The Walking Dead: The 7 most emotional reunion moments

Since the first episode of season one, The Walking Dead has toyed with people’s emotions. Fans get so engrossed in the characters’ lives that they tend to experience life in this apocalyptic world right along with the characters. Reunion moments have been some of the most emotional scenes that are experienced in this series.

Below is a list of some of the most emotional reunion moments to date in the series.

The Walking Dead emotional reunion moments

Rick, Lori, and Carl

This has to be one of the most iconic reunion moments. Until this moment, we knew Rick was actively searching for his family after he woke up from his coma and found out the world has gone to hell. When the group arrives back from Atlanta with their new friend Rick Grimes, there are all sorts of emotions about reuniting with their own families. We see Lori and Carl having a quiet moment together, presumably because Carl is thinking of his father. When Carl looks up and sees Rick, his face is the epitome of joy. That moment will forever bring tears to Walking Dead fans.

Daryl and Merle

In season one, Daryl returned to camp to find out that his brother had been left in Atlanta handcuffed on a roof. He was extremely upset about what was done to his brother. When he and the others went back to Atlanta and discovered that Merle cut his own hand off, Daryl came unglued. Time went on and Daryl believed that he would never see him again, that Merle probably succumbed to his injury.

Later in the series, Daryl was captured by the Governer’s people and Merle and Daryl meet once again in a death match that the Governer staged to keep his people entertained. When it was revealed that Merle would be fighting his own brother, things got interesting. The looks on both of their faces were total disbelief. Eventually, they teamed up and defeated the Walkers staged to attack them, allowing them to escape the Governer’s clutches.

Michonne, Rick, and Carl

After the prison fall, many were forced to venture off in much smaller groups, including Rick and Carl. After his severe beating by the Governor, Rick was in bad shape. Then he discovered the empty car seat with Judith nowhere to be found; the reality of how bad the situation was hit him. He walks off with Carl telling him not to look back as the prison burns in the background.

The pair hole up in a house while Rick rests and cares for his wounds. Carl is angry regarding what he feels was Rick’s lack of leadership at the prison, causing the death of his mother, his sister and all the others.  After a short time, we see Michonne on the porch discovering that Rick and Carl are alive; she cries tears of joy and knocks on the door. Rick looks through the peephole and see’s her standing on the porch; he turns to Carl with a smile stating, “It’s for you.”

Maggie and Glenn

The reunion of Maggie and Glenn is probably my favorite. Glenn never gave up hope that Maggie was alive. Even when he and Tara found the bus full of walkers, he knew she was still alive. And, Maggie knew her soul mate was still alive. She forged ahead, knowing she would find him. Their reunion was beautiful and full of emotion.

Carol and group

One of the most badass moments in the series is Carol blowing up Terminus to save the group that included Rick, who kicked her out because of her actions. She knew she was their only hope of escaping the clutches of the Terminites.

After our group fought their way out of Terminus and were regrouping outside the fenced area, they tried to figure out what happened to allow them to escape. Carol is walking towards them and Rick knows she was the one who saved them. Daryl’s reaction to Carol was the most emotional when he ran to her and embraced her.

Rick’s response was shock and gratitude. Even though he banished Carol from the prison, she was selfless in her actions to save them all.

Rick, Carl, and Judith

Rick, coming off his shock that Carol was the one to rescue them, was in for an even bigger shock and more emotional reunion. Not only did Carol save them, but she also kept Judith safe. Rick and Carl were certain she had been killed at the prison when they found an empty and bloody car seat. Little did they know, but Tyreese took Judith to keep her safe.

When Rick and Carl saw Tyreese emerge from the cabin holding their precious baby, they were elated. This was an extremely emotional scene, as anyone could relate to in discovering someone you care deeply for was still alive when you were sure they had been killed.

Morgan and Rick

When fans saw Morgan’s reappearance in season five, they were excited to speculate what this could mean. Eventually, he went on to save Daryl and Aaron from the Wolves’ trap, leading him to reunite with Rick at Alexandria. This was a shocking reunion for both characters but most especially for Morgan as he witnessed Rick executing Pete in front of a group of people.

This had to be a shock for Morgan, especially since his way of life had been drastically altered after his time with Eastman.

There are many other reunions throughout the series; the seven listed are ones that feel extremely emotional. What were other reunions impactful to you? Let us know in the comments below.

The Walking Dead returns on February 28 on AMC with the six bonus episodes to season ten.