Should The Walking Dead Release All Episodes Per Season Simultaneously?

Hello everyone, in this video I am debating whether The Walking Dead would be more enjoyable to watch if the show released entire season's worth of episodes simultaneously, instead of over the course of 6 or so months - which it does currently. I'll be examining why I feel taking a "netflix-like" approach to scheduling could actually have a positive effect on viewers perception of the programme.
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[@Vouax]

Every show should adapt a Netflix like model. The era of the weekly broadcast should be sent out back and shot.

[@S.E.J]

Yes. A lot of the frustration with the show is the pacing as a weekly show. Binging it is a much better experience

[@Brandywine6969]

I am a viewer who has watched as the aired each episode since the first episode of Season 1. In earlier years, if there were cliffhangers, it was part of a larger story arc that made sense. There were suspenseful cliffhangers, yes, but they were not overboard, like recent years. I really do not like mid-season finale cliffhangers and season finale cliffhangers in recent years, because of the drastic nature of those cliffhangers. Since Gimple has taken over and been more in the forefront as showrunner, season finale and mid-season finale cliffhangers have been truly awful, overly emotionally manipulative, and sadistic in nature. My patience with that method of storytelling, and with cheap gimmicks and with the ruin of several characters due to sorry writing, has run out, as of Season 8, Episode 8. Because of that, I wish they would release the final couple of seasons in their entirety from now on. It would take up much less of my time and effort to go ahead and watch the series continue to go downhill until it is canceled, which I predict with happen very soon, if I could just watch the entire season when I want to instead of having to wait forever to find out the conclusion of each sadistic Gimple cliffhanger. I now dread premieres for TWD more than I look forward to them. It is the same with finales as well. It shouldn't be that way. If you start to dread watching episodes of a show you used to love because they have become so dreadful, in both storytelling and in extreme deaths, followed by lame deaths, then something, somewhere, at some time, has gone wrong. They can only manipulate and torture viewers so much before most of us quit watching, which is already happening in huge ratings and viewership drops with TWD. I may end up in that statistic although I rarely give up on a show or even a movie, no matter how bad it gets. I usually will follow through to the end of a movie even if it is horrible. It is the same with a TV series that had a decent start and seemed interesting. I will follow it through to the end. As much as I have loved TWD through the years, Season 8, Episode 8 was just too far. And this is coming from a person who sat through the movie, Frogs, in its entirety, just because that is what I always do. I like to give something I am watching the full time to redeem itself. I am beginning to wonder if TWD might be the thing that breaks me.

[@pieck5460]

Agree 100% friend. I love this show to death but 8x08 just threw me over the edge and I'm just not as excited as I use to be. The writers write the story as if the audience are a bunch of baboons creating some of the most obvious scenarios ever made. People can say what they want about the earlier seasons of the show, at the very least they were able to fill in the bad pacing with actual character development and moved the story a lot more cohesively. I hope this back half is capable of being Brutal,honest, and to the point I mean this is a war and the worst thing that happens was a bunch of unknowns got riddled with bullets. If that doesn't work out then we can keep hoping that the Whisperers will bring back the horror element that the show was originally focused on and DESPERATLEY needs back. This show does a lot better with horror and drama not really that good with war conflicts and moral conflicts. Also you know there is a real problem when Bob has a better death than Carl and my favorite characters are Dwight and Eugene. Gimple really doesn't seem like he knows what he is doing anymore. I mean season 5 was amazing why can't he revisit some of those elements.

[@clumsymind]

