The...lively fanbase is one thing, but the development that most of the characters get is very drawn-out, only to be resolved at a crucial point at the premiere/finale episode. Those changes in character, despite the building up of tension on the character, tend to be quick and unpredictable, verging on cartoonish, and nearly always involve the character going through a "tough part" and coming out "normal again". Or, they do something badass and immediately die. They never deviate from the formula, and the characters rarely seem like more than the actor or actress glaring at someone strongly and then over-emoting. Overall, though, Rick saves the show from being unwatchable. That's the conclusion I've come to. Nearly every other character is flat and will do crazy shit at the drop of a hat, out of nowhere, except Rick, whose motives and actions are carefully built up over the course of a season. He actually develops, whereas most of the others go through extreme personality swings out of nowhere.