1. A Relevant Death (That People Are Actually Upset By)
This might be the most important one. Shane was a decent character and Jon Bernthal did a solid job portraying him, but by the time he was killed no one was pining to keep him around. The love triangle stuff was going down like sour milk on a weekly basis and it had to be stopped. The night Lori was killed off you could almost hear the collective cheer of humanity, given how reviled she was. When Andrea got it there was a similar elation. People weren't as happy to see Dale go, but the anti-climatic way it happened didn't do much to drive it home. Carol's gone, but she's not dead (that we know of) and not one person in the world was effected by the loss of her daughter a couple of seasons ago - a disaster, considering that was supposed to be the emotional thrust of the season. Basically everyone else who has been killed off has been killed off unceremoniously or in a manner that's been totally forgettable. With so many people getting eaten by zombies, it's nearly impossible to keep track of who's ending up dead and when it's happening. That's why the red herrings and fakeouts need to stop. Someone needs to get sick or get in trouble and not get out. The show needs to stop finding excuses to save people because their names are in the opening credits and start creating tough situations for their most important characters. Only Rick and Carl really need to stick around in any given episode, and even that much might be debatable. A show like Game of Thrones is so popular and successful because of its realistic approach to conflict and death, and it, too, is based on a prior literary property. Thus the blueprint is clearly available to The Walking Dead. Don't build up to it all season; don't make it gratuitous; don't let it be someone who people didn't know or care about anyway. Take someone away swiftly and brutally and show how it effects the people who are left behind. That's something every viewer would like to see. How else do you think The Walking Dead could be improved? Share your own thoughts below.