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The Walking Dead’s 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

The Walking Dead‘s Most Disappointing Moves: 15 Regrettable Decisions Unveiled”

As successful as The Walking Dead (TWD) was during its 11 gripping seasons on AMC, any long-running show is bound to stumble upon a few less-than-ideal moments. While Rick’s final scenes and the brutal killings of Glenn and Abraham left viewers shaken, they were not the epitome of the series’ missteps.

From unresolved storylines to senseless deaths of beloved characters, and the neglect of exploring the practicalities of the zombie apocalypse, TWD made a series of choices that left fans feeling dissatisfied. Just like its characters were susceptible to the outbreak, the show was prone to poor decisions, and here we unveil some of the most regrettable ones it made.

Not Wrapping Up Virgil’s Story

Not Wrapping Up Virgil's Story

Virgil may not have been a major character during his six episodes in the series, but he was important enough to turn into an antagonist of Season 10, and later a hero of sorts when he shockingly came across a wounded Connie in the woods in the 10th season finale.

Firing Frank Darabont

Firing Frank Darabont

“Frank Darabont’s TWD Departure: A Shocking Turn in an Otherwise Stellar Journey”

Renowned for his Oscar-nominated dramas and a string of horror successes, Frank Darabont seemed like the ideal choice to bring The Walking Dead (TWD) to life. His expertise shone through in the show’s debut season, turning it into an unexpected sensation. However, before the second season could even begin production, Darabont was unceremoniously fired, leaving the industry astonished by this unprecedented move.

A strained relationship between Darabont and AMC was at the heart of the discord, leading the filmmaker to file a lawsuit against the company. Glen Mazzara took over as showrunner, and while he did a commendable job, The Walking Dead struggled to recapture the heights of its inaugural season. The departure of Darabont marked a dramatic twist in an otherwise remarkable journey.

Fathers Never Meeting Their Children

Fathers Never Meeting Their Children

“The Heartbreaking Repetition: TWD’s Continuous Separation of Fathers and Children”

The Walking Dead (TWD) seemed to have a recurring theme of tearing fathers away from their children, a pattern that emerged early on. In season two, Shane met his demise long before the birth of his potential daughter, Judith, who made her entrance in season three.

This heartbreaking storyline was echoed in season seven when Glenn, a soon-to-be father, was brutally killed by Negan before he could meet his unborn child. And the trend continued in season nine with Rick’s presumed death, denying him the opportunity to meet the child he fathered with Michonne. While there’s a somber realism to this pattern, it frequently deprived fans of witnessing the emotional journey of these family connections, robbing the show of a touching and captivating dynamic that could have been handled in a more compelling manner.

Sending Morgan to ‘Fear The Walking Dead’

The Walking Dead's 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

 

“Morgan’s Departure: A Character-Sized Void in TWD”

From the very first episode of The Walking Dead (TWD), Morgan quickly became a beloved character. He not only saved Rick’s life in that inaugural episode but also served as a guiding presence for both Rick and the audience, offering an introduction to the grim world of the zombie apocalypse. Even after his initial departure, Morgan returned to the series to lend a hand in the battle against Negan.

His presence was cherished by both the characters and the fans. However, in 2018, a crossover was announced between TWD and its spin-off, Fear the Walking Dead, which sent Morgan from Alexandria to the Fear timeline. While this move may have boosted Fear’s viewership, it left a significant void in TWD for the remainder of the show, as a main character-sized hole was left unfilled. The departure of Morgan had a lasting impact on TWD, leaving fans yearning for his return and wondering how the story could have evolved with him by their side.

AMC Announcing Andrew Lincoln’s Departure

The Walking Dead's 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

“AMC’s Misguided Hype: The Departure of Andrew Lincoln”

In a prime example of AMC prioritizing hype over narrative, the departure of Andrew Lincoln from The Walking Dead (TWD) was not only announced but incessantly proclaimed. While some may argue that AMC wanted fans to savor Lincoln’s final episodes, this excessive promotion robbed the series of a potential monumental shock twist.

