The Walking Dead: The most important people in Rick Grimes’ life

Morgan Jones

On Rick’s first day in the apocalypse, Rick met Morgan and his son Duane. It was Morgan who told Rick what was happening to the world, and explained the rules of survival that bind everyone. While they may have separated, and reunited later on down the line, Morgan had a deep impact on Rick even when they weren’t together. In the incredible episode 312, Rick saw just how far gone Morgan was and it kept him from continuing down his own dark path. Through seasons 6,7, and 8, the relationship between Morgan and Rick was complicated due to their strong beliefs about morality. At the very beginning of this story, Morgan was the vessel for Rick to be with people again. At the start of Morgan’s new story on Fear the Walking Dead, it was Rick who told him that he would be with people again one day. They balance each other out, and they always have.

Shane Walsh

Partners in

crime

law, Rick’s bond with Shane was probably the strongest of all of his relationships prior to the apocalypse. Shane was right there with Rick as the world fell apart, and he made the impossible decision to leave him behind at the hospital to get Lori and Carl to safety. Shane thought Rick was dead, and formed a romance with Lori, which created the most uncomfortable, yet fascinating love triangle the show has seen. The moment that Rick showed up alive at the Atlanta camp, Shane started to spiral and become more and more unhinged. He questioned pretty much every single decision Rick would make. It all came to an end in that field when Rick realized that they could no longer co-exist.

Shane was too far gone, but Rick took no joy in putting his best friend down. Even though their relationship ended in tragedy, Rick and Shane cared for each other deeply. The scene in episode 202 where Shane comforts Rick after Carl has been shot is the perfect representation of their love. Unfortunately, the apocalypse has a way of ruining things.