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So it's Sunday night, there's no "Walking Dead" on, and it feels kinda weird. Not gonna lie, it's felt like I've been covering The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, and The Walking Dead: World Beyond for the past 87 Sundays. Just to be clear? That's not a bad thing. Far from it. In fact, after spending weeks praising, criticizing, processing, specualting, prognosticating & analyzing (and every other "ing"-ending word that fits) every word and every scene in an attempt to sew together a better understanding of where all of these narrative threads are leading, I get to take a breather and do a little appreciating.
Look, it's not easy be a fan of the TWD universe. We're never lacking in people who stopped watching with the third season or stopped watching because their favorite character died who never hesitate to tell you the show "sucks" and "should've been canceled by now" and how they "can't get why you still watch." To those folks, I offer a very humble and lower-cased "f**k you" because none of us owe you any explanation. Sorry you stopped being interested in the directions that the universe has taken. Enjoy what geek interests you embrace knowing that I have no interest in telling you how what you love probably "sucks," too. You're not a part of this conversation anymore. And for those who keep bringing up same-day ratings as proof of the franchise's waning popularity? I would like to introduce you to the concepts of "delayed viewing," "using a franchise to sell your streaming service," and "global streaming strengths." The TWD universe continues to score well on global streaming charts even during its off-seasons, and AMC Networks appears to be pretty happy with what the shows have done for AMC+.
Okay, enough of that. I said this was about "appreciating" so let's get back to it and let me start off by being blunt. I never thought the TWD universe would be where it's at today. I had no clue what The Walking Dead would do after Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes was shuffled off to the big screen on that CRM helicopter during the middle of the ninth season. Back around the fourth season, I wrote how Fear the Walking Dead needed to either right the ship, get canceled, or shift to an anthology series. And by the third episode of The Walking Dead: World Beyond, I was nervous that the series would only be seen as "just some spinoff side project trying to hook in younger viewers." Holy s**t was I glad to be oh so wrong.
Because Angela Kang taught me what "In Angela Kang, We Trust" truly meant, revigorating TWD by widening the spotlight to give once-supporting characters the chance to shine with a diverse ensemble that felt the most reflective of society as it ever has. Because Fear TWD's Andrew Chambliss & Ian Goldberg gave Lennie James the chance to deliver a deeper and more complex take on Morgan Jones as they reinvented how shows can utilize an anthology format to present epic tales that still feel intimate. And did we mention they're brining Kim Dickens's Madison back? And TWD: World Beyond's Matthew Negrete had the audacity make us feel for characters in only two seasons the way we felt about others for five or more. And because the newest spinoff always struck me as the kind of show that would go out in style, they drop an atomic bomb-level post-credits scene that not only connected back to the very early days of the TWD and potentially changed everything we thought we knew the TWD universe, but also laid the foundation for the kind of global conspiracy thriller that the franchise feels ready for.
Of course, they didn't do it alone. With an impressive list of names giving award-winning performances day in and day out, writers & directors continually challenging viewers expectations, and production crews working long hours and rough weather conditions to make sure the magic makes it to screens on time. And then there's TWD Universe Chief Content Officer Scott M. Gimple, who I'm not sure gets mentioned enough in these conversations and that's sad because without a guiding hand that's always thinking "big picture" and looking for the next new thing to excite the fandom, we wouldn't be where we're at. We have a Carol (Melissa McBride) & Daryl (Norman Reedus) spinoff on the way along with Tales of the Walking Dead, an anthology series tailor-made to blow open the doors to the TWD universe even more. And that's not even taking into account any surprise projects that have yet to be announced.
Remember those Rick Grimes films? They're more in play now than ever before, and while we're not looking to jump the gun or play our hand too early? Let's just say that if we see Fear TWD and TWD line up their timelines, I might start predicting an "Avengers: Endgame"-like face-off with CRM with a line-up of heroes too impressive for me to list without my head exploding. All of that (along with all of the non-screen-related TWD business) runs through Gimple. And while I might not always agree with every decision or opinion he might have, there is no doubt that he (like the others I listed and hundreds more) have the best interest of "The Walking Dead" in mind. So to Robert Kirkman, Gimple, Kang, Chambliss, Goldberg, Negrete, the cast, directors, writers, and production teams, and everyone else? Thank you.
