First series of TWD was good fun but boy did it get bogged down with that series on the farm (I understand it was in the middle of a scriptwriters' strike so hence the poor output) although it did give rise to one of the most shocking moments of TV in recent years when they opened the barn...
You're spot on about the TV plots.
I gave up with the comics after about the 8th or 9th one for the same reasons as you too, the same story just in different locations and I may just give up on this particular series after watching the latest episode. Yet another episode with nothing happening...