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My Biggest Issue with The Walking Dead
BEWARE: SPOILERS AHEAD!
The Walking Dead: love it or hate it, has become a major moneymaker for AMC. However this illustrious cash-cow has its own deep-rooted problems which are becoming increasingly evident as the seasons roll on. Here, I summarise a couple of thoughts as to what I think are major issues with the show.

The Issues[]

Having been an avid watcher of the TV Series for quite a while now, I would like to pen some notes on what I think are sizeable issues with the series. Beware, there are some spoilers from earlier seasons here.

I've been slightly disappointed with season 6A. One of the main reasons why is character development. My favourite episode of Season 6A and arguably the best episode for me was episode 4, "Here's Not Here". Why? The character development, even if it did come with a fan backlash of sorts, which I will mention later.

I personally felt that a 90 minute episode about Morgan was justified because: he's portrayed brilliantly; he's experienced some of the wildest changes of mentality of anyone in the show and he'd only appeared in two episodes pre-Season 5. The episode perfectly divulged into his 'all life is precious' ideology, showing it is perhaps the only thing he can cling on to without having to 'clear' again. Even if it won't work in the apocalypse, it is certainly interesting. AMENDMENT Although it was certainly interesting for a while, I can see how it can become particularly tiresome to the viewers. It does look forced, but a lot has been forced this season. Episode 4 could've been chopped to 40 minutes but would it have the same effect? Maybe.

But character development is something the show is lacking; it has not been focused much upon in later seasons. I prefer season 1/2 over any season thereafter. Of course, as the show goes on and more unique characters are introduced, the cast expands: this makes it difficult to focus on core characters and character development cycles, for example: the lack of focus on Rick and Morgan's reunion. The video game does this perfectly (of course the show can not replicate this...) as it follows one protagonist through the apocalypse (with a sidekick who becomes the protagonist) instead of a dozen different protagonists. AMENDMENT Some relationships in the comics have been weakened because of the wide focus on Alexandria residents. Could these extra residents be more useful treated like the background survivors from Atlanta in season 1?

One other problem is the settings. Alexandria is active after 70+ issues in the comics. As the show progresses the unique nature of settings will just decrease to safe-zones and such. Yes this is to be expected, but it may get boring... going from safe-zone to safe-zone. I simply prefer unique locations such as the Atlanta camp, the CDC or Hershel's farm.

Then there's the characters... the bloated cast means so many of the characters aren't written well. It makes them look irrational... perhaps even stupid. Of course, I like unique characters... but there just aren't that many present, and the few that are unique ie. Morgan, people want killed off. Some characters ie. Daryl have grown cult followings, even if he wasn't in the comic books. This cult following makes it dangerous to kill them off (because ratings), but also means it stagnates the development of other background characters that could come into the foreground. The anticipated introduction of Negan also worries me because of who would be the main antagonist after he dies? Hyping big antagonists, killing them and replacing them with larger antagonists just won't work as it'd totally degrade the importance of that character. Smaller antagonists work, such as the Wolves and the Terminus group, however how long will it be before that becomes repetitive too?

Back onto character development, and in particular the death of major characters. A lot of major characters have gone unmentioned since their deaths. Even the use of hallucinations shows that psychological impact, which has been lacking in season 6. Dead characters should still be on the minds of the survivors, and should be referenced a lot more than they are. Linking to this - the poor writing and relationships. Many relationships haven't been developed that well ie. how Maggie reacted with Beth's disappearance... did she mention her at all? Glenn's relationship with Maggie is ok but it's degraded the person he was in seasons 1/2. Rick and Carl haven't had too much development although what has done has been adequate, although much more can be done and more emphasis can be put on their bond such as Lee and Clementine's in the video game series. I'd personally prefer a TV programme which runs for a small amount of seasons with well-written character development than one that is drawn out for a while with a lot of emphasis on the undead.

The problem comes at the end of the show: what is the best way to end the show? Drawing out the show with many seasons means everybody dying becomes anticlimactic and lame, while finding a new safe-zone becomes irrational given the fact the zombies always seem to get inside and wreak havoc. Don't mention the idea Rick wakes up from the coma. Don't. The producers can't really win as somebody will be upset.

Well, those were my thoughts. With the show soon to formally introduces the Saviors, Hilltop, the Kingdom and a bunch of other colonies, the show will lose it's focus on the protagonist. Characters will not get enough air-time, and will fail to be developed. Seasons 1 and 2, although perhaps aimless on the storytelling front, will always be my favourites. No invincible Juggernauts or badass personalities will change my mind.

Blogs written by Mr. Expert
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