The Walking Dead: We should have a Rick Grimes origin episode

AMC rolled out The Walking Dead: Origins series that features Daryl, Maggie, Negan and Carol’s stories. This mini-series takes a look back at monumental moments in the character’s storyline throughout their time on The Walking Dead series. The episodes feature new narration by the actor. With the final season about to air, it only seems fitting to have a Rick Grimes origin story. After all, he is the original leader and figurehead of the series.

Andrew Lincoln plays Rick Grimes, and this character set the tone for the series from the first moment we saw him. He was searching for gas as he came upon a little girl, only this girl wasn’t alive, she was one of the walking dead. The look in Rick’s eyes when he realized that she was a walker was devastating. But, he did what needed to be done.

In the next scene, we see Rick in a squad car with this best friend and coworker, Shane (Jon Bernthal). This relationship would prove to be a burden to Rick until Shane’s death.

The first major scene that impacted many viewers was Sophia walking out of the barn. Everyone had been searching for the girl when Rick lost her along the river. As heartbreaking as this was for the group, Rick, most likely carrying much guilt about Sophia’s death and reanimation, took it upon himself to put her down.

We keeping hearing tidbits about The Walking Dead movies, and fans have grown weary of only hearing talk instead of seeing some progress. Greg Nicotero and Gale Anne Hurd have both commented that the movies’ creators are trying to get things right before moving forward. This compounded with the fact that they aren’t 100% sure how the series will end.

Rick Grimes origins

If I wrote out every epic occurrence in the history of Rick Grimes’s time on The Walking Dead, it would be a lengthy article. Instead, I am going to list some of my favorite Rick Grimes moments.

This is my Rick Grimes origin story

“Nebraska” – this episode was highly emotional and took place right after the barn scene in the previous episode. Rick was forced to kill two humans that threaten his group’s survival. He couldn’t allow Dave and Tony to find the farm, putting the whole group at risk.

“A” – this will always go down as one of the most epic Rick Grimes scenes in the series. When the Claimers come upon Rick, Michonne and Carl, intent on doing unspeakable things to the trio, it looks like there is no way out of this situation. But, Rick’s years of training in law enforcement have allowed him to learn to think on the fly and react. When he took that bite out of Joe’s throat, the fandom went wild. This was an unexpected and shocking event proving just how kick-ass Rick Grimes is.

This is also the episode Rick told Daryl that they were brothers, which had to mean so much to Daryl, who has never had a positive influence in his life.

“No Sanctuary” and “Four Walls and a Roof” – this is one of my top 3 Rick Grimes moments. The fact that he tells Gareth he will kill him with the red-handled machete while tied up awaiting a bash to the head and then follows through with that threat is amazing. Who else would have the courage to threaten someone while they are moments away from being slaughtered? And then actually follow through with the threat! Outstanding!

“Wrath” – this episode sees the communities band together to fight Negan and his Saviors and are successfully partly due to Eugene’s sabotage. Rick convinces Negan to listen to Carl’s vision for the future. Rick then uses a piece of glass to slit Negan’s neck. He immediately tells Siddiq to save Negan, much to Maggie’s dismay. It was a very Rick Grimes thing to do and ensured that Negan would be locked up for the rest of his life.

“No Way Out” – in this episode, Carl was shot again, and while Denise was trying to save Carl’s life, Rick used this opportunity for some alone time. He went into the streets full of the walkers they just escaped and took all his frustrations, anger and fear out on them. He went crazy and started chopping down walkers right and left. This is just another example of how Rick just handles things! He might not always think them through, but his intentions are good.

“The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be” – this episode is by far Andrew Lincoln’s Oscar-worthy performance. Forget that the Academy didn’t give him notice…WE noticed, and we know that this is where Lincoln shined. This episode was difficult to watch as we all experienced the despair, guilt, and pain that Rick Grimes suffered.

“What Comes After” – once again, Rick does what he feels needs to be done. To protect everyone he loves, to protect what they have built, he sees a chance to save everyone with no consideration for his own life. He blows up the bridge to keep the herd of walkers knowing they don’t have the manpower to fight off from entering Alexandria.

The above-mentioned moments are just a few of my personal favorites. I am sure you have many others you would have added to this list.

Many other Rick moments need mentioning, using walker guts as camouflage, fighting Winslow, killing Tomas, quick thinking to cut off Hershel’s leg, freaking out in Alexandria that resulted in Michonne clocking him to shut him up, the time he asked the Hilltop residents “What?” and the list goes on.

One of the funniest Rick Grimes moments is “Stuff and Thangs.” I remember watching that for the first time and laughing my rear off.

So, that was my attempt at a Rick Grimes origin story.

The Walking Dead will return to AMC on August 22 and AMC+ on August 15 for episode one of the eleventh and final season.