The day we all dreaded is imminently upon us: Rick Grimes's final episodes on The Walking Dead [1] are here, and soon we'll have to bid the southern sheriff goodbye. Ever since Andrew Lincoln announced his intention to leave [2] the AMC zombie series, fans have been beside themselves with the news. How can the show go on without both Rick and Carl [3], two of the main characters of the graphic novels? And who else has plans to leave [4]!? While I can't answer all of those questions, I can provide some theories of my own as to how the show might wrap up Rick's storyline.
On a show like TWD there are so many ways for characters to exit. We've had numerous deaths by walkers, the "we knew it was going to happen but can't believe you really did it [5]" deaths, and the "WTF, why did they die [6]" deaths. As a major player in the series, there's a lot riding on Rick's ending, so the show is definitely going to want this to be big. It might not be flashy, but it'll definitely be emotional.
Season-wise, Rick is right in the middle of trying to make Carl's dream of a peaceful utopia [7] come true, so he's at a pretty important juncture. Taking that all into account, keep reading for some theories on exactly how we'll have to say goodbye to everyone's favourite apocalyptic hero.
He Dies Trying to Fix the Bridge
It feels pretty obvious that Rick's end will somehow be tied up with the bridge he's so obsessed with fixing. It's the figurative and literal means by which he can do right by Carl's dying wish. With the bridge repaired, all the communities will be easily accessible to one another, which will make trading easier and thus a more stable existence for all. But as we all know, no one else is here [9] for that nonsense. It would only be fitting that Rick dies on that bridge — whether amid a walker-horde attack or while trying to patch it up. His death will inspire everyone else to pull their sh*t together and reach some sort of accord, since they have bigger threats on the horizon [10].
He's Killed by a Walker
This would be the rudest way for Rick to die. You're telling me the man who tore out the throat of a pedophile hillbilly is going to die from a walker bite?!?! The injustice of this death would cause us all to riot. But it's still pretty possible. We didn't expect Carl to go out at all by walker bite either, so it's best to be prepared for anything.
Maggie or Daryl Kills Him
Before season nine began, I would have completely balked at the thought of Maggie or Daryl being the ones to do Rick in. They're part of the original survivors! They were in the prison together! They've been through it all! But recent events show that neither Maggie or Daryl are playing by the same rules as Rick now, and you never know what they might do if he continues to stand in their way. After all, Maggie is still enraged and grieving [11] over the death of her husband [12], while Daryl has to face those complicit in his capture and torture every damn day. The relationship between the trio seems ripe for betrayal.
The Remaining Saviors Kill Him
While there seems to be only a few Saviors left [13] that were part of Negan's killing gang, it doesn't mean there aren't any left. The Saviors are feeling pretty hunted nowadays and we all know what happens when people feel cornered in the apocalypse. Right now Rick seems to be the only one truly keeping the peace between all the communities, but he's also the one giving the firm decree to not arm the remaining Saviors. This definitely rubs a few of them the wrong way, and who knows how they might decide to retaliate in the future.
He Takes Ezekiel's Death From the Comics
We've spoken before about how everyone's favourite King winds up biting the big one [14] in the comics. Given the series' current timeline, that could definitely still happen, since we know the Whisperers [15] will be introduced this season and Ezekiel is still alive and well. But what if Rick is the first one the Whisperers actually take down? It would be the perfect way to introduce the new villains and a devastatingly grim way to lose the sheriff, which we know showrunners love. Ezekiel could still be killed further down the line (not that we want him dead!), but Rick could be the head the group eventually finds on a wooden stake.
He Lives Happily Ever After
LOL right? Okay, so obviously this is the most far-fetched of all theories, but let a fan wish! Wouldn't it be nice to see Rick take a step back from it all with his little family instead of pointlessly dying? Since he and Michonne [16] have already spoken about making more babies to join Judith, the two could decide to say "F*ck this" to all the community drama, hop a ride on that copter, and settle down somewhere they could raise their badass spawn until the end of time. The man deserves a happy ending [17]! He gets shot, wakes up in the middle of the apocalypse, loses basically all of his friends, loses his only son, and now has to deal with everyone and their brother being at his neck all day. Let him run off with his new baby mama and their adorable daughter and live the best life they can amid the zombie apocalypse.