Honestly, I have a crash on the actor playing Negan :P
But really, he is doing an AMAZING JOB, and all the show is revolving around him and people's hate towards him.
I think people don't sympathize with him, it just brings out the theory that they always thought to be "true" : fear and horror is the real source of power. And people tend to follow and bow to the higher powers. Ring a bell? Religion's power: the fear of hell. Government's power: jails and death sentences. For god sake, we are alive because we fear death.
Oh yeah, spectacular job no doubt! Also Kirkman, the writer's room, and Gimple the show runner (who writes too) they did a fantastic job with the dialogue, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan just killed it!
Not everyone can act Charismatic, dangerous, funny at the same time.
Also, not everyone can not act charismatic, dangerous, funny at the same time. Those would be the people who aren't acting and are just charismatic, dangerous, and funny.
I have what I believe to be a rather unique insight into this: since I became spiritual a few years back and got really serious about it (ready to let go of everything in my life to live/ discover the Truth), I noticed that people started acting a lot shyer around me, yet more interested about me, and it took me a long time to figure out what was happening.
Actually, a woman that I worked with for a long time found the courage one day to ask me how I became so charismatic all of a sudden. It really took me by surprise because I didn't realize until then that it was true, I was like an entirely new person, ...and it felt really good!
Whereas before, it would have taken a colossal effort to act charismatic and confident, now it would take a similar colossal effort to not act charismatic and confident, as those are two qualities that I now naturally exhibit. It requires the effort of breathing - it's me!
My point is, perhaps the actor that plays Negan isn't really acting, maybe he's just being himself and that's why his presentation is enjoyed by so many people. I know he has me buying everything that he puts on screen. I do feel that he smiles just a bit too much, purposely, just to come across as a bit more psycho than he really is, but I might be reading too much into that aspect.
I don't know from what I hear, he's a really kind guy, nothing to do with the character.
He just got locked into the role so well! He even admitted himself.
I believe it.
Yeah, maybe he's just a good actor...I'm pretty sure they do exist, after all ;)
But, as far as the charisma goes, that's pretty tough to fake and requires a hell-uva lot of energy to pull off for any extended period of time.
Yeah, we'll see how the second part of the season goes.
As you said, it requires a lot of energy and must avoid burnout