The Walking Dead franchise has firmly planted itself among the most successful horror TV shows in pop culture, expanding the post-apocalyptic world with spinoffs like Dead City and Daryl Dixon. The multi-layered plot, intense themes, and complex characters made for interesting conversation and debate topics.

In the fandom, there are some opinions that are widespread and most viewers tend to agree on. However, there are other perspectives that fans have offered, suggesting common beliefs are not the only way of looking at the nuances of the series. Though these Walking Dead opinions are unpopular and not often considered, they make valid points.

10. Alpha Was Worse Than Negan

Alpha lurking behind Negan in The Walking Dead

There are many characters that influenced Negan’s storyline, both as a villain and throughout his redemption arc. This included Alpha, who Negan manipulated to infiltrate her group, earn her trust, and then execute her to earn the favor of Alexandria.

Though Negan received a redemption arc, for better or worse, many viewers still consider him and the Saviors the worst antagonist in the show. Other viewers would argue Alpha was far worst. Negan was a dictator that used fear tactics, but Alpha had no respect for human life, even that of her own daughter, and honored the walkers like they saved the world instead of ruining it.

9. Morgan Is the Most Interesting Main Character

Morgan Jones with an axe on Fear the Walking Dead

Though Morgan Jones has been a fan-favorite Walking Dead character since Season 1, he is a controversial topic among fans. Some loved his character and interesting storyline. Others believe he was a rather boring character that didn’t add anything significant to the plot. These viewers also hate his values of human life, claiming it caused more problems than anything.

His fans, on the other hand, consider his arc to be the most interesting. His downward spiral after losing his son was an insightful look into mental health in this post-apocalyptic world. After that, it seemed appropriate he would change for the better by not wanting to harm anyone.

8. Filler Episodes Are Necessary

The Walking Dead TV Daryl and Beth

One of the worst things about The Walking Dead is the filler episodes. Most viewers agree they are unnecessary and add little to the main plot of the story. These are usually the episodes that fans skip when they do a rewatch of the series.

Though some of these fillers are widely agreed upon by fans to be boring, not all of them were unnecessary or unimportant. Many of these episodes, such as the ones in Season 4 when the group is separated after the prison, despite being controversial, were key scenes in terms of character development. For example, The Walking Dead, Season 4, Episode 12, “Still,” gave Daryl an important backstory and made Beth a more interesting, well-rounded character.

7. Negan Is More Annoying Than Humorous

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan with Lucille over his shoulder

Negan is another controversial character in the TWD universe. Though not everyone likes his redemption arc and even liked him better as a villain, many appreciated his quick wit and smart remarks. Negan’s interesting way with words is a trademark of his character.

Fans of his find this his most unique and enticing attribute, but other viewers have a different perspective. The way he can talk endlessly with arrogance and a mocking tone is more grating on these viewers than funny. The humor used to portray Negan’s personality is iconic, but it’s not for everyone.

6. Andrea Should Have Lived

Andrea has a conversation about survival on The Walking Dead

There are a handful of characters from The Walking Dead that most viewers agree were unlikeable. Arguably the most hated person in the universe was Andrea. She wasn’t liked from the beginning by some viewers, while others thought she lost all appeal when she allied with the Governor and refused to kill him.

Not all agree with this perspective of Andrea. Despite some of her decisions being questionable, she was always determined to survive by using her own instincts and learning skills necessary in the post-apocalyptic world. Her choice to not kill the Governor was not selfish but a desire to find a peaceful way to end the conflict. There are reasons not to like Andrea, but her death felt sudden for fans that thought her different perspective could have added tension to future seasons.

5. Eugene Doesn’t Get Enough Recognition

Eugene looking scared in The Walking Dead. 

There seems to be a split among the TWD fandom about Eugene’s character. Some will only ever see him as the cowardly man that deceived people as a means of survival. Others thought the years he spent helping his community made up for his previous deception.

Those that appreciate Eugene’s growth also think he doesn’t get enough credit for his part in the Saviors War. Though he bowed down to Negan for survival and turned his back on his friends, he was the one to take down the villains. By sabotaging the Saviors’ ammunition, the heroes were able to take them down with little effort. This saved the lives of the group, earning Eugene a spot among the praised heroes in the franchise.

4. The Reaper Plotline Wasn’t That Bad

Two Reapers escorting a hostage in The Walking Dead

Some episodes are the worst in TWD according to critical reception. In addition to these overall bad episodes, many viewers hated the plot of The Reapers and thought it was entirely pointless. It’s also been suggested that this was only a tactic to further Maggie’s development, which overshadowed the villains.

There are some favorite conflicts for all fans and this one doesn’t normally make the list. However, the conflict wasn’t without tension, and the inclusion of fan favorites Maggie and Daryl gave the plot emotional stakes. The Reapers should have been more developed, giving them an underdeveloped feel, but the storyline wasn’t entirely pointless.

3. Negan’s Backstory Didn’t Change Anything

Negan sitting in front of Lucille as a walker in The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead universe has worked hard to make fans like Negan despite his horrible introduction. One episode that aided in this perspective change was Season 10, Episode 22, “Here’s Negan.” This showed him as a caring husband that lost himself after the tragic loss of his wife Lucille. Dead City also depicted him as a caring family man, even with the absence of his family.

This helped fans overcome their hatred of the complicated character. However, not all viewers were convinced. Even though Negan indeed had a tragic beginning, going through the grief many experienced in the early days of the apocalypse, this doesn’t overshadow the terrible acts he committed on the protagonists.

2. Glenn’s Death Was Appropriate

Steven Yeun as a scarred Glenn in The Walking Dead

A despised aspect of the TWD franchise is killing off characters for shock value. Even those that knew, based on the source material, that Negan was going to kill Glenn were surprised by the gore and suddenness of the incident. This is a point of tension in the fandom, with some hating his death and even quitting the show for that reason.

There’s no doubt Glenn’s demise was heartbreaking and has left a lasting impression on long-lasting characters, especially his wife Maggie. However, this doesn’t change the fact that his death was a key transition in the plot that impacted the forward-moving action and conflict.

1. Plot Armor Is Better Than Shock Value Deaths

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon looking up at his captors

There have been many shocking deaths in the show and not all of them were unnecessary. As a main theme in the franchise, viewers expect characters to die in tragic and unexpected ways. In spite of this, shock-value deaths like that of Beth and Noah are still unpopular among fans.

Some viewers also hate plot armor for long-running characters, even in relation to fan favorites like Daryl and Michonne. In between these two perspectives is an exceptionally unpopular opinion. Shock value has become less shocking and more boring, and plot armor reduces tension, but at this point in the universe, it makes more sense that these people are used to dealing with danger rather than suddenly dying after years of endurance.