How does The Walking Dead end?

The Walking Dead series is an apocalyptic series that gets its source material from the comic story created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The series aired on AMC from 2010-2022 and featured an ensemble cast of actors. The series was filmed in Georgia, primarily in Riverwood Studios, near Senoia, Georgia.

The series began its story on Halloween 2010 and would conclude on November 22, 2022. The Walking Dead aired for 12 years, 11 seasons, and 177 episodes. As with any long-running series, The Walking Dead had its highs and lows, but overall it was a fantastic look at one version of an undead apocalypse and how its survivors discover that the living are just as much a threat as the undead.

The franchise is far from over, with several spinoffs in various stages of production.

The Walking Dead – how did the series end?

The series’ final episode was titled “Rest in Peace,” which was the same title as the final volume of the comics. This episode featured our survivors coming alongside members of the Commonwealth to take down Governor Pamela Milton (Laila Robins). While this was a very exciting ending, there was a one-year time jump and a coda scene that truly ended the series.

In the one-year time jump, it was revealed that Ezekiel (Khary Payton) had taken over as Governor of the Commonwealth, with Michael Mercer (Michael James Shaw) as his second in command as lieutenant governor. Mercer and Princess (Paola Lázaro) are still a happy couple, evident in her cheers from the crowd.

Eugene (Josh McDermitt) and Max (Margot Bingham) are happily married and have a child named Rosie. He takes a moment to remember lost friends at the memorial plaque. Luke (Dan Fogler), Jules (Alex Sgambati), Rosita (Christian Serratos), and Marissa Berot’s names are all on the plaque as lives lost in the final battle against the Commonwealth.

Kelly (Angel Theory), Connie (Lauren Ridloff), Magna (Nadia Hilker), and Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura), the latter two who seem to have reconciled, are all seen enjoying the day’s festivities. Judith (Cailey Fleming) talks with Lydia (Cassady McClincy) and Elijah (Okea Eme-Akwari), who delivers a message to Judith from Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). He returns her compass she once lent him with a note that reads: “Judith, this has always helped me find my way. I’m returning it to you now in the hope that it can guide you to your dreams. Thank you for letting me use it.”

Back at Alexandria, Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) view the memorial wall there in the community that has been rebuilt and thriving. Aaron (Ross Marquand), Gabriel (Seth Gilliam), Coco, and Gracie (Anabelle Hollway) all seem happily situated in the community. Jerry (Cooper Andrews) and his wife Nabila (Nadine Marissa), along with their children Ezra, Aliyah, and Mariam, are also living their best lives in Alexandria.

The next stop is Hilltop, where Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Hershel (Kien Michael Spiller) live, another community that has been rebuilt and thriving. Maggie informs Carol and Daryl that she must talk to them about the future. She believes there is much more to discover and that it is time they did.

The final scene is a heartbreaking goodbye between Carol and Daryl. They sit on a bench and share their emotions about his departure. He then tells RJ (Antony Azor) and Judith goodbye, making sure Judith will keep an eye on Carol and telling her if he finds anything out about Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira), he will find them and bring them home.

Daryl rides off on his motorcycle toward his new journey.

The coda scene was a pleasant surprise for fans as it featured Rick and Michonne. Two characters fans hoped the ending of the series would feature. These scenes showed that they were still apart and never stopped searching for one another.

Rick’s scenes took place sometime before Michonne discovered he didn’t die in the bridge explosion. At the same time, Michonne’s took place more recently. Fans were delighted to see both of these characters and learn about what has occurred since they left the series.

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