I stopped watching it at Season 3 ; all that prison made me feel bored. I came back at Season 6 and watched all the missing episodes and I fell in love with series again. Later I waited for Season to be over and watched 7th Season that way. Was cool. Liked how powerless Rick's group was; it can't always bounce back and be instantly on top of things so yeah; made it feel more realistic to me. I know many hated that but I loved that. On 8th Season unpatience kicked in as I wanted to see how will this transform back into Rick's group getting back on top; I'm not terribly dissapointed ; but the way Shiva died and the way Kingdomers died felt a bit shallow to me. You can tell that Season 8 isn't the best written and best executed Season. So I watched episodes as soon as they came out..and must say it feels different ; even if I don't think about quality change; it's just I am less forgiving for each episode mistakes or quality drops. When I binge watch I don't mind it. So there is definitely something about that. Especially Season 7 I feel like if I wouldn't binge watch it I would hate it like most ppl do. I don't mind those Episodes at all but like...if you need to wait for months for main characters to kick ass of their opponents ; it does feel bad. But if you can binge watch ; you see it as broader story and it works out. I made mistake watching Season 8 episode by episode as they came out. Binge watching whole Season feels way better and pulls me to love series way more. It's like...if you could read cool book but you would only be allowed to read couple of pages each week or two; sometimes months; it would feel bad.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Thank you for writing such a well-thought out comment, it's great seeing the thoughts of someone who has watched the show since the pilot episode - and it interesting to see that even though you've have watched since the beginning we sort of share the same opinions in regards to how bad the cliffhangers have become of late.

[@ZombLeaderStudios]

Yes. Ive been marathoning the whole series over my Christmas break and its a much better show when you binge it rather than wait.

[@TheWalkingDavid]

I did the exact same thing! Started as Season 5 came on Netflix. Watched it at a friends house to get caught up. Became a die hard fan of the show in a matter of weeks. Been watching it week to week since. I’ve got to say, that having those first 5 seasons without cliff hangers or commercial interruption, I was spoiled. I’ve gotten less enjoyment from the show by watching week to week. The show runners are too focused on “wait until you see what’s coming up,” instead of focusing on what is happening in the current moment or episode.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Completely agree with you, I also feel "spoiled" due to watching the first 4 seasons without interruption. The show has never quite been the same for me since I've started watching it weekly.

[@tonymoma7773]

I think that as viewers, we are ALWAYS gonna prefer Netflix-style binging for any show. That being said, weekly viewing since isn't to blame for all the annoyance Walking Dead has caused me these last few seasons. Poor writing is.

[@beaver6d9]

Tony Moma nah the comics had the same issues the show has during this part of the story. Much more enjoyable without the pacing issues caused by weekly episodes.

[@tonymoma7773]

I disagree that the comic suffered from the same issues. Comic-Negan is FAR, FAR more entertaining than TV-Negan for one. Second, the comic didn't have characters doing dumb shit merely to set-up plot points like Darryl, Rosita and Sasha have. Yes, weekly episodes make things harder, but it’s not an excuse to piss fans off the way Gimple has the last couple years. If every single TV show pissed fans off the way WD does, there would arguably be no more cable or network television.

[@sorcesscores5366]

I was telling my friends to tune in way back in 2010. A lot of the fun early on was sharing theories with friends. That would be missed if the whole season was dropped at once. But since the writing/story has gotten so bad they should drop season(s) from now on. I watched every week until season 6. I just binged from 6-now. I could only imagine how unbearable waiting a week to be disappointed over and over again.

[@MrGreaves]

You know it’s quite cool to find a fan who watched the walking dead at the same pace as me. I binged seasons 1-4 and watched the s5 premiere live and continued to watch the show onwards.

[@ehalcro]

This is such a good argument! I started watching the series live on air half way through season 6 and now that you have brought up this point, I now realise how much more I enjoyed TWD when i was binge watching the first 5 and a half seasons. During the binge watch I hardy noticed when there was a slow and almost pointless episode (eg. Arrow on the Doorpost 3x13)as it took up 40 mins of my time before I could just move onto the next one but whilst watching it live, episodes like Swear 7x06 really bugged me as I waited a whole week to watch it and had to wait another whole week to watch the next one. Releasing a whole season or half season at once would really help to sort this problem. Also, I think you may have raised the point of shorter seasons previously. This would force the writers to cut out all the rubbish in the middle and have generally interesting epiosdes like GoT Season 7. Great videos please keep em up.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

You make a good point regarding episodes like "arrow on the doorpost". I also didn't particularly mind these types of episodes when binging because I knew I could watch the next episode straight after, however now when an episode is a bit boring- it's disheartening having to wait another week to see something happen. I remember how annoyed I was when "here's not here' first aired, the week after Glenn's fake out death. If I was binging the series I don't think I would have had as much of a problem with the episode, however due to the fact that it took place immediately after that stupid Glenn cliff-hanger, I didn't give the episode a chance as I just wanted to see what happened to Glenn.

[@Aamonnater]

Yes 100%, I watched the first 5 seasons within a month and loved almost every minute. Since then it’s been hard to watch as an hour a week doesn’t cut it. The low quality recently hasn’t helped either

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

completely agree with you, I've not enjoyed dead as much since I started watching it on a weekly basis

[@Childeagrestis]

I only discovered the show in August 2017 and binged seasons 1-7, so 8 is my first season watching at the aired pace. I really miss binging - the waits between episodes are painful and when the new episode arrives it never feels as good as my anticipation. Yet when I went back and watched all of episodes 1-8 of season 8 in a mini binge, they turned out to be much better than I had thought on first viewing. So I definitely prefer binging!

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

I feel the same way! I haven't actually gone back and watched any of TWD episodes again since season 6, so perhaps I need to binge through these seasons to enjoy them more. It's interesting that you enjoyed the first half of season 8 more after watching it all again

[@alexlacey3835]

I agree! I really enjoyed season 2 because I could watch it back to back if I had to wait every week for an episode I would have hated it

[@dabspur8761]

Who knew that Rosita was the geeky Chinese lookin girl in Twilight? Not me until i saw her name go up at the end yesterday!

[@ginaheller333]

I binged through the first 4 seasons too.

[@cadenmcmexican7999]

That's a pretty good idea I MIGHT have had more positive feelings towards seasons 6 and 7 Always great to see you posting a new video

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Thanks for the support. I do wonder if I binge through season 6 and 7 in future at some point - I may actually end up enjoying both seasons more than when I watched them on TV.

[@cadenmcmexican7999]

predatoure good luck I just rewatched the series on DVD and season 6 ,the first half anyway, was still pretty bad in my opinion the second half was a bit better and season 7 was a bit more enjoyable to watch it was by no means great but it wasn't bad (tara episode aside)

[@tonymoma7773]

I started watching the Walking Dead half a season before you did. The Season 4 and Season 5 cliffhangers were decent I thought at the time. Same for Season 7. The Season 6 cliffhanger is the only one that pissed me off, and it did so to a LARGE degree

[@jizunk_in_my_trizunk]

They would lose a little bit of immediate money if they tried this. This is precisely why they will never try this. The show is a money grubbing dumpster fire. It will die a gross death, sink into obscurity and drive yet another nail into the casket of storytelling in entertainment.

[@zilentis1835]

Chris Fox no. In fact they would get more money. If they carry on doing this then they will lose viewers every episode and every season. However if it’s all released at once then it is made super binge-able. And binge-able content is the best kind of content (wonder why short web shows become so popular?) Look at black mirror. Season 4 released yesterday (and they release all episodes at once) and I sat down and watched 4 episodes of it before I went to bed. And most likely a lot of people watched all 6 episodes in 1 sitting. Meaning they didn’t lose any viewers

[@rycariad]

In a word, no. At least not yet. What would be an improvement would be to get rid of the mid-season hiatus that’s so popular in the States.

[@ThePhillies0809]

I didn't pick up on the show till season 5 either lol!!! I binged watched the first 4 seasons on Netflix and yes I didn't mind the cliffhangers then because it is easy to just hit play next episode. Ironically the first 4 seasons are my favorite seasons of twd. But will they ever release them all at once? Highly doubtful although me personally would probably find more interest in the show if they did in fact do that

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Seems a lot of people didn't seem to get into the show until the 5th season! I have much fonder memories of the first 4 seasons as well, I'd like to see all the episodes for a season released at once - but like you say, I'll very much doubt it will ever happen

[@emmchen1101]

I had a similar beginning with the show and this is actually true. I really enjoyed watching trough a couple of seasons in a row whereas the slow process is rather disappointing. I feel like Season 7 would have been much more enjoyable that way despite the bottle eposodes.

