Was it a cop-out? Or a carefully calculated move to ensure Rick’s survival?
Whatever your take on The Walking Dead‘s latest installment, episode 9×05, entitled “What Comes After,” sent shockwaves throughout the show’s impassioned fanbase, as Andrew Lincoln’s weary survivor was shipped off to destinations unknown.
Eyes rolling, fingers twitching, Rick was barely conscious when the credits rolled on Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead, after he was pulled from the brink of death by an old frenemy. We’ll refrain from writing too much, as it’ll only take away from the gravity of the scene; instead, down below you’ll be able to watch Rick’s final moments in their entirety, followed by two AMC featurettes detailing some of the behind-the-scenes legwork that went into the creation of “What Comes After.”
As per, the creative team powering The Walking Dead really went the extra mile to ensure that “What Comes After” delivered on those sky-high expectations – from the best-in-class makeup department to the script doctors, 9×05 was arguably one of this season’s strongest episodes.
There’s still plenty more content to come, of course, what with Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) and Lauren Cohan (Maggie Rhee) still driving The Walking Dead forward. Rick’s absence will take some getting used to (of that we are certain), but with plans for multiple spinoff movies, his story is far from over – if anything, this is really the end of the beginning, rather than the beginning of the end.
Season 9 of The Walking Dead continues sans Rick Grimes this coming weekend, when viewers will be treated to “Who Are You Now?” And if you’re curious, we’ve embedded a first-look promo for 9×06 down below for your viewing pleasure.
