In the latest episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City, a new villain called The Dama has been introduced, and her introduction speech inadvertently shed light on a major issue with the original show’s ending. The creator of The Walking Dead comic, Robert Kirkman, initially aimed to create a never-ending zombie movie. However, the series ended up running for 16 years, and although the TV franchise hasn’t surpassed that number, it is rapidly gaining ground.
The Walking Dead originally followed the journey of Rick Grimes, a kind-hearted deputy who wakes up from a coma to find himself in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. In both the comics and the TV series, Rick was the central protagonist until Andrew Lincoln, the actor who portrayed him, decided to leave the show during season 9 to spend more time with his family. This departure was supposed to lead to a series of three movies focused on Rick, but instead, he will now return in the upcoming Walking Dead spinoff show, Rick & Michonne. While Rick did make a brief cameo in The Walking Dead’s series finale, he was absent during the final battle.
Andrew Lincoln’s decision to leave the show was understandable, but it’s undeniable that The Walking Dead has felt the absence of Rick’s character. The fifth episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City, titled “Stories We Tell Ourselves,” reveals that The Croat, whom viewers initially believed to be the main threat in New York, is not the real mastermind. It turns out that The Dama is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, trying to manipulate Negan into joining her and maintaining control over the city.
In a poetic description of what went wrong with The Croat’s plan, The Dama inadvertently captures the essence of The Walking Dead series as a whole, highlighting how it ended somewhat lacklusterly. This reflection could easily apply to the main series as well. However, the franchise has been building up to Rick’s return for years, and multiple characters within The Walking Dead universe are actively trying to locate him, including Morgan, Daryl, and Michonne.
The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne will set the stage for the long-awaited reunion between the titular characters and may even be leading towards the ultimate conclusion of the entire franchise. It would be disappointing to bring back Rick after such a lengthy absence, only to wrap up his story in a single miniseries. Presumably, Rick Grimes’ comeback will culminate in another significant battle, reuniting him with his old friends and, of course, his children, to deliver a more satisfying ending to the saga than the original series provided. The episode also hints that The Dama could potentially become a major adversary in the future as well.
As fans eagerly anticipate Rick’s return and the potential resolution of the series, the fate of The Walking Dead universe hangs in the balance. With the stage set for a final confrontation, viewers hope that the show’s creators will deliver a powerful and satisfying conclusion to this long-running post-apocalyptic tale.