[@ROCK_UNIVERSE97]

season 2 was my 2nd favourite season of the show. (even from first viewing back in 2011)

[@carolleathers6595]

My friend watched from the beginning weekly episodes and waited through all the cliffhangers etc. I however, started watching after binge watching the first 3 seasons on Netflix. Both my friend and I loved season 2. I have to say I feel frustrated waiting months for resolve from hanging storylines. I really think you have a great point. I wait for several tv shows to come on Netflix so I can binge watch. There's too much spoilers for the walking dead but if all the shows were released at once I think I would enjoy the show more and it would be less frustrating.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

I think in the "post Netflix" world that we live in, it's a lot harder to watch shows weekly when so many series have everything available immediately. Like you said, I'm sure that TWD spoilers would be everywhere if the show released the episodes simultaneously, however it would be more enjoyable to watch.

[@carolleathers6595]

predatoure Yes...what you said! And that's why you get the big bucks.

[@kimmoremes5405]

There were cliffhangers in first seasons?!?!? (I watched them all on dvd) also i allways thought that cliffhangers were things that you need to wait for long. Thats why i never notice cliffhangers if i watch them on dvd.

[@Ms.Byrd68]

Without the ad revenue they would lose money switching to this model and as someone else has said there would be no forums like this to discuss the show. But you are probably right, watching it differently might affect how we view the show overall. I binged the first 3 Seasons (watched 4 in real time) and couldn't wait to see Season 5 after being all caught up.

[@jaredjenkins99]

I definitely agree that TWD is better binged and I would argue that most shows are better binged. But especially serials and shows with season long or show long plots and story arcs, like TWD, Game of Thrones or Stranger Things. But then shows that have a mystery of the week style formula like The X-Files, Supernatural, detective shows, etc, are far more enjoyable on a week by week basis because the plot of that episode gets wrapped up IN that episode.

[@jaredjenkins99]

And now that I think about it, I'll bet that Stranger Things wouldn't be nearly as popular if it had to be aired on a weekly basis instead of all at once. Because that show especially is so slow for the first few episodes, it'd be kinda hard to get people to care a week later.

[@miongskie]

In my experience, I started watching the series during Season 3. At first, when my siblings were watching it, I thought it was cheesy and boring... well at some points, it still is, but I got into it when the prison came into play. In my country, it's either you have cable, buy pirates or watch it online. We will watch the whole season because we can wait and if I am informed about TWD feeds thru social media, I can spoil myself and still able to feel the show even after. So, for your discussion, yes, it would be much better to release it simultaneously!

[@MatthewGilligan]

Would love it to happen, but I think because it's on AMC/FOX there's really no hope.

[@zee2213]

I've personally binged the seasons from 1-7(half) and then was a weekly viewer ... Binge-watching was definitely an advantage for and I didn't mind the cliffhangers but also at the same time I think I was lacking a bit of that suspense or I didn't had time to think about a particular episode and appreciate it that much (even if it's really good ) . If a chain of episodes are written beautifully and it does little to the plot then I think binge-watching them makes kinda hard to appreciate them (for me at least) wheresas if I were to watch after a week or so then I was left with one week to think and analyze about it clearly . Similar thing I guess happened in s4B .. Also I observed this in the recent S10A episodes ..I think the episodes were crafted beautifully but the actual whisperer story arc wasn't going further ..so I think a binge-watcher wouldn't be able to appreciate those much since his main concern would be about the main plot

[@ROCK_UNIVERSE97]

the bad thing about being a late arrival to the walking dead is you miss all the awesome theories and cool KZbinrs you get to meet. I'm happy I've been watching the show since the begging and would not want it any other way. (those debates on glenn being dead was the most active I've ever been with the walking dead community)

[@petitwallaby]

I don't have AMC so I've always just bought the DVDs as they come out (amazingly always avoiding spoilers) and binged through. I think watching it week by week I probably would have given up on the show a lot earlier.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Think I may have done the same as well if I had to watch the first 5 seasons on TV

[@joebondo2422]

Agreed about TWD video game by Telltale. I watched all the episodes here on KZbin and I must say at times, the video game exceeded the show in suspense. I believe a mini series based on the video game would be a big hit on TV with of course Lee & Clementine as 2 of the main leads

[@theweedusama]

I don't mind waiting, but I've done it all these years too.

