What Really Happened to Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead After the Movies?
By Elena Kowalski | What Really Happened to Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead After the Movies?
If you’re anything like me, you spent the last few years of your life obsessively re-watching and re-reading everything related to The Walking Dead. You’ve seen the movies, you’ve watched every episode from season one to the eventual series finale, and yet – despite all this, you still can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing.
And that missing piece is Rick Grimes’ fate after the events of the final film, The Walking Dead: Death Wins Out. You know, the part where Rick stumbles into a post-apocalyptic world with no memory of who he is or how he got there? Yeah, that one. We’ve all been left wondering – what really happened to our favorite sheriff?
Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I have all the answers (although, let’s be real, someone should totally write a Rick Grimes fanfic with a satisfying conclusion). But as someone who’s spent countless hours dissecting TWD for any hint of plot foreshadowing or thematic resonance, I think it’s time we explored some theories and maybe – just maybe – shed some light on what might’ve happened to our beloved leader.
First off, let’s examine the circumstances surrounding Rick’s arrival in this alternate reality. We know he was shot by Morgan Jones (yes, that Morgan) and woke up with no memory of his past life as a sheriff or even who his family is. It’s a classic example of plot armor fail – think of it like when your favorite superhero dies and you’re all, “Wait, what? How did that happen?”
But here’s the thing: Rick being dropped into this alternate reality isn’t just some random narrative misstep; there’s actual thematic weight to it. Think about it – Rick spent years trying to lead a group of survivors through hell and back, only to have it all come crashing down around him (literally). The Walking Dead was always about the power of human connection in the face of existential threat, but it was also about the dangers of leadership, the weight of responsibility, and the blurred lines between heroism and madness.
Rick’s arrival in this alternate reality can be seen as a symbol of his own emotional exhaustion – after everything he’s been through, it’s almost as if his psyche is trying to reboot itself. He stumbles into a world where people are just as broken and desperate for connection as he was, but with one key difference: they’ve already accepted that the world has ended.
It’s a fascinating commentary on our own society – how we often prioritize individual success over collective well-being, and how this can lead to burnout (see also: The Walking Dead, where Rick’s decision to leave Alexandria is essentially him abandoning his people in favor of self-preservation). But here’s the thing: what if Rick’s arrival is actually a warning sign? What if he’s not just some random character but a harbinger of our own societal collapse?
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “But what about the comics? The comics say Rick is dead in this reality too!” And yeah, that’s true – in Robert Kirkman’s original comic book series, Rick does indeed meet his demise. But here’s the thing: the comics and TV show aren’t exactly identical narratives; think of them like two different branches on a tree.
The Walking Dead (TV) took some major creative liberties with the source material, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be considered valid interpretations in their own right. After all, who needs canon when you’ve got compelling storytelling and characters that make you laugh, cry, and occasionally scream at the screen for poor life choices?
But I digress. So what really happened to Rick Grimes? Well, we may never know for sure (sorry, folks), but here’s my take: Rick is still out there somewhere – maybe stuck in a time loop like Groundhog Day or trapped in some kind of mystical purgatory.
Or maybe he’s exactly where we want him to be – stuck in this reality with no memory and no agenda. No more leader, no more hero, just another broken soul trying to find his place in the world. It’s a thought-provoking one, considering how much our understanding of identity and self is shaped by our experiences.
One last thing: what would happen if Rick Grimes, that most iconic symbol of American resilience, woke up with a newfound sense of purpose – knowing he was just one more cog in a broken machine? Would we still love him for it? Or would we be, like the people of Alexandria (again), forced to confront the harsh realities of our own world?
That’s a question for you, folks. As I close out this blog post and leave Rick Grimes’ fate to your imagination, one thing is clear: The Walking Dead has left us with more questions than answers – but in all the right ways.
What do you think happened to Rick Grimes? Share your theories with me in the comments below!
