There's a growing consensus that while The Walking Dead has dropped in quality, spin-off Fear the Walking Dead is only getting stronger and stronger creatively.

While that's being slowly reflected in the TV ratings – the Walking Dead's season 8 finale TV ratings were the lowest since season 1, while Fear earned its best numbers since 2016 this week – Fear's rise has also been documented through Rotten Tomatoes.

The Walking Dead's early seasons have been critically acclaimed, but seasons 7 and 8 were only 60% and 71% 'Fresh' respectively.

Gene Page/AMC

Related: Fear the Walking Dead season 4, episode 1 is so good that it puts The Walking Dead to shame

The critical consensus has led the overall Rotten Tomatoes score for the series to dip to 80%. Meanwhile, Fear the Walking Dead has an 82% 'Fresh' score, officially edging its mother show.

With Fear really hitting its stride as of late, it is probably not surprising at all that AMC has decided now is the time for the two shows to cross over.

Fear's season 4 opener saw Morgan Jones (Lennie James) leave Rick's group and embark on a new adventure, trekking across the country and eventually encountering the Clarks.

AMC

The Walking Dead ended its eighth season with a divisive twist, as Rick Grimes spared Negan.

Still, fans are looking ahead to season 9, which could see the long-awaited introduction of the Whisperers.

The Walking Dead airs on AMC in the US, and on FOX and NOW TV in the UK.

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