In Defense of Season 8 of The Walking Dead... 

I remember how angry i was when Carl died, knowing what was coming to his character, it was really the writer's biggest mistake.

I’ve always thought the line “my mercy prevails over my wrath” was a perfect redemption and beginning of a new arc for Rick. I think it was a perfect ending for Rick’s arc that season and the whole murder rick persona/arc in general.

Carls most interesting material was literally the next story arc. Its beyond me that they thought killing him would be smart. The whisperers, the commonwealth with Ricks death and Carl taking control. Why kill him off right before his most interesting story. So sad

Before even watching I'm glad this is a video. Season 8 had some big writing issues but I think this season above all else Andrew Lincoln CARRIED. The storyline was convoluted and the writing gets eye rolling but Rick Grimes stays consistent the entire way through and makes this one of the most compelling seasons just for watching Rick.

My favorite episode was the one with Ezekiel when his entire crew dies. It really humbled him and showed us more of the true side of Ezekiel, was also awesome seeing Jerry cut that guy in half. It was scary seeing how all his soldiers instantly, without hesitation, just threw themselves onto Ezekiel to protect him. He knew he didn't deserve that and it was interesting seeing his struggle with that. Also I'm a Muslim, and I recognized the phrase "My mercy prevails over my wrath" and when I searched it up I found out that it was actually also a big phrase used in the Qu'ran, so that was pretty cool to find out.

I watched all of the 11 seasons of TWD last year for the first time on Disney plus, and i never thought season 8 was boring. But hearing/seeing lots of fans disliking this season, I came to realized it’s because of the different ways we watch shows, just like you said!! I totally binged watch the whole season, and I was able to remember most of the stories and connect them. If I watched it in 2017 on tv, and had to wait every week to watch an episode, and try to remember what’s going on while looking for any sort of excitement and development, I’d probably stop watching too. It’s crazy the different ways we watch shows make a huge difference to our enjoyment level.

I also remember not paying much attention to season 8 when it aired, but I recently binged it and I think it flows much better if you're not waiting for weekly episodes

I think if season 7 and 8 was one whole season of 16 episode, in first half they show communities under the savior rule and in the second half they rebel against them removing all the useless stuff from season 7 and 8 it'd without a doubt be the greatest season ever

I agree that Daryl’s hatred for Dwight is boring/annoying at times but I do understand it. I think Daryl holds Dwight responsible for his time in “the hole” & was really traumatized by it. He resents him for this & for “kneeling” after everything Negan did to him & Sherry. Not only that, but the death of Denise really affected Daryl & really fueled that hatred of Dwight. Plus…. He stole the man’s bike. Lol

I cant explain it exactly but every rewatch I just find myself looking at my phone more than watching when I get to season 8

What i like about this season and doesn't get mentioned often is how much of a Menace Morgan Jones is. Aside from Rick, Morgan Jones wipes out most of the Saviors. Embodies of a Dangerous Man that broke his peace.

I like how casual viewers who don't know about fear never find out what happened to Morgan... he's seen at the end of s8 and then just never appears again

The shiva episode is so heartbreaking. 😢 But King Ezekiel is always a highlights. ☺️

I think Carol had the best story arc with Henry and that story is super important for season 9. Also her finding him in the same spot as Sophia and telling Ezekiel about it is my favorite moment of the entire season.

I personally like season 8! It didn't make me quit the show. The only part I disliked about season 8 was Carl dying. But besides that I liked it because Rick absolutely carried all out war. Not to mention Rick was in every episode that season besides EP11. The 100th episode was really great too!

For me I feel like this season had a few good points to it, and I absolutely teared up when Carl had his last talk with Judith

To be honest, the whole show from start to finish, despite the way they did Glenn and Carl, was amazing. The biggest issue with it was that I’d say from season 8 onwards, you can only appreciate it when you watch the episodes back to back. I watched up to season 7 week to week and it was amazing, then I stopped at season 9 after a few attempts. And I have only just now binged the whole show from season 8 onwards, and I really think the show finishes as strong as it was in season 5. It just needed to be binged, rather than one episode per week.

The fact that Carls' death is a huge focal point for season 8 is so funny to me. The reason it's so iconic is due to the fact that it is in fact one of the most hated actions taken by the show writers, but when you take a step back and begin to analyze it IT CAN ACTUALLY BE REALLY INTERESTING. The idea of the death of Rick's son pushed him to show mercy to the man who was one of the biggest threats that has ever appeared on the show is so interesting, most people would flip Rick's reaction around. Was carls character wasted potential?? absolutely man got did so dirty, but something I noticed was how Carl himself didn't NEED to be someone, just the idea of him affected SO MANY CHARACTERS!! Michonne was able to heal over her son's death and got with rick thanks to carl, carl showed a softer side of Negan that would have never appeared otherwise, Carl WAS ONE OF THE REASONS RICK KEPT GOING AND FIGHTING!!! Carls death, if it had been done better and with better reasons, would have been an incredible turning point for the show instead of one of its downfalls. (this probably sounds like me just sucking the shows dick but carl was one of my favorite characters in television and i really like analyzing characters if that's anything to show my lack of biases :P)

Finally, i love season 7 and 8, i know some episodes are boring and slow but i think alot of them are great. Personally i love the war against the saviors and Negan

i totally habe to say, I absolutely LOVED scenes like the Rick and Negan 1v1. Scenes like that kinda carried the season from falling apart.

The one thing I will never understand is that it was SUPER obvious they set Morgan up to have Carl's death, but changed it last minute. He made the prison cell, he had the all life is precious notions, he was falling off the rails, and for him to die and next to Rick while still sharing his old "all life is precious" notion being in Rick's mind would have been a good pay off. Especially with how Rick was seeing everyone else lose their humanity throughout 8A

tbh what kept me interested was that seasons 7-9 the walkers didn’t feel like a threat anymore. they’re still super dangerous, but enough time has passed that people know how to handle them for the most part and humans can get back to stuff like organized war, even if it’s just between city-states. not everyone enjoyed the turn from surviving the zombies to surviving the other humans, but post-Terminus it was clear that zombies were no longer the major threat since those could be dealt with easily. other human groups though? those were much harder to fight

Mr. Typewriter I love you’re essays. I listen to the while driving. And I absolutely adore the show (and I’m reading the comics finally!) and I am so excited for this to air in like 30 seconds lol

Glad you made this video. Even before seeing it. I never understood the massive hate for this season( understood some) I felt like after season 7 an all out war season like season 8 was warranted and actually fun to watch. Rick carried the season of course.

Great video. This season has a solid story but overall the real issue other than Carl is that it’s in a 16 episode format so everything is dragged out when it could’ve been better as 12 episodes. Morgan made the most sense to have the Carl death, he was the one that started the whole no killing idea in the first place plus he was the one who build the cell that negan would eventually live in. Ig it’s more believable rick would save negan for carl over someone like morgan, but i think it still couldve worked plus it would just be better in the long run of the series. Side note: I personally wasn’t a big fan of 7x13, like i dig with the idea of the story, but it’s executed poorly. The battle is very awkward, a lot of dumb character moments like henry letting saviors out by accident, reintroducing tobin after 2 seasons just to kill him off, the way no one woke up when walkers started biting them and falling down the stairs. So yeah basically s8 has cool ideas in mind it’s just not handled greatly imo

I was literally looking for this exact subject the other day and couldn’t find any good videos on it. Never stop making TWD essays! Thanks

Thank you so much for recognizing Do Not Send Us Astray it’s my favorite episode in Season 8 and definitely most watched episode in the season for me at least

I think the reason Eugene was more easily welcomed back is because most of the militia likely recognized that they all would have died had Eugene not sabotaged the ammunition.

Your videos have just been constant hits over and over, I love how you find so many new angles to discuss this show with!

yes finally, someone who doesn’t completely hate season 8. I binged watched it with my dad and he liked the fact it was more action. I liked also cuz it was action but it really had war vibes and shows how both groups had their own ways of attack. I also agree with you saying carls death was growth to ricks character arc. i know it could’ve been better but i enjoy it the way it was. IDC what anyone says This was an awesome season in my opinion.

My issue with episode Do not send us Astray is that it makes no sense if u remember the details from previous seasons. Cuz in season 1 they met this scientist which told them that they are all infected and they are gonna turn anyway even if they die from anything else ( which is even proven in prison arc when that kid dies under shower and than turns ) and rick, daryl and carol were there they've seen it and heard it but they were still going with that theory that walkers blood turned them, I mean yeah maybe it did but they didn't even need to actually use it to make them turn and it's just funny for me how they all completely forgot all of a sudden about everything that scientist said and did not even consider it as an option.

One of my biggest gripes with season 8 is the fact that if Eugene didn’t interfere in the finale, Rick would have led his people to a slaughter. Wish Rick actually defeated Negan with better tactics and didn’t have to get totally saved by Eugene

I felt like season 8 was my favorite season. I think the reason would be that there is this big bad villain and I knew the season would end with him either dying or loosing (Because Dead City was out when I was watching) Not that other seasons were bad but its true that it felt really different, more like an action show than a zombie show.

