Rick Grimes Jr.: The Walking Dead’s Alternate Ending Explained
Rick Grimes Jr.: The Walking Dead's Alternate Ending Explained
The Walking Dead: A Shambling Corpse That Just Won’t Quit
Once upon a time, there was a cultural phenomenon known as the zombie craze. It swept the world in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with everyone obsessing over the undead. The catalyst for this fever was a show called The Walking Dead, which became the favorite symptom of zombie addiction. And guess what? The story is about to continue with some exciting spin-offs! It seems the world’s favorite post-apocalypse may never die, but let’s go back to its original final moment and find out where Rick Jr. fits into all of this.
The Rise and Fall of The Walking Dead
There’s a substantial group of Walking Dead viewers who believe that the show never reached the same level of quality as its first season. It all started with Frank Darabont, the genius behind the first six episodes and director of the pilot. But alas, he was unceremoniously fired after the show’s groundbreaking debut. His replacement never quite captured the brilliance that Darabont brought to the beginning. Some people on the team recognized this and decided to shake things up with their original ending.
How Did The Walking Dead’s Journey End?
The Walking Dead’s final episode aired on November 20, 2022. The eleventh season took our beloved characters on a thrilling adventure through a network of shelters called the Commonwealth. As usual, they encountered corruption, battled a local dictator, and faced off against walkers. This time, their enemy was Pamela, a power-hungry monster who cared more about subjugating survivors than dealing with zombies. But fear not, our heroes dismantled her reign of terror to create a better world.
In a scene reminiscent of comic book moments, Negan and Maggie planned to shoot Pamela from a distance. However, Daryl, the unexpected hero, stepped into the fight and delivered an inspirational speech that could rival Rick’s. He managed to de-escalate the situation with words, convincing Pamela’s forces to drop their weapons. The gates opened, welcoming struggling survivors, and the fight ended with minimal casualties. But a horde of walkers was on its way to wipe them out. Pamela, in a desperate attempt to escape her fate, tried to become a walker’s meal. Maggie and Negan, however, had a different plan – they sentenced her to a fate worse than death: prison. After deposing Pamela, they blew up the Commonwealth’s opulent area to eliminate the imminent threat. In the aftermath, Ezekiel took over Pamela’s role, and the final moments of the show depicted a much happier world.
The Walking Dead bid farewell on a broadly positive note. The new Commonwealth brought peace and resilience to survivors. Judith Grimes miraculously survived her seemingly impossible situation. The only major loss in the finale was Rosita, but she met her end relatively happy after a perfect dinner with friends. A one-year time skip showcased the beauty of the new Commonwealth and its inhabitants. Our heroes, who had endured so much violence, found a new way to live. Daryl, ever the lone wolf, found his own peace as he rode off into the sunset. And in a brief cameo, Rick and Michonne reminded us that their legacy lives on. While Michonne searched for Rick, he was picked up by a helicopter from the Civic Republic Military, leaving behind some belongings for her to find. The final line belongs to Rick Jr. and Judith, who said, “We get to start over. We’re the ones who live.”
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The Walking Dead: The Alternate Ending with Rick Grimes Jr.
The finale that aired brought a moment of happiness while setting the stage for future spin-offs. However, the original ending would have taken us much further into the future. Instead of a one-year skip, we would have jumped ahead ten years. Judith, Ezra, Coco, Gracie, and Rick Jr. would have grown into independent young adults. The finale would have shown them cruising down Interstate 85 in a modified van, just like Rick did in his police cruiser in the first season. Rick Jr. would quote his father’s iconic line into a radio: “If you can hear me, answer back. This is Rick Grimes.” And guess what? Someone would answer! This ending aimed to bring back the warm feelings of Frank Darabont’s legendary first season, while also establishing a new generation of survivors following in the footsteps of their predecessors. Controversial, yes, but it definitely would have been a fan favorite.
The Critics’ Verdict: A Shambling Corpse That Ties Loose Ends
The Walking Dead’s season finale was considered serviceable. Most critics agreed that the show had outlived its glory days but still managed to wrap up with some much-needed catharsis. However, the need to lay the groundwork for future sequels didn’t exactly help the show’s final moments. Nevertheless, there are still fans eagerly waiting to see what this eternal zombie saga has in store. The Walking Dead may be over, but let’s face it, it was never going to end with a clean kill.
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