The characters were developed to show their frailties in a more intimate way than in the original series, IMO. None have been created as being either pure, or immortal. All have flaws, marred histories, hidden strengths, fears & desires. I appreciate their weaknesses, aspirations and on & off hopelessness and helplessness in the post-apocalyptic survival world of their existance. The gratuitous amount of blood and gore has become to me a mere "backdrop" to the stories being told. I would recommend this series, but not without one having "endured" series one's horrors, since there are certain important tieins to earlier "Walking Dead" series.