Moreover, it significantly drained the suspense from the ninth season as loyal viewers were continuously reminded of Lincoln’s impending exit. The approach became increasingly absurd, culminating in a cliffhanger that teased Rick’s death, only to swiftly transition to previews for the following week’s episode, prominently featuring Rick himself.

AMC’s misguided strategy detracted from the organic storytelling and undermined the show’s ability to deliver unexpected moments. By excessively emphasizing Lincoln’s departure, the network missed an opportunity to surprise and captivate audiences, ultimately diluting the impact of TWD’s ninth season.

Burning Eugene’s Book

Burning Eugene's Book

“The Lost Potential of Eugene’s Novel in TWD”

Eugene’s storyline in The Walking Dead (TWD) experienced a period of stagnation before finding renewed energy in Season 10 when he began a blossoming relationship with another survivor over the radio waves. Through a long and arduous journey, Eugene’s character evolved as he met and fell in love with Max, leading to significant character development leading up to the series finale.

However, one notable plot point that held immense promise ended up being disappointingly short-lived – Eugene’s novel. In Season 11, Eugene revealed that he had written a captivating sci-fi book, only to shockingly commit the gravest offense in any writer’s eyes by burning every single page. Despite the intriguing possibilities that surrounded Eugene’s literary creation, the topic of his novel was never mentioned again following its destruction.

This missed opportunity left fans wondering about the untapped potential of Eugene’s writing, as his novel could have provided a fascinating avenue for storytelling and deeper exploration of his character. Sadly, this intriguing aspect of Eugene’s journey was abruptly abandoned, leaving viewers longing for the narrative possibilities that were lost in the ashes of his burned book.

Negan and Alpha’s Moment in the Woods
The Walking Dead

“Unsettling Intimacy: TWD’s Unnecessary Encounter”

In a post-apocalyptic world, intimate moments are scarce. The series explored the relationships of characters like Maggie and Glenn, and briefly touched on Rick and Michonne‘s private moments.

However, the stomachs of viewers turned when Negan and Alpha engaged in a disturbing sexual encounter in Season 10. While some argue they were a fitting match, Negan seducing Alpha served no narrative purpose and was uncomfortable to witness.

Making Negan a Major Protagonist

The Walking Dead's 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

“Struggling with Negan’s Transformation: TWD’s Antihero Challenge”

Turning a villain into an unlikely hero can be a compelling narrative device. The comics themselves explored a similar arc for Negan, albeit to a lesser extent. However, the series faced difficulties in striking the right balance for the character.

As Negan gained popularity with fans, the showrunners aimed to give him significant focus. While the series provided glimpses of his transformation, it fell short of capturing the impactful antihero portrayed in the comics. Unfortunately, this commitment to Negan sometimes overshadowed other characters, hindering the overall story and its potential. Finding the right equilibrium proved to be a challenge in allowing Negan to shine while maintaining a cohesive narrative for the entire ensemble.

Breaking Up Carol and Ezekiel

The Walking Dead's 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

 

“Carol’s Struggles with Love: A Rollercoaster of Relationships”

In the tumultuous world of The Walking Dead, Carol faced hardships in various aspects of her life, particularly in the realm of relationships. From her abusive marriage at the start of the show to her fleeting romance with Tobin in Season 6, finding lasting love proved to be a challenge for her.

However, in Season 9, it seemed that Carol had finally discovered her soulmate in Ezekiel. Engaged and even becoming parents to an adoptive son, their future looked promising. Tragically, the loss of their son shattered their romantic bond by the season’s end. The decision to break them apart felt unnecessary and failed to serve the growth of both characters, as they continued to maintain a strong friendship until the series concluded.

The Fake Deaths

The Fake Deaths

“The Clickbait Effect: Betraying Fans’ Trust with Fake Deaths”

As The Walking Dead progressed, it became evident that the writers were prioritizing clickbait moments over meaningful storytelling and impactful consequences. One of the most egregious examples was the utilization of fake deaths for central characters, a tactic that not only manufactured false drama but also eroded fans’ trust in the show.

