As a dedicated fan who’s followed The Walking Dead since its inception back in 2010, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of this zombie apocalypse saga firsthand. For years, we gathered around our screens each week, eagerly discussing the latest twist or turn in the story. But alas, like a once-great civilization crumbling under the weight of its own success, The Walking Dead has lost its luster.
Alright…we have to talk about this.
I’m quite passionate about defending the show “The Walking Dead”. When I started watching it, I was truly captivated by the zombie genre, and as I continued, my affection transformed into a strong allegiance towards this “Walking Dead” universe that is tough to surpass.
Over and over again, I’ve seen every season of The Walking Dead, including the eleven main ones and all the spinoffs. My understanding of this show has increased significantly – not just facts, but also my opinion on when it started to decline noticeably, and how I now feel about various seasons.
In my opinion, based on my latest viewing, Glenn’s demise in the Season 7 premiere might have signaled the start of the series’ decline much earlier than others suggest – or at least marked the true beginning of its downfall. Here’s why I believe that to be the case.
Glenn’s Death Was Super Impactful, And I Recognize That
To start off, let me make it clear that Glenn’s passing left a profound impression on everyone, and nobody disputes that fact. In all honesty, his demise hit me hard.
I still remember when it happened. It was my second month in college. I was lying on a little twin bed in my dorm room with my tiny 30-inch TV, cuddled up in my boyfriend’s arms, both of us absolutely sobbing our eyes out as Negan brought the bat down on Glenn’s head. It was a TV moment that truly rocked the world and one that I will never, ever forget.
Among all the characters, Glenn was undeniably one of mine and seemingly everyone else’s favorite. He stood out with his strong moral compass, infectious humor, and let’s not forget, his badass side. Even now, the bond he shared with Maggie on “The Walking Dead” continues to resonate deeply. And honestly, I can’t think of a more poignant or heartbreaking death within the series than Glenn’s.
Yet, I’m not convinced that point marks the start of the series’ decline. While it’s undeniable that viewership plummeted afterwards, my belief is that the roots of its demise were sown a few seasons prior. You might find it intriguing to learn where I believe those critical moments occurred.
However, I Think The Second Half Of Season 4 Is Where Things Began To Tumble
Now, hear me out.
As a dedicated fan of The Walking Dead, let me reiterate my appreciation for the series. Many of its early seasons truly shine as top-notch television. The first three seasons, in particular, are nearly flawless, offering compelling narratives that wrap up neatly without getting bogged down by excessive plot points.
I thought Seasons 4 and 5 were about the same. But my opinion has really changed now.
In simpler terms, the initial part of Season 4 feels satisfactory, albeit somewhat sluggish. Following the Governor’s assault at the end of Season 3, there’s a lingering sense of anticipation for another attack, which is compounded by the prison grappling with an illness. After the climactic mid-season cliffhanger, our group finds themselves scattered across distinct narratives, encountering various individuals, all aiming for the same destination—Terminus.
Let me clarify something: While I admit that Season 4 wasn’t perfect, it did have some standout episodes. For instance, “The Grove” showcased an exceptional performance by Melissa McBride and served as a significant milestone in Carol’s character arc within the series. Furthermore, the episode centered around Beth and Daryl is another one worth mentioning.
From time to time, I find myself caught up in episodes that, while enjoyable, seem more like stepping stones, setting the stage for a new character who may or may not play a significant role in upcoming seasons. Sometimes, these characters don’t live up to their initial promise or simply aren’t as vital as we fans might anticipate.
Although there are some engaging episodes, overall they seem to lack a satisfying resolution. There’s substantial character growth and intriguing plotlines, but unfortunately, many of them don’t quite live up to expectations as the story unfolds…leading us to Season 5.
The First Half Of Season 5 Is Really Where I Realized This Show Wasn’t The Same
Season 5 of TWD is where things really began to tumble.
As a gamer, I’d say the opening episode, where Rick and the gang bring down Terminus and Carol detonates it from afar, kicks off the season in an explosive way. However, things seemed to slow down a bit after that. Poor Bob met his end just one season in – no surprise there, this show doesn’t exactly have a soft spot for longevity if a character isn’t Daryl or Carol.
The cannibal plotline wrapped up rather swiftly, and it seemed as though it could have been developed further in this setting. However, the main issue was devoting the entire first half of Season 5 to Beth’s storyline and searching for a survivor, only for her character to be abruptly killed off in the mid-season finale for dramatic effect.
In simpler terms, it seems like you’re following “The Walking Dead,” but up until now, the main characters who died didn’t do so randomly or for shock value. They either had a reason behind their deaths or they died nobly. Even Merle had a heroic demise. However, Beth’s death was quite unexpected and lacked logic, especially after we had grown attached to her character and were eagerly anticipating her future actions. Unfortunately, all that build-up seemed pointless when she stabbed Dawn, only to be shot in the head, and this whole storyline ultimately proved disappointing.
Wow, it turned out that the person she had sacrificed so much for – Noah – ended up dying a few episodes afterward! It seems like the storytelling has lost its depth and significance. This is what bothers me the most about this season, and it feels like things no longer have any real meaning. And unfortunately, this was just the start of it in Season 5.
Then Season 6 Came Along And I Knew It Wasn’t Going In A Good Direction
Are you familiar with the term “gas-leak season” used for Season 5 of Community? In a similar way, I consider Season 6 of The Walking Dead to be somewhat akin to that. It’s not abysmal – it’s definitely better than Seasons 7 and 8 – but it’s certainly not outstanding, and it feels quite lackluster.
Upon another viewing, Season 6 offers only a handful of truly outstanding episodes, with one notable exception being the episode focused on Morgan. However, many parts of the series no longer compare favorably to earlier seasons. The initial part is largely about battling numerous walkers. The season spends a great deal of time building up Negan’s arrival, but he doesn’t make his debut until the final episode. We do catch glimpses of more world complexity, but most of the new characters, aside from Jesus and Aaron, are quite forgettable.
Upon further reflection, it’s not all that impressive… And then, the Season 7 premiere featuring Glenn’s demise arrived, effectively sealing its fate.
The Show Did Pick Itself Up Again, But Those Few Seasons Took Their Toll
I can rephrase the given text as follows:
I can’t wait for Season 2 of “Dead City” in the 2025 TV lineup, having been a huge admirer of “The Ones Who Lived.
But man…those few seasons took their toll on the flagship show.
The television series “TWD” still maintains a substantial fanbase, one that keeps the spinoffs running and attracts viewers, including myself. However, the era of fans flocking to platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and more to debate the week’s most impactful event has largely passed, as the later seasons failed to evoke the same level of excitement.
Unfortunately, I believe this show had the potential to rank among the best ever made. However, similar to many others in its genre, it suffered from having too much quality content, which ultimately led to its demise prematurely. Now, I see it from a fresh angle.
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2024-12-08 02:07