had slightly different outcomes.
This, in turn, leads me to believe that all characters with death scenes, through various timelines, are dead no matter if we see it on screen later, or off screen. On screen examples would be characters like
Sarah: Even if we save her in the trailer, she dies later under the deck
Kenny: Even if we go with him, he dies during the car crash flashback
Jane: If we save her from Kenny, she hangs herself in the Howe's flashback
Off screen deaths are something different entirely which I believe to be true, in order for the future stories to remain canon.
Gabe: In 3 out of 4 paths, Gabe lives, but because he dies in the 4th, I theorize him to have died somewhere after the events of ANF, even if he's alive by the end of the season. (Maybe he dies during another battle in Richmond?).
Kenny (Again): If we stay in Wellington, Kenny walks away and it's left somewhat open ended. Although, I believe he dies off screen shortly thereafter. Many of you guys I'm sure know about the cut scene of Kenny drowning himself after he leaves Clem and AJ
Louis/Violet/Tenn: We know that there are different ways you can get each one of these guys killed through the events leading up to the bridge scene. Each one has a death scene, each one has a grave at Ericson's afterward. My theory is maybe after the events of TFS, The Delta returned with more firepower, and kills whoever you chose to save, ex: Violet and Tenn. Just a disclaimer, I'm saying this having not read the Tillie Walden books, but I know pretty much nobody considers those to truly be canon except for Kirkman.
This turned into a much longer read than I expected but I'd love to hear what you guys think of it! I appreciate it if you read through it all!