The Walking Dead franchise has finally seen the return of Rick Grimes. But what other characters does he still need to reunite with in the universe?
Though it is not yet known if Rick and Michonne will return, either for another season of The Ones Who Live or in another part of the franchise, there is still some unfinished business for these long-running characters. As the iconic hero of the franchise, Rick Grimes had many relationships that were focused on and expanded on throughout The Walking Dead. There are various ways the franchise could reunite Rick with his long-lost allies, including incorporating him and other surviving characters into the current Dead City and Daryl Dixon spin-offs.
Eugene Became an Unlikely Hero
Eugene was one of the final survivors in the finale of The Walking Dead .
Eugene made a lot of progress throughout The Walking Dead. Following the reveal that he was lying about knowing the cure for the outbreak, the characters and audience distrusted him. However, he became an unlikely hero after allying himself with Negan only to turn on the powerful villain and sabotage their ammunition, ending the Saviors’ War.
Following Rick’s departure, Eugene continued to prove himself as a true survivor. In the finale of The Walking Dead, during the Commonwealth plot, he suffered a lot but still managed to aid in the downfall of the corrupt government and the rise of an honorable one. As one of Rick’s long-time surviving allies, these two deserve an opportunity to communicate now that they’re both respected heroes and leaders.
Ezekiel Honored His Allegiance to Alexandria
Ezekiel first appeared in Season 7, Episode 2, “The Well,” when Morgan and Carol ended up as refugees in The Kingdom.
When Rick disappeared from his community, presumed dead, the allied communities were still struggling to recover after the Saviors’ War. Ezekiel played a major part in keeping people alive, including transporting the people of The Kingdom to The Hilltop during the uncertain times of the Whisperers’ borders.
Upon returning to his community, Rick would be proud to see how far the other leaders have come since his departure. Following the revolution of The Commonwealth in Season 11, Ezekiel becomes the governor of the powerful community. Now that Rick and Michonne have returned to Alexandria, they’ll surely welcome the union between their community and a great military community governed by a respected ally.
Hershel Rhee is the Next Generation
The birth of Maggie and Glenn’s son, Hershel, was born in between a time jump, with the character’s first appearance being a several-month-old infant in Season 9.
The Walking Dead had a trend of devastating children’s deaths, from Sophia in Season 2 to Carl in Season 8. However, the franchise seemed to move away from this problematic trope, and in later seasons, young characters like Maggie’s son Hershel and Aaron’s daughter Gracie become lovable side characters. In particular, Hershel became a focal point of the show, mainly due to the tragic demise of his father, Glenn, prior to his birth.
The generation born during the apocalypse were a major focus for long-running survivors like Rick, who wanted to see these young children grow up safe and happy despite the dangerous new world. In Dead City, Hershel’s character is now an angsty teenager struggling to grow up in a hostile and uncertain environment. It would be interesting to see Rick interact with this new generation and see how their upbringing is different from children like Carl, who were able to experience the world before.
Aaron is a Beloved Old Friend
In Season 8, Episode 2, “The Damned”, Aaron loses his husband Eric during a fight with the Saviors. In this same episode, Aaron takes care of baby Gracie, the daughter of a Savior that Rick had just killed, and eventually adopts her as his daughter.
There are some allies that Rick has known since the early days of the apocalypse and others that he befriended during their time of danger and uncertainty. Aaron was a beloved member of the Alexandria community, and Rick felt especially grateful to the man who fought to save their distrustful and violent group.
In some ways, Aaron was a very different kind of survivor. Though he was strong and skilled with various weapons, especially in later seasons following Rick’s departure, he was also exceptionally kind and eager to aid anyone in need. Reuniting with Aaron would likely be an emotional moment for Rick, as he sees how excellent Aaron has been at being a leader and defending their community.
Gabriel Played an Unlikely Role in The Ones Who Live
Gabriel becomes a leader in Alexandria following the time jump in Season 9. Following the demise of Rosita in Season 11, he also became the surrogate parent of her daughter, Coco.
Father Gabriel had one of the most exceptional changes throughout The Walking Dead, going from a sinful and fearful pastor to a fearless and devout post-apocalyptic survivor. He had a surprising inclusion in The Ones Who Live. It was revealed that he was meeting with Anne (Jadis) in secret once a year to catch up with his old friend, despite the fact that she couldn’t talk about the CRM or her community.
It was the ring Gabriel intended to give to Rick that Anne bestowed on him when she died, urging Rick to propose and marry Michonne like Gabriel had hoped would happen. This moment highlighted how deeply Gabriel cared for Rick and his family. It would be moving to see the two reunited and for Rick to share Anne’s last moments with Gabriel, as well as share that he used the father’s ring to propose to Michonne.
