How The Wizard of Oz plays a key role in The Walking Dead

The story of The Wizard of Oz currently plays a huge key role in season 9 of The Walking Dead.

In the most recent episode of The Walking Dead titled “Warning Signs”, Rick Grimes shares the story of The Wizard of Oz with Judith in a very heartwarming scene.

It wasn’t a coincidence that Rick decided to read this particular story to Judith, there was definitely a greater reason.

Looking back at the magical story of The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum there are so many great themes. One in particular that stands out is the theme of friendship.

In the story, sweet and innocent Dorothy befriends the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. They all take a mysterious and magical journey to find the great and powerful Wizard of Oz who they believe can give them exactly what they are looking for. However, upon meeting the Wizard, the Wizard assures them that they each already had what they were looking for and didn’t need the Wizard to give it to them. The journey that the friends took to see the Wizard, made them stronger and closer in the process.

Now taking a look at the current story in The Walking Dead, we can find a very similar theme. Rick Grimes has been leading his people for a long time, and with his imminent departure, it’s so clear to see the similarities between the two stories. Rick knows that the people around him are not better because of him, they are better because of themselves. They chose to grow stronger, by combating everything that came in their path. He may have shown them the way, but they were ultimately the ones to make that decision to change all on their own. They all found courage, love, and strength all on their own. Rick knows that his community can function without him, if that time were to ever come.

It’s also so interesting that Rick is reading this story to Judith because just like Dorothy, Judith is living in a world that sort of is in a “constant tornado” watch. Rick wants Judith to have those magical and happy memories just like Dorothy had when she visited Oz. He knows that Judith will find her place in this world because she is protected by so many great friends and family.

There really is no place like home, what would you ask the great and powerful Rick Grimes if you could ask him any question? Don’t forget to tune in on Sundays on AMC for Rick Grimes’ final episodes of The Walking Dead.