In Defense of Season 8 of The Walking Dead...

Everyone knows that The Walking Dead declined in viewership over the years. From the countless “This shows still on” comments I’ve seen hundreds of times to the “Yeah I stopped watching when they killed THIS character or THAT character When they left the prison when Negan came” There are dozens of reasons people give as to why they stopped watching the show, but one thing remains constant across the viewership numbers; they dropped drastically over the course of Season 8.

0:00 - 1:46 - The Defense of Season 8...
1:47 - 8:14 - The Good
8:15 - 11:48 - The Bad
11:49 - 17:21 - The Ugly
17:22 - 19:17 - Closing Remarks

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Outro:
Late Night Driving - Broke In Summer

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Isaiah Saunders:

[seananigans]

I’ve always thought the line “my mercy prevails over my wrath” was a perfect redemption and beginning of a new arc for Rick. I think it was a perfect ending for Rick’s arc that season and the whole murder rick persona/arc in general.

[MeMelon]

Before even watching I'm glad this is a video. Season 8 had some big writing issues but I think this season above all else Andrew Lincoln CARRIED. The storyline was convoluted and the writing gets eye rolling but Rick Grimes stays consistent the entire way through and makes this one of the most compelling seasons just for watching Rick.

[dalegend]

I remember how angry i was when Carl died, knowing what was coming to his character, it was really the writer's biggest mistake.

[mathijnd]

Carls most interesting material was literally the next story arc. Its beyond me that they thought killing him would be smart. The whisperers, the commonwealth with Ricks death and Carl taking control. Why kill him off right before his most interesting story. So sad

[ZainIsInPain]

My favorite episode was the one with Ezekiel when his entire crew dies. It really humbled him and showed us more of the true side of Ezekiel, was also awesome seeing Jerry cut that guy in half. It was scary seeing how all his soldiers instantly, without hesitation, just threw themselves onto Ezekiel to protect him. He knew he didn't deserve that and it was interesting seeing his struggle with that.

Also I'm a Muslim, and I recognized the phrase "My mercy prevails over my wrath" and when I searched it up I found out that it was actually also a big phrase used in the Qu'ran, so that was pretty cool to find out.

[charlesjclin]

I watched all of the 11 seasons of TWD last year for the first time on Disney plus, and i never thought season 8 was boring. But hearing/seeing lots of fans disliking this season, I came to realized it’s because of the different ways we watch shows, just like you said!! I totally binged watch the whole season, and I was able to remember most of the stories and connect them. If I watched it in 2017 on tv, and had to wait every week to watch an episode, and try to remember what’s going on while looking for any sort of excitement and development, I’d probably stop watching too. It’s crazy the different ways we watch shows make a huge difference to our enjoyment level.

[HomelanderHL]

What i like about this season and doesn't get mentioned often is how much of a Menace Morgan Jones is. Aside from Rick, Morgan Jones wipes out most of the Saviors. Embodies of a Dangerous Man that broke his peace.

[lordfrieza]

I think if season 7 and 8 was one whole season of 16 episode, in first half they show communities under the savior rule and in the second half they rebel against them removing all the useless stuff from season 7 and 8 it'd without a doubt be the greatest season ever

[ScottishScrub]

I like how casual viewers who don't know about fear never find out what happened to Morgan... he's seen at the end of s8 and then just never appears again

[CupcakeMagee]

The fact that Carls' death is a huge focal point for season 8 is so funny to me. The reason it's so iconic is due to the fact that it is in fact one of the most hated actions taken by the show writers, but when you take a step back and begin to analyze it IT CAN ACTUALLY BE REALLY INTERESTING. The idea of the death of Rick's son pushed him to show mercy to the man who was one of the biggest threats that has ever appeared on the show is so interesting, most people would flip Rick's reaction around. Was carls character wasted potential?? absolutely man got did so dirty, but something I noticed was how Carl himself didn't NEED to be someone, just the idea of him affected SO MANY CHARACTERS!! Michonne was able to heal over her son's death and got with rick thanks to carl, carl showed a softer side of Negan that would have never appeared otherwise, Carl WAS ONE OF THE REASONS RICK KEPT GOING AND FIGHTING!!! Carls death, if it had been done better and with better reasons, would have been an incredible turning point for the show instead of one of its downfalls. (this probably sounds like me just sucking the shows dick but carl was one of my favorite characters in television and i really like analyzing characters if that's anything to show my lack of biases :P)

[laux]

I also remember not paying much attention to season 8 when it aired, but I recently binged it and I think it flows much better if you're not waiting for weekly episodes

[kristinc]

I agree that Daryl’s hatred for Dwight is boring/annoying at times but I do understand it. I think Daryl holds Dwight responsible for his time in “the hole” & was really traumatized by it. He resents him for this & for “kneeling” after everything Negan did to him & Sherry. Not only that, but the death of Denise really affected Daryl & really fueled that hatred of Dwight.

Plus…. He stole the man’s bike. Lol

[Redstar_]

I think Carol had the best story arc with Henry and that story is super important for season 9. Also her finding him in the same spot as Sophia and telling Ezekiel about it is my favorite moment of the entire season.

[yoloswagthuglifeselfie]

I was literally looking for this exact subject the other day and couldn’t find any good videos on it. Never stop making TWD essays! Thanks

[KristingusPorpingus]

I cant explain it exactly but every rewatch I just find myself looking at my phone more than watching when I get to season 8

[nikkicole]

The shiva episode is so heartbreaking. 😢 But King Ezekiel is always a highlights. ☺️

[gabriellelytle]

Mr. Typewriter I love you’re essays. I listen to the while driving. And I absolutely adore the show (and I’m reading the comics finally!) and I am so excited for this to air in like 30 seconds lol

[TheDMsofDisability]

The one thing I will never understand is that it was SUPER obvious they set Morgan up to have Carl's death, but changed it last minute. He made the prison cell, he had the all life is precious notions, he was falling off the rails, and for him to die and next to Rick while still sharing his old "all life is precious" notion being in Rick's mind would have been a good pay off. Especially with how Rick was seeing everyone else lose their humanity throughout 8A

[toprope_]

tbh what kept me interested was that seasons 7-9 the walkers didn’t feel like a threat anymore. they’re still super dangerous, but enough time has passed that people know how to handle them for the most part and humans can get back to stuff like organized war, even if it’s just between city-states. not everyone enjoyed the turn from surviving the zombies to surviving the other humans, but post-Terminus it was clear that zombies were no longer the major threat since those could be dealt with easily. other human groups though? those were much harder to fight

[AvaMaxJax]

Finally, i love season 7 and 8, i know some episodes are boring and slow but i think alot of them are great. Personally i love the war against the saviors and Negan