The Walking Dead: 15 greatest Rick Grimes moments of all-time

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(L-R) T-Dog (Robert ‘IronE’ Singleton), Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies), Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs), Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson), Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), Beth (Emily Kinney), Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan), Carol (Melissa Suzanne McBride), Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Glenn (Steven Yeun) – The Walking Dead – Season 2, Episode 13 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /

No. 12: Rick Reaches a Breaking Point

Season 2, Episode 13: “Beside the Dying Fire”

In the early days of Rick Grimes’ leadership, things were quite shaky and he wasn’t exactly the best at it. After Shane’s death and the gunshot that attracted the walkers to the farm, many were beginning to question if he had what it takes to be a leader. As the animosity and resistance towards him grew, something snapped within him. This mental shift essentially was the breaking point for the Rick we had come to know.

He wasn’t going to stand for the resistance and he wasn’t going to stand for anyone questioning if he could do this or not. Carol was the one to get him there, believe it or not. If the group didn’t trust his judgment or decision-making skills, he dared them to leave, to go off on their own and try to survive. He reminded them that he didn’t ask to be their leader and anything he’s done up until this point has been to save their asses.

So if they don’t like his style, they can go packing. However, he heeded a warning for those that did decide to stay back, “If you’re staying, this isn’t a democracy anymore.” Cue the beginning of the Ricktatorship. This is a profound moment for Rick because it’s basically establishing his role as the group’s leader, and solidifying his power. This is where you really see both sides of Rick struggling to compete with each other until the relentless part wins and stays with him until his final days on The Walking Dead.

We will never forget the start of the Ricktatorship and the finale that set up the prison season.

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