What happened to Rick Grimes in his final episode of The Walking Dead?

Rick Grimes was introduced in the pilot episode of The Walking Dead series. After spending time in a coma due to a gunshot wound, Rick would awaken to something from a nightmare. The dead had risen, society fell, and the world would never be the same. Throughout the first nine seasons of the series, Rick is the leader of his group and, in the end, makes a heroic sacrifice to save the ones he loves.

Actor Andrew Lincoln decided to leave the series in order to spend time with his family. As sad as this news was, many understood his need to be near his wife and children. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly Lincoln had this to say about his reasonings.

""I have two young children, and I live in a different country, and they become less portable as they get older. It was that simple. It was time for me to come home.""

His depature had to be written into the series and was done so to allow Rick to go out a hero.

During the fifth episode of season 9, "What Comes After," Rick would sacrifice himself to protect the communities and his family and friends. As a walker horde descends on the bridge leading to the communities, Rick blows it up to rid them of the mass of undead. In the process, he is blown clear, but onlookers, including Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Daryl (Norman Reedus), watch in horror, believing he is killed.

Viewers are then given inside information. Jadis/Anne (Pollyanna McIntosh), needing someone to trade to the CRM (Civic Republic Military) to secure her own rescue, spots Rick, injured but alive, on the river bank. She uses him as her ticket to gain entry into the organization.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

On February 25, AMC and AMC+ will premiere The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live spinoff series, which focuses on Rick and Michonne. The highly anticipated series will fill in the blanks of what has occurred since both characters departed the series and feature the long-awaited reunion between them.

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