Now do me a favor? Can someone talk to AMC about keeping the series finale of The Walking Dead from going out early on AMC+? It's going to be a spoiler nightmare.
The rest is here:
This The Walking Dead Universe-Free Sunday Night Got Me Thinking - Bleeding Cool News
- The Walking Dead: Season 11 | Rotten Tomatoes - April 22nd, 2024
- About The Walking Dead | News, Bios and Photos | AMC - April 22nd, 2024
- How to Recreate the Most Iconic Location From The Walking Dead in 3D - 80.lv - April 22nd, 2024
- The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol Sets Tribeca Debut - Bleeding Cool News - April 22nd, 2024
- The Walking Dead star joins Superman movie in major role - Digital Spy - April 22nd, 2024
- Rick Grimes' Ending Finally Honored The Big Promise Walking Dead Made In Season 5 - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- When Will 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' Season 2 Premiere? - UPROXX - April 21st, 2024
- The Surprising Reason HBO Turned Down 'The Walking Dead' - Collider - April 21st, 2024
- "You Really Have to Consider What He's Been Through": Walking Dead Creator Admits It's Hard to Root for Rick, But ... - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- Robert Kirkman: The Walking Dead Animated Series Can't Happen "Until I Get the Rights Back From AMC" - ComicBook.com - April 21st, 2024
- Morgan Jones' Got The Sendoff He Deserved On Fear The Walking Dead - CBR - Comic Book Resources - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead Animated Series Happening Depends On One Important Thing - GameRant - April 21st, 2024
- Robert Kirkman Says The Walking Dead Animated Series Can Only Happen Under One Condition - MovieWeb - April 21st, 2024
- Daryl Dixon season 2 could make the Walking Dead universe even better here's why - Tom's Guide - April 21st, 2024
- 7 New Walking Dead Villains That Could Replace The CRM - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Fails Rick Grimes and Here Are All the Reasons Why He Deserves A Better Fate - Hollywood.com - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Is a Reckoning of Hope - Reactor - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman Shares What's Holding Back the Planned Animated Series - CBR - Comic Book Resources - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead Crossover Plans Now Face A Huge Obstacle Thanks To Rick Grimes - Screen Rant - April 21st, 2024
- Behind the scenes as 'Dead City' films in Taunton We talked to zombie, caterer and more - Taunton Daily Gazette - April 21st, 2024
- Die creators Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans' new original graphic novel is a cross between The Walking Dead and ... - Gamesradar - April 21st, 2024
- 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' Season 2 and 'Presumed Innocent' Headline the 2024 Tribeca Festival TV Lineup - Collider - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman wants an animated show, but there's one issue - Winter is Coming - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead Crossover Plans Now Face A Huge Obstacle Thanks To Rick Grimes - imdb - April 21st, 2024
- Tom Payne and Wife Jennifer kerman Welcome Twins (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - April 21st, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 5 Trailer - ComicBook.com - March 24th, 2024
- What The Song Means In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 4 (Does It Reveal The Ending?) - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Invincible Season 2 Is Avoiding A Problem That Nearly Killed The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Invincible Season 2 Has A Walking Dead Easter Egg You Might Have Missed - Looper - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 4 Review What We - Den of Geek - March 24th, 2024
- 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Episode 4 Recap: It's Rick, Michonne, and Carl? - Collider - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead Includes a Rare Sex Scene on The Ones Who Live: 'It Is About Pain,' Says Andrew Lincoln - PEOPLE - March 24th, 2024
- Daryl Dixon Season 2 Release, Cast & Everything We Know - The Direct - March 24th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Episodes 5 & 6 Get Ominous Tease From Walking Dead EP - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- TWD The Ones Who Live Episode 5 Trailer: Rick & Michonne Find Trouble Escaping - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Does Rick Leave the CRM on The Ones Who Live? - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 24th, 2024
- Into The Kirkmanverse? Invincible Teases A Major Connection To The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Pulled a Bait-and-Switch on Walking Dead Fans, But It Works - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 24th, 2024