This makes me glad I never watched TWD when it aired. I just binge watched seasons 1-11 and like you said you were able to skip bad episodes. (Although I do remember watching some season 1 episodes when they aired)

Finally a well done video that isn't a recap, i can see effort was made for this

I've always have said you can tell a casual fan from a hardcore fan with Glenn's death. I stayed around watching it even after it got "bad" it definitely had its moments of success and downfalls. I just wish I could watch 1st time again and be amazed by it.

Certainly an underrated season. It’s biggest issue was the budget but that’s a problem for most seasons of this show.

This video is already one of my favorites of yours and if your considering this video makes me want other whole season videos like this where you look at the good, and bad of the season

I'm commenting this before watching the video btw. In S8's defence, it is a great season if binge-watched. The whole story takes place over the course of 3-4 DAYS. The first 9 episodes take place over the first 24 hours of the war. And watching it only one episode a week is not good because you feel the story isn't progressing as it literally took over 2 months just to piece together what happened during that first day of war from everyone's point of view. That's what turned people off I think.

I was serving a mission for my Church when Seasons 8 and 9 were on the air, so I really enjoyed binging then when I came back. XD I loved this video man! Cannot wait for another one of your Walking Dead or other deep dives!

You hit the head on the nail. Absolute perfect review. I always thought there were a lot of good things in s8, the pacing was just off. It's not as good as it could have been. I love the 20 minute format

i 100 percent agree i stopped watching around season 8 and like before season 11 came out had a thought to rewatch it and always wondered to myself why did i stop watching it this is still an amazing show but like u said i get the attachment we may have had with some characters made us stop watching

I notice the same thing. I watched the show over streaming for the first time an I haven't notice all the "awful" things my friends told me about or I thought they weren't that bad.

I watched Episode 8 of Season 7 "Hearts Still Beating".... man what an EPISODE! At the End of the Ep, I shed a Mantear....or two. Thank you for sending me on this Journey! Without you I wouldn't have watched it. Your Enthusiams pointed me in the right direction! This show is saving my life... in a way.

I’ve been going through my own re-watch. Going through Fear the Walking dead, I just finished season 8 of OG Walking dead. I totally agree, with streaming, being able to watch episode after episode makes it easier to watch. Back then having to wait for certain storylines to wrap up, only to find it underwhelming is what I think drove so many away. The hardcore point to certain deaths that made them watching the show. Ultimately I think it’s the pacing to the start of season 7 and the whole pace of season 8 that was its downfall *side note I’ve been loving your videos man. Really well laid out and thoughtful!

17:25 I would agree binging the show makes it 10 times more watchable. I wish I didn’t know the spoilers but not having to hold out for a meh episode is fantastic.

🤣, almost spit out my coffee at the sound effect at 5:42.

Thanks for making this video! I really enjoyed season 8, though I waited for the bluray and watched it all back to back, so as you say watching it week to week might have been less fulfilling. Still good to see someone talking about its strengths!

My favorite episode of this season is 14, because rick in his killer jacket, he's like "man, give it to me always" and I saw it very recently, just revisiting the series. An episode with Rick and Morgan as protagonists will always work, since Despite the little screen time they were given, their affinity for the story is unique and probably a lot of people missed out on it due to the disaster of the end of Chapter 8 and all of Chapter 9. I can think of as many ideas of how to make Rick change his mind without killing Carl as they would be: 1. See how Carl is determined to kill Negan, making him become everything Hershell tried to help him not to, so he leaves him alive as a show to everyone, but especially his son, that things can be different. 2. Rick sees in the communities themselves not only a way to defeat Negan, but a new future and that this also involves recovering concepts such as justice and humanity, not survival. Carl lives and supports his father in this way, just like in the comic. Those are some, but there are more. My point is that, indeed, that was the biggest mistake made by the showrunners at the time and that in many ways, it was what killed the show for me. Rick has lived by and for Carl since the beginning, his entire journey is about keeping his son alive, his engine. To take that away from him was to make his character wander aimlessly and his departure felt almost necessary.

Great video man! I’m literally watching it now on amc+ “ the key” and “do not send us astray “ I never realized how well they went went into each other .. Rick gets there right after fight w negan, the horn relays.. great few episodes in a row .. love all the Rick Morgan scenes ..

Interesting point at the end. As I only just watched TWD, I ended up binging season 8 in 1 day, so I didn't have the major gripes that some had. So from my perspective, ig you are spot on.

