Why Is The Walking Dead Season 7 So Divisive? Investigating Glenn's Death
Popular AMC show The Walking Dead features a lot of controversial events, especially around the deaths of dear characters. But Season 7 is the most divisive season; it's usually blamed for the drop in the popularity and quality of the show. Although there are good reasons for criticism, this season has many virtues and merits that demand review. Glenn Rhee's graphic and violent death at the season's premiere is the main cause of its divisiveness. One of the few surviving members from the original group, Glenn was mercilessly slain by villainous Saviour leader Negan Smith. Viewers who felt this shock value-driven scene, which also included Abraham Ford's murder, gave feedback complaining it gave sensationalism more priority than substance. This incident set the tone for the season, which saw under Negan's cruel control communities including Alexandria, the Hilltop, the Kingdom, and Oceanside sufferings.
Season 7 of The Walking Dead: one of suffering and resiliency
Emphasizing the communities' fight against Negan's tyranny, Season 7 shows the survivors' continual fear, suffering, and loss. Many episodes alternate between small groups spread over several communities, which slows down the pace and creates a fractured story. Although this method shows the whole extent of Negan's rule, viewers looking for a more coherent story may find it irritating. Still, the emotional toll and the characters' resiliency against such hardship add greatly to the impact of the season.
Season 7 of The Walking Dead: a Rewarding Payoff
Season 7 ends in a satisfying climax notwithstanding all the suffering and hopelessness. With Negan about to kill Carl Grimes and Alexandria under the Saviors and Scavengers, the combined forces of the Kingdom and the Hilltop show up to save the day and release Alexandria when hope seems lost. After seeing the communities' suffering and reluctance, this united front offers a gratifying climax. The earlier difficulty of the season and the characters' resiliency help to define the success of the finale. A thrilling and fulfilling ending results from seeing King Ezekiel's tiger, Shiva, unleashed against the Saviors, along with the convergence of stories and the rekindling of hope following many losses.
Season 7 of The Walking Dead: groundwork for upcoming spin-offs
Beyond its own virtues, Season 7 greatly shaped the course of the series. Introduced at the conclusion of Season 6, Negan became well-known in Season 7 thanks to his character development and rose to become among the most significant characters in the show. Maggie Rhee's popularity helped to inspire the continuous spin-off series, The Walking Dead: Dead City. Season 7 also brought Jadis and the Scavengers, with Jadis's ties to the Civic Republic Military becoming a pivotal narrative point leading to Rick Grimes's disappearance in Season 9 and serving as the basis for the spin-off series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Other communities and characters brought in during this season—King Ezekiel, among others—became indispensable in the next seasons, so influencing the story of the franchise. Many of the present spin-offs wouldn't exist without Season 7, and some of the most cherished characters and plots from the last seasons of The Walking Dead wouldn't have shown.
The Underrated Season 7: The Walking Dead
Even if Season 7's controversial reputation is indisputable, it's important to acknowledge its strengths. It introduces key characters, sets the groundwork for next spin-offs, and ends in a gratifying finale that atone for the trials of the season. Beyond its contentious reputation, this chapter in the whole story of The Walking Dead deserves respect for its emotional impact, survivor resiliency, and exciting climax.