[@Sev3617]

binge watching is a lot more enjoyable. i loved season 6 and its probx one of my fav seasons because binging removed the issues

[@pyroAdapt]

I started watching The show at season 3 episode 3 and when the "Made to suffer" cliff hanger happened I was retarded and thought the world was ending in 2012 so I thought I would never get to see the conclusion, needless to say I was pretty bummed.

[@Aamonnater]

I agree with everything u said, great vid 👍🏽

[@tomhimself4283]

thats what i tell people who doesnt like the show if u binge it ull love it

[@ROCK_UNIVERSE97]

you appreciate the show more when you have to wait because when I reached the final hour of 7x1 I was literally shaking. (that's what being a long time fan does to you I guess lol)

[@ROCK_UNIVERSE97]

that was my favourite day of tv ever!!!

[@CHA0SBLEEDS]

I was just talking to my sister about this yesterday. If you're patient enough binge watching The Walking Dead and FTWD is the best way to go. They are both more enjoyable and you get to see the pay off of many decisions sooner. It could possibly also be why the ratings have gone down. Many people still watch, they just binge watch or download the episodes.

[@bobbybudman0112]

I love binge watching on Netflix.

[@MonkeyPowerkey]

I've been watching The Walking Dead on TV since the very first Episode. I've never had to big of an issue with doing so... I'll admit there have been times where i've been frustrated that i had to wait. But the whole Mid Season finale concept isn't something exclusive to The Walking Dead so what ever... But i really didn't like the Season 4 finale as it fealt like it was building towards a climax and then just stopped. I wouldn't want to compare that to the season 6 finale tough since it onestly left you with a much greater impact. NO PUN INTENDED! Season 4 built towards something that just didn't happen... We had to wait half a year for the next episode. But Season 6 built towards something and delivered something that left a solid impression on all it's viewers. Love it or hate it... It did it's job! Season 4's ending just failed to deliver on a promise... It took the Season 5 premiere to deliver that. But i don't think The Walking Dead would serve well with the NETFLIX model. I love Daredevil, The Punisher and Jessica Jones and a ton of other Netflix shows. I'm so glad that once they come out i can watch them from start to finish... But what happened? Ehm.... I do remember the hallway fight scene. I do remember Kingpin smashing some guys head with a car door. But much of the show becomes a blur that i know i loved. And that's because in the span of 2 Days i watched all 13 Episodes... But with The Walking Dead i can point out a ton of individual moments from over a 100 different episodes. And that's because each episodes gets to set in before i watch the next one. And for this i am greatful. If i where to watch all 16 Episodes in just a few days i wouldn't have that. Rick Killing Shane, Negan Killing Glenn, Rick finding Judith again... Non of that would be as impactful. It would be less special and would just become part of a blur. Something the show isn't now. I remember 107 individual episodes! And that to me is fantastic. But i can allready hear people saying ''Just don't watch it all at once''... Sorry but no. It doesn't work like that. If you get served everything at once it's just not possible to JUST watch ONE.... And One a week? Nah... + You have a nother issue. If i watched just one i would get a ton of Spoilers that ruin the show... I mean thanks to leaks Spoilers are hard enough to avoide as it is. But if everything came out at once EVERYONE would be talking about the spoilers all over the place no filter. I would be going on a video about a Dogo getting booped and i would see a comment like ''Ah, this is almost as Cute as when Carl was finally killed off''.... People talk spoilers ALL OVER! So nope... I'm glad the Netflix formula is just that. I don't want The Walking Dead to follow that. + That would make the wait between seasons way longer and much harder.... Having to wait 6 Months between seasons is long... Having to wait 12 Months.... Fuck Me! I love the hell out of this show. I need my fix.

[@mackiahhenry6261]

This show is dragged out too much. They should go back to six episodes, and it would actually make sense if it was six episodes because each section of the comic is in like 6 parts. Js.

