Walking Dead

[Cardinal and Gold]

I have some hope for TWD with a new show runner (Angela Kang, I believe). I ******* HATED Scott M. Gimple.

Last season of FTWD was probably their best. Once Morgan showed up, things started going downhill. This show needed more Madison, Daniel, and Nick. Now Nick and Madison are dead and Daniel is MIA. I could do with less Victor, Luciana has become one dimensional, and Alicia is not the same without her family interaction.

Out of the new characters, Al is probably the best with some potential for some good background story reveals. John and June are okay, but are not adding much more lately other than a love story after a promising start. The wheelchair guy and the other lady are forgettable. The girl who killed Nick still has zero character development and Jimbo's Beerbos guy was thankfully put out of his misery.

God, I miss the Morgan from his short appearances in the old seasons. He used to be a kickass character. As soon as he became a series regular, he is now that annoying moral conflict, story dragging character. And I also agree with the assesment on the dirty homeless lady. Quite possibly the most anticlimactic, unrealistic main villain. They should have just made the group that camped outside the stadium the main rivals for the end of this season.

I totally agree about the Jimbo character. That character was terrible and unrealistic on so many levels. First off, if the apocalypse happened in 2010 the craft brewery fad had not happened yet. There were very few amounts of craft breweries at that time, especially in nowhere Texas, that running into a craft brewer would simply not happen. Next, we are supposed to believe that even though we’ve seen all that has happened in the 4ish years to twd characters, Jimbo has just been chilling in his micro brewery with no contact of other groups or walkers? Give me a break. The best character from ftwd is John. Hands down. He will replace Rick as the former cop leading the group. June can tag along. Al kinda pisses me off but is alright. Everyone else, aside from Morgan, can peace out. So basically none of the original characters are even alive or prevalent at this point. If Daniel comes back that’d be cool, but not plausible at this point because they are geographically too far away, unless he’s followed them for some reason. And without being noticed. They cut Madison’s new husband out too soon. He could have developed into a worthy character. Madison reminded me of Andrea (my least favorite character of all time) and they never carried out her story of being from the south (which I think was going to be their original attempt to combine the shows). Ftwd was pointless, and them trying to hurry that story line to catch up with twd so they can have some sort of immaculate union of the two shows has ruined ftwd. Depending on how the two shows come together could have a negative effect on twd, but I guess they are at a point where it couldn’t hurt worse than it already is. Should have just introduced the few characters not worthless characters from ftwd into twd and foregone the whole sideshow. I love twd and have watched every episode of both shows since the beginning, but it’s about time to wrap it up.

 

[alarson]

The TWD season premiere actually wasnt terrible.

 

[Cardinal and Gold]

The TWD season premiere actually wasnt terrible.

The first 15 minutes was alright, then went back to being about people against people. I do have hopes that this season will bring it back the original things we fell in love with about twd, like they keep saying in all the promos and sneak peaks. People vs walkers (zombies)

 

[Acylum]

The TWD season premiere actually wasnt terrible.

Damning with faint praise. I approve.

 

[Freebird]

The TWD season premiere actually wasnt terrible.

The assassination attempt on Maggie was kinda hokey in my opinion, but I was glad to see the Gregory story line finally come to a close. I think they needed her to have solid control of the Hilltop to push the Maggie vs Rick conflict that looks to be a main focus this season.

 

[HFCS]

The first 15 minutes was alright, then went back to being about people against people. I do have hopes that this season will bring it back the original things we fell in love with about twd, like they keep saying in all the promos and sneak peaks. People vs walkers (zombies)

Comics spoilers are almost impossible at this point...but there's a chance it's going somewhere very fun an different if they get back on that story line as hinted.

It's almost impossible for any series to be fresh at this point. It reminds me a lot of when Duchovney/Anderson left X-Files after season 7 and it limped along for two more years with them making spot guest appearances. The show was never the same after they left and TWD won't be without consistent Rick, but the last two seasons Mulder and Scully were on it was already a drop off from S1-S5 that is TV hall of fame level stuff. I'd recommend S1-S5 of that show to anybody even though there's a slow episode here or there, S6-S9 are for diehard X-Files fans.

For TWD I think S1 is great, S2 was garbage that should have been 2-3 episodes, S3-S6 are excellent. Seems like S7 on is going to be a drag for people unless they are gigantic Negan/JDM fans. S7 beyond is going to be stuff the fans still love years later, it's still pretty high production value zombie stuff.

It's amazing to me TWD became the #1 rated show on basic cable given most people I know in 'real life' stopped watching when they got bored on Hershel's farm before the best stuff happened in S3-S6.

 

[Acylum]

57% decline in viewership compared to last season's premiere episode. That's gotta hurt.

 

[ISUChippewa]

The TWD season premiere actually wasnt terrible.

I found myself enjoying it as well, but one big issue I have is that there are just too many damn characters to keep track of.

I don't think we had ever seen that "Ken" kid before that got killed (although it's certainly possible, since there are now roughly 50 characters for the audience to know), so it's hard to care much about his death. They really need to stop introducing so many new characters every single episode and focus on the characters we're still fairly unfamiliar with, like Saddiq.

 

[keepngoal]

After watching the first 5 minutes, raise your hand if you knew who would be the first killed in this episode?

I'll keep watching, as I have put a lot of time into it... but it is no longer good.

 

[kmcbrid]

I found myself enjoying it as well, but one big issue I have is that there are just too many damn characters to keep track of.

I don't think we had ever seen that "Ken" kid before that got killed (although it's certainly possible, since there are now roughly 50 characters for the audience to know), so it's hard to care much about his death. They really need to stop introducing so many new characters every single episode and focus on the characters we're still fairly unfamiliar with, like Saddiq.