- Well, That Was The Walking Dead's Raunchiest Episode Since The Show Began In 2010 - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- Invincible x The Walking Dead Crossover is Now Likelier Than Ever Due to This Season 2 Character - imdb - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live episode 5 - Release date & time, where to watch, and more - Sportskeeda - March 24th, 2024
- Rick Grimes Just Massively Insulted Lori, 12 Years After Her Walking Dead Exit - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Ep. 4 Review: "What We" Needed - Bleeding Cool News - March 24th, 2024
- I Asked AI What TV Characters Who Died Too Soon Would Look Like If They Still Alive Today - BuzzFeed - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Rick has a tough decision to make in "What We" - Winter is Coming - March 24th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - A Testament to Survival and Humanity - Age Of The Nerd - March 16th, 2024
- Which Side Thorne Is On In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live? Why She Tries To Shoot Michonne Explained - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Where The CRM's New US Mountain Base Is Located In The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Season 2 Gets Cryptic Tease From Walking Dead Showrunner - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Theory: The CRM's Echelon Briefing May Have Sinister Plans - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 16th, 2024
- What Would Happen To The Walking Dead's Main Group If The CRM Found Alexandria - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Predicting The CRM's 500-Year Plan In The Walking Dead - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Walking Dead's Creator Admits 1 Criticism of the Franchise Is 100% True - IMDb - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 3 Clip Shows Rick Trying To Make A Deal With Jadis - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live leaves us on the edge of our seats in Episode 3 - Winter is Coming - March 16th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live's Villain Just Nailed Rick Grimes' Entire Walking Dead Story With One Line - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Best Horror Games Where Your Choices Matter - TheGamer - March 16th, 2024
- 'The Ones Who Live' Showrunner Wants to Keep Future Plans Open - Collider - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Star Addresses Shocking Return (Exclusive) - ComicBook.com - March 16th, 2024
- Five Thoughts On The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live's Bye - Multiversity Comics - March 16th, 2024
- Walking Dead: Ones Who Live Star Explains Why Jadis Is Loyal To The CRM - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Pollyanna McIntosh Breaks Down Jadis' Return In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Walking Dead's Danai Gurira on the "big question mark" in The Ones Who Live - Digital Spy - March 16th, 2024
- A Major General Beale Clue Supports 1 Exciting Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Ending Theory - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Tests A Time-Honored Relationship - SlashFilm - March 16th, 2024
- The Walking Dead Makes 1 Important Change To Rick Losing His Hand In The Ones Who Live - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- 'A's and 'B's: How 'The Ones Who Live' Solves A 'Walking Dead' Mystery - TV Insider - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead Explains A Mystery From Season 10 (Then Immediately Ruins It) - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- 'The Ones Who Live' Pulls Off a Feat 'The Walking Dead' Failed For Years to Accomplish - Pajiba Entertainment News - March 8th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Just Introduced The Walking Dead's Most Impressive Zombie Weapons Yet - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 2 Review Gone - Den of Geek - March 8th, 2024
- What keeps "The Walking Dead" moving forward? Showrunner Scott Gimple insists "love is the fuel" - Salon - March 8th, 2024
- Rick and Michonne's 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Reunion Isn't What We Expected - Collider - March 8th, 2024
- The Ones Who Live Is Subtly Teasing A Major Walking Dead Character Cameo - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 1 Twist Explained - TheWrap - March 8th, 2024
- How Well Do You Know the Cast of 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live'? - Collider - March 8th, 2024
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Stakes Out AMCs Best Premiere Viewership In 6 Years - Deadline - March 8th, 2024
- Andrew Lincoln On Scaring Jon Bernthal And Makeup On The Walking Dead' - UPROXX - March 8th, 2024
- Will There Be 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live' Season 2? The Stars Weigh In. - The Mary Sue - March 8th, 2024
- INTERVIEW: TWD: The Ones Who Live's Matthew August Jeffers on "Terrifying" Plot Twist - CBR - Comic Book Resources - March 8th, 2024
Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero