The Walking Dead Season 5 - Official discussion thread

[MarkXIX]

I don't understand how this show, which apparently has been breaking its own ratings records season after season and is one of the top cable shows, has budget issues -- figure of speech, I get it, just think it doesn't make sense.

There were stories year ago (?) about how it had less funding than Mad Men, which has barely a few million viewers?

Probably because they have to balance giving enough money to keep people coming back to the channel while sinking money into their new successful property/franchise.

This isn't the Walking Dead Channel after all. They probably have several other shows in the pipeline that they hope to capitalize on after enough of us get pissed off at stupid flashback episodes and new, random methods of dispatching zombies and creating the next "mystery" bad guy/group.

 

[Accord99]

I don't understand how this show, which apparently has been breaking its own ratings records season after season and is one of the top cable shows, has budget issues -- figure of speech, I get it, just think it doesn't make sense.

There were stories year ago (?) about how it had less funding than Mad Men, which has barely a few million viewers?

I think it's sort of a joke that that arose out of issues from the second season. While I don't doubt that the second season episodes had a smaller budget per episode, season 2 had 13 episodes vs 6 for season 1 and that allows for cost savings.

And seeing as how TWD is the biggest non-sport show in cable history and with no really expensive stars (unlike the Big Bang Theory), I doubt it has any money problems at the moment even with AMC using its profits to try to find its next successful show.

The crazy thing is that whenever the Talking Dead is shown right after, it often has 18-49 ratings that would make it a hit on any channel. And it's just 3-4 people talking about a show that just happened.

 

[Kushina]

Episode was not bad. I do agree with others that the stupid moves some of the characters keep making are bad, for example how that girl let the cop take her to the window and let him stand behind her while she cluelessly looks out the window.

Although the episode wasn't bad I don't really see what the show can do to improve it and keep me interested.

 

[luv2liv]

glad i stopped watching this crap.
why bother anymore since there is no cure, no hope.

 

[chimaxi83]

glad i stopped watching this crap.
why bother anymore since there is no cure, no hope.

 

[Childs]

Tyrese was a tough guy who could slay tons of zombies .... and he gets felled by a child zombie because he was stupid. I don't mind seeing him offed, but they seem to be running low on characters now, they need to bring in some new ones pronto and start developing them.

Yeah, while I like the actor, the character went to crap last season. Maybe even the season before. So I don't mind him dying, but they are not replacing the killed characters with interesting replacements. The only thing I really look forward to is maybe Morgan showing up.

I dunno, they spent a whole season at the reservoir, a whole season at the farm. Another season at the prison. And now in 9 episodes they rush through Terminus, Grady Memorial, and now Shirewilt Estates. It feels like they are in a big rush to go nowhere.

 

[rockyct]

I thought the episode was ok, but they went too far in trying to stylize it.

At this point I'm just happy that they are trying to build to some major event.

 

[z1ggy]

Anybody else not expecting the Gov to insta-turn into that zombie???! Man, I jumped back a little bit, haha.

 

[TwiceOver]

Man that was a painful episode. I was left seriously evaluating my want to watch this show anymore. Then I started thinking about it and other than adding and losing characters the underlying story hasn't changed, ever.

I think I said the same thing 2 seasons ago and wondered how the show was still running. Here we are 2 seasons later and I'm still confused on what keeps this show alive. Maybe it's just that people *think* AMC makes good shows so they just assume that TWD is actually good? I'm trying to think back to an episode that I finished and said "Wow, that was a great episode, I can't wait to see more" and I'm coming up blank other than a few scenes way back in s01.

 

[z1ggy]

It's a cult following now, the show almost doesn't even have to be good any more. Plus... It's fiction. Things don't need to make sense.

 

[SAWYER]

This show seemed totally different than all the rest with all the cheesy camera work/editing etc.

 

[dank69]

Man that was a painful episode. I was left seriously evaluating my want to watch this show anymore. Then I started thinking about it and other than adding and losing characters the underlying story hasn't changed, ever.

