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The Walking Deadhas had its share of ebb and flow . Whenranking the season ofThe Walking Dead , there ’s no refuse the series took a cutpurse in its seventh and 8th season , but wangle to come back to its original glory in seasons 9 and 10.The walk Deadended with its eleventh season , which resolve in 2022 , but the dealership last on with numerous spinoffs . These includeWalking numb : Dead CityandWalking Dead : Daryl Dixon , both of which have been renewed for second season , and the recent 2024 Rick and Michonne - centric spinoffThe Walking all in : The Ones Who Live .
When it fall to the original , however , whether it was a top - rated time of year or not , every season ofThe walk Deadhas underrated episode . In many fount , these are installment that were n’t as excited in tempo , nor replete with macabre baby-walker and polar storylines . But they were important for a variety of reasons , and these 10 membership among the most underrated of them all .
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10. When the Dead Come Knocking (season 3, episode 7)
Maggie ( Lauren Cohan ) and Glenn ( Steven Yuen ) had only just start out their romance by this power point . But the deep love he felt for her was on full display when the two were abduct and bind up in separate rooms . When The Governor ( David Morrissey ) arrange Maggie to take her shirt and bra , it ’s a turn point for the woman , show just how inviolable and fierce she has become . It ’s also a more serious bit for the show , depicting the reference in a vulnerable state that made viewers finger uncomfortable at the opening of what could come . This led to one of Glenn ’s most heroic other consequence as well , as he sprung into activity to take down a pedestrian while tie up , arrange up the character reference to be the sports fan favorite he eventually became .
This is also the episode where Merle ( Michael Rooker ) salute his allegiance to The Governor , assuring he will not side with his pal . The moment wring the hearts of viewers who consider at this point that Merle can not be saved , though they yearn for his redemption .
9. Killer Within (season 3, episode 4)
T - Dog ( IronE Singleton ) was one of the most dear original characters onThe Walking Dead , and his death hit fans hard , especially since he sacrificed himself to save Carol ( Melissa McBride ) . She went on to become a fan favorite type herself , ensure his selfless destruction was not in egotistic .
Meanwhile , devotee expected Andrea ( Laurie Holden ) to last on the serial given her role in the comics . But it ’s the start of the conclusion of fans root for her when she ingratiates herself to the Governor and decide to stay in Woodbury . Most notably , however , this is a crucial episode for Maggie , Carol , and Rick ( Andrew Lincoln ) as Lori ( Sara Wayne Callies ) understand she will not pull round childbirth and begs Maggie to cut her opened and save Judith .
It ’s a turn point for Carl ( Chandler Riggs ) , too , as he make the mature determination to shoot his dead female parent before she turns into a automaton . Both Carl and Maggie are evermore exchange in this episode , and it lay Rick on a melancholy path dealing with the death of his married woman and the birth of a child who has now become his .
8. Four Walls and a Roof (season 5, episode 3)
Father Gabriel ( Gabriel Stokes ) had one of the most compelling arcs on the serial , so rewatching the episode where he include his guilt for engage his parishioners out of the church while the world fell is a reminder of everything for which he worked to atone . He was a plate of a gentleman’s gentleman at the metre he was discovered , yet still maintained his faith . When he plead with Maggie not to conduct flagitious acts in the church , call it the “ Lord ’s house , ” she return that it ’s “ just four bulwark a roof , ” a tell statement from a former Christian church - sound farm girl . Worse , however , is how this episode shows how Rick has become more like Shane ( Jon Bernthal ) , as he savagely off Gareth ( Andrew J. West ) as he kneels at the altar of the church building . Fans may also notice eery comparisons to the way Gareth stare up at Rick for mercy while on his genu , the same way Rick did to Negan ( Jeffrey Dean Morgan ) in a previous time of year .
Bob ’s ( Lawrence Gillard Jr. ) death in this episode also marks an important variety in Sasha ( Sonequa Martin - Green ) that is compound later when she also turn a loss her crony , Tyreese ( Chad Coleman ) . These moments set up her grow tightness with Abraham ( Michael Cudlitz ) and her ultimate determination to sacrifice herself for the chemical group .
7. What Happened And What’s Going On (season 5, episode 9)
Aside from feature the last of fan favorite character Tyreese , this sequence was much different from others , which is why it does n’t get as much attending . But the shifting in tone and pacing pays off . The episode has warmheartedness , is highly worked up , and set the riposte of several characters , albeit only as sight .
While hallucinating from his walker morsel and fighting death , Tyreese sees everyone from the Governor to Beth ( Emily Kinney ) , Lizzie ( Brighton Sharbino ) , and Bob . They reassure him that he has fulfilled his purpose and he can let go . It ’s an existential episode that sheds light on the mental cognitive process of plump from human being to undead . For a show that ’s so heavy about death , this sequence was a welcome deviation that buff might not have completely value until long after .
6. Still (season 4, episode 12)
Beth died prematurely , before her story was able to fully be told . But what fan loved most about her was the deep connection she had with Daryl ( Norman Reedus ) , which had big brother , piddling sister vibraphone . She was 18 when she break , much young than Daryl , but there ’s no denying the adherence the two shared .
This episode was part of a season that flipped back and forth among different people in the group each installment . While it was more low - key than others , it explored a deep , more sore side of Daryl and localise up his immense heartbreak over Beth ’s dying . Daryl cares for Beth , try out to teach her things , and chastises her as if she was his teenage child act like a college frat lady friend . He also opens up emotionally for the first prison term , admitting his guilt trip for Hershel ’s ( Scott Wilson ) destruction , and even breaking down crying because of it . It ’s a soft side of Daryl fans had been waiting so long to see .
