AMC’s The Walking Dead has an uncanny knack for manipulating its audience, but this year’s hyper-violent season premiere went too far. So far that we canceled our ongoing series The Walking Dead Quitter’s Club, with co-author Bryan Bishop swearing off the show entirely.
Now, Nick Statt is trying to change his mind. Instead of tearing the show down, we’ll be finding something to highlight. It might be a subtle change in character, a great action scene, or a new development in a narrative arc. But every week, Nick will be seeking out things that remind us of the very best of The Walking Dead — the moments that might just give viewers a reason to come back.
Welcome to The Walking Dead Redemption Club.
Dear Bryan,
At long last, The Walking Dead finds itself back in Alexandria. The past two episodes have offered a refreshing and much-needed break, with standalone stories and a focus on the broader narrative with Carol in The Kingdom and Daryl in captivity. But now the focus is back on the critical power play between Rick and Negan, with Alexandria beholden to The Saviors and forced to pay tribute every week — or face a public execution.
A crucial moment for ‘The Walking Dead’
This is a crucial time for season seven, and it’s when The Walking Dead’s post-premiere rebound could start to fall apart. We’re supposed to believe that Rick’s situation is hopeless. That after all he’s been through, Rick has now resigned himself, his family, and his friends to forever live as the hostages of a tyrant with a well-armed militia keeping a gun to their heads.