Just like the flesh eating zombies that populate The Walking Dead, the writers and directors of the horror drama series on AMC keep coming back for more.

Now in the fifth season, The Walking Dead, which first aired in October of 2010, garnered 17.3 million viewers during the season premier. However, the hugely popular show has not always been a hit with critics.

When the show first aired, many critics gave it negative reviews because of its weak, predictable story lines. The show typically followed the same pattern: main characters run to somewhere they think will be safe, they encounter other survivors, conflict occurs between these two groups, and the process repeats.

Despite the negative criticism, viewership of the show only increased over time, owing a large degree to the show’s creativity and gory zombie attacks.

However, as time gradually moved on, the show evolved and characters developed more personality. Now those negative reviews have turned into positive praise.

“When I saw the first trailer of The Walking Dead, I jumped and screamed and knew this was the show I was craving to watch for sure,” said junior Mariah Delgado. “I was more excited about The Walking Dead than Halloween.”

Season 4 ended with these last words from Rick: “They are going to feel pretty stupid when they find out…They’re screwing with the wrong people.”

A lot happened in the previous season, including a virus spreading and a shocking discovery by Tyreese. However, a bigger conflict began to unfold when The Governor returned.

Season 4 episode 8 titled  “Too Far Gone” starts off with The Governor arriving to the prison to take control over the prison. However, Rick knew he wasn’t losing protection from the “walkers” and making his crew vulnerable. Despite their skills with ambush attack The Governor, Brian, comes to the jail with a huge military tank and held Michonne and Hershel hostage. He demanded Rick to leave by sundown and he would release Michonne and Hershel. Rick didn’t want to risk having them killed, saying “We can all live together.” However, Brian disagreed and was ready to take one of their lives.

A grizzly fight between Brian, Michonne, Hershel and Rick follows, resulting in some main characters ending up missing, severely injured or dead.

Everyone ran for their lives getting in busses and running away from what use to be a safe place. Bleeding and severely injured Rick managed to find a house with Carl for shelter

Walking Dead episodes premiere every Sunday at 9/8 C on the AMC channel.