The Walking Dead may be seeing some of its lowest viewership numbers since Season 1, but that is in no way an indication of the show’s quality.

There’s no denying that The Walking Dead really struggled over the past two seasons. Showrunner Scott Gimple lost a large chunk of the show’s fanbase with cringey, stiff dialogue and storylines that took way too long to progress.

Season 9 has turned that all around with Angela Kang now in charge of the series.

Gone are the numerous filler episodes and out-of-place monologues that dominated Seasons 7 & 8. Conversations now feel natural, and every episode of Season 9 is packed with important moments that don’t drag on.

The departures of fan-favorite characters because of reasons outside of the story have been tough to navigate, but Kang managed to add new characters that have revitalized the show.

While it was difficult to say goodbye to Rick and Carl Grimes in particular, their deaths (or disappearance in Rick’s case) have opened up the show to a level of unpredictability as to how certain storylines will play out.

With no central protagonist to follow, Kang has made it easier for a variety of storylines to be shown that all feel important and interesting. While we know the general direction of the narrative based off the comics, the fact that so many characters are either gone or completely new compared to the source material means fans have no idea what’s next.

Sometimes new characters will be portrayed in the same role as characters in the comics, like Henry taking Carl’s place in a relationship with Lydia. While many fans are upset with this part of the story, I really like Henry as a character because his hopeful view of people and the world around him is a great foil to the constant cynicism we see with a lot of the more weary characters.

It’ll certainly take time for fans to get used to new characters taking on the role of some of their favorites from the comics, and while it may drive some away from the show for good, eventually Kang’s brilliance in interweaving characters old and new will prove to be the right way for the show to go.

Then we have people like Daryl, who was created solely for the show (albeit in Season 1), thus adding a level of uncertainity to how he can influence the upcoming Whisperer War. His interactions with Lydia are particularly intriguing, as they share similar backgrounds of abusive parents, adding another layer to her character that we don’t see in the comic books.

Speaking of the Whisperers, the new villains have completely taken over the show, adding a dynamism that was sorely missed in recent seasons.

The group has brought back the fear factor of The Walking Dead, as characters like the psychopath leader Alpha and her massive, hulking servant Beta make you nervous and unsettled whenever they are on screen – especially after last night’s episode!

The new additions to the cast have provided some brilliant performances thus far, with Samantha Morton’s creepy depiction of Alpha and Cassady McClincy’s believable portrayal of the mistreated and conflicted Lydia standing out in particular.

I cannot wait to see where Kang takes The Walking Dead next, and I am fully on board with the show again after drifting away a bit during Season 7 and 8. While viewership is at an all-time low, the quality of the show has never been better, and I’m delighted that AMC remains committed to the show in the long-term.