I didn’t have an issue with the season, story wise, except for Carl dying. The main thing for me is like you said, the season felt different, it tried to be more like an action show, and just felt really cheap for it. The action scenes themselves had no real choreography, just mid/close up shots of people shooting, no real set pieces. I just got bored of all those scenes. I didn’t mind character scenes at all. I did fall off mid season though, and didn’t get back into it until just before 11C, and finally continued from mid season 8, but i’m glad i did because i really enjoyed season 9 onwards

This season was where i had to take a long ass break binge watching the whole series in preperation for the last season. The whole “no killing thing” got so damn old so fast with morgan and then other people started doing it and i couldnt help but roll my eyes

I honestly liked this season, never considered stopping the show once. Guess I'm lucky

Season 8 is where I also stopped for a while . I remmeber seeing the trailer for season 9 with the whisperers and I had to get back into it. I went back and watched season 8 then and I remember it being super hard to get thru

Season 8 is mad underrated

Ur the goat love all of the last of us and walking dead content, always brings my hype back with the show

Can't Wait!

I didn’t watch twd until 10 seasons were out i rewatched all of it twice and the foreshadowing when u realize it. It’s so good.

I always felt like Morgan could have replaced Carl's death. If they kept Morgan as a pacifist his death could have pushed Rick's character in the same direction that Carl's did. Morgan even built the cell negan gets thrown into. I always felt like this is how the writer's were intending the story to go.

KEEP THESE VIDEOS COMING! 💙💙💙

So as I am rewatching the series I realize Carol and Morgan had a pretty good friendship that no one really talks about. Every one talks about Rick and Morgan. Wondering if you could or would do a video on their relationship? Thanks.

I would agree that season 8 had its lows and I respect your opinion me personally though season 7-8 are my favorites and it doesn’t have too much to do with the episodes themselves but the story as a whole it was telling. The rivalry between Rick and Negan is one of the best stories that TWD has shown I think. Negan being the one character that breaks Rick and strip his power was good and the journey Rick has to take to gain his power back was one of the things I love about season 8. Overall though I see your points and would agree it definitely has its ups and downs

Its really crazy because i feel like ive had the same opinion for a long time and i finally get to see someone talk about it, because when this season first aired i was so disappointed and having to wait each week for a meh episode was such a bummer esp once we got to that carl episode i lost all hope because ik wed never see a old man carl story line like in the comics and id always hate that decision but honestly after watching again on netflix and binging it straight thru i really came to appreciate s8 and what it brought to the show it was like a foot stone for what was to come and evolve in the future if the show and i liked that ( still minus carl dying ofc lmao )

I agree with your assessment. For me the season is better when you consider it in the whole arch of the story. But going through it week by week it dragged. I kept watching, but it was hard.

Every season was beautiful

Can you do some more Walking Dead episode review videos they're my favorite on your channel good job on those I think that's my favorite series of videos you've done awesome.

You should do a pros and cons for every season of The Walking Dead just like this video, I’d really enjoy watching those type of videos.

Chandler Riggs had a stream a few years ago mentioning that he wanted to continue college and live a normal life. Don’t know if he truly meant that, but probably why he was written off.

Such little time actually passes between 6x10 and 8x16. It’s told slow for that reason n definitely hit the mark when binge watched. One of my favorite franchises of all time

Totally nailed it!! If you binge it, it’s actually very good. Having to wait weeks to see certain characters is the big reason I stopped watching it. I just kind of got bored after season 10. And I didn’t go back and finish it until recently. I chose to start at season 5 (since I had seen seasons 1-4 about four or five times already). Binging the show made me interested in the Walking Dead world again. I immediately binged Fear right after and I really enjoyed that too. That’s another show I just lost interest in as well. If AMC were able to release a season at a time, instead of week by week, more people would watch the new spin offs.

10:00 what a fantastic point, I didn't hate the pacing because I watched it for the first time on Disney plus over a span of two weeks and really enjoyed it, and I can understand why waits causes pacing issues

You've perfectly explained how I felt about it. I watched this since the day it aired and then dropped of in this season as well. I only came back because it was ending, and felt the same way and came to the same conclusion. Week by week it's a slog, bing watching made this season far better.

I never thought about the _why_ , but looking back I also stopped at S8 and clearly it was no coincidence.

I said this along time ago. Week to week season 8 was rough but when binge watching it watches must better

You are 100% right with everything you said here, and also with binge watching it on Netflix was better!

Majin Morgan turning into John Wick and chasing people down was the best part

5:42 I laughed way too hard at that! Actually I'm still laughing LOL!

It is much better to experience all in one time instead of weeks then months apart

Rewatching season 8 now and I completely agree. The story lines up but the pacing and carls death really threw a wrench in the whole season for me the first watch

5:14 that one guy in your friend when you're eating lunch be like:

this was the video i learned scotts name. he was always there and i thought he was cool but straight up didnt know his name

You should do a video similar to this about season 7.