I think I said the same thing 2 seasons ago and wondered how the show was still running. Here we are 2 seasons later and I'm still confused on what keeps this show alive. Maybe it's just that people *think* AMC makes good shows so they just assume that TWD is actually good? I'm trying to think back to an episode that I finished and said "Wow, that was a great episode, I can't wait to see more" and I'm coming up blank other than a few scenes way back in s01.

Why would the story change? It's about surviving the zombie apocalypse. What would you like it to change into?

 

[ControlD]

Man that was a painful episode. I was left seriously evaluating my want to watch this show anymore. Then I started thinking about it and other than adding and losing characters the underlying story hasn't changed, ever.

I think I said the same thing 2 seasons ago and wondered how the show was still running. Here we are 2 seasons later and I'm still confused on what keeps this show alive. Maybe it's just that people *think* AMC makes good shows so they just assume that TWD is actually good? I'm trying to think back to an episode that I finished and said "Wow, that was a great episode, I can't wait to see more" and I'm coming up blank other than a few scenes way back in s01.

It isn't that difficult. The show is still going strong and people keep watching is because they actually like it! If it isn't your thing that's cool, there are plenty of other shows out there. I still think TWD is one of the best shows week to week, but if I couldn't come up with a reason to watch I would find something better to do with my hour on Sunday nights.

 

[TwiceOver]

It isn't that difficult. The show is still going strong and people keep watching is because they actually like it! If it isn't your thing that's cool, there are plenty of other shows out there. I still think TWD is one of the best shows week to week, but if I couldn't come up with a reason to watch I would find something better to do with my hour on Sunday nights.

It's in my list of shows that I watch, but will probably be removed and changed out for something else.

Why would the story change? It's about surviving the zombie apocalypse. What would you like it to change into?

I'd like to see the story go somewhere. If the story is just them living, then that's a *big yawn* from me. Maybe a little more why, who, what, when, where would be nice.

 

[SearchMaster]

I think it's been removed from our family watchlist...

I liked the first season ok but it became almost like a campy movie to me after that. My wife and kids still watched and I did with them but it wasn't "must watch" for me anyway. Then my wife could never get motivated to watch anything after the season break last year and the DVR started deleting them. We watched the first couple of episodes this season and the DVR is still recording them but whenever I mention it to her she doesn't seem to care. Honestly I think Herschel's death was the beginning of the end for her.

My younger sister constantly posts about how much she loves the show on FB but the acting is pretty bad (probably exacerbated by all the British actors using awful Southern accents) and the writing goes through such stretches of meh. It's a show I want to like but...

 

[Wingznut]

It isn't that difficult. The show is still going strong and people keep watching is because they actually like it! If it isn't your thing that's cool, there are plenty of other shows out there. I still think TWD is one of the best shows week to week, but if I couldn't come up with a reason to watch I would find something better to do with my hour on Sunday nights.

Amen!

I am baffled by all the people in the TWD threads who claim to dislike the show so much, yet continue to invest their time in not only watching it, but read and post on a message board about it.

But, I suppose, like anything popular, it's cool to hate on it.

 

[TwiceOver]

Amen!

I am baffled by all the people in the TWD threads who claim to dislike the show so much, yet continue to invest their time in not only watching it, but read and post on a message board about it.

But, I suppose, like anything popular, it's cool to hate on it.

I think I keep watching it because I keep getting duped into thinking that something is going to happen next time. I'm such a sucker.

 

[Wingznut]

I think I keep watching it because I keep getting duped into thinking that something is going to happen next time. I'm such a sucker.

Any other shows you admittedly dislike, that you continue to watch and post about?

 

[TwiceOver]

Any other shows you admittedly dislike, that you continue to watch and post about?

Hrm.

The new Mythbusters without the B-Squad really sucks balls, probably about done with that.

I'm still giving Backstrom a chance but really the "I'm a ..." is fucking annoying. And Dwight can't act. Is what it is.

Falling Skies. Holy shit the season finale was a joke, but I'll continue watching it like an idiot. But at least things actually happen in this show and there is an actual underlying plot other than just them surviving day to day.

 

[ControlD]

Falling Skies. Holy shit the season finale was a joke, but I'll continue watching it like an idiot. But at least things actually happen in this show and there is an actual underlying plot other than just them surviving day to day.

