How Many Episodes In Walking Dead Season 7

Okay, let's talk Walking Dead. Specifically, season 7. And, even more specifically, the number of episodes in that particular season. Because, let's be honest, it felt like an eternity.
How Many Episodes Were We Subjected To?
The "official" answer? Sixteen. Yep, 16 episodes. Eight in the first half, eight in the second. But honestly? It felt like 50.
My (Potentially Unpopular) Opinion
Here's where I might lose some of you. Season 7... was rough. Like, really rough. I know, I know, Negan was a compelling villain. But the pacing? Torture.
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Seriously, did we really need that much lingering grief after the premiere? Did we need that many side quests? Probably not.
I'm not saying cut the season in half. But maybe shave off a few episodes. Condense the story. Give us a little more action, a little less moping. Just a thought.

Remember That Premiere?
Oh boy. That premiere. Let's not dwell too much. But it set the tone, didn't it? A tone of bleakness. Of despair. Of "oh god, is this what the whole season is going to be like?"
And to some extent...it was. Don't get me wrong, some great moments were sprinkled throughout. But man, did you need patience.
The Pacing Problem
This is my main beef. The pacing. It crawled. Like a walker that forgot to eat brains for a week. Seriously, that slow.

We spent so much time in different communities. Some interesting, some...less so. It just felt diluted. Spread too thin.
Remember the Kingdom?
Ezekiel and Shiva!Cool concepts! But did we need, like, three episodes dedicated to them immediately? Jury's out.
Okay, Okay, It Wasn't All Bad
Look, I'm not a hater. I stuck with it. I'm invested in these characters. And there were some genuinely great moments. Rick's resolve! Maggie's leadership! Negan's... well, Negan-ness.

But those moments were often buried under layers of gloom and glacial pacing. A shame, really.
Could It Have Been Better?
Absolutely. And I think the episode count is partly to blame. Sixteen episodes is a lot of real estate. You gotta fill it with something.
And sometimes, that something just wasn't that compelling. Hence, my suggestion: less is more. Tighten it up. Leave us wanting more, not begging for it to end.

So, Sixteen Episodes. Forever Etched in My Memory.
Whether you loved it or hated it, Season 7 happened. It had sixteen episodes. And it definitely left a mark. A mark shaped like Lucille. (Too soon?)
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm impatient. Maybe I just wanted more walker action and less emotional turmoil. But hey, that's my opinion.
What's yours? And more importantly, are you ready to re-watch it? (I need a moment.)
