Rick Grimes has been at the heart of The Walking Dead ever since it first started, but his exit scene shares a huge similarity to his introduction in the pilot. Despite being the show's protagonist, Rick didn't make it all the way until the end, as Andrew Lincoln left The Walking Dead in season 9. Although he eventually returned in early 2024 for The Ones Who Live spinoff, his breathtaking performance in "What Comes After" was his last time on the main series outside a short cameo in the season 11 finale, making it an incredibly memorable episode.

Watching Rick overcome the odds one final time and sacrifice himself for the group was a solid end to his journey, and while fans were happy he survived and eventually returned, his season 9 departure remains a fitting tribute to the character. Not only is it a great reflection of his personality and leadership skills, but...