AMC's legendary Walking Dead franchise has found new and exciting ways to continually expand its horizons, introducing new characters, concepts and, eventually, shows as the TWD Universe lives on. But once upon a time, it was just one man's story of survival. That man is Rick Grimes, who served as the face of the original series for many, many years and, in many people's minds, is still the definitive face of The Walking Dead today.
Portrayed by Andrew Lincoln, Rick appeared in the very first episode of the series, fronting it all the way through to season 9, when the character was written off the show as Lincoln departed. The former sheriff and leader of the show's core group of survivors took one last stand against a horde of walkers, seemingly sacrificing himself in a poignant moment in which he reflected on his long journey to keep his loved ones safe.
Although Rick would survive and eventually return to the franchise in his own limited series spinoff, those haunting final few words he uttered still stir up feelings (and even some debate) to this day. Here's what they really mean.
Rick Grimes' last words have a beautiful meaning
Rick Grimes' last stand in The Walking Dead took place in the fifth episode of season 9. Titled "What Comes After", it was a bittersweet installment that set out to give Andrew Lincoln's leading man a triumphant send-off, leaving the door just cracked open enough for a future return. But for the time being, it was the end of Rick's story.
After injuring himself severely, Rick began to reflect on his life post-apocalypse, thinking of familiar faces like Hershel Greene, Shane Walsh, and Sasha Williams, who all appeared via a dream-like sequence as Rick was losing blood. However, at the same time, an army of walkers threatened everyone at their camp, particularly as they looked to cross the bridge that had been built to allow easier travel between Alexandria, Hilltop, the Sanctuary and the Kingdom. Upon realizing that his loved ones were in danger, Rick didn't hesitate in saving them, firing a single shot at a box of dynamite, igniting the bridge with an explosion that seemingly claimed his life. But not before saying "I found them."
Throughout this particular episode, Rick's dream-sequence saw him telling his fallen friends that he was looking for his family. Of course, that suggests that his final words were indeed the response to that. And, indeed, it is true - but it also hides a deeper meaning that is even more meaningful to the show's overall run.
See, when Rick first awoke from his coma in The Walking Dead's series premiere, he was unaware of what the world had become. So, it's only natural that he was immediately looking for his wife Lori and his son Carl. When he figures out that something isn't right - and that the dead have, indeed, started roaming the Earth - he is even more determined to find them: Something that he does in the beginning of the third episode. He found them.
Over the next nine seasons, Rick would grow his group of survivors immensely, never stopping the fight to survive against the dangers of the post-apocalyptic world full of walkers they were living in. He suffered a great deal of loss throughout the show - including Lori and Carl - but he also found ways to keep going. The thing that continually provided him with that strength was his family. His biological family. His found family. His old family. His new family. His family.
Rick stopped at nothing to survive and it was family that always drove him to do that. The character's last words on the bridge were the perfect way to bookend his nine-season journey. That journey began with him searching for his family, and it ended with him having found it. And honestly, that makes a tragic moment all the more beautiful for the show.
These were Rick's final three spoken words on The Walking Dead, but they wouldn't be the last time we would hear his voice on the original show. Andrew Lincoln would return for a special cameo in the series finale, allowing a new, brief appearance from Rick himself. Having survived the explosion and being kidnapped by the Civic Republic Military, he was still alive years later and planned on escaping so that he could reunite with his partner Michonne and daughter Judith. In that moment, we hear his voice as he narrates a latter to Michonne about how he will find her. And that marked the beginning of their next chapter.
Rick's own TWD spinoff allowed him to fulfil those words one more time
Andrew Lincoln would again return to the TWD Universe after the conclusion of the original series to both tell the story that his series finale cameo cliffhanger teased and wrap up Rick Grimes' overall arc. The result was the critically-acclaimed six-episode miniseries titled The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.
The series opens with Rick trapped in the CRM and tells the story of how his desire to reunite with Michonne and his loved ones in Alexandria is slowly worn down by the fact that he simply can't escape. Every attempt is neutralized and it even results in him cutting his own hand off to try and make it happen. When it doesn't work out, Michonne eventually finds him. And, together, the pair of them fight to survive, fight to live, fight to go home. And in the end, they ultimately do.
The series finale of The Ones Who Live sees Rick and Michonne make their way back to Alexandria (after destroying the CRM as a threat once and for all) to reunite with children Judith and RJ - the latter of whom Rick had only discovered existed. After 9 years, Rick has returned home to be with his family. And, after all that he went through to survive, he can once again say: "I found them".
His journey on The Walking Dead and its spinoffs is a powerful reminder that, when family is your Northstar, you will stop at nothing to keep them safe, and ultimately be by their side every step of the way. Rick Grimes pulled it off and now, until another TWD adventures arises, he and his family can live happily ever after.