Enough with the fake deaths on The Walking Dead

Last week’s The Walking Dead episode “Say Yes” gave fans another fake out death. This time it was Rick Grimes who almost didn’t make it. These fake out deaths really need to stop.

There was another heart-stopping fake death on the latest episode of The Walking Dead. Rick was surrounded and in a scene that recalled Glenn’s fake death all that was visible was the walkers eating something.

Viewers assumed it was Rick. So did Michonne, in a heartbreaking moment where she realized she didn’t want to live without him. She dropped her sword in the shock of watching what she thought was Rick being torn apart by walkers. Then she almost became their next meal. Rick emerged at the last second and tossed her the katana.

In just a couple of minutes viewers almost saw Rick die, then almost lost Michonne too. This is not ok. Fans are still grieving from the losses of Glenn and Abe. And they’re still mad about the season 6 cliffhanger. Along with Glenn’s fake death where he emerged under the dumpster.

It may time for an intervention with the writers and the showrunners of The Walking Dead. Please stop relying on the fake out death trope to build drama. There’s plenty of drama on the show to begin with. Viewers are traumatized enough. Stop jerking them around with these fake out deaths.

No One Is Safe

Anyone who has watched The Walking Dead for more than a minute knows that none of the beloved characters are safe. They know they can lose their favorites in a heartbeat. And a fake death can be a really effective dramatic tool. But not when it’s done over and over and over again.

Rick’s fake death did propel some story development because it led to Rick and Michonne having an emotional talk about going on even if the other person doesn’t make it. In order to build a future for Judith and Carl and all the other survivors they agree that no matter what whoever is left standing has to go on.

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But there were other ways to develop that storyline without faking Rick’s death and almost causing Michonne’s death. In an otherwise excellent episode the fake out death hit a really sour note. Please stop fake killing people The Walking Dead. Fans expect better.