The Ken kid wasn't somebody to really know, or care about, and I don't think the show really expecting us to. He was just someone brought in to die and drive the plot of Gregory attempting to have Maggie killed. It is an issue that arises series has dragged for so long and then they jump 18 months between seasons and really start to try get things moving again. I do agree that there can be a lot of people to keep track of and its easy to forget or not really care about most of them, because no time is spent developing them.

I enjoyed this first episode because it did move. I like that they went from Gregory is still a horrible person (which has been long established) to Maggie offing him in an episode, instead of dragging it out for another 2-3. I hope the pace keeps ups and they move things along quicker. We all know the Whispers are coming this season, so my hope is they introduce them and in the next 15 episodes establish them as a foe and resolve the conflict by the end of this season. We don't need 2 seasons (32 episodes) on the Whispers, like we got with Negan. Tell a concise story and move on, don't drag it out.

 

[cycloneworld]

After watching the first 5 minutes, raise your hand if you knew who would be the first killed in this episode?

I'll keep watching, as I have put a lot of time into it... but it is no longer good.

Generally, I agree. But it TRIED to get back to its roots and did a pretty good job. It was amazing to watch actual character interaction and dialog (I think Daryl spoke more this episode than in the past 2 seasons combined). I was interested and intrigued but I'm afraid the series may be too far gone. But the premier was a fresh start and I'm giving it (another) chance.

 

[RonBurgundy]

Ken = Red Shirt

And agree with others that it was nice to see a quick, definitive story resolution. Instead of 6 episodes of Gregory trying to spread discontent for Maggie, we got right to it. Get the grieving, alcoholic dad drunk and talk him into assassination attempt. Fail, and Gregory pays immediately for his dumb plan. Done. Move on.

 

[kmcbrid]

Generally, I agree. But it TRIED to get back to its roots and did a pretty good job. It was amazing to watch actual character interaction and dialog (I think Daryl spoke more this episode than in the past 2 seasons combined). I was interested and intrigued but I'm afraid the series may be too far gone. But the premier was a fresh start and I'm giving it (another) chance.

They talked about this on The Talking Dead (I still watch that show too, for some morbid reason) and Norman Reedus talked about that. Seemed like he was happy to have some dialog again, other then grunts and stares. Also, seemed that he was happier with the direction of the show, now that Scott Gimpel was no longer head show runner and they did allude to some of the pacing issues of the past, so hopefully this season is a turn for the better.

 

[SC Cy]

For TWD I think S1 is great, S2 was garbage that should have been 2-3 episodes

Man, I thought Season 2 was amazing. I've never understood why it always gets a bad rap. Season 2 has a couple of the best episodes TWD has ever had.

 

[alarson]

Man, I thought Season 2 was amazing. I've never understood why it always gets a bad rap. Season 2 has a couple of the best episodes TWD has ever had.

The problem with season 2 is that week to week... it went slow. Binged at once its better.

The season originally was supposed to be shorter but instead AMC, being the cheap bastards that they are, increased the episode count and cut the budget, and we got what we got.

Season 2 was still better than 6-8 though.

 

[HFCS]

57% decline in viewership compared to last season's premiere episode. That's gotta hurt.

Especially because it was one of the better episodes in years. Scene at the museum was cheesy but the drama with Gregory was incredible. That may have been the only time the show moved at a faster pace on a story than the comics did. It's a cool story from the comics and they were forced to wedge it in faster and it made it so much better.

The news that the main character's days are numbered can't help. It's really anticlimactic.

 

[HFCS]

The problem with season 2 is that week to week... it went slow. Binged at once its better.

The season originally was supposed to be shorter but instead AMC, being the cheap bastards that they are, increased the episode count and cut the budget, and we got what we got.

Season 2 was still better than 6-8 though.

S2 was a great story that should have been 3-5 episodes. Not an entire year. The season premier was great because they were forced to tell one of Kirkman's better stories at a more exciting pace.

 

[alarson]

Especially because it was one of the better episodes in years. Scene at the museum was cheesy but the drama with Gregory was incredible. That may have been the only time the show moved at a faster pace on a story than the comics did. It's a cool story from the comics and they were forced to wedge it in faster and it made it so much better.

The news that the main character's days are numbered can't help. It's really anticlimactic.

Yeah.. they really ****** up killing off carl, especially now that Rick's actor is leaving.

These first 2 episodes have been a solid step up though, and im hopeful things will be better. But theyve done so much damage already it may be in enough of a tailspin ratings-wise that it won't matter. A lot of people that will continue watching will shift to delayed viewing as well, which is worth less to advertisers. Walking dead used to be appointment tv, and it is not that anymore.

 

[HFCS]

They talked about this on The Talking Dead (I still watch that show too, for some morbid reason) and Norman Reedus talked about that. Seemed like he was happy to have some dialog again, other then grunts and stares. Also, seemed that he was happier with the direction of the show, now that Scott Gimpel was no longer head show runner and they did allude to some of the pacing issues of the past, so hopefully this season is a turn for the better.

I live across the street from where they shoot Talking Dead so I've tried to get tickets a handful of times and it is STILL an impossible ticket. Any other show I've tried to attend a taping of has been pretty easy...although I never tried Ellen which I guess is impossible.

It's Sunday nights across the street so would be so easy but they never pick my application for free audience.

 

[alarson]

S2 was a great story that should have been 3-5 episodes. Not an entire year. The season premier was great because they were forced to tell one of Kirkman's better stories at a more exciting pace.

I think there's probably more than 5 episodes there, but you could pretty easily cut those 13 episodes down to 8-10.