DIdn't mean to imply there was anything "wrong" with it. I actually think it makes his character more compelling. In fact, as others have said, he's one of the most compelling secondary characters the show has ever had.

So, Richard is going to be one of the few characters in this show who, in death, nonetheless gets exactly what he wants?

Felt it dragged on a bit too much, personally, but the payoff made it worthwhile.

I think the problem with the Nina storyline was it dragging on a season too long. I think even the writers probably realize that should have been wrapped up in Season 3.

They could still keep his backstory and just have him prepare and bury the zombie bodies as a way of appeasing his conscious. Would have given some depth to the character and answered an interesting lingering question from Season 4.

Would have been an interesting twist to the Father Gabriel character had they thought to go in that direction.

They may not necessarily know Sasha's, as she's only had the one encounter with Negan and the Saviors — the lineup — and, unlike Maggie, she did nothing to make herself stand apart. Hence why Negan specifically remarked about Maggie being missing but made no mention of Sasha when he visited Alexandria the first time.

I want to like her character, I really do.

The whole point of that scene was for Rick to tell Michonne that even if one of them lost the other, they both had to carry on so that the future of the people in the various communities would be a good one. It showed growth in both characters — in Rick's case, it showed a resolve to press on despite potentially heavy…

Apparently, the high school at which this fair was hosted was… hosting a fair at the outset of the apocalypse?

"Glenn saved me, right at the start. I couldn't save him." -Rick

This. So much this.

In between that and Merle's ridiculousness (it's amazing how much better Glen Mazzara did with that character), I often chuckle at the notion that this show was leaps and bounds better under Darabont.

No doubt. I think it's mostly just the people who never liked the relationship from the start and are looking for any reason at all to justify their feelings.

That's one reason they work so well. It was especially apparent when Rick was less humble and more crazy, and he still respected her enough to listen.

You sort of his the nail on the head, though. They obviously want to A.) milk the ad revenue as much as possible — hence 16-episode seasons — and B.) avoid catching up to the source material for as long as possible. Thus, the pacing is always going to be an issue as long as those two things are given top priority.

Not much they can do when they have to fill 16-episode seasons, unless they suddenly decide to burn through some plot, catch up to the comics then branch off on their own.

Agreed on Michonne. This is good growth on her part. I'm fine with it, mostly because I don't think she'd *actually* give up living if she were to lose Rick.

I agree with TheGent423: The problem isn't that the show lacks "balls" per se, it just needs to stop going to the fakout well.

I realize Shiva must cost a fortune, but as much money as this show brings in, that was flat out inexcusable.