Key Points:
- The finale episode of The Walking Dead, titled “Rest in Peace,” concluded the series after 11 seasons while setting up future spin-offs.
- Rick Grimes and Michonne’s fate was revealed, leading to the spin-off miniseries The Ones Who Live (2024).
- The Commonwealth storyline saw Pamela Milton’s downfall, and Daryl Dixon embarked on a journey to find survivors, including Rick and Michonne.
- The spin-off series, Daryl Dixon and The Ones Who Live, carry forward the legacy of The Walking Dead universe.
In November 2022, The Walking Dead concluded its monumental 11-season run with the finale episode “Rest in Peace.” While the show wrapped up its central storyline involving the Commonwealth, it also left viewers with numerous surprises and setups for upcoming spin-offs.
What Happens During the Final Season of The Walking Dead?
The 11th season of The Walking Dead centered on the survivors’ fight against the Commonwealth’s corrupt leadership, specifically its autocratic governor, Pamela Milton (played by Laila Robins). The Commonwealth, a thriving community in Ohio, had become a battleground for power and survival.
Pamela, desperate to maintain control, ordered her forces to direct a massive zombie herd toward the city, aiming to distract citizens protesting against her corruption. However, her plan backfired disastrously. The barriers failed, allowing the undead to infiltrate the Commonwealth. In response, Pamela retreated to The Estates, a gated area for the wealthy elite, leaving the less privileged residents to fend for themselves against the horde.
This situation set the stage for a climactic confrontation between the survivors and Pamela’s regime. The finale highlighted their determination to save the Commonwealth’s residents while dismantling the oppressive system that had divided them.
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How Does The Walking Dead End?
The finale, “Rest in Peace,” begins with chaos outside the gates of The Estates. Desperate residents beg for entry as the undead close in, but Pamela refuses to let them in, prioritizing the safety of the elite. Meanwhile, the survivors devise a plan to overthrow Pamela and rescue the trapped citizens.
A pivotal moment comes when Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) confronts Pamela directly. He tells her, “You built this place to be like the old world, that was the f—— problem,” followed by the iconic line, “We ain’t the walking dead.” Daryl’s words inspire Pamela’s soldiers to stand down and open the gates, allowing the residents to escape. Pamela is subsequently arrested.
The survivors then execute a daring plan to neutralize the zombie threat. They lead the herd into The Estates and ignite a massive explosion, obliterating the undead.
The episode ends with a one-year time jump. The survivors are seen rebuilding a peaceful community. Daryl embarks on a journey to find more survivors, promising Judith Grimes, Rick’s daughter, “I’ll find ‘em both, I’ll bring them home.”
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Are Rick and Michonne in The Walking Dead Finale?
While Daryl’s departure could have been a satisfying conclusion, the finale had one more surprise in store. After the screen fades to black, a match strikes, revealing Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) for the first time since season 9. Shortly after, Michonne (Danai Gurira) appears, marking her first appearance since midway through season 10.
The couple is shown journaling, with each writing messages to the other, though they are separated by time and distance. Their scenes are interspersed with images of past characters, adding an emotional touch to their reunion.
Michonne is seen riding a horse toward a massive zombie horde, showcasing her resolve to continue fighting. Meanwhile, Rick is depicted near the ruins of Philadelphia, evading capture by the Civic Republic Military (CRM). As a CRM helicopter closes in, Rick’s expression shifts to a smile, hinting at his defiance and the promise of more stories to come.
How Does The Walking Dead Finale Connect to The Ones Who Live?
The finale directly sets up The Ones Who Live, a 2024 miniseries focused on Rick and Michonne. Their appearances in the finale reveal that they have been searching for each other, a theme that is further explored in the spin-off.
The title The Ones Who Live is a nod to the finale’s closing montage, where the surviving characters declare, “We are the ones who live.” This new series continues the love story of Rick and Michonne, chronicling their struggles to reunite and the challenges they face upon finding each other.
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What Happened to Daryl After The Walking Dead Finale?
Daryl’s journey after The Walking Dead is explored in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, which premiered in 2023. The series begins with Daryl washing ashore in France, far from the Commonwealth and his friends.
In this new setting, Daryl navigates a world that is both unfamiliar and dangerous. While his mission to find Rick and Michonne remains unresolved, the series explores his growth as a character and introduces new allies and enemies.
In November 2024, a teaser for season 3 of Daryl Dixon revealed that Daryl, now joined by Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride), is heading to Spain. This hints at more adventures and the possibility of a future reunion with the main cast.
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live premiered in 2024 and is currently streaming on Netflix.
- The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon began airing in 2023, with season 3 expected to continue in 2025.
- The original series finale, “Rest in Peace,” aired on AMC in November 2022.
Source: People
