In 2009, Robert Kirkman’s celebrated comic book series, The Walking Dead, was brought to life for television audiences for the first time. It undoubtedly made a distinct impression on old and new fans alike. The drama. The characters. The tension. All of it has made for some pretty great episodes over the years.
Any television series as longstanding as The Walking Dead inevitably has its ups and downs. This series, particularly in the first handful of seasons, consistently delivered some hard-hitting content every week. These are the top highest-rated episodes in The Walking Dead‘s history according to IMDb, and for good reason.
10 The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be (9.2)
The seventh season premiere of The Walking Dead started off with a bang. Fans waited a little over six months to find out the answer to the question that lit social media on fire: Who did Negan kill? Now, for comic book aficionados, the answer was already well known. But for those who didn’t follow the comics the brutal execution of a beloved character hit pretty hard.
This episode established the beginning of a long and complex storyline that would involve Rick’s group, his allies, and the Saviors. The war between them wouldn’t be resolved until the Season 8 finale. The graphic death of one of the series’ most popular characters in this episode wouldn’t be something that fans would soon forget.
9 Killer Within (9.3)
“Killer Within” was yet another episode that witnesses the deaths of two longstanding characters. The episode is split between Michonne’s investigation into Woodbury and daily life at the prison among Rick’s group. When the relative tranquility of the prison is shattered by a horde of walkers, things take a tragic turn.
Inevitably, as the physical integrity of the prison is aggressively assaulted, not everyone makes it out alive. For Rick, one death, in particular, sends him spiraling into a deep depression that serves as a pivotal moment for his character.
8 JSS (9.3)
The season six episode, “JSS”, tends to be highly regarded by fans due to the strong character development displayed within it. In particular, the characters of Enid, Carol, and Morgan stand out as they all struggle to contend with their inner demons.
The climax of the episode revolves around an attack on Alexandria by a group of raiders called the Wolves. Fans also learn the significance of the “JSS” brand on Enid’s hand by taking a look at her sorrowful backstory.
7 Pretty Much Dead Already (9.3)
One of the significant plot points that revolve around season two is the search for Carol’s daughter, Sophia. She is separated from the rest of the group when a herd of walkers suddenly appears along the highway. Despite Rick’s efforts, he is unable to locate her.
“Pretty Much Dead Already” finally puts the matter to rest by revealing the sad truth of what happened to Sophia. It’s arguably one of the series’ most memorable scenes from the early days. As a story element, it serves to underscore the harsh reality the characters must contend with within the new world.
6 Conquer (9.3)
The fifth season finale ratchets up the tension brewing in Alexandria. Much of the drama is centered around Rick’s status in the community. The townspeople view him as unhinged as they continually witness examples of his erratic behavior concerning the safety of Alexandria.
“Conquer” also focuses on the plight of Father Gabriel as well as the guilt-ridden Sasha. The actors do a superb job of highlighting the emotional and moral crossroads these two characters find themselves in by the end of the season.
5 Thank You (9.3)
“Thank You” was an episode that sent fans into a frenzy at the time of its release. Its notability stems from the fact that it baits the death of a series regular. It turns out not to be true, leaving many fans either relieved or annoyed.
The rest of the episode is focused on the defense of Alexandria from a massive herd of walkers. There are actually very few slow moments in this episode. Almost every minute is spent on pulse-pounding tension, which tends to be why most fans and critics rate this episode so highly.
4 The Calm Before (9.4)
For a series that deals in so much death on a regular basis, its ability to continually shock and surprise fans is quite remarkable. Once again, two series regulars are given the axe in this episode, and in a particularly gruesome fashion.
The episode is one of many that helps establish the daunting threat represented by the Whisperers. On a thematic note, it serves to illustrate the triumphs and tragedies that ultimately keep a fledgling community together, even in the midst of horrific adversity.
3 No Sanctuary (9.6)
“No Sanctuary” explores the depths of human depravity that some people were willing to commit to after the outbreak. The episode is conspicuous for its abundantly dark tone and tends to stand out from the rest, even ones with similarly grim subject matters.
More specifically, the episode explores the efficacy of cannibalism after the breakdown of social order. Certain characters in the show are willing to reexamine what it means to be “civilized” and to do whatever it takes to keep on living.
2 Too Far Gone (9.7)
One of the highlights of the entire series was, without a doubt, the conflict with the Governor. “Too Far Gone” is the climax of the storyline that had been building for two seasons and its ending is filled with hair-raising action and heartbreak.
The episode is also significant for closing the chapter on the prison. With its environs no longer safe, Rick’s group is forced to split up and flee. It sets the stage for the second half of the fourth season, where new characters and obstacles are introduced.
1 No Way Out (9.7)
“No Way Out” is a pretty action-packed episode that focuses on the mortal danger the community of Alexandria finds itself in when a walker herd bursts through the gates. It also foreshadows the eventual appearance of Negan and the Saviors.
Most fans likely recall this episode due to its shocking plot twist. Rick’s son, Carl, is critically injured about midway through the episode. It was very unclear to the audience at the time whether or not one of the original cast members was about to meet his end.
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