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Perspective from someone who's read the comics (Season 11)

posted 2 years ago by Bulma (66)
15 replies | jump to latest

This is my first topic / post on MovieChat. I've been a fan of the site for a long time now, ever since IMDB closed the message boards (worst decision they ever made in my opinion). I enjoy reading other peoples thoughts, and I decided to finally sign up and join in discussions. I've been a Walking Dead fan since the series first started, and have read the comic books. The series means a lot to me so I wanted to share my thoughts on season 11:

For the majority of the Walking Dead TV, I thought it was very well made. Some changes from the comic books I actually enjoyed, as they fleshed out certain characters or storylines. Season 11 though, overall I've been disappointed. I know it's not going to be exactly like the comic, but I feel like out of all the stories they've adapted, they did the Commonwealth arc the worst.

***COMIC BOOK SPOILERS***

I'm going to separate these in a list to make it easier to read:

1. Some of the storylines they made up for this season felt like they went nowhere. The entire plot with Daryl and the Leah (the girl he spent time with in the cabin). The religious nuts that she was with, and that group of adversaries just felt like a rehash of other past villains they've fought, and didn't feel fresh or like it brought anything new to the table. I'm not against original, filler arcs exclusive to the TV show; I liked certain ones like the Hospital arc.

2. Whether they do end up showing Rick in the last episode or not, I am NOT a fan of what they did with his character towards the end of this series, or Michonne. The comic is Rick and Carl's story, and one of the most powerful scenes in the CommonWealth is when Carl find's Rick's zombified body. I know they aren't going that route in the TV show, but while alive, Rick was still a huge influence in this chapter, and him not being through it all is a bummer. I understand they are making a mini series with Rick and Michonne after the regular show ends, since they canceled the movies. To me though, I think it will never be as good as seeing those characters interact with the rest of the group in season 11, as they've been through season after season with these same friends.

3. I don't know if other shows do this, but I really hate the idea that they say there will be spinoffs of certain characters, BEFORE the regular show ends. Not sure if they are still being made, but they were talking about doing a Carol and Daryl spinoff, Maggy and Negan, etc. To me, that ruins part of the tension of the regular show, knowing that it's possible these characters are going to make it out okay. I realize they could write those spinoffs in between past seasons, but the very idea that they would announce these or mention who will be in them, I think deflates the excitement a bit and puts doubt if they are going to die.

4. Eugene's court trial: I enjoy Eugene's character, and think both the comic and the TV version did a decent job with him. One thing I will say though, is I thought the court trial for Carl (comicbook version) made a lot more sense and thought it was more interesting then switching him out with Eugene, and the story behind it. I don't think it was terrible, just a weird choice. I get why they changed Michonne's occupation with Yumiko since Michonne isn't even around, but I don't think Yumiko is as interesting.

5. One thing I thought season 11 did do well and was really looking forward to were the evolved / mutated walkers. They didn't do this in the comics from what I remember, and I thought it was a neat idea. Something that's finally intriguing, and brings the series back to it's roots with the monsters full front and center..... and they barely used them. Only for the last few episodes. Just seems like such a waste. Sure, maybe they will be a big part of that mini series with Rick and Michonne, but that would have made Season 11 so much better if the new variant walkers played a bigger role. We still have the last episode as of this writing, so it looks like we might get a little more at least.

That's all I can think of for now. For such a long running series, it feels like it's going out on a whimper, and while episode 23 finally started picking up the pace and had some cool moments, it took way, way too long. Especially with how many episodes they did make for season 11. Lastly I'll leave this off on a positive note and mention some things I did like. Besides the new walkers, I thought that Mercer was done well and he looked and acted the part of the comics. I like the soldier outfits, and the style and look of everything this season. I also enjoyed the actors who played Pamela, Sebastian and Lance, thought they all did a great job and felt it was faithful to the source material. Thanks again for reading my first topic / post on here, regardless if you agree or disagree with what I've said, I am looking forward to reading replies!

[–] TheGutterMonkey (297) 2 years ago

While I, as well, dislike the redundancy of the plot (that same old formula where they meet and fight a new ultimate community each season), I think I'd be able to stomach it a lot more if there had been any character left in the show who I felt that the series was actually about.

As you mentioned, this was a story about Rick Grimes and his family (Carl, in particular). And once they were both gone, I just couldn't fathom what the point was anymore. I continued to watch but no new primary protagonist ever seemed to arrive.

Instead, the background players all seem to have been promoted and new nobodies brought in. And it's these people who take turns occupying screen time each week. A large portion of which I can barely remember the names of. I just call them things like "that deaf girl" or "the lesbian who arrived with the deaf girl" or "no, the other lesbian" or "Eugene's black girlfriend" or "Alpha's daughter" etc lol. It's as if we're following an ensemble of glorified redshirts for no particular reason. Redshirts who we're told to care about but who we were never made to care about. Granted, we've still got the likes of Daryl, Carol, Eugene, and Negan. But even they seem somewhat disposable to me. Just supporting cast who've defaulted to top-billing due to a lack of options.

Even if they do end up bringing Rick back in this last little bit here, I can't imagine the reunion being anything special. Most of the characters I'd have liked to have seen him reunite with are either dead or have otherwise left the show. There's Judith, of course, and RJ, I suppose. But I barely feel like I know them either. And, perhaps more importantly, they don't feel like they know Rick (which they don't, really). Could you imagine, though, if Carl had still been here? How great it would be for him to see his dad again after thinking he was dead all these years? That's the reunion I want to see. But, sadly, we never will.

[–] joej2923 (2959) 2 years ago

I don't care about the new characters and I can't stand subtitles. The deaf and dumb people annoy me since I have to watch subtitles. I wanted to see Eugene, Negan and Gabriel DIE for their past sins but I don't see that happening.

Rick was my fav character so the show was less interesting when Rick left. Maggie is still interesting to me but I'm disappointed that she is not featured as much. I still like Daryl and Carol but they are supporting characters.