Nearly 15 years ago, The Walking Dead franchise began with “Days Gone Bye.” Despite the many seasons and spin-offs since this first episode, long-running viewers still remember the fascinating and haunting experience of watching Rick Grimes wake from a coma to a horrific new world. The character went through immense trauma and conflict after this original installment, but this initial introduction pulled fans into Rick’s harrowing story.

Rick’s entire storyline would have been impossible without one key character. While viewers have gone through years of watching the fearless and morally gray leader make bold and often controversial decisions, others saving his life at the beginning of the story made it all possible. In this first episode, Morgan Jones saved Rick when he was recovering from an injury and unfamiliar with the walkers, making him an easy target without the kind stranger’s interference. Reuniting these two original characters would be a fantastic inclusion and a great way to end the overall franchise. Unfortunately, Morgan and Rick ever meeting again on-screen is an unlikely scenario.

Morgan Jones Had a Send-Off In Fear The Walking Dead

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Morgan Jones has been a part of The Walking Dead storyline since the first episode. He and his son, Duane, were responsible for saving Rick Grimes after he came out of his coma and was overwhelmed by the new world order of the undead. Though hope seemed lost for Morgan when he was briefly reintroduced in Season 3, and it was revealed he was spiraling into a violent, delusional sequence due to the loss of his son, he came back in the Season 5 finale a changed man.

Morgan was a controversial character because of his value of human life, which required sparing villainous people as much as innocent ones. However, his reintroduction emphasized the unique relationship he had with Rick. Despite Rick not agreeing with Morgan’s perspective, and vice versa, they both respected each other as someone who helped them get out of a difficult time when all hope seemed lost.

Morgan left The Walking Dead following the Saviors War, feeling as though he would kill to protect people he cared about and deciding he had to leave to prevent this violent tendency. However, his character really had a chance to shine in Fear The Walking Dead. He was introduced to the spin-off series in Season 4. This was an important point for the show, which was waning in popularity after some unpopular plot points and character exits. This spin-off covered several years of Morgan’s life, featuring him repeatedly struggling with his mental health and violent outbursts in order to protect people he cares about. His character was able to grow outside his supporting role in Rick’s storyline. He developed long-lasting friendships, fell in love and lost his love interest, Grace, and adopted a daughter they named Morgan (“Mo” for short).

In the final season of Fear The Walking Dead, Morgan receives a worthy sendoff in which he and Mo go on a journey to find and reunite with Rick. This made viewers hopeful that Morgan would return to The Walking Dead universe at some point for a highly anticipated reunion with Rick. However, Lennie James told Decider that he was done with the franchise, saying, “If you see me again…it’s because there was a story presented to me that I just could not say no to.” This leaves some hope for fans who want to see a reunion. On the other hand, James could reasonably say no to another role in the universe if he’s uninterested in the storyline. Though Morgan already had a well-rounded and satisfactory sendoff, this news does disappoint viewers who expected a reunion between the two original characters.

Rick’s Story Was Completed In The Ones Who Live

Rick Grimes had a lengthy storyline that was shaped by several different relationships. Though some of his relationships, such as the ones with Michonne or Daryl, seem more important than others, Morgan has an important role in Rick’s storyline. Fans have this character to thank for shaping The Walking Dead’s hero, who wouldn’t have survived without the intervention of a kind stranger. Morgan had less of an impact on Rick in later seasons, but it’s important to note that the leader repeatedly reconnected with Morgan and showed his support regardless of their differences. This highlighted that though Rick was often intolerant of others, he was consistently loyal to his friends unless they posed a risk to his family.

However, Rick’s storyline was completed without the inclusion of most of his long-running allies. He spent several years with the CRM, forced to work for them before he finally stopped fighting to escape and became a part of the leadership. The Ones Who Live completed his storyline when Michonne came to find him, and they overthrew the CRM so they could live without fear. By the time Rick reunited with his children in Alexandria, many of his closest friends were scattered throughout the world and in different communities. Despite this, The Ones Who Live was marketed as a way to end Michonne and Rick’s storylines, suggesting there isn’t a guarantee Rick will return to the franchise.

