Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 6 Preview: ‘Swear’
By Nir Regev
The big news this week is The Walking Dead’s ratings. Yet, casual viewers who watched for Negan then saw the Ezekiel followup are probably not too surprised.
Talking Ratings
It seems Walking Dead fans and analysts are struggling for answers to why this season’s ratings are declining gradually. Picture one of the biggest debuts on TV ever, astronomical hype for the new lead villain, Negan. A reboot episode that delivers on all fronts, breaks ground all the way to the mainstream. The initial episode got parodied by legend Dave Chapelle on Saturday Night Live, do you even realize the magnitude of that?
So what would you do? Keep the Sunday Night Express rolling with an action packed Rick/Negan followup or break away to a storyline about an unfamiliar King and his colony? Apparently King Ezekiel won over at the office and millions tuned out as a result. This is where a Frank Darabont film/TV type might have helped with keeping the momentum launching full steam ahead.
The show diverting from the comic narrative once in a while is okay. It helps to diminish spoilers so people don’t know exactly what’s coming. TV show only changes can also create great additions like Daryl/Merle’s impact on the series or general surprise.
If you’re a casual tuning in even for the first time the premiere of Season 7 resonates with you on a human level. That one Carl/Negan/Rick scene requires no background or interest in the zombie niche. It simply connects.
The Kingdom, the tiger and all the fantasy lore might reel one specific type of an audience but it’s not a mainstream get on SNL type. Fine, you might say I don’t need those casuals watching (if you’re a fan and not running the business side of the show) but don’t be surprised at the ratings backlash. While the show will remain a popular juggernaut obviously, it had an opportunity at a complete mainstream renaissance. A new golden age if you will. Significant momentum has been lost through a CGI tiger’s debut. Just look at the contrast between the two photos. Looks like a whole different show.
What was the most out of place moment of the trailer for this Walking Dead season? The segment where Carol says “I don’t know what’s going on in the most wonderful way”, it stood out from the rest of the Negan seriousness. A premonition of the future reception to the episode as a Negan followup. Adding this is of no fault of the actors, King Ezekiel sold his role well, it just wasn’t the time yet. The show should have adapted on-the-fly to the Negan vibes in the air and moved the airdate or ran a double feature for the night. Starting with a Negan episode first.
From Jessie to Michonne: Or How to End a Real Connecting Love Interest
A perfect example of the occasional need to adapt on-the-fly. Yes, Jessie Anderson might not make it in the comic but she certainly should have made it in the show. Instead, we lost the first real love interest for Rick Grimes since Lori for an uninspiring relationship with Michonne. One lacking true romantic feeling to casual viewers, more fan-fiction gone live. Jessie was the perfect counterpart to Rick. A great introductory character for a blank slate audience. Just imagine what kind of figure she would be right at this second with the whole Negan impact and repercussions.
Instantly, the degree of interest rises to unprecedented levels. Casuals tune in. Just look at the general ambience surrounding Negan asking about the whereabouts of Maggie. Now imagine Jessie headlining. The anger Negan would cause could go beyond Shane-Lori levels. Instead in Season 6, we went from Jessie’s last episode scoring a 6.75 in the 18-49 demo and 13.742 million viewers overall to a gradual decline after the followup episode The Next World till the Negan debut in the finale.
After The Next World, (with the revelation of Rick/Michonne) the show dropped to 6.08 in the 18-49 demo, 12.794 overall viewers. Later dipping below six in the 18-49 demographic for the first time.
Getting Casually Acquainted
A lot of people online criticized the Easy Street episode with Daryl but it was a quality memorable chapter to The Walking Dead. Everybody remembers the song, the sandwich and it established Dwight fully. Daryl’s solo performance was a worthy third episode, and even potential second.
However, the episode where Negan visits Alexandria for the first time was the perfect followup for new viewers of the show. It would have been an excellent way to get fresh casuals acquainted with the show in contrast to an unfamiliar Kingdom narrative. In general, there’s a bit too much back and forth going on between the groups and the colonies. People want to see Rick Grimes every episode. He’s still the lead of The Walking Dead.
Tonight’s Walking Dead:
Everything’s on the line with Negan’s new world order and savior numbers. What is Rick capable of doing to stifle potential consequences of an unhappy Negan? This is a new Rick Grimes, one that is aware of the immediate danger of not complying with orders, one open to direction.
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One no longer the leader outside of his personal circle. Relived of duties with no chance to appeal. Rick Grimes blames himself for the deaths of Glenn and Abraham, in his own words, sometimes it is my fault. On tonight’s Walking Dead Rick Grimes shows us what he’ll do to never experience that feeling again.
Follow me on Twitter: @nirregev