If you gave up during season 2 I suggest you give it another try. Season two (the house in the woods) was the worst season for TWD and I almost gave up on the series halfway through season 2. I stuck with it, however, and starting with season 3 it got much better and I've been addicted ever since.
I agree. Fighting over laundry chores and the whole Rick/Shane/Lori love triangle almost killed it.
I had the fortune of only discovering TWD a few months ago and binging it on Netflix. Season 3 was where the series really found its stride and picked up the pace. It's been the best show currently on TV ever since.
I nearly stopped watching when they were at the prison. One of two more episodes there and they would have lost me.