Introduction of Negan; criticized for being overly "drawn-out". 65% "All-Out War" arc; audience score dipped to 49%. Season 9 89%
Showrunner Angela Kang took over; praised for returning to horror roots. The Walking Dead (TV Series 2010–2022) - IMDb Search results for the walking dead
The flagship series maintained a strong overall across 177 episodes. While it began as a "ratings juggernaut," viewership declined in later seasons. Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) Notable Elements Season 1 87% Acclaimed pilot "Days Gone Bye"; high production values. Season 5 90% Series peak in viewership (14.38 million same-day viewers). Season 7 66% Introduction of Negan