This is disappointing for viewers who awaited Rick’s return after his departure in Season 9 of The Walking Dead. With his sudden disappearance, many of his closest friends were distraught and affected by suddenly losing their ally and leader. There are still many characters Rick needs to reunite with before his storyline truly feels complete. Some viewers think certain reunions would be more satisfying than seeing Morgan and Rick come back together after years apart. However, this reunion would be a wholesome full-circle event that would be reminiscent of the very first episode when these two characters began an epic journey.

Friendship Shaped The Walking Dead

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Many themes in The Walking Dead are dark and dreary, as is expected from a horror series about zombies. However, the shows are more than death, destruction, and violence. Beneath these intense storylines and character arcs, there is a focus on hope, the future, and love. Most of the characters in the franchise did not know each other before the apocalypse, but fighting for survival together made them a “found family.” This began in Season 1 and has continued past the conclusion of the flagship show, carrying over to other spin-offs in the series. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable for viewers to desire friendship reunions.

Friendship has been a consistent and persistent theme throughout The Walking Dead. Viewers can see that in relationships with characters like Carol and Daryl, who began their friendship in Season 2, which has evolved into one of the most wholesome platonic relationships of the entire franchise, so much so that Daryl Dixon Season 3 will focus on a journey between the two friends. This can also be seen with friendships like Rosita and Eugene’s, who had some of the most intense falling outs throughout the show but still ended up loving friends in the finale during Rosita’s last moments. While love stories like Rick and Michonne created beloved family dynamics, friendships were responsible for the trust and support it took to develop the communities established in the flagship series, which continue to influence the overall quality of the show even after the original conclusion.

Other friendships have been more developed than Rick and Morgan’s, especially since the latter had significant time away from the other Walking Dead heroes. However, fans have good reason to take an interest in Rick and Morgan’s reunion. Their initial meeting at the start of the story impacted both characters immensely, proven by Morgan’s decision to go back to Rick’s community in his FTWD sendoff, even after years away from his old friend. Given everything that has happened to Rick Grimes throughout the years, many viewers believe he deserved the happily ever after he received at the end of TOWL. However, reuniting him with the man who was responsible for ensuring he had a chance to experience all of his years of loss and love would be an exceptional way to round off his arc.

A Rick Return Is More Likely Than a Morgan Reunion

Despite The Ones Who Live being the supposed conclusion to Rick Grimes’ storyline, there is a good chance viewers will see the character in other projects. There are many Walking Dead reunions fans want to see that could round out different character arcs. Rick has had a substantial impact on so many characters in the expansive universe that reconnecting him with others before their send-off would be an appropriate way to end other projects in the franchise, including Dead City and Daryl Dixon. Even if Andrew Lincoln doesn’t return for another substantial role in The Walking Dead, a few cameos are possible and not something the actor has openly rejected as an option.

Unfortunately, that cannot be said for Lennie James’ role as Morgan Jones. While Lincoln hasn’t explicitly said he won’t return to the universe, James has stated it is highly unlikely viewers will see more of Morgan. As the oldest living friends in the series, it would have been exceptional for one of the current spin-offs (or another addition to the franchise) to conclude with these two reuniting for a brief, emotional moment. This unlikely scenario would provide an exceptionally happy ending to a franchise rife with disaster, leaving the story off on a hopeful note.

The Walking Dead franchise likely still has a lengthy run before it officially concludes. Despite a couple of lackluster or failed projects, the post-apocalyptic universe has exceptional stories, including the flagship series, The Ones Who Live, and the two currently ongoing shows. However, the franchise is in danger of becoming too saturated with repetitive storylines and stagnant characterization. When the storylines eventually come to an end, viewers hope it’s not too late to capture some much-needed character reunions.