Norman Reedus and Greg Nicotero fittingly end series together

The Walking Dead series finale has left fans talking. There were so many callbacks to other episodes or comic scenes, several notable deaths, so much nostalgia, Rick and Michonne, and more. If this series had to end, this was the way to do it. I will be upfront and admit I had my doubts about the ending, and I didn’t think Rick would appear, especially after the spinoff announcement, but I am so happy to be wrong on both counts. One very touching element that was added to bring the story full circle is Greg Nicotero’s final walker appearance.

Greg Nicotero Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC /

In the final scene, viewers watch Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) ride off after saying goodbye to Carol (Melissa McBride), Judith (Cailey Fleming), RJ (Antony Azor), and Ezekiel (Khary Payton). Along his final ride, a walker stumbles along the road dressed in a striped shirt. This was director and SFX master Greg Nicotero.

Now fans know that Nicotero has portrayed a walker numerous times throughout the 11 seasons of the series, but some may not remember or even know about this first walker appearance.

The Walking Dead – Norman Reedus and Greg Nicotero

During Daryl Dixon’s first appearance in season 1, episode 3, “Tell it to the Frogs,” he comes out of the woods to find that a walker had munched on the deer he shot and had been tracking. He then kicks it furiously while shouting obscenities. That walker, Daryl’s first on-screen kill, was played by Nicotero.

The fact that he plays a walker in Daryl’s first and last scenes wasn’t lost on fans. It was a perfect full-circle nod to Daryl’s story, which has seen a drastic transformation in the character. He was a loner at the beginning, and he goes off on his own once again but knows he has a family back at the communities.

Reedus and Nicotero have a close bond and are also business partners in the Nic and Norman’s restaurants, which have three locations.