How Long Should 'The Walking Dead' Continue?
The Walking Dead is ready to have 100 episodes in its rear-view mirror with the Season 8 premiere [...]
What Do The Fans Say?
Of the more than 10 million people who tuned in for every episode of Season 7 and the additional millions who came in and out of the series on a weekly basis, there is some divide when the question of how long the series should last comes up.
Some fans are quick to suggest the show last forever, such as Alex Davies' tweet below which comes with an infinity gif in response to the question of, "How many more seasons should The Walking Dead last?"
— Alex Davies (@LAScrnwritr) August 30, 2017
Other users want massive amounts of episodes to follow Episode 100 and Season 8.
21 Seasons. But for real, I want it to last forever, but that won't happen. 12 seasons would be amazing.
— Dunny (@Mourindinho) August 30, 2017
Some are more reasonable, asking for 15 or more total seasons, meaning we're potentially more than half way to the end now.
15+ total
— Kevin Wiles (@KevinWiles) August 30, 2017
And then there's The Walking Dead account which wants "All of them"!
All of them https://t.co/jEXLRP9Jb3
— The Walking Dead (@TheWalkingDead) August 30, 2017
Some fans, however, choose to side with the camp which hates on The Walking Dead and insist it should be off the air immediately, as though their Sunday night programming forces them into the zombie apocalypse.
Negative 9
— gjn_27 (@gjn_27) August 30, 2017
It should have ended 451.583.474.485.784.163.95 seasons ago.
— TheAbstractAtheist™ (@Pale_Hunter) August 30, 2017
0 please
— kiara (@BeamMeUpPotter) August 30, 2017
-3
— Scott Burnett (@sburnett729) August 30, 2017
Others, however, are able to be more logical in their response. An account called "TheWalkingDead World" suggests 3-4 more seasons, hoping for a "conclusive end to the series."
I would say 3-4 more seasons. I really want a conclusive end to the series.#TheWalkingDead https://t.co/U9SGJ5aYiy
— TheWalkingDead World (@TWalkingDWorld) August 30, 2017
Some just want to know how it all began, though.
Can they just tell us how the virus came about ffs https://t.co/9uH6oz4apl
— Panda (@MustBeGrant) August 30, 2017
And some aren't ready to say goodbye...
prevnextIt depends. For now I can say no definite end yet. I don't care if it's getting boring I'm not ready to let go of it. https://t.co/AgjT6LripJ
— Rhoj Luntayan (@deadrhoj) August 30, 2017
So, What's Left?
Looking back at old episodes of The Walking Dead, it is clear how far the AMC series has come since it started in October of 2010. Not only has the cast and crew of the show grown tremendously but the storyline is now one which doesn't focus on acclimating to instinctual survival habits while surrounded by undead threats. Instead, The Walking Dead has become a more political series with Rick Grimes having united several communities in a war against a tyrannical villain who wants to force his will on those around him.
The road to Negan and the All Out War storyline has been a long, 99-episode journey filled with characters who come and go while only five remain from the earliest episodes. With villains falling into the "come and go" portion of that description, fans have become frustrated or bored with the show as it appears to be going in circles, driven only by which characters survive on a weekly basis.
However, such a long journey has provided the AMC series with the exact reason why continuing may offer the show's best stories yet...
prevnextUsing History
One thing The Walking Dead has earned is the ability to use its history to enrich its storytelling.
Early on in a serialized adventure like The Walking Dead, the world's characters, mythology, and rules have to be established. New locations have to be introduced and relationships are formed. Now, 100 episodes into the series, fans are well aware of how far most of the characters have come, how they got there, and who they get there with. It adds an enjoyable depth to every moment they are on screen for.
Looking at Game of Thrones, many of the best moments of its most recent season came from the slow burn over each season before it which would ultimately lead to its biggest characters finally meeting. The payoff of such a meeting was tremendous and it was only supplemented by touching and meaningful reunions.
The Walking Dead has already used such an element to provide emotional and impactful moments, such a Carol and Daryl's reunion in Season 7 after being separated for more than an entire season. Then comes Rick's opening up to Michonne about Shane, Lori, and Judith. The moment was thoroughly enjoyed by fans as the suppressed history Rick Grimes survived finally came to light as he revealed how it was troubling him and began to influence his relationship with Michonne.
As the show goes on, the door opens for more of these moments.
For example, the history being put in place between Rick and Negan might turn into one of the richest story elements the series...
prevnextThe Comics
Spoilers for The Walking Dead comics follow!
The Walking Dead comics managed to turn Negan into the world's favorite anti-hero.
His relationship with Rick has blossomed and their history continues to influence how Rick treats the man who insists on acting as his ally. Rick has not forgotten the events of issue #100 which saw Negan bashing the skull of Glenn, which on TV also included Abraham, but he is wise enough to see the value in having Negan help defend Alexandria against threats.
On the other hand, some characters have more trouble with trusting Negan and allowing him to roam free. Chief among them is Glenn's wife Maggie. When war and survival become less of a focus in The Walking Dead, the comics have proven, using the long running history of each character and the relationships they have developed offers compelling and exciting new moments with each new issue.
Not to mention, the comics are finally beginning to expand the world again, for the first time since the Hilltop, Kingdom, Saviors, and Alexandria were introduced. In one of the most recent issues, a small group journeyed to Pittsburgh while on their way to meet a group in Ohio.
Seeing as Robert Kirkman's books are still in print, The Walking Dead can continue through what might be Season 14 and reach a point in the story equivalent to the most recent issue.
prevnextDon't Get LOST
The only risk The Walking Dead runs by continuing until the fans entirely stop watching is getting LOST.
LOST was one of the most popular shows in television with some seasons averaging well over 20 million viewers per episode on ABC. As the show went on, however, newly introduced elements frustrated an audience which had already bought into a science-fiction drama based in an acceptable reality driven by characters. Time travel, mythical powers, and a far-fetched explanation for the island's smoke monster left fans questioning the quality of a series which was widely beloved in its earliest seasons.
Not to mention, the ending of the series confused many fans, prompting speculation of "They were dead the whole time," to become the common misconception, making some fans feel as though they wasted time watch 116 episodes of the series.
The Walking Dead has an opportunity to offer a conclusive ending for the characters fans will have followed for 115 episodes by the end of Season 8 and will inevitably continue beyond and into ninth and tenth seasons. But at what point is it enough for the zombie drama? Can Rick Grimes and his family keep being a part of interesting stories for years to come or is the clock ticking for the former Sheriff and fellow survivors?
prevnextMore Walking Dead
The Walking Dead's sibling series Fear the Walking Dead returns September 10th. The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season on October 22, 2017. The Season Eight premiere will mark 100 episodes overall for the popular AMC series. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.
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