5. Season 9 reinvigorated the show
Yes, The Walking Dead deteriorated as it went on. No, it shouldn’t have continued on without Rick Grimes when Andrew Lincoln left the show. And yet, season 9 rolled on. But even before Rick’s departure, there was a noticeable change that breathed new life into the series.
It might be “cool” to say that The Walking Dead‘s later seasons are its worst, but that is simply not true. It was its middle seasons that really stalled its momentum, with seasons 6, 7, and 8, all receiving divisive responses from audiences due to their lacklustre storylines, repetitive plots, and incessant desire to split its characters up for the majority of the season. Negan’s arrival was also stretched out for far too long, and that was one of the main reasons for the decline in standard.
Season 9, however, distanced itself from that. All of that. Instead, we had well-established communities that had experienced a period of peace. It allowed everyone within them all to focus on themselves and their loved ones and added a new element of politics to the show as well, as Gregory and Maggie competed for leadership of the Hilltop.
The change in direction felt like a new era for The Walking Dead. In many ways, it felt like it was a spinoff, focusing on the legacy that Rick left behind and how those he inspired took that legacy forward. Granted, this new direction had its own sets of highs and lows to deal with, but there is no denying that it bought TWD another three years, bringing it back from the brink. And it’s about time we appreciated that.