The Walking Dead is a vast franchise that still dominates horror TV entertainment, but there is still a great deal of controversy concerning the long-running series. Some of this controversy is based on lackluster spin-offs, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. However, whether it's concerning a popular series or not, there are certain aspects of the franchise that failed to impress.
Many of the best storylines in the series came early on in each show, developing the characters and showing how they survive within the post-apocalyptic world. On the other hand, many storylines completely failed to impress the viewers, offering overused tropes, out-of-character decisions, and unoriginal conflicts. Many viewers agree that the storylines in The Walking Dead deserve the hate they get.
Madison Seeking Revenge On Charlie Detracted From the Current Plot
Fear the Walking Dead, Season 8
After Madison Clark is revealed to still be alive and working for PADRE, she rejoins the cast of Fear the Walking Dead with Morgan Jones. In the final season, the plot focuses on Madison fighting against PADRE and then Troy Otto to protect the home she's worked hard to protect since disappearing in Season 4.
Madison Clark is played by Kim Dickens.
During the heated fight with Troy, Madison reconnects with Charlie and learns that the girl killed her son, Nick. In a rage, Madison tries to kill Charlie and then convinces the girl to infiltrate Troy's group to prove she's changed. Though this act emphasizes how ruthless Madison became after losing her children, this was an unpopular plot point for viewers who found her reaction hypocritical based on her kidnapping children for PADRE and thought it detracted from the conflict with Troy.
The Underwhelming Wolves Threat Felt Incomplete
The Walking Dead, Season 6
In Season 6 of The Walking Dead, the wolves became a threat around the time Morgan Jones reappeared. They invade Alexandria and kill many of the citizens inside the walls before Morgan convinces them to leave, and many of them escape. This conflict continues for a couple of episodes as Morgan secretly aids a Wolf named Owen, which begins a fight with Carol and leads to their doctor, Denise, being held captive by the villain.
One of the leaders of the wolves, Owen, was played by Benedict Samuel.
The Wolves cause a major conflict when they crash a truck into the walls of Alexandria, falling the watch tower that lets a large horde of walkers into the community. However, after that, the wolves are never heard from again, even though many of them live by fleeing. These vicious and bloodthirsty villains seemed to be a serious threat, and it felt unrealistic that the characters would never encounter them again.
The Maggie/Negan Conflict Overwhelms the Spin-off
The Walking Dead: Dead City, Season 1
The long-running conflict between Maggie and Negan began when he was still a villain and murdered her husband in a vicious display of power. After Negan goes through his redemption arc, Maggie still wants him dead but agrees to accept his aid. By Season 11 of The Walking Dead, she admits to him that she can't stand how he reminds her of Glenn's death, but she understands he changed and is working to forgive him so she can move on with her life.
Negan and Maggie are played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan.
In The Walking Dead: Dead City, Maggie seems to completely backtrack, intent on hating Negan and vying for his death as he helps track down her son, Hershel. This conflict in the spin-off felt like recycling a stale plot point, focusing on their hatred and preventing Negan and Maggie from experiencing a change in Dead City. Many viewers believe the show would have benefited from them being allies, even if it seems as though they'll never trust each other completely.
The Search for Beth Greene Was Pointless
The Walking Dead, Season 4
Many of the characters had interesting storylines after the prison was destroyed by the Governor, and they were separated. Beth had a particularly compelling storyline, fleeing with Daryl and surviving with him until they're separated by a walker attack.
Beth is played by Emily Kinney.
However, The Walking Dead once again disappointed with this storyline by giving a character agency just to kill them off. After Beth is held captive at Grady Memorial Hospital, Rick's group comes to save her, only to walk out with her lifeless body after she's shot by the leader of the group. The storyline with the hospital and Beth's newfound bravery ending so abruptly was a pointless tragedy that could have added nuance to the series.
Sherry and Dwight Losing Finch Was Devastating
Fear the Walking Dead, Season 8
Sherry and Dwight aren't the most popular Walking Dead couple, but they do have a tragic and endearing story. After they both escape Negan's tyranny separately, they reunite in Fear the Walking Dead, working together to rebuild their romance and overcome their past trauma. In the later seasons, Sherry is pregnant, and they agree to live within PADRE, despite the deviousness of the organization, to keep their child safe.
