It’s A Show About Zombies…
There’s a lot of “tone-down talk” in regards to the violence on The Walking Dead. But, Hey, it’s a show about zombies. Sure, they could go back and replace all the guns with walkie-talkies (like Spielberg’s E.T. DVD), but audiences aren’t watching a show about zombies only to hear the conversations.
The audience wants actions…and lots of it…
The Walking Dead | Photo Credit AMCThe Walking Dead | Photo Credit AMC
The Violence Moves The Story Forward
Negan’s violent kills had to happen in order for Rick’s fight to be justified when the series returns. Similar to the AMC martial arts show, Into The Badlands, the writers said, “The fight needs to move the story forward. It needs to change things for the characters. The story doesn’t stop for the fight to take place. The fight has to move the story forward. It has to change the events of the story.”
Similarly, The Walking Dead‘s violence moves the story forward and…
The Walking Dead | Photo Credit AMC
The Violence Shapes The Characters
Rick needed to face the Governor to become a leader and he needs Negan’s conflict to become an even better leader to do what is right for his people. Without Negan, audiences would be watching a post-apocalyptic show about a farmer.
The Walking Dead | Photo Credit AMC
The Violence Is The Only Way For The Hero’s Revenge
Audiences want to see Rick and the gang seek revenge on Negan’s Saviors. In order for that revenge to be justified, the audience needs to see Negan’s level of evil. For a satisfying revenge (like Braveheart, Kill Bill, Gladiator), the audience needs to see the harshness of the villain in order to root for the hero.
The Walking Dead | Photo Credit AMC
The Violence Is The Only Answer For Liberation
Outside of a single action of revenge, such as the death of Negan, an overall movement will be needed to truly change things. For liberation, not only the head of the snake must be killed. The entire beast must be destroyed, separated, and eradicated. This means that Negan and all of the Saviors will need to change or be killed.
The Walking Dead | Photo Credit AMC
Are you prepared to see how Rick will take down Negan’s Saviors?
