Should The Walking Dead Be More Violent?

The Walking Dead began its seventh season with one of the most-watched episodes of its entire run. However, the episode also brought the series its angriest critics yet.

The brutal violence depcited in the episode had many fans and critics saying that the show had taken things too far. After watching a couple of beloved characters have their heads bashed with a baseball bat, some swore off the show altogether.

Following the backlash of the premiere, it has been revealed that the show’s producers decided to cut back on the violence through the rest of the season. Scenes like Fat Joey’s death were altered in the final versions of the episodes, and fans were given a much less violent version of what they could have had.

Looking back, was this the right call? Should The Walking Dead have been more violent?

To be honest, it might have helped.

During the seventh season, the show dipped to its lowest ratings since season three. Coming off of one of its highest-watched episodes ever – that’s not good. After having such a shocking moment right out of the gate, it felt odd to have a much lighter show for the rest of the season.

When there were big moments – that were meant to be violent – the lack of intensity had fans feeling a little disappointed. Think about the iron scene in episode seven. The scene showed a glimpse of Negan‘s brutality while burning a man’s face, but it was severely toned down from the comic version. This also occurred when Fat Joey was killed in the midseason finale. His violent death was shot in full, but almost none of it was shown.

That just doesn’t feel like The Walking Dead that everyone is used to.

It could also be argued that the lack of violence hurt the ratings this season. Each episode that had less violence brought in lower ratings. As Negan got more involved, and he made more people suffer, more people watched.

The Walking Dead became loved for its ability to completely shock you, while still delivering an impressive narrative. If you take one of those elements away, the show isn’t living up to its fullest potential.

Critics are going to complain, and parents groups are going to start petitions, but that shouldn’t change things. As long as The Walking Dead is on the air, it deserves to set itself apart from everything else.

MORE WALKING DEAD:

Andrew Lincoln’s Epic Reaction To Season 7 Finale / New Season 7B Key Art / Violent Takes Were Removed From Midseason Finale / Best Moments of 2016 / Who Will Be The Next Major Death? / AMC Stock Takes Hit With TWD Ratings Drops / Spoilers: How Will Season 7 End? / New Characters Revealed In Season 7B Photo

The Walking Dead returns for the rest of its seventh season on February 12 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. Fear the Walking Dead‘s third season does not yet have a premiere date but with The Walking Dead finale set for April 2, expectations for Fear‘s return are set for April 9. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.