The Walking Dead spin-offs have been pretty successful, especially Daryl Dixon and Dead City, but there has been some controversy about the need to continue these storylines. Aside from exploring the different settings and conflicts possible in this post-apocalyptic world, there are little signs that the franchise has any foreseeable conclusions for these long-running characters. Unfortunately, this leaves fans wondering if the continuation of this franchise will muddle the previously great timelines and make the controversial main characters more unfavorable.

The core of this issue is The Walking Dead universe keeping original characters at the center of these storylines, unlike other spin-offs like Fear The Walking Dead and World Beyond. Though the current shows have been more successful than these other spin-offs, the focus on well-known personalities ensures that fans are constantly discussing how previous storylines will play into the current plot. Since the creators have made it nearly impossible for the audience to ignore the flagship series and how it ties into the present narrative, it’s hard for viewers to overlook prominent characters who could influence these spin-offs, including the most well-known and arguably most-talked-about character in The Walking Dead: Rick Grimes.

Rick’s Storyline Was “Completed” in The Ones Who Live

But That Doesn’t Mean Fans Are Happy With the End of His Storyline

Image via AMC

Image via AMC

Image via AMC

Image via AMC Image

Rick Grimes left The Walking Dead in Season 9. Rick was out of the show for the last few seasons of TWD and returned to the franchise in The Ones Who Live, which outlined how he spent the several years he was gone from his community and absent from his family. It was refreshing for viewers to understand that Rick was not complacent in his absence and tried for many years to escape the CRM before finally giving in to their tyranny.

The Ones Who Live was the only miniseries spinoff, and it did a brilliant job of explaining what happened to Rick and Michonne before finally reuniting them with their family. Despite how the audience received The Ones Who Live, however, fans are not through with Rick Grimes and his timeline. Instead, fans would love to see more of the character in the expanding post-apocalyptic world.

For some viewers, it’s hard to imagine or get too dedicated to a Walking Dead storyline that doesn’t include Rick. Many others weren’t satisfied with the clean and cozy family reunion finale Rick received, believing he deserved something more grand and fitting to his previous development. However, the most prominent and thoughtful reason why Rick Grimes needs to return to The Walking Dead is because of unresolved storylines and lack of closure.

Rick’s departure was all too sudden; he left all of his loved ones traumatized by the loss of their long-time friend and leader. While Rick’s reunion with Michonne and his children was arguably the most emotionally captivating scene, and certainly made his storyline feel well-rounded, a lack of closure with other characters left the fans desperate for more.

Fans Are Still Yearning For One Rick Grimes Reunion

It Would Be Vital For Both Characters

Image via AMC

One major reunion viewers have been eager to witness is Rick and Daryl, considering the exceptional friendship they built throughout the years. The two got into a serious fight regarding Negan’s imprisonment before Rick’s “death,” and Daryl spent years searching for Rick’s non-existent undead corpse, something that die-hard fans can not overlook or ignore.

A Daryl/Rick Reunion would not only make Rick’s timeline feel more complete, but it would also be an excellent inclusion in Daryl’s journey of self-discovery and overcoming past trauma. Viewers were hopeful that the mysterious man Carol mentioned on the radio would be Rick, but Season 2 of Daryl Dixon clarified that she wasn’t referencing anyone in particular.

Since Carol and Daryl are currently headed to England for another European adventure, this spin-off of The Walking Dead doesn’t suggest any reunions in the foreseeable future. This doesn’t just make viewers skeptical about the upcoming addition to Daryl Dixon, but unconvinced about the overall quality of the entire universe.

While Rick Grimes is iconic, not every fan loves him, and there’s still a fair share of criticism regarding his characterization. Even still, there’s no denying he has an intricate role in the majority of the currently popular characters in The Walking Dead, including Daryl, Carol, Maggie, and Negan. Him reuniting with these long-time characters is not only a great way to eventually wrap up the lengthy franchise, but is something many fans have been demanding since his untimely departure.

Fans Need to See Another Rick & Negan Encounter Play Out on Screen

It’d Be a Perfect Moment For Both of Their Character Arcs

Viewers don’t just want a reunion between Rick and his beloved friends and family, but desire another face-to-face with the most talked-about villain in The Walking Dead franchise. The last time Rick and Negan were around each other, Negan was locked up in Alexandria with the community intending to give him a life sentence for all of his crimes.

It’s assumed that Rick will expect many changes to his beloved home after returning several years later, but it is unlikely he would quickly accept and overlook his previous rival being free in the world. Unfortunately, after Rick had an emotional reunion with his family, the audience did not see how he reintegrated into the new-world order of his old community, leaving them curious about how the domineering leader would react to all the changes.

For this reason, fans are hoping the series will somehow reintroduce Rick to the franchise and clarify how this important character fits into the world as it was in The Walking Dead finale. If he does return to the franchise, the creators can’t overlook this anticipated reunion between Rick and Negan. Just as there is a possibility for Rick to appear in Daryl Dixon for a reunion, there is even more potential for his character to have a role in Dead City.

Since Manhattan is not that far from Alexandria in Virginia, it’s not unreasonable that these growing neighboring communities would get involved in a large-scale conflict (like the Dama’s group vs New Babylon), making a reasonable opening for the creators to include original characters in the current spin-off. Including Rick in Dead City could open the door to an exceptional new era in the franchise, and allow for some highly anticipated reunions.

Unfortunately, Fans Are Probably Going To Be Disappointed

Rick Grimes’ Reintroduction to The Walking Dead Isn’t Looking Likely

Image via AMC

There is more than one way Rick Grimes could be brought into one of the popular Walking Dead spin-offs, though it’s looking more and more unlikely. As his storyline currently stands in the franchise, The Ones Who Live was intended to give him a satisfying ending. There hasn’t been much talk from the creators regarding his involvement in the franchise today and no hints from Andrew Lincoln suggesting he has an interest in returning to The Walking Dead.

It’s not unreasonable that actors would want to move on from a show after spending so many years of their career focusing on it, nor is it unusual that a franchise completes a long-running character’s storyline to make way for new plots. On the other hand, The Walking Dead universe certainly isn’t afraid to hold onto lengthy character timelines or continuously kill off new people in favor of these defining characters. The current climate of the franchise makes it reasonable for previous characters to make a return, but the current thread of the series suggests a Rick revival is improbable.

Spin-offs like Daryl Dixon and Dead City have been entertaining viewers for some time, but the question of when The Walking Dead franchise will conclude is a constant discussion within the fandom. Eventually, it’s expected that long-running characters like Daryl, Carol, Maggie, and Negan will get a fitting end to their storylines. There are countless ways these conclusions could work for the characters, but fans are still hoping this finale will include Rick Grimes.