The Walking Dead series is approaching its tenth anniversary, and while watching season nine, one can’t help but feel that its narrative arc should have concluded some time ago. The initial concept of a multi-year television series following a group’s survival during a zombie apocalypse was undeniably ingenious. However, around season six, the storyline began to stagnate, particularly concerning Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln)‘s journey. Shortly before Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan)‘s introduction, the series eliminated two key characters, making continued viewership challenging. This was further compounded by narrative inconsistencies, such as Negan’s decision to target supporting characters instead of the group’s leader.
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The Walking Dead exhibits a similar issue to that of X-Files: narrative overextension followed by attempts to reset the status quo. The recurring theme of Rick Grimes’s realization that the protagonists are becoming as morally compromised as their adversaries grows tiresome. The series repeatedly escalates to a climax, only to revert to a familiar starting point. The Screen Rants: Pitch Meeting video below aptly summarizes the current sentiment regarding The Walking Dead:
The Walking Dead experienced a decline in focus and viewership during seasons seven and eight. With season nine, AMC appointed new showrunners in an effort to revitalize the series. The season primarily focuses on Rick Grimes’s fate, employing frequent time jumps that can be disorienting. While season nine doesn’t fully recapture the series’ initial appeal, it represents a notable effort towards that goal.
The first episode illustrates a recurring issue: a lapse in judgment by the characters. Despite their hardened survival skills, the protagonists make questionable decisions. For instance, the scenario involving retrieving a heavy wagon from a museum features an inexplicably fragile glass floor concealing zombies. The subsequent rope-based maneuver introduces unnecessary risk. While presented as a suspenseful moment, it highlights a recurring issue: characters alternating between moments of intelligence and inexplicable stupidity. Simple solutions, such as using readily available boards to reinforce the glass, are ignored in favor of contrived tension. These illogical choices undermine the narrative’s credibility.
The Blu-ray edition presents satisfactory audio and video quality. The intentionally grainy picture contributes to the series’ aesthetic. The inclusion of supplementary materials, such as “in memory of” segments and commentary tracks, enhances the viewing experience and suggests a renewed creative energy during the ninth season’s production.
In conclusion, as previously stated in my review of The Walking Dead – The Definitive series, the narrative surrounding Clementine‘s fate is more compelling than that of Rick Grimes. The series has arguably overstayed its welcome, mirroring the survivors’ monotonous routine of zombie elimination with audience fatigue. Nevertheless, season nine remains a competently produced installment, featuring noteworthy sequences and scenes, warranting an overall passing grade. However, it is hoped that season ten will mark the series’ conclusion.
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