TV Review: The Walking Dead
By Samara O'Connor
The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror/drama series developed by Frank Darabont. This series is based on the comic book series The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The Walking Dead premiered on October 31, 2010, and after eleven seasons and 177 episodes, the series concluded on November 20, 2022. Even though the show has ended, there are other shows in “The Walking Dead Universe,” such as Fear the Walking Dead. There are also spin-offs from the main show that follow some of the main characters and what happens after the last episode of The Walking Dead. These include The Ones Who Live, Daryl Dixon, Dead City, and a new confirmed spin-off named The Book of Carol. The Walking Dead is extremely popular worldwide, with comics, video games, mobile apps, and a vast array of merchandise.
The main plot follows Rick Grimes, a deputy sheriff who is shot during a police chase. He wakes up from a coma weeks later to find the hospital deserted. He leaves the hospital, finds his way home, and discovers that his wife and son are missing. In the first two episodes of Season One, Rick meets Morgan and his son, Dwayne, who explain the situation: dead people, called ‘walkers,’ are now roaming the earth. Rick's sole focus is finding his wife and son, and he won’t let anything stand in his way.
Throughout the series, we follow the main group, led by Rick, as they navigate various eras: the prison era, the farm era, the Terminus era, and more. We encounter many great characters and say goodbye to even more. The show is full of shocks, from character deaths to dramatic situations within and between groups. The character development, particularly for Rick, Daryl, and Maggie, is remarkable. Their growth and emergence as leaders are compelling. I started watching this show when I was six years old, and now, almost nineteen, I’m still hooked. I’ve probably seen every episode at least 50 times! The show feels like home; it’s something I stumbled upon and will never forget. Rewatching the series, exploring the spin-offs, searching for the comics, playing mobile games, and collecting merchandise truly makes my soul happy.
Despite being 99% perfect, the show does have some flaws. For example, I was disappointed with some character departures, how certain scenes diverged from the comics, and the recent seasons missing one of my favorite characters. Although those seasons were still good, I felt something was missing. The spin-offs are enjoyable but not quite on par with the original show. I particularly liked The Ones Who Live and most of Daryl Dixon, but Dead City was hard to get into.
So, is it worth the watch? Absolutely. If you’re into zombies, drama, heartbreak, and imagining life after the world falls apart, you’ll likely adore this show as much as I do. It’s full of heartbreak, leaving you with tears and many questions. I hope you love it as much as I do.