Zombie Season 11 has just released a series of hints that Rick Grimes will return before the show ends. Andrew Lincoln left Zombie in Season 9. When a mysterious helicopter took Rick’s sickly body to an unknown location, there was a lot of unfinished business left behind. During the Season 11 finale, many speculated that Rick would return in the final episode and resolve some lingering plot threads.
Andrew Lincoln has returned to AMC’s Zombie spin-off series with Michonne, bridging the gap between then and now in Zombie Season 11. While it has yet to be confirmed whether Rick will return to the main show, Zombie Season 11, Episode 18 (“The New Deal”), provided some clues pointing in that direction – some more subtle than others. Hints range from thematic allusions to indirect references to Rick’s disappearance. While some clues may be designed purely for nostalgia purposes, others may carry more significant weight.
judith’s opening statement
Beginning with the final third of Season 11, each episode opens with the introduction of Cailey Fleming’s Judith, accompanied by memorable scenes from previous seasons. Episode 18’s footage focuses on Daryl Dixon, but also touches on Rick Grimes in a few key ways. First, Judith utters the line “Whoever walks never loses” as soon as Rick appears on screen, possibly alluding to her father’s reappearance in Season 11. Even more convincing, the opening credits Judith’s work for “New Deal” places considerable emphasis on Daryl and Rick’s brotherly bond. Of course, Daryl Dixon refused to believe that Rick was dead in Season 9 and spent months searching for any trace of his missing friend by the river. Daryl is determined to reunite with Rick and realizes that sooner or later his trust cannot be misplaced. Judith’s latest introduction intentionally or not exaggerates that moment.
Lance’s CRM tips
Rick Grimes was last seen being taken away by helicopter during a zombie attack. The helicopter belongs to the Citizen Republic Army, a secret group that protects one of the largest communities on Earth from the zombie threat. What happened to Rick after that is unclear, but Michonne found evidence of his survival on a ship and Jadis hinted that CRM discovered him in The Walking Dead: The Afterlife. However, it’s still not explained why Rick hasn’t returned to Alexandria or where he’s been all this time. In Season 11, Episode 18, Lance Hornsby ominously refers to a “Confederation ally” and suggests that the CRM and the Commonwealth have reached some sort of agreement. This could potentially bring Rick Grimes closer to returning for Season 11 of the series.
Rick’s gun is back
Rick Grimes’ weapon of choice is the Colt Python, which he used in season 1 to fight zombies. However, he left it behind when he disappeared in season 9. In a recent episode, Daryl Dixon offers the gun to Judith, but she initially refuses because she wants a brighter and less violent future . Finally, after confirmation of a somewhat bloody future, Judith changes her mind and decides to keep the gun. She previously used this gun in previous seasons but lost the right to use it after joining the Commonwealth community. Colt Python’s reappearance near the end of the zombie outbreak may have been designed to evoke memories of Rick’s past. Furthermore, it reminds viewers of its location so that if Rick returns in season 11, he can seamlessly retrieve his favorite weapon.
Carol and Daryl discuss Rick
In Season 11, Episode 18 of the zombie series, the opening scene and Colt Python aren’t the only reminders of Rick Grimes. The episode features a conversation between Daryl (played by Norman Reedus) and Carol (played by Melissa McBride) about Rick’s absence. They are searching for Judith, who has run away from home, and Daryl questions Carol’s suitability as a parent, asking “what would he do?” Carol replied “Rick’s not here.” The constant mention of Rick reminds the audience of his character.
Furthermore, there is a special emphasis on Daryl’s desire to make Rick proud and consider him a brother. The groundwork may be being laid for the long-awaited return of Andrew Lincoln. What’s interesting to note is that while Glenn was mentioned in the last episode 11, it was focused on what Glenn wanted, whereas conversations about Rick usually ended with someone wishing he was still around next to. These conversations reflect on the past and the future, respectively.
Judith still hasn’t told anyone Michonne’s secret
When Michonne discovers clues about Rick Grimes’ survival, she confides only in Judith, who has kept the news a secret ever since. In Season 11, Episode 18, at Gabriel’s church, Judith and Daryl share a heartfelt conversation. Judith gets a chance to tell Daryl about Michonne’s discovery while he shares about parenting and the harsh realities of their world without Rick. However, Judith does not reveal the truth about Rick being alive. From a TV show perspective, it’s clear that Judith is keeping this information a secret because revealing it could shock Darryl Dixon and jeopardize the show’s finale – the zombie apocalypse.
Darryl broke his promise to Judith
In an emotional exchange between Daryl and Judith, Norman Reedus’ character promises his surrogate daughter, “But no matter what, you’re with me.” However, viewers already know that Daryl broke his promise because he was preparing to film a spinoff series in France when The Walking Dead ended. Unless Judith dies or Daryl takes her with him – both of which seem unlikely – Daryl will be the latest in a long line of parents to abandon Judith Grimes. Although there could be a more plausible explanation if Rick and/or Michonne returned in Season 11 of The Walking Dead and reunited with their children, leaving Uncle Daryl free to venture to Europe without breaking his promise to Judith in “New Deal”.
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