Sherry and Dwight are played by Christina Evangelista and Austin Amelio.
In the final season after the time jump, Sherry and Dwight have a son, Finch. Unfortunately, he is used in an experiment by PADRE and succumbs to a walker bite June tries to cure. Though the couple has a hopeful conclusion, fans are heartbroken over the demise of their child and find the trope of youths continuously dying in this post-apocalyptic world tiring, draining the storyline of any hope.
Virginia, Dakota, and the Pioneers Were Not Impressive Villains
Fear the Walking Dead, Season 6
Virginia and her pioneers are major villains in Fear the Walking Dead, attacking Morgan's group and separating them to work for the tyrannical group. This leads to an inside fight as characters such as John, June, and Morgan try to reunite and take down the villains. The conflict is most remembered for the demise of John due to Virginia's daughter, Dakota, and June taking revenge by killing Virginia.
Virginia and Dakota are played by Colby Minifie and Zoe Colletti.
This arc made for some interesting drama in the show, testing the dedication the characters have to their allies. On the other hand, Virginia and the pioneers are the most hated conflict in the spin-off. Many found the comparisons between the Saviors in The Walking Dead and this group too uncanny, developing a less severe version of a domineering villain instead of creating a fresh and intriguing conflict.
Isabelle and Daryl’s Relationship Was Unnecessary
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Season 2
In the first season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, the titular character quickly formed a tight bond with Isabelle and her nephew Laurent. Some fans were eager to see the relationship develop further, and many were excited about the opportunity to see a Daryl romance. In the second season, this Daryl Dixon romance was confirmed when the two share a kiss and talk about their future together.
Isabelle Carriere is played by Clemence Poesy.
Though some fans were eager for this romance, many argue that Daryl's obscure sexuality and lack of interest in romance made his character all the more intriguing. After Isabelle is killed off the show shortly after their romance begins, it seems completely unnecessary to change this perception of a beloved character for a relationship that would never evolve into anything that would impact the show.
The Reapers Felt Like a Filler Villain
The Walking Dead, Season 10-11
The Reapers are another antagonist group that were similar to other villains, such as the Governor and Negan, without the same impact. Despite the eerie blend of religious extremism and militarism, the Reapers never felt like a major threat but rather took up some time and added a bit of tension until the major Commonwealth arc.
Leah and Pope are played by Lynn Collins and Ritchie Coster.
Many viewers weren't impressed with Daryl fighting and having to kill his almost-love-interest, Leah, who previously gave him Dog before she reunited with her devious allies. Though the conflict came with Maggie's return, explained as her fleeing her decimated community after a Reaper attack, the show would have benefited from a new conflict instead of a tired rendition of an already overused trope.
It's a Mistake to Replace New Characters With Carol
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Season 2
In the latest season of Daryl Dixon, Carol rejoins The Walking Dead franchise to journey across the ocean in search of her old friend. This was an exciting addition to the spin-off, and fans were eager to see this beloved character back in action. However, viewers were also concerned about how this long-running character would affect the quality of the show.
Carol is played by Melissa McBride.
Daryl Dixon confirmed viewers' concerns when they did something very wrong with this The Walking Dead series. Season 2 quickly killed off or wrote off most of the cast from the spin-off, defeating the villain and giving the perfect opportunity for Carol and Daryl to have an independent journey to London. While many fans love Carol's inclusion, it's a major mistake to focus on these two long-running characters, shelving new additions to the franchise in favor of well-known personalities.
Michonne Leaving Her Kids Was Unsettling
The Walking Dead, Season 10
Michonne and Rick's storyline in THe Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live was an endearing conclusion for two popular characters. Michonne captured the hearts of viewers through her perseverance and determination to find her long-lost partner. On the other hand, fans were not impressed with how she ended up on this journey.
Michonne is played by Danai Gurira.
After learning Rick is alive, Michonne immediately decides to go look for him, leaving the people of Alexandria to care for her two children. Though it's reasonable that she would want to find the man she loves, viewers were not impressed that she suddenly left her children behind, content to spend years away from them without knowing if they're still safe. Her motives were understood, but that doesn't make Judith and Rick Jr. being left by their last parent any less unsettling.