[@bcorr5457]

Yes.

[@TheAlmightyLeroy]

I don't think dumping the whole season online is a good idea, it makes the show feel like it lasts longer if you space out the episodes, AMC just need to stop forcing baity cliffhangers that go nowhere.

[@ROCK_UNIVERSE97]

most binge watchers I know mostly fall off the show when they have to wait for the next episode.

[@ROCK_UNIVERSE97]

it wouldn't be my favourite show of all time if I binge watched it.

[@zee2213]

@@ROCK_UNIVERSE97 yup exactly .. I think when binge-watched we are not left to appreciate an episode (if that episode was actually really good) and then we have little time to think and about that for a week ..it also loses some suspense in a way

[@WsjMGdqp8VR0GvP6YI26RJSp]

Second half of season 4 was incredibly slow while watching it weekly. On binge it’s much better.

[@simbatre4541]

also season 2 was my favorite season aswell still to this day

[@NikkiMKarLen]

There shouldn't be a mid-season break. TWD is better when you can binge watch it at your own speed. Regular viewers know their attempts at building suspense with mid-season cliff hangers are more often than not underwhelming. The disappointment is lessened when you can move on to the next episode and put the bad experience behind you.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

You're spot on. I personally can't stand the mid-season break, I don't think they ever really end of a satisfying moment - and do more harm to the show than good.

[@JoeySehn]

Yo you started watching the show at the exact same time I did! Season 5, wow, maybe that’s why our opinions on the show are so similar. Is season 5 your favorite season too? Also, did the first half of season 6 bore u? And is season 2 not as bad as people say it is? (EDIT: oh... wow... 5:15 just answered my question😂 yep. I see this videos point👌🏼)

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Interesting we started watching at the same time! I loved season 5 up until Rick and Co. arrived at Alexandria, then I feel it went a bit downhill, and I agree with you on the first half of season 6 - I found it to be such a slow and boring half of season. I like Season 2, but like I said in the video I'm not sure if I would have liked it as much if I had to watch it when it first aired on TV

[@rosie94204]

They definitely shouldn't have the long mid-season break. Terrible I know no other program that does this!!

[@drumobsession8644]

Once a day yes or 2 days but not at once

[@simbatre4541]

yes that would help with the slow ass snail flow that the show moves

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

good point simba, shame we have to wait so long to see all the episodes each season

[@LucasSchultz-zc8mo]

You should become a TWD Channel....

[@michelle47043]

It would have to be better than it is now. This show that was once great has turned into slow motion dragging it out shit.

[@Kat1kafka]

show is starting to turn into game of thrones

[@Virus8208.]

I did the same as u

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Yes?

[@mcearl8073]

Meh. As much as I’d rather binge watch them I think I like it the way it is. We make a night out of it between twd and the talking dead then maybe a podcast or two during the week.

[@masterofdisguise1112]

Yes especially since there's episodes completely just about Tara in this series so yeah

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

oh god, that episode was bad!

[@rosie94204]

Maybe they should not have as many episodes in a season. Might help.

[@HeyJoshyJosh]

Agreed, 16 is far too many episodes

[@sensacionsombria5125]

Yes, they should. Sadly TWD has become one of those shows to watch in a row becuase most of the episodes are horrible. Im a fan since day one, but its the sad truth.

[@tracyfrederick5606]

Netflix and chill is awesome BUT no. I adore Stranger Things but waiting so long for season 3 is torture. No. It's 6 months of Sunday night , looking forward , watching the show. It's an experience !

[@matthewbarbosa2977]

The walking dead is garbage, put it on amc, make it like a Netflix show, make it 4D, make it VR, make it a live action play on my front lawn. Dosent matter. If you put shit on a plate it's still shit, regardless of what color plate you put it on

[@eldude9367]

Hope this show gets canceled. Ruined by AMC and the writers.

[@email1591]

I watched seasons 1-7 straight through. I ended the last episode of S7 the night before s8 premiered. I found those seasons MUCH more enjoyable than any of S8. The show is rather droll while on a weekly scedule