I've always loved season 8 because season 8, and more so season 6, are exactly what I always wanted from a show in this genre. We can put on our Freshman film/TV analysis glasses and pick it to pieces until the cows come home, or people just get angry that the show broke from the norm and made wild decisions (SOME OF WHICH PEOPLE STILL DON'T KNOW THE FULL STORY ON), but I enjoyed everything about it. I always wanted to see warfare in this genre, and not the 10 minute action sequence kind, the actual "this is going to be tedious and painful" results of war. We see our team go ham and take names for 4 solid episodes and then we start seeing the results of that and the cracks within the Saviors, and then true, unexpected loss, followed by the politics of protection pacts and the value of building relations, all capped off with a massive moral quandary and a touch of espionage. I just loved getting those perspectives and storytelling opportunities. Most say this show was best when it was them surviving on the road, but I've seen that 5001 times in the zombie sub genre, it's old hat, I was ready for something different and season 8 delivered for me. It's far from perfect, but I'd rather they shoot for the fences and miss instead of just the same old same.

Random idea I got while watching, why not make scene rankings or compilations of best Rick moments, Carl moments, best writing or so? I'd love more twd content 😊 I'm going to start watching again, since I stopped bc of Glenn, maybe now that I know how things turn out I can enjoy it more haha

I really liked Morgan’s stories in season 8 especially the parallels between him and Carol. In season 6 they were literally fighting each other between all life is precious and having to kill to protect Alexandria, in season eight they were complete opposites. Carol did what she had to do but was feeling extreme remorse for all the bodies she had while trying to help Morgan not lose himself in the killing. They made amazing soldiers especially together, while also showing the mental effects of having no choice but to kill to protect your loved ones.

The carl death was wht did it for me an hearing about the the behind the scenes stuff with Chandler made me even madder at the show an how they treated him an his character

Rick has a character arc in season 8 very similar to Matt in season 3 of Daredevil, and it a beautiful if way to send off our main characters.

I liked the fight inside the dark building with Rick and Neegan. *shrug*

Lol Carl was also technically in episode 15 with his voiceover for the letter to Rick.

Can someone explain the taking of photos during the battle with a fresh Polaroid 😂 Glenn's photog with a Diana (I think) was made into a good scene unlike the battle photos

Maybe it's just me but I didn't forget about the foreshadows in the first episode. As soon as Rick shot the glass from the tree I made the connection immediately. I thought it was obvious.

Recent to Waljing dead and just finished season 8. Ima keep it buck with you, I loved S8 and everything with the only thing I hate was Carl's death. I get the spirit and meaning but was stupid and how they treated Eugene specifically Rosita and Daryl like no its your fault Daryl the saviors escaped Eugene just helped innocent people in there survive. Also seeing the ending guessing Maggie is gonna be the villain for future seasons considering that ending but overall I liked it plus I'm Netflix only so to me the experience is more different and I enjoy it alot more then people who watched it weekly did

Daryl's hatred of Dwight was so forced, really confusing to watch

I am one of those people that rewatch saga series/movies. Call me basic I guess 😂. I just love to relive what I like and go through it again with the characters. To me, i feel more connected bc your connected to the same character through different times/events in their timeline. My hubby gives me cramp about it. He’ll say and I quote “Your on your benign again? Alright, let me know when your done. 😑😒” 😂 P.S. yes the round back is so sentimental to watch. Example-Harry Potter in movie 8, going back to his hole under the stairs. The growth! Ah! Can’t get enough!❤

First mistake, killing carl off, second mistake, spending 2 episodes watching him die and a third essentially watching Rick in grief. Honestly I remember when Carl got bitten and that was the mid season finale, we waited 6 months and had an hour of watching carl lay on the ground and cry. If they're going to kill him off, do it properly where he goes out like a warrier. Instead of the way he did, all to save a random indian guy.

Definitely enjoyed the series more after it was all released. Being able to binge watch Definitely helped the pacing and story come together better

Stopped around when Negan killed Glenn and Abraham. 'Member watching as a kid, 'specially the prison; just got Netflix again so can't wait to re-watch and watch what I missed.

There’s multiple scenes throughout the episodes of this season that foreshadow the final episode, not just the first episode

Man you really have to watch Fear the Walking Dead. S1 to S3 is some of the best walking dead content I've ever seen. Then Morgan and the new showrunners got S4 and the show turned to shit afterwards. S6 is surprisingly great but the show is still mid after S3, which is sad because S3 of Fear is a masterpiece