2. They Kept The Bloke Who Does The Gore
As every series goes by the main cast become more-and-more accomplished in their zombie-killing abilities. Hell, it's gotten to the point where with a bowie knife and the right amount of pluck, even Beth and Carol could survive a reasonable group of the shamblers, and really, that's fantastic. I do love me some zombie murder. Much like the Daryl safety-net, the show can always save itself through the knowledge it's got some of the most gruesome special effects on the small screen. Head special effects make-up artist Greg Nicotero and his twisted band of underlings give good gore, and the directors just love to show off his work when throwing zombies into the meat grinder, giving us great set-pieces and the ever-more inventive ways the now battle-hardened survivors take down their undead foe. Honestly, you can put most of the credit for Walking Dead's amazing violence at Nicotero's shows. Some of you may sat that It's something of a given to expect good gore in a zombie-centred show, but just because you expect it, it doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen. So frankly, Nicotero should be given all the dredit in the world for not just doing an adequate job of portraying all the guts and viscera, but actually knocking it out of the park. What's more is that they've kept him on, meaning we'll be treated to more of the same flaming zombie pits, blades through the eye, wanton dismemberment and some good old-fashioned bullets to the head. While it can be as dramatic as all hell, blood is the substance this show runs on, and keeping a master of the craft must be something of a boon. Hell, there was already enough murder in the trailer to sate a regular show, so this'll be fun.