10 Moments That Made The Walking Dead Fans Quit the Show (& Never Look Back)

The Walking Dead fans are eagerly awaiting the second season of Dead City, which is set to be released this spring, despite not receiving an official air date yet. This is the newest installment to the growing franchise, teasing an eerie and exciting callback to Negan's time as the leader of the Saviors. However, not all viewers of the original show are eager for any and all news regarding the series.

Though TWD franchise is one of the major titles on TV today, not all viewers were dedicated to sticking around for all the ups and downs of the flagship series. There were various reasons viewers decided to quit the show, from the shift in plot to the unpopular character deaths. Some of the audience stayed until controversial aspects of later seasons, while others dropped the series far before the conclusion.

Finding Alexandria Reduced Tension

There are several controversial aspects of The Walking Dead, especially considering the underrated episodes and storylines in the original show. Many fans loved it when the main group reached Alexandria, giving them hope for the future. However, others feel this shift in scenery changed the structure of the narrative too drastically.

Though there had been other safe havens for the group, including the Greene Farm and the Prison, Alexandria's secure walls and sustainable resources offered a level of comfort not previously accessible. This allowed the plot to move past the need for shelter and focus on more drastic issues other than basic survival. Unfortunately, this shift in dynamic left some viewers uninterested, turning away from the show when it moved away from the constant danger and uncertainty of living on the road.

The Show Felt Too Divided After the Prison Fell

These episodes between Season 4 and Season 5, when the group was separated and then reunited, which also introduced new allies, began a prominent trend in which there was a significant focus on individual conflicts for characters in addition to their group dynamic. For some fans, this made the storyline too complex and muddled with various subplots, leading to them quitting the series at some point within those two seasons.

Rick Sparing Negan Was Very Controversial

Many Walking Dead fans believe the Saviors War, which spanned over two seasons, was far too lengthy and became boring by its conclusion. However, this war led to many changes in the series that would influence the storyline up until the finale. A key event in this conflict was when Rick won the fight with Negan, slitting the villain's throat, but chose to spare his life as an example of their new way of living.

Though he would go on to be a beloved main character and is arguably a redeemed villain, some viewers thought Negan should have died, and Rick was wrong for letting the enemy live. At this point, the morality and complex social dynamic of the show had reached new heights. Some viewers who disliked this plot device became disinterested and were unimpressed with the development of community in the post-apocalyptic world.

The Storyline Felt Boring When the Commonwealth Was Introduced

The Commonwealth was introduced at the end of Season 10 when Eugene went searching for Stephanie along with Ezekiel, Yumiko, and their new friend Juanita (aka Princess). In the final season, after many of the characters are allowed into the Commonwealth's secure city, the plot focuses on the corrupt government and overthrowing its leadership. Though the overall storyline of The Walking Dead led up to this plot, it didn't work for every fan.

At the beginning of the show, the main themes of the narrative were survival and the dangers of the zombies overtaking the world. When the Commonwealth came into the picture, it was established that the story had evolved into a complex commentary on morality and political structures. Viewers who enjoyed the basics of this horror series didn't like the focus on post-apocalyptic reconstruction and stopped watching before the finale.

Glenn’s Brutal Death Was Too Harsh

One of the most talked-about reasons viewers stopped watching The Walking Dead is when Glenn Rhee died at the beginning of Season 7. An original long-running character hadn't died in the plot for a while, making the audience believe most of them had plot armor. Though Glenn died in the TV show the same way he did in the comic source material, it was still a disappointment for viewers who hoped this aspect of the original story would be cut from the adaptation.

However, the simple fact that Glenn died wasn't the only reason these fans stopped watching the series. Given how beloved his character was, many viewers found the brutal, gory way he died too disturbing of a finale. The treatment of a character that was known to be a fan favorite isn't abnormal, given the dark themes of TWD, but it was enough to make fans stop watching.

Rick’s “Death” Removed the Main Character

Season 1 of The Walking Dead firmly established Rick as the main character. Though the storyline expanded with each character arc, many viewers still consider him the central character after years of development. Therefore, his "death" was harder to accept than most demises in the flagship TWD series.

Due to Andrew Lincoln's desire to be written off the series because of personal responsibilities, Rick leaves during Season 9. He blew up a bridge and was picked up by the CRM, leaving his loved ones to believe he had died. While the post-credit scene revealed he hadn't died, he was absent for the rest of the series. Some viewers were more interested in his storyline and evolution than any other character, and his departure left them disinterested in continuing the show.

The Walkers Became Background Noise

The walkers in this series define it as horror and are the catalyst for the entire storyline. The situation and struggles the characters face are due to the virus that brings corpses back to life. Despite this, as the survivors became more comfortable in their world, the walkers were less of a threat and more of a consistent aspect of the worldbuilding that kept the concept of the overarching scenario relevant.

After Season 6, when people such as the Saviors truly took center stage as the ultimate antagonists, walkers became less and less important and were included as a way to build tension and keep the characters fighting in every direction. For viewers in love with the original concept, the show wasn't entertaining anymore when walkers weren't the central conflict.

The Season 6 Finale Was Ridiculous

Season 6's finale, "Last Day on Earth," was Negan's introduction. Though he's a popular character and arguably the most memorable villain, his first episode is one of the most controversial in the fandom. At the end of "Last Day On Earth," when Negan and the Saviors hold the group captive, the audience is left wondering who Negan chose to kill off.

Leaving this reveal for Season 7 is a bit ridiculous, considering he kills off Glenn, who viewers were already expecting to die because of the source material. Though Abraham's death was a bit of a shocking twist, the audience felt cheated that they had to wait until the next season to watch the demise of a character they already thought was going to die, which also gave some false hope that Glenn wouldn't be Negan's victim. For some viewers, this was a final straw, making them turn away from the show due to their perception that the creators didn't respect their dedicated audience.

Many Stopped After the Original Finale

Regardless of all the controversial aspects of The Walking Dead, some viewers were so dedicated to the storyline and watching the conclusion that they stuck around until the finale of Season 11. While some thought the last season wasn't as epic as the show promised, it was a well-rounded conclusion fans were happy they witnessed. For certain viewers, however, this was as far as they went.

There is a group of Walking Dead fans that have never had an interest in the spin-off shows. Despite the original kick-starting a major horror franchise, these viewers remain uninterested in seeing other storylines or the continuation of long-running character's arcs. These fans consider the original series, especially the earlier seasons, the peak of the post-apocalyptic story, and chose to stop watching when it ended.

Carl’s Demise During the Savior’s War Was a Mistake

Arguably, no other major character death is more unpopular than Carl Grimes' untimely demise in Season 8. It certainly fit his character development that he would die protecting another life, solidifying his mature growth and newfound value of life. Yet, this heroic sacrifice didn't convince dedicated viewers that it excused Carl being killed off.

Carl's demise appeared to be a way to shock the audience and offer a major twist amid the lengthy Saviors War. It successfully broke the hearts of viewers, making them feel the survivors' grief over losing a child they'd all grown to love and protect. However, it was also wildly unpopular, and many fans thought it was a monumental mistake. Carl's death, which had become the representation of hope in this dark series, marked the end of many viewer's interest in the show's continuation.