When AMC’s American post-apocalyptic horror series The Walking Dead began in 2010, it instantly became a global hit. The program, which is based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, follows a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies as they face the challenges of this new reality while attempting to rebuild civilization.
There are several reasons why The Walking Dead became so popular. Its amazing effects, makeup, and engaging narrative created a world that seemed visceral and believable, and its depiction of a zombie apocalypse captured the imaginations of its viewers. In fact, the program delved into weighty philosophical themes like human nature, morality, and the difficulty of making it in a lawless society.
In November 2022, when the series finale aired, a new era in television history came to an end. With its eleven seasons and spinoff, Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead has become one of the most popular programs in television history. Beyond its cultural significance and financial success, the program has left an indelible mark on popular culture. It sparked a flurry of similar works in the horror and post-apocalyptic genres, both in terms of quantity and quality of imitation.
The Walking Dead left a significant mark on television by proving that horror can be done in a way that is both entertaining and thought stimulating, and by demonstrating that a well-made series can hold viewers’ attention for several seasons. The series will go down in history as a landmark of its field, influencing generations of storytellers to probe the depths of human nature.
The Walking Dead has had its ups and downs over its 11-season run. While the show has had some standout seasons and episodes, it has also suffered from pacing issues, repetitive storylines, and uneven character development. However, for fans of the zombie genre, the show remains a compelling and entertaining watch, with strong performances and memorable moments. Let’s dive into the depths of the series, untapping the successes and failures as a whole, and rank each season from worst to best.
11. Season 7
The seventh season of The Walking Dead was a major turning point for the series, as it saw the brutal deaths of several major characters, including Glenn and Abraham, at the hands of the new villain, Negan. The season was marked by a bleak and oppressive tone, as the characters struggled to survive in a world where hope seemed to be in short supply.
While the season did have some standout moments, such as the introduction of the Kingdom and the conflict with Negan, it was often criticized for its excessive violence and slow pacing. Many fans found it difficult to watch their favorite characters being subjected to such brutality, and some felt that the show had lost its way. Additionally, the season was criticized for focusing too heavily on Negan at the expense of other characters, and for not providing enough development for the supporting cast.
10. Season 8
Season 8 of The Walking Dead is often considered one of the weaker seasons of the show, and there are several reasons for this. One of the main criticisms of the season is that it suffers from repetitive storylines and a lack of real stakes. The “All Out War” storyline between Rick and Negan felt drawn out and lacked tension, and some fans felt that the season was simply going through the motions.
Another issue with season 8 was the way it handled certain characters. For example, Carl’s death midway through the season felt like a cheap and unnecessary move that robbed the show of one of its most interesting characters. Additionally, some fans felt that the show mishandled the character of Morgan, who was moved over to Fear the Walking Dead shortly after the season ended.
The season did have some standout moments, such as the introduction of the Scavengers and the reveal of Negan’s backstory in the episode “Here’s Negan”. However, these moments were few and far between, and overall the season felt like a missed opportunity to do something truly interesting with the characters and storylines.
It’s worth noting that the eighth season of The Walking Dead was also affected by behind-the-scenes turmoil, including the departure of showrunner Scott Gimple shortly after the season ended. Some fans felt that this turmoil contributed to the uneven quality of the season, and that a lack of clear direction and vision was evident throughout.
9. Season 6
The sixth season of The Walking Dead had some standout episodes, such as “No Way Out” and “The Same Boat”, but the overall storyline was uneven. The season suffered from a lack of direction and a confusing timeline, with multiple flashbacks and flash-forwards. The cliffhanger ending of the season, which left the fate of a major character unknown, was also controversial among fans.
Despite these issues, there were still some strong moments in the season. “No Way Out” was a particularly intense episode, featuring the death of several characters and the long-awaited arrival of fan-favorite character Jesus. “The Same Boat” was also a tense and emotional episode, which focused on the relationship between Carol and Maggie and their capture by a group of Savior women.
However, the season suffered from some questionable creative choices, such as the drawn-out storyline of Glenn’s supposed death and the excessive use of cliffhangers. The introduction of new characters, such as Heath and Denise, also felt somewhat rushed and underdeveloped. Overall, while there were some standout moments in season 6, the season as a whole felt somewhat disjointed and unfocused.