For The Walking Dead fans, it is important to keep up with consistency and avoid staleness. The post-apocalyptic TV series became such a fan favorite because of its fresh storylines, action sequences, and unbelievable twists. The story would be that Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his gang would fight off the bad guys and move on to encounter another group all the while keeping in mind of the zombies. The same thing would happen again, and then again. This led to fans calling out the show for using the same premise for every storyline.

The Walking Dead comic book creator Robert Kirkman acknowledges fans cry for originality. “I’ve heard the ‘Oh, man… TWD just recycles the same story over and over again,’ complaint many times,” Kirkman said. “And if you’re not into the book anymore, that’s fine, stop. I completely understand. Some people aren’t up for the long haul.”

Kirkman can understand the frustration the show’s many years may have brought for fans but finds it necessary and essential for there to be new groups coming in every other season.

“But ‘meeting new groups and getting into conflicts with them’ is… every… continuing story,” Kirkman said. “It’s every TV show. New enemies, new antagonists, new conflicts… and each of those conflicts are different in some way… and result in characters learning new things and growing in new ways. The same way the conflict with The Governor and Woodbury is completely different than the conflict with Negan and the Saviors… in almost every single way. If you think those two huge storylines are the same, this book just isn’t for you. And that’s fine!”

Season nine will return from its winter break on February 10 at 9 pm ET on AMC. After the midseason finale introduced some significant changes and character development, old fans are hopeful that the show will once again find its footing.