Despite the negative reception to Glenn Rhee’s infamous fake death scene in season six, the series continued to employ this disingenuous ploy to generate tension. While maintaining high stakes in a life-or-death drama is challenging, resorting to manipulative and gore-infused narrative tricks was a disservice to the loyal fanbase that deserved better.

Not Exploring the Evolution of Walkers

The Walking Dead's 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

“Unexplored Potential: The Untapped Evolution of Walkers in TWD”

Unlike The Last of Us, which promptly introduced various types of zombies and their weaknesses, The Walking Dead failed to delve into the diverse range of undead creatures. With the exception of a few waterlogged walkers, the show predominantly featured the same type of zombies throughout its run.

It wasn’t until the final episodes of the series that a glimpse of walker evolution emerged. These evolved walkers regained human traits, such as climbing and manipulating objects. While Aaron mentioned this phenomenon, the intriguing concept was swiftly abandoned, leaving viewers with a mere glimpse and no further exploration in the show’s remaining episodes. The untapped potential of walker evolution remained an unfulfilled narrative thread.

Daryl and Leah

‘The Walking Dead’ The Show's Ending is Going to Disappoint Fans...

“An Unnecessary Love Interest: Daryl and Leah’s Relationship in TWD”

In a world infested with walkers, one unexpected aspect that raised eyebrows was the brief romance between Daryl and newcomer Leah. Their connection was explored in the Season 10 episode “Find Me,” which delved into Daryl’s time away from the group following Rick’s disappearance.

However, the relationship between Daryl and Leah quickly fizzled out, only to resurface in Season 11 when she returned as part of an enemy group. This storyline fell into the overused trope of Daryl being kidnapped and added little to the character’s development. Considering Daryl had never been involved in a romantic relationship throughout the show, the emphasis on this short-lived romance seemed unnecessary and failed to contribute significantly to the overall narrative.

The Negan Cliffhanger

The Walking Dead's 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

“Negan’s Underwhelming Arrival: A Disappointing Cliffhanger in TWD”

With the anticipation surrounding Negan’s arrival, both comic book readers and show fans eagerly awaited a new era for the series. The sixth season dedicated considerable time to building up the Saviors and setting the stage for Negan’s introduction. However, when the moment finally arrived, it proved to be overwhelmingly disappointing.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrayed Negan with perfection, but the show’s notorious use of cliffhangers ended up undermining the long-awaited reveal. The perplexing choice to leave the audience in the dark with a POV execution sequence left fans feeling betrayed and unsatisfied. The decision to prioritize a must-watch season seven premiere sacrificed the opportunity for a fulfilling finale, ultimately leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment.

Killing Off Carl

Killing Off Carl

“Carl’s Pointless Death: A Narrative Misstep in TWD”

The deaths of Dale, Glenn, Rosita, and Dwight caused uproar among The Walking Dead fans, but none felt as unnecessary as Carl’s demise. A beloved character since the show’s inception, it was a devastating blow when Carl revealed his fatal bite in Season 8.

Carl’s death, devoid of purpose, eliminated a strong and steadfast character who valiantly faced threats. He had a heartwarming relationship blossoming with Enid and was the only definite family member Judith had. While the character’s legacy endured until the series’ end, subjecting Rick and the audience to such tragedy after only eight seasons proved to be a narrative misstep that lacked meaningful consequences.

Cliffhanger Series Finale

The Walking Dead's 15 Most Regrettable Choices That Backfired

“TWD’s Series Finale: Unanswered Questions and Missed Resolutions”

Throughout its 11-season run, The Walking Dead left a trail of loose ends begging for closure. What led Daryl to France? Where has Rick been all this time? And will our beloved characters find their happy endings?

Regrettably, the series finale opted to generate more questions than answers. It served as a promotional tool for upcoming spin-offs like The Walking Dead: Dead City, Daryl Dixon, and the Rick and Michonne miniseries. While teasing future projects was understandable, it came at the cost of neglecting to provide a satisfying conclusion to TWD’s narrative. Characters scattered, leaving fans yearning for resolutions that were never delivered.

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