Rick Grimes, the stoic leader and moral compass of The Walking Dead, did not actually die in the series. He was dramatically whisked away by a CRM helicopter in season 9, episode 5, titled “What Comes After,” leaving viewers to believe in his demise but setting the stage for future appearances.
The Day Rick Vanished: Analyzing “What Comes After”
Season 9, episode 5, “What Comes After,” delivered a gut-wrenching blow to Walking Dead fans. The episode opens with a seriously wounded Rick Grimes, impaled on rebar after falling off his horse. Hallucinating conversations with deceased loved ones like Shane Walsh, Lori Grimes, and Hershel Greene, Rick fights through immense pain to protect his communities from an approaching horde of walkers.
He lures the walkers towards a bridge that is already damaged. In a heroic, seemingly final act, Rick detonates explosives, collapsing the bridge and seemingly sacrificing himself to save everyone. While his community believes him dead, Anne (formerly Jadis) flies away in a CRM helicopter with a critically injured Rick, promising them something of value in return for his extraction. This act confirms Rick’s survival beyond the series proper, albeit in an unknown location and under unknown circumstances.
Examining the Aftermath: Grief and Remembrance
The episode concludes with a time jump, revealing Judith Grimes, now a young girl, carrying on her adoptive father’s legacy. The communities mourn Rick’s presumed death, solidifying his status as a fallen hero. The impact of his “death” reverberates throughout the subsequent seasons, shaping the characters’ decisions and storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rick Grimes’s Departure
Below, we address the burning questions surrounding Rick Grimes’s “death” and subsequent fate in The Walking Dead universe.
FAQ 1: Was Rick Grimes Actually Dead in “What Comes After”?
No, Rick Grimes was not dead. While the episode created the illusion of his death to those within the show’s narrative, the final scenes featuring Anne and the CRM helicopter clearly indicated his survival. This was confirmed by AMC shortly after the episode aired.
FAQ 2: Why Did Andrew Lincoln Leave The Walking Dead?
Andrew Lincoln, the actor portraying Rick Grimes, left The Walking Dead primarily to spend more time with his family in the United Kingdom. The demanding filming schedule kept him away from his loved ones for extended periods, leading to his decision to depart the main series.
FAQ 3: What is the CRM?
The CRM stands for Civic Republic Military. It’s a powerful and secretive military force associated with the Civic Republic, a highly advanced and potentially malevolent community glimpsed throughout The Walking Dead universe. They are responsible for the helicopter that rescued Rick.
FAQ 4: What Happened to Rick After He Was Taken by the CRM?
The details of Rick’s life after being taken by the CRM are largely unknown, only partially revealed in the The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live series. The series details the lengths he was forced to go through, to try and return to his family.
FAQ 5: Will Rick Grimes Ever Return to The Walking Dead Series?
While Rick Grimes made brief audio cameos in later seasons of The Walking Dead, his primary return happened in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, alongside Michonne.
FAQ 6: Did Michonne Ever Find Rick?
Yes, Michonne eventually found Rick. Her departure from the main series in season 10 was driven by her discovery of evidence that Rick was still alive. Her journey to find him became a central storyline, resolved in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.
FAQ 7: How Did Michonne Find Out Rick Was Still Alive?
Michonne found clues – including Rick’s old boots and a drawing of her and Judith – washed ashore on Bloodsworth Island. These items suggested that Rick had survived the bridge explosion and was likely being held somewhere nearby.
FAQ 8: What is the Significance of Jadis (Anne) in Rick’s Survival?
Jadis (Anne) played a crucial role in Rick’s survival. She had a pre-existing relationship with the CRM and used them to trade people for supplies. Severely injured, Rick became her “A” trade, enabling her to call in the CRM helicopter and save his life, albeit under mysterious circumstances.
FAQ 9: What is the “A” and “B” Designation Used by Jadis?
The “A” and “B” designation used by Jadis remains somewhat ambiguous, but it seems to relate to a person’s potential value to the CRM. “A’s” were considered strong-willed and resilient individuals, while “B’s” were seen as more compliant and potentially less threatening. This ties into CRM experimentation to fight reanimation upon death.
FAQ 10: Is Rick Grimes Still a Strong Character After Being With the CRM?
While the details of his time with the CRM are unfolding, Rick’s core characteristics of leadership, resilience, and determination appear to remain intact, as revealed in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. The series explores his inner struggle to maintain his moral compass within the CRM’s complex and morally gray environment.
FAQ 11: How Does Rick’s “Death” Affect the Other Characters?
Rick’s presumed death had a profound impact on the remaining characters. Daryl, in particular, dedicated years to searching for his body, demonstrating the depth of their bond. Judith and Carl idolized Rick, striving to uphold his values and leadership in his absence. His “death” served as a catalyst for growth and change within the communities.
FAQ 12: Are There Any More Spin-offs Planned Featuring Rick Grimes?
As of now, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live has been released. Whether further spin-offs or appearances are planned remains to be seen, but the positive reception to Rick and Michonne’s return suggests that there is potential for future stories within The Walking Dead universe.