THE WALKING DEAD Fans Debate the Shows Best Episodes EVER – Nerdist

The Walking Deads fandom chatter never ceases, even when its on winter hiatus. The shows official Twitter page reached out to its #TWDFamily and asked them to give their opinions about the most impactful, memorable, and all-around BEST episodes of the series. This is a pretty tough task considering The Walking Deads 10B Season premiere will be its 140th episode. There have certainly been some filler episodes and forgettable moments during the shows run, but most fans can agree that the show also has its share of pretty stellar episodes too.

The Dead powers that be shared the following list as their picks and suggested that fans give their input on its order and what they would add or subtract to the mix.

Of course, this passionate fanbase (myself included) couldnt wait to give their thoughts on the episodes that caused pivotal shifts or are unforgettable in this zombie apocalypse saga. Heres what some fans wanted to keep and suggestions they had for the list:

Many fans agreed that No Sanctuary belonged near, if not at the top, of the list. And, Id definitely agree that it should be there. Not necessarily number one, but pretty far up there, for sure. The episode came off the heels of an epic season four cliffhanger with Rick and the gang trapped in the Terminus train cars.

It was packed from beginning to end with suspense, gore, and action and cemented Carols status as a certified badass. No Sanctuary also completed Ricks new evolution towards becoming a leader who was willing to take brutal actions to save his family. And, the Carol and Daryl reunion was pretty freaking sweet. The emotional reunions at the end and the post-credits teaser of Morgans return to the series.

Several fans took notice of the soul-crushing Season 7 openers absence. This episode certainly stands out as one of the most memorable and hardest to watch out of the entire series. It was devastating to see Abrahams head get beaten to a pulp, Ricks psychological breaking at the hands of Negan, and Glenns completely unnecessary pummeling while he said his goodbyes to a pregnant Maggie.

The Lucille scene is from a super iconic moment in the comics so its weird that they left it out. Its some seriously heavy material with absolutely stunning performances by the cast all-around, particularly Andrew Lincoln. The Day Will Come When You Wont Be not only tied back into Dr. Jenners Season 1 warning to Rick but it also showed the confident leader losing his power for the first time.

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It makes sense to keep the very first episode of the series on the list. The images of Rick riding that white horse into downtown Atlanta still resonate today. Days Gone Bye set this story in motion and its always an interesting re-watch because of how much the show has changed since then.

The episode is an ode to a simpler time on the show when the only major villain was the walkers themselves. However, several fans noted that it shouldnt be so high up on the list.

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How can the show NOT have A on their list? It has perhaps one of the greatest Rick Grimes moments of all time: the epic biting of Joes throat. This moment had every character in that scene (and all of the fandom) shook because it took Ricks willingness to survive to a completely new level.

The episode also further showed how Michonne is truly the real MVP who can shoot a man one moment and then comfort a child the next. The buildup to Rick, Carl, Michonne, and Daryl arriving at Terminus and the truth dawning on them is brilliant too.

A established the brotherhood between Rick and Daryl and planted the seeds for the eventual Richonne romance too. An all-around good episode and perhaps one of the best season finales in the series.

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Theres a general consensus that Pretty Much Dead Already is an iconic Walking Dead episode. I certainly agree because SO MUCH went down in that one episode: Glenn spilling the beans about the barn with walkers, building tension with Herschel, Loris pregnancy announcement, Shanes shooting rampage, and the revelation about Sophias sad fate.

It was the first time that a child died in their group and it literally took the wind out of everyones sails. No one will ever forget watching her stumble out of that barn and the looks on the characters faces. It was shocking and showed the real stakes of survival in the apocalypse.

The Grove is one of the most memorable and often parodied episodes of The Walking Dead. There are people who are vaguely familiar with the series who know the look at the flowers reference. Fans said it belongs there (probably closer to the top) and they are not wrong. Its so great that Robot Chickens Walking Dead episode did an entire skit with Carol telling everyone to look at the flowers before shooting them.

Its dark, captivating, and honestly makes you feel (sorta) sorry for Carol because shes now the only living person who knows what happened at that cabin.

Yes, keep it. Keep it please. The decapitation of poor Herschel, the prison battle, Michonne impaling The Governor, and the fall of the prison all make this quite a memorable (and great) mid-season finale. It breaks the group apart and destroys the small bit of security that they thought they had in a matter of minutes.

A lot of fans were frustrated that What Comes After a.k.a. Ricks final episode wasnt on the list. I can understand why it resonates with fans because of the callbacks to the first episode, Shane, Herschel, Sasha, and its semi-happy ending. It may not be the best to everyone but theres no denying that it was impactful to all the existing characters on the show, particularly Daryl and Michonne.

This episode is a surefire winner. The way Carls eye injury and the Anderson family deaths are adapted from comic book to screen is brilliant. No Way Out is virtually a flawless episode of The Walking Dead from start to finish.

Ricks group and the Alexandrians coming together to fight for their home was a particularly touching and action-packed moment. Thats how you do a mid-season premiere.

There wasnt a ton of lobbying for episodes in more recent seasons. Perhaps there hasnt been enough time removed to see them as memorable yet. But, several fans put The Calm Before on their lists too, likely because it is the pike episode. Honestly, I felt like this one was a letdown because of the lineup that they chose.

The Highwaymen really hadnt been around long enough to care about and everyone else except Enid, Tara, and Henry (who needed to die anyway) felt kind of meh. I wouldnt put it on my list but I see where it was a big turning point for the storyline.

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No one seemed to be aggressively angry about the chosen episodes. But, fans didnt seem to stand up for Clear, The First Day of the Rest of Your Life, nor JSS. And, not surprisingly, no one suggested an episode from Season 8 because, well, its not a well-liked season among the fandom.

Clear was certainly a great episode with some deep moments between Rick and Morgan, but I can agree with placing other episodes on this list instead. And, I can see why the creative team behind the original list put season seven on this list. It kicked off the beginning of All-Out War, featured Sashas heartbreaking death, and had an awesome CGI tiger save the day.

Is it one of the best or most memorable episodes? Im honestly on the fence with this one. JSS is a great episode but honestly The Next Worlds hilarious introduction of Jesus and start of Richonne is better. And, I would personally throw season fives Whats Happened and Whats Going On in the memorable mix too. But, thats just my opinion. What about yours?

Which episodes would you pick to make the top ten list?

Featured Image: Gene Page/AMC

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THE WALKING DEAD Fans Debate the Shows Best Episodes EVER - Nerdist

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero