Rick Grimes lastly returned to Undead in 2024 after his character's lengthy disappearance, however his total arc with the CRM might have been averted if the protagonist had killed Negan. Having led the present since 2010, Andrew Lincoln has left Undead in 2019 for private causes, however his character was by no means killed off. As a substitute, Rick was taken away by helicopter after struggling an harm and wasn't seen once more till the top of season 11. His full return got here two years later in his spinoff, which revealed that he had been captured by the CRM and banned from leaving.
Because of this, the protagonist spent a couple of decade away from his family membersand he even minimize his hand attempting to flee. Sadly, even that didn't work, and he was trapped within the navy group for years till Michonne arrived. Collectively, the 2 efficiently took down the villains, and Those that dwellThe ending had them reuniting with their kids, suggesting that Rick would quickly be again with the principle group. Nonetheless, if Rick had merely determined to kill Negan years earlier, he seemingly would have averted that tragic destiny and had a totally completely different story.
Rick's disappearance solely occurred as a result of he determined to spare Negan
The domino impact of retaining Negan alive led to Rick being captured by the CRM
Though Negan had nothing bodily to do with Rick's disappearance, the choice to maintain him alive was in the end what price the principle character the prospect to see his kids develop up. After some survivors disagreed with Rick's option to spare Negan, Maggie and Daryl plotted to kill the antagonist, which triggered a domino impact that led to Rick's harm. In season 9, Maggie goes to Alexandria to assassinate Negan whereas Daryl presents to take Rick there on his motorbike, however he deliberately leads the protagonist the incorrect means, leading to a struggle between the 2.
If it weren't for the key plan to kill Negan, Rick would by no means have been in such a dire state of affairs, proving that this large choice had enormous ramifications.
From there, they uncover a horde heading in the direction of the non permanent camp, which prompts Rick to steer the walkers away whereas Daryl warns the group. Sadly, his journey doesn't go so effectively as his horse will get spooked and turns him over, inflicting Rick to be impaled and cross out earlier than Jadis takes him away within the helicopter. If it weren't for the key plan to kill Negan, Rick would by no means have been in such a dire state of affairs, proving that this large choice had equally enormous ramifications.
Rick spent years captured by the CRM, which took an enormous psychological toll on him and left him at a decrease stage, however it all would have been averted if he had killed Negan in Season 8 or let Maggie kill him earlier within the season. 9, turning into one of the crucial costly moments of his total Undead journey.
Rick's choice to spare Negan proves how vital Carl's legacy is to him
Rick hated Negan as a lot as anybody, however nonetheless spared him out of respect for his son's dying want.
Contemplating how a lot Rick hated Negan, sparing him was removed from a simple choice, however it confirmed how vital Carl's reminiscence was to him. Shedding his son is surely the toughest factor Rick has been by way of Undeadhowever Carl's dying want was for the present's central communities to make peace with the Saviors, one thing Negan's arrest helped obtain. As a substitute of merely massacring the remaining Saviors after profitable the battle, Rick confirmed mercy and helped those that had been redeemable combine into new settlements, which is strictly what Carl would have wished.
Selecting to take the peaceable path when the extra vengeful method would have been a lot easier is a testomony to the significance of Carl's imaginative and prescient and legacy to his father. With Rick attempting emotionally to recollect Carl in Those that dwellIt's clear that your son will at all times be a significant a part of your life, even after your loss of life. Regardless of having two sons to return to, his firstborn will perpetually stay a considerable a part of his personal legacy and outlook on life, which proves his daring but merciful choice in the direction of Negan.
Letting Negan dwell proved to be the best choice
Negan helped save the group on a number of events after discovering redemption
Whereas letting Negan dwell undoubtedly had a destructive affect on Rick's life, it proved to be the best choice in the long term. Jail might have been punishment for every part he did, however it additionally gave the villain time to replicate, develop, and in the end redeem himself. He was capable of save Judith through the Season 9 finale, who virtually definitely would have frozen to loss of life if he hadn't been on the lookout for her. Moreover, Negan was the one who ultimately took down Alpha and helped kill BetaDisplaying off your fight expertise might be helpful when used for good.
Regardless of how ruthless he as soon as was, Negan was by no means utterly past redemption and though he's by no means actually capable of atone for his sins, the sacrifices he made for the group are eye-opening.
The previous antagonist even gave up his personal freedom to save lots of Hershel in Useless Metropolis season 1 finale, highlighting how a lot he has grown as a survivor and as an individual. Regardless of how ruthless he as soon as was, Negan was by no means utterly past redemption and though he's by no means actually capable of atone for his sins, the sacrifices he made for the group are eye-opening. Rick has but to see how effectively his choice paid off, however with out Negan, some large Undead the characters could be useless, validating the protagonist's threat in retaining him alive.
How Rick's Strolling Useless Legacy Would Have Modified If He Killed Negan
The protagonist's story would have been extraordinarily completely different
If Rick had chosen to kill Negan as an alternative of sparing him, there's no denying that his legacy could be utterly completely different. On the one hand, Rick would have had much more time together with his youngsters and Michonnewhich means he might have been a a lot greater a part of his household's life and on the similar time had the prospect to see Judith and RJ develop up. Nonetheless, this could additionally imply going in opposition to Carl's needs. Due to this fact, Rick might not have discovered a peaceable path in Season 9 and remained fairly ruthless, which might have modified his kids and led to extra battle.
Moreover, Rick might have suffered his comical loss of life if he had been a part of the Commonwealth takeover. Though Sebastian was not significantly harmful within the TV universe, he might have resented Rick's management sufficient to kill him, assuming the protagonist was concerned in reshaping the group, indicating that his time with the CRM might have really been an excellent factor. Sparing Negan not solely averted a doubtlessly darkish destiny within the Commonwealth, but additionally stopped CRM's evil plans that would have eradicated all of his buddies sooner or later and made the Civic Republic an allied group.
Whether or not Rick's life would have been higher or worse after killing Negan all is dependent upon precisely how issues turned out, however regardless of on a regular basis he wasted away from his family members, retaining the previous villain nonetheless labored in the long term and elevated the worth of the protagonist. Undead legacy.