5. What We Become (season 10, episode 13)
Throughout the series , fans always wondered what way of life fiber might have taken had they encountered and joined a different grouping . This Michonne - centrical ( Danai Gurira ) episode addresses this by presenting an alternating version of the character through her own hallucinations . If it sound like a leaving from the usualThe Walking Deadtone , it is . But it was a welcome one .
Virgil ( Kevin Carroll ) is acquaint and he seems like a good somebody until he serves Michonne a hallucinogenic Camellia sinensis and then traps her in a cell . She begins to see alternate floor of how her animation might have gone had she made different determination , including lease Andrea die , joining Negan and the Saviors , and being killed by and killing Rick . It ’s a harrowing instalment for a woman who has been through so much heartache , but also check that Michonne is unspoiled for the decisions she made .
It also drove fans to consider how anyone in the master group could have become a very unlike person had they done things differently . What We Becomeencourages fans to opine about “ what ifs ” and see the nefarious groups in a different Light Within and , conversely , to examine Rick ’s group and the thing they have done more critically .
4. The Storm (season 9, episode 16)
Some may call episodes like this one “ makeweight , ” but there ’s something to be aver for the grandness and time value of quieter , more laid - back installment that drive the plot forward . The Stormcomes on the cad of a massive battle with Alpha that depart Carol and Ezekiel ( Khary Payton ) grieving the death of their son , Henry . It ’s precisely the sense of calm fan postulate after such a lurid episode .
Negan gets his horse in shining armor moment when he spare Judith ( Cailey Fleming ) and Dog in the middle of a blistering wintertime storm . If there were holdout suggesting Negan did not deserve redemption , this is the episode that finally prove he was worthy . Daryl , meanwhile , also demonstrate more profundity of character when he pleads with his group to have mercy on and accept Lydia ( Cassady McClincy Zhang ) , despite her familial connexion . It ’s a easy - paced episode that marks a needed break for fan of the show , even if it imply waiting another week for more bound - of - the - seat action to happen .
3. JSS (season 6, episode 2)
This is the episode where the Wolves attack the otherwise serene residential area of Alexandria , leave the group to defend itself and resulting in massive loss . But there are a few important lessons and messages delivered in this episode . Morgan ( Lennie James ) , new off his preparation with Eastman ( John Carroll Lynch ) , is now proficient in Aikido , but has also learned the mantra that there ’s another fashion and it is n’t necessary to defeat . So , when Carol saves him from a Wolf by killing the man , it produce friction between the two former friends . Morgan says they do n’t have to drink down people and Carol reply , “ of course we do . ”
Meanwhile , we are also remind of how far Carol has issue forth when she deliver blunt advice to Sam about his opprobrious Church Father , say him to get over it and “ live with it or it deplete you up . ” At the heart of this episode is the meaning behind Enid ’s ( Katelyn Nacon ) mantra JSS , “ Just Survive Somehow . ” Its these watchword that got Enid through the passing of her parents and gave her strength , and it ’s a powerful subject matter in and of itself for anyone dealing with any type of hurt .
2. Thank You (season 6, episode 3)
Thank Yougets a set of attention for its termination that foiled TV audience by teasing the destruction of fan favourite grapheme Glenn , only to reveal in the next episode that he was , in fact , alive and well thanks to a garbage can . The sequence got a heap of flak for that shameless bait and alternate . But in hindsight , Glenn ’s condition was all anyone could talk about for an entire workweek , which meant the episode did its job . Because of that final scene , however , fans also forget about all the incredible import in the episode .
First is the terrifying dying of Noah in a scene that is sure enough engrained in lover ’ head . This includes seeing both Noah ’s ( Tyler James Williams ) terror and Glenn ’s anguish at not being able to do anything about it . Then there ’s Nicholas ’ ( Michael Traynor ) mental struggles as the character reference go from loathed to misunderstood , troubled , and maybe even deserving of fellow feeling . The instalment drive fans to need themselves , would they be able-bodied to handle such a world or clasp under the pressure and be pass judgment ?
1. Mercy (season 8, episode 1)
Mercyhas the inauspicious reality of coming at the bad fourth dimension in the show ’s run away . Former fan had grown tire of the draw - out warfare with Negan and protested the brutal death scene of Glenn and Abraham ( not to remark the endless teasers head up to those moments ) . Because of that , Mercydidn’t get the recognition it merit . It kicked off one of the most lustreless season of the serial ’ integral run . But the episode itself was a long - expect payoff , the culmination of everything for which fans who stuck with the show had been wait . Mercymight have had a better receipt had it been the finale of season 7 .
Nonetheless , in the episode , the big fight between Rick and his many allies and Negan and The Saviors finally guide situation . There ’s also a polar conversation between Rick and Carl about trusting others that lays the foundation for Rick deciding not to vote out Negan in the end . It ’s subtle moments like this that make the episode just as crucial to the plot as the vivid action , even if fans were thwart that the Negan arc did n’t get the satisfying end they had hoped for . In hindsight , given how the Negan eccentric arc proceed in the spinoff , it was a good decision that fan can look back on now and appreciate .
Stream all 11 seasons ofThe walk Deadon Netflix .
