Welllll... the comic's creator did say that "Rick Grimes will die," so perhaps this is happening sooner than later. Also, in the comicbook currently, Rick is not a prominent character. So maybe, the show can be more like the comicbook after Lincoln's six-or-so episodes finish airing.

Ah, well that's interesting! I haven't actually read the comics. I've only read some recaps on the wiki's. Maybe the upcoming season will be a reinvention of sorts, like the current season of Fear has been so far.

If Rick leaves, I am done.

The Walking Dead is one of my favourite shows that I just kind of tuned out of, I was one of the batch that didn't quite leave after the episode with Glenn and Abraham getting their heads bashed in - but I was one of the ones that just ended up catching it whenever I could. It will be interesting to see if the show can progress without Andrew Lincoln, but I think it's got little to do with the characters right now.

What the show needs is better storylines, it's become way to simple, like a game where you just do the same tasks again and again - the repetition is starting to become annoying but instead of being a side mission it's taking up the main plotline.

I don't have a problem with Rick leaving I just don't like the idea of making Daryl the lead. He is the most pathetic character on the show, a simple grunt. And the actor has the bloated face of a full blown alcoholic.

That's good news for the show.

@FunRoyal said:

I don't have a problem with Rick leaving I just don't like the idea of making Daryl the lead. He is the most pathetic character on the show, a simple grunt. And the actor has the bloated face of a full blown alcoholic.

Rick gone, Daryl the lead? You'd have to strap me to a chair and forcehold my eyes open, ala A Clockwork Orange, for me to watch that.

@jonnieblack said:

@FunRoyal said:

I don't have a problem with Rick leaving I just don't like the idea of making Daryl the lead. He is the most pathetic character on the show, a simple grunt. And the actor has the bloated face of a full blown alcoholic.

Rick gone, Daryl the lead? You'd have to strap me to a chair and forcehold my eyes open, ala A Clockwork Orange, for me to watch that.

I was such a fan of the show that I kept recommending it to friends. I even stuck up for the show from seasons 4 to the end of the penultimate episode of season 6. For me that's was when enough was enough. Having us go through a whole season where there was a long, big build up, wondering who was going to die, to having no one die at the end, was a smack in the face to the fans. After the first ep of season 7, my heart wasn't really in it any more and season 8!!! Bloody hell, what a bore fest especially with those constant shootings whilst nothing was breaking or people getting shot.

It is a relief to hear Andrew is leaving because after he leaves, I can quit the show for good. It's funny how he wants to go now after Carl was killed off. I bet he was pissed off with the show for doing that to Chandler. I heard Chandler bought a house near the set thinking he was still in the show. I'm sure others feel the same way too.

Such a shame because this was one of the best shows out there. I watched the first ever episode recently to see why I got so caught up in the show. It is miles apart from today's show. Real quality writing back then. :-(

I didn't have a big problem with the season 6 cliffhanger but season 7 and 8 were just plain bad. In the comics this was my favourite story arc, I was so looking forward to Negan and the war, both disappointed.

@jonnieblack said:

If Rick leaves, I am done.

Oh yeah, when he goes, I'm done too.

They should just recast him with Sullivan Stapleton.

@tipsymcstaggers said:

https://www.google.com/amp/collider.com/andrew-lincoln-leaving-walking-dead-season-9/amp/

Do you think season 9 will be the end of the show? I have a hard time picturing TWD without Rick!

I feel like the show NEEDS to end regardless. I just don't care about the characters anymore. Well, except for Darrell. They milked that cow for all she was worth.

@jonnieblack said:

If Rick leaves, I am done.

It'll probably be the final nail in the coffin for me, too. Someone at IMDb once said that Glenn and Abraham were like the heart and soul of the show. Now they're gonna lose the face of the show, too. It sounds like they're scrambling to keep it going after Lincoln and Cohan get out of there. At least after the show goes, they've got "Fear the Walking Dead," which still has a lot of potential. FtWD seems to learn from TWD's mistakes....

@Satch_the_man said:

@jonnieblack said:

If Rick leaves, I am done.

It'll probably be the final nail in the coffin for me, too. Someone at IMDb once said that Glenn and Abraham were like the heart and soul of the show. Now they're gonna lose the face of the show, too. It sounds like they're scrambling to keep it going after Lincoln and Cohan get out of there. At least after the show goes, they've got "Fear the Walking Dead," which still has a lot of potential. FtWD seems to learn from TWD's mistakes....

I've read that the plan is to focus on Daryl and Negan. I have one word for the Daryl and Negan Show. NOPE.

UGH, that sounds awful. Last night, I caught the tail end of a Walking Dead marathon called (I think) "The best of Carol." She's been around since close to the beginning, so maybe they feel that she's a good character to focus on like that.

All they really have to do, I think, is follow the comicbook with its stories about Michonne, maybe Negan, Maggie (oh, I forgot, she's gonna be out of things soon) and so on. I don't want to say I'll be watching, but the comicbook, as depressing as it is, is a good example for them to follow.