Alright…we have now to speak about this.
I’m the most important The Strolling Useless apologist. Once I first started watching this present, I used to be actually into zombies as a style, and over time, this advanced right into a loyalty to this Strolling Useless universe that was fairly exhausting to beat.
However, I’ve rewatched The Strolling Useless numerous instances, all eleven seasons, and all of the spinoffs, and I’ve to say that my information of this sequence has expanded tenfold—as has my notion of when this sequence actually fell off a cliff, and the way I really feel about sure seasons.
Many have mentioned that Glenn’s loss of life within the Season 7 premiere was the start of the top, however after my most up-to-date rewatch, I personally assume it was manner sooner—or no less than the very starting of the top. Let’s get into why.
Glenn’s Loss of life Was Tremendous Impactful, And I Acknowledge That
I will preface this text by agreeing that Glenn’s loss of life was impactful, and nobody is saying it is not. Like, critically, I used to be destroyed.
I nonetheless keep in mind when it occurred. It was my second month in faculty. I used to be mendacity on a bit twin mattress in my dorm room with my tiny 30-inch TV, cuddled up in my boyfriend’s arms, each of us completely sobbing our eyes out as Negan introduced the bat down on Glenn’s head. It was a TV second that really rocked the world and one which I’ll by no means, ever overlook.
Glenn was certainly one of my favourite characters—hell, he was everybody’s favourite character. He had a fantastic ethical compass, a humorousness, and was a badass in addition. His Strolling Useless relationship with Maggie nonetheless has its impression lengthy after he is gone. His loss of life might be essentially the most heartbreaking Strolling Useless loss of life there may be.
Nevertheless, I nonetheless do not assume that was when the sequence started to fall off. I acknowledge that there was a steep drop in viewers afterwards, however I feel the seeds of doom have been planted just a few seasons forward, and also you is perhaps shocked to see the place I place them.
Nevertheless, I Assume The Second Half Of Season 4 Is The place Issues Started To Tumble
Now, hear me out.
Once more, as I mentioned within the introduction, I am a steadfast TWD apologist. Many of the sooner seasons are wonderful tv. The primary three are near-perfect and inform full storylines with out overextending the plot.
I believed Seasons 4 and 5 have been about the identical. However my opinion has actually modified now.
Season 4’s first half is all proper, if not a bit sluggish. We’re nonetheless reeling from the Governor’s assault on the finish of Season 3 and type of ready for him to assault once more, all whereas the jail is coping with a illness. After the extraordinary mid-season finale, we see our group break up up into completely different storylines, assembly completely different folks, all attempting to get to at least one place—Terminus.
Now, do not get me incorrect. There are some nice episodes within the again half of Season 4. I feel “The Grove” options an unimaginable efficiency from Melissa McBride and is a vital marker on Carol’s timeline within the sequence. The episode that focuses on Beth and Daryl can also be a great one.
By way of each few good episodes, although, there are others that…really feel like filler or a method to introduce a brand new character that may die within the subsequent season or not be practically as essential as we count on them to be.
Even with the nice episodes, most of them result in nothing. There’s some nice character improvement and a few good storylines, however many are inclined to fall flat because the sequence goes on…which brings me to Season 5.
The First Half Of Season 5 Is Actually The place I Realized This Present Wasn’t The Similar
Season 5 of TWD is the place issues actually started to tumble.
The primary episode, the place Rick and the crew take down Terminus and Carol blows it up from a distance, is a good way to start out the season, however then it type of…fades. We lose Bob after one season as a result of, after all we do – we are able to by no means have somebody alive for too lengthy on this present if they are not Daryl or Carol.
The cannibal storyline additionally ends in a short time, and I might see that lasting a lengthy time on this world. The largest offender, although? Spending all the first half of Season 5 specializing in Beth and looking for the survivor, just for her to be killed within the mid-season finale for shock worth.
I get that that is The Strolling Useless, however all through a lot of the present to that time, not one of the major characters actually died for shock worth. Most both had a cause why they have been killed or died a hero – hell, even Merle died in a comparatively heroic manner. Beth died within the dumbest manner attainable after we spent so many episodes studying to like her and searching ahead to what she would do subsequent. Just for her to stab Daybreak and get shot within the head and for all of that to go down the drain.
Heck, it did not even matter ultimately as a result of the one particular person she actually bought killed for – Noah – dies just a few episodes later! What occurred to storytelling? To issues that means one thing? That is my largest difficulty right here. And Season 5 was solely the start of that.
Then Season 6 Got here Alongside And I Knew It Wasn’t Going In A Good Path
Have you learnt how folks name Season 5 of Neighborhood the gas-leak season? I see TWD Season 6 as that. The season is not horrendous – no less than not as unhealthy as Seasons 7 and eight – nevertheless it’s not nice and so boring.
Season 6, upon rewatching, has only some actually good episodes—certainly one of them being the Morgan-centric episode—however a lot of the present simply would not maintain a candle to earlier episodes anymore. The start is nearly attempting to take out a bunch of walkers. We get a complete season teasing Negan, just for him to not present up till the finale. We see that there is extra to the world, however a lot of the new characters, other than Jesus and Aaron, are so forgettable.
It is simply not that nice, now that I give it some thought…after which the Season 7 premiere with Glenn’s loss of life got here alongside and put the ultimate nail within the coffin.
The Present Did Decide Itself Up Once more, However These Few Seasons Took Their Toll
I will say that TWD picked itself again up. I personally actually favored Seasons September 11. They did some comparatively good storytelling there. I’ve additionally loved the spinoffs. As a Daryl Dixon-girl, I have been caught up with The Strolling Useless: Daryl Dixon Season 2 (even when I did not like a loss of life in it, however that is alright).
I am wanting ahead to Useless Metropolis Season 2 as a part of the 2025 TV schedule. I used to be a large fan of The Ones Who Lived.
However man…these few seasons took their toll on the flagship present.
TWD nonetheless has a comparatively massive sufficient fanbase for a cable TV present, sufficient that the spinoffs preserve going, and other people do tune in to look at them, resembling myself. However lengthy gone are the times of followers gathering on Twitter, YouTube, or the like to debate essentially the most vital factor that occurred on this week’s episode as a result of it simply did not really feel the identical within the later seasons.
It is a disgrace, as a result of I actually do assume this sequence might have gone down as one of many all-time greats. Like most exhibits like this, we bought an excessive amount of of a great factor, and it did not final. No less than now, I’ve a unique perspective on it.