Improving Seasons 7 and 8 of The Walking Dead: A Critical Analysis and Rewriting

The television series The Walking Dead has captured the attention of millions of viewers worldwide, but seasons 7 and 8 faced criticism for their pacing and handling of the Negan storyline. This article examines several aspects that could have been improved to create a more compelling and cohesive experience for the audience.

Pacing and Structure

One of the most prominent criticisms of seasons 7 and 8 is the pacing and narrative structure. Two main issues stand out: filler episodes and an over-stretched conflict with Negan.

Faster Narrative Progression: A tighter narrative structure would have been beneficial. Reducing filler episodes and focusing more on the main plot would have kept viewers engaged. The story could have been streamlined, allowing for more focused and impactful storytelling.

More Efficient Use of Time: Rather than stretching out the conflict with Negan over two seasons, the storyline could have been condensed into a single season. This would have allowed for a more intense and engaging confrontation with Negan, providing a more immediate and satisfying resolution to the central plot.

Character Development

Character development is a crucial element in any successful series. However, seasons 7 and 8 did not fully capitalize on this potential.

Deepening Character Arcs: More focus on character development for both the protagonists and antagonists would have added depth to the series. Introducing Negan's backstory earlier in the season could have made him a more complex villain, providing viewers with a more nuanced understanding of his motivations and actions.

Balancing Screen Time: Ensuring that all main characters had adequate screen time is essential to maintaining the ensemble aspect of the show. Developing subplots for characters like Carol Daryl and Michonne could have kept their roles engaging and integral to the overall narrative.

Conflict Resolution

The repetitive nature of the conflict with the Saviors detracted from the intensity of the narrative. Addressing this issue would have made the series more dynamic.

Less Repetition: Reducing the repetitive nature of Saviors-related episodes would have introduced more variety. The show could have featured new challenges or threats, providing fresh content and preventing the story from feeling monotonous.

Quicker Resolutions: Some conflicts could have been resolved more quickly without losing the tension. For example, the initial confrontations with Negan and the Saviors could have been handled more efficiently, maintaining the cliffhanger effect without dragging the plot.

Improved Story Arcs

The series would have benefited from a more varied narrative approach.

More Variety in Storylines: Introducing different threats or challenges, such as other survivor groups or internal conflicts, could have diversified the narrative and reduced monotony. This would have kept viewers interested and provided a broader range of storytelling opportunities.

Focus on Themes: Exploring themes of leadership, morality, and survival more effectively could have created a more impactful narrative. By showing the consequences of characters' choices, rather than just through dialogue, the series could have delved deeper into these complex themes.

Enhanced Action and Stakes

Action sequences are a defining feature of The Walking Dead, but the frequency and intensity of these scenes need improvement.

More Action Sequences: Increasing the frequency and intensity of action sequences would have kept viewers engaged. More dramatic and intense action scenes could have made the series more thrilling and captivating.

Raising the Stakes: Making the stakes feel higher by introducing more significant losses or challenges could have added urgency to the plot. This would have made the decisions and actions of the characters feel more consequential and emotionally resonant.

Alternate Endings or Climax

The series could have developed a more impactful climax. Dragging out the conflict might have diluted the final confrontation. Instead:

Different Climax: A more impactful climax could have been developed, possibly leading to a shocking twist or a character sacrifice. Such an ending would have resonated with the audience and left a lasting impression.

By addressing these areas, The Walking Dead could have delivered a more compelling and cohesive experience in seasons 7 and 8. This would not only have retained viewer interest but also garnered critical acclaim.