6 Definitive Rick Grimes Moments No Walking Dead Will Ever Forget (Even if They Stopped Watching)

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Rick Grimes is known for many iconic scenes in *The Walking Dead* universe, even by those who only occasionally watch the show. Actor Andrew Lincoln played Rick – a former Atlanta sheriff’s deputy and the leader of the main survivor group – for eight years, from the series’ beginning in 2010 until his exit in 2018. He made a brief appearance in the show’s final episode and later returned as the lead in the spinoff *The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live*, starring alongside Danai Gurira as Michonne.

After Rick Grimes left *The Walking Dead* in 2018, the show noticeably slowed down. Many fans felt Rick was the emotional center of the series, appearing in most of its biggest stories and delivering some of its most iconic moments. While he had many memorable scenes, these six stand out as particularly impactful and have stayed with viewers long after they aired.

6) Rick Wakes Up After the Apocalypse Has Started

The premiere episode of *The Walking Dead*, titled “Days Gone Bye,” is considered a landmark moment in television history. It opens with Rick Grimes waking up from a coma to find the world overrun by zombies. He searches an empty hospital, famously passes a door warning “Don’t Open Dead Inside,” and encounters the first zombies he’s ever seen. This first episode was a powerful introduction to Rick Grimes and the world of *The Walking Dead*, and its significance was highlighted again during Rick’s last appearance on the show, solidifying its place in TV history.

5) Rick Cuts Off His Own Hand to Escape

Fans were excited to see Rick and Michonne back as the leads in *The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live* in 2022. Their reunion after years apart was dramatic, as Michonne discovered Rick was missing a hand. He had amputated his own hand to escape the Civic Republic Military and free himself from restraints – a powerful moment directly from *The Walking Dead* comic books. This intense scene kicked off the spinoff, and comic book fans had anticipated seeing Rick’s self-amputation brought to life on screen for years.

4) Rick Bites Joe’s Throat to Save Carl

Season 4 of *The Walking Dead* was particularly gripping, marked by the Governor’s (David Morrissey) destruction of the prison and the scattering of the survivors. As Rick, Michonne, and Carl journeyed towards Terminus, they encountered a dangerous group called the Claimers, led by Joe (Jeff Kober), whom they’d clashed with before. Joe and his group threatened Rick’s family with violence, leaving Rick with a horrifying choice. In a brutal act of self-defense, Rick bit into Joe’s throat, killing him and allowing the others to defeat the remaining Claimers.

This unforgettable scene is considered one of the most bold and desperate actions in *The Walking Dead*. It clearly showed how far Rick would go to protect those he cared about, and how intimidating he had become to his enemies. The season 4 finale of *The Walking Dead* was filled with shocking moments, especially the reveal of Terminus, but this particularly harrowing scene remains one of Rick Grimes’ most famous and memorable.

3) Rick Becomes the Survivors’ Dictator

Although many fans consider season 2 of *The Walking Dead* to be the show’s low point, the season finale, “Beside the Dying Fire,” stands out as a particularly strong episode. After Rick kills Shane, he guides the survivors away from the dangerous situation at the Greene farm and shares some unsettling news: they are all infected and will eventually turn into walkers. He also admits he killed Shane because he felt threatened. Despite some disagreement, Rick asserts his authority with the famous line, “If you’re staying, this isn’t a democracy anymore,” effectively taking control of the group and establishing himself as their leader.

2) Rick Spares Negan’s Life to End the War

Most fans felt the war between Rick’s group and the Saviors dragged on for too long, but it ended in a powerful way. The final battle in season 8 of *The Walking Dead* saw Rick Grimes defeat Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in a brutal fight. Though Rick had the chance to kill Negan, he chose mercy, sparing his life and imprisoning him to set an example. This marked a turning point for Rick’s leadership, but sadly, his approach wouldn’t last for very long.

1) Rick Blows Up the Bridge Expecting to Die

Let’s talk about Rick Grimes’ exit from *The Walking Dead*. It happened in season nine, episode five, “What Comes After,” and it was a pretty powerful hour of television. Rick, badly hurt, was hallucinating past companions while desperately trying to divert a huge Walker herd away from the bridge his group was building. His plan was to lure them onto the bridge, hoping the weight would collapse it. When that didn’t work, he made the gut-wrenching choice to blow the bridge up himself, knowing he wouldn’t survive. It was a total sacrifice play – Rick giving everything to ensure his family and friends would be safe from those Walkers. A really fitting, if heartbreaking, end to his story.

It would have been a fitting end for Rick Grimes to perish in the explosion, but he was rescued by Jadis and taken to the Civic Republic Military (CRM). Though his life was saved, he was separated from his family and friends for years. Finally, in *The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live*, Rick and Michonne successfully returned to Alexandria after dismantling the Civic Republic. This sets the stage for Rick Grimes to potentially appear in future installments of *The Walking Dead* and create more impactful stories.

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2025-09-28 22:15