That show is still on?? Wow. I should go back and check it out. I sort of gave up on the first season, but it must have gotten way better if it has run this long. I can't keep up with shows anymore. With all the Netflix / Amazon stuff plus higher-numbered channels (TNT, FX, etc.) shows, stuff just gets missed.

 

[Wingznut]

Hrm.

The new Mythbusters without the B-Squad really sucks balls, probably about done with that.

I'm still giving Backstrom a chance but really the "I'm a ..." is fucking annoying. And Dwight can't act. Is what it is.

Falling Skies. Holy shit the season finale was a joke, but I'll continue watching it like an idiot. But at least things actually happen in this show and there is an actual underlying plot other than just them surviving day to day.

Ouch. Falling Skies is just plain awful. I can't imagine anyone other than a masochist subjecting themselves to watch that show week after week, year after year.

That show is still on?? Wow. I should go back and check it out. I sort of gave up on the first season, but it must have gotten way better if it has run this long.

No, it definitely must not have gotten better.

 

[TwiceOver]

Ouch. Falling Skies is just plain awful. I can't imagine anyone other than a masochist subjecting themselves to watch that show week after week, year after year.


No, it definitely must not have gotten better.

Maybe not "better" but the plot at least has gone somewhere. Actually comparing FS and TWD is appropriate. One show is about the survival of the human race while the underlying plot drives the story of these people's survival. The other show is about the survival of the human race while the underlying plot IS the story of these people's survival.

Again, this is all just my opinion, I just share it.

 

[Skel]

Maybe not "better" but the plot at least has gone somewhere. Actually comparing FS and TWD is appropriate. One show is about the survival of the human race while the underlying plot drives the story of these people's survival. The other show is about the survival of the human race while the underlying plot IS the story of these people's survival.

Again, this is all just my opinion, I just share it.

In FS they have a chance to win, that's why that story seems to have a point. In the WD we're just watching the human race die out. There's no chance for them. Having said that, Sunday's EP was really bad.

 

[SamQuint]

At this point I am fully invested in the show. I like the characters good bad or otherwise. I have read the comics and enjoy seeing the similarities and differences between two.
I have always liked the flow of the series. It is pretty realistic. I think most people would seek shelter and then try to defend that shelter at all costs. (farm and prison and terminus) You would have times of doing nothing but surviving. Then you would have to venture out to find a new place which puts you in great jeopardy.

If you look at the group none of these people could possibly have the answer. They have no cure and none of them are going to be smart enough to figure it out.

I am not sure what people expect to happen. For me I enjoy just watching them survive. The only end of the series I see would be if they all die or if they finally find a place they can live forever in peace.

 

[manimal]

I re watched the episode and what I came away with was the desparation that is setting in for the group. Some of the group has purpose and something to live for like Rick now and some who have lost their way. They need to regroup and stay in one place for a little while. They also have to get to a coast where they can do some fishing.

When you really think about it how awesome would the first place they were at be if they had put up fencing and did some earthworks. The type of fencing they had the prison is fairly easy to install and should be gettable even if they gotta rip it out from somewhere. They need to go out and find a gas truck and fill it somewhere-would be a good episode-and a water truck that they can caravan in if they do indeed decide to stay on the move. Both would be nice to have as well if they decided to stay.

They gotta round up a few humvees with machine guns as the lead and follow vehicles or mount some stuff on top of a SUV. They gotta go out and stockpile weapons. They could go back to the place where the ceiling caved and loot the camping stuff and tons of other things they could use for quality of life.

They gotta basically gear up for other humans. Only people left at this point are seriously fucked up and are probably cannibals. The flashback audio that he experienced in this episode was simple foreshadowing of their next big threat. Time and time again we have seen in history that warlords and tyrants pop up in vacuums. I keep expecting to come up on a group of people that embody the Holnists ideology from the Postman.


If a group has survived as long as our group has they gotta messed up.


I want the show to evolve into the rick grimes end world sheriff and his deputies show. Someone has to go around getting rid of the filth preying on the remnants of humanity or humanity is all but lost.

Ricks questions are pretty good! Gotta go out and ask em!