I'm pretty much caught up, but I'm still not really happy about how things were handled in Season 1 and parts of 2. I did like to see the changes you describe, though, and have grown quite attached to the surviving characters. Carol for example is especially is fascinating to watch. Still, even though the characters' activities does change over time, the way the show (and the comic and to a certain extent the game) genders characters is predictably messed up, especially when it comes to hair and make-up. I'm still waiting to see of that ever changes, but I really doubt it, judging by other survival-type TV shows.