Maggie Has Had an Exceptional Journey
Lauren Cohen, who plays Maggie, left the show in Season 9. However, she returned in Season 10, having spent several years away from The Hilltop. Hershel Rhee was now aged to around eight-years-old (played by Logan Kim).
Maggie Greene (Rhee) first appeared in Season 2, making her one of the longest-running characters in The Walking Dead franchise. She had an evolution throughout the years, becoming a loyal member of Rick’s group before proving herself as a worthy leader at Hilltop following Glenn’s demise.Rick has missed a great number of important moments in Maggie’s storyline. When Rick disappeared and was presumed dead, he was previously attempting to stop Maggie in her quest to execute an imprisoned Negan. In a turn of events, Maggie ends up working with Negan years later in Dead City. If the franchise can solve the timeline discrepancies between Dead City and the conclusion of The Ones Who Live, Maggie’s story would be a shocking reveal to Rick.
Carol Protected Rick’s Family in His Absence
Fans were disappointed to learn Melissa McBride would not reprise her role as Carol Peletier in Daryl Dixon . Now, fans are excited to see her return for her own unique story in Season 2 of the new spin-off.
Carol is undoubtedly one of the best The Walking Dead heroes, transforming from a terrified woman into a truly fearless and skilled survivor. She had a complicated relationship with Rick, who sent her away in Season 4 after she executed survivors at the prison in an attempt to stop the spread of a deadly virus. However, following the fall of the prison, they had a tearful reunion when she saved him and others from the Terminus compound, and it was revealed she had helped keep Judith alive.
Though the friends had their disagreements throughout the years, there’s no doubt they would do just about anything for each other. It can’t be ignored that Carol was also one of the major caregivers for Judith and RJ during Rick’s absence. It would be appropriate for Rick to reunite with one of his oldest companions and show gratitude for all she’s done for his family.
Morgan is Seeking Rick in Fear the Walking Dead Finale
Lennie James’ had his final appearance as Morgan Jones in Fear The Walking Dead , Season 8, Episode 12, “The Road Ahead,” when he sets out for Alexandria with his daughter, Mo.
Morgan Jones helped Rick survive after he awakes in the hospital in the very first episode of The Walking Dead. They repeatedly find each other throughout the years, both working as a team and having opposing opinions. When Morgan struggles against his violent side during the Saviors’ War, he decides to leave the group. He ends up in the South, becoming a lead inFear The Walking Dead.
The last viewers see this Walking Dead icon, he’s going on a journey with his daughter, Mo, to finally reunite with Rick and his old community. Though fans hope to see him appear in The Ones Who Live, there’s still an opportunity for James to reprise his role as Morgan in another franchise spin-off. It would be a disappointment for these two long-time friends to never have an on-screen reunion after both of their epic individual journeys.
Negan Can Be an Unlikely Ally or Returned Villain
In the finale of Dead City , Negan is forced by The Dama to join her forces. In the upcoming seasons, viewers can expect Negan, under coercion, to utilize his villainous ways to aid the new enemy.
One of the most anticipated reunions is that of Rick and Negan. After Rick spared Negan and imprisoned him, he spent his last day with his community, fighting with his allies to keep them from executing Negan. Unbeknownst to Rick, Negan is released and aids Alexandria in defeating enemies like The Whisperers and the corrupt leaders of The Commonwealth.
Rick would likely be shocked to learn Negan’s storyline, and there would probably be a lot of disbelief. It would be interesting for the two men to encounter one another again and share their different journeys without hostility or an uneven power dynamic. Though the events of Dead City seemingly take place years after The Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon, and even The Ones Who Live, this beloved hero and the unexpected anti-hero must have another face-to-face at some point within the current spin-offs.
Daryl Deserves a Reunion With His Brother
Before the premiere of Daryl Dixon , the spin-off was renewed for another season. This series’ second season will be the next installment of The Walking Dead franchise, set to be released in Summer 2024.
Daryl Dixon is Rick’s most trusted ally and closest friend. Though the two had their fair share of disagreements and scuffles throughout the years, they considered each other brothers. Among the many survivors that Rick considered family, Daryl loved and relied on him so much that he distanced himself from the community following Rick’s disappearance. Daryl also felt an immense amount of guilt after he believed Rick was dead due to their fight the same day as the bridge explosion.
During his journey to find Rick after learning he could still be alive, Daryl ends up in a bad situation that lands him in France. He goes on an exceptional adventure in Daryl Dixon, and viewers are excited to learn where this new plot will go. While this spin-off could go on for several seasons, fans hope Rick will either make an eventual appearance or the conclusion will include a reunion of the two found-family brothers.
