Why The Walking Dead Can't Survive Without Rick Grimes

4. Rick IS The Show

The Walking Dead Rick Grimes
Gene Page/AMC

Ever since its inception back in 2010, Lincoln's Rick Grimes has been the face of the show. He's the series' main protagonist, the sun around which all else orbits, and the basis for pretty much everything that's happened.

The show obviously has a number of other major characters, but none are as developed as Rick nor as important to the narrative. They mostly exist by way of their relationship to Rick: his son, his partner, his friend, his deadly enemy and so on.

This is Rick's storyline above all else, and we've seen a number of instances where episodes that don't involve him can feel like they're missing something. It's not necessarily a good thing that one character is still so intrinsic to the show after so long, but - despite some excellent performances - that is the way it's been written, and at this stage it's a very difficult status quo to move on from while still being The Walking Dead.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.