15 Greatest Episodes Of The Walking Dead
4. What Comes After (Season 9, Episode 5)
On paper, saying goodbye to the show's protagonist in the first half of a new season was a risky movie which threatened to alienate many fans. Since Rick is there until the end of the comics, it seemed odd that they'd get rid of him before the series' end.
On screen, the fandom's worries were quickly cast aside, as Rick Grimes' swan song proved to be an absolute masterclass of tension, fan service and storytelling.
Badly injured and trying to divert a massive walker horde, Rick hallucinates conversations with the likes of Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green), Hershel and Shane, all long dead. Questioning his legacy, confronting the possibilities of making a peaceful future for his family and friends, Rick ends up taking the horde down, but goes down with it.
Watching Daryl shooting walkers and keeping his friend alive whilst Michonne, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Carol rush to save him is as moving and tear-inducing as the show has ever been. When he blows up the bridge, destroying the horde, Rick is believed to be dead and his loved ones can only watch and cry and walk away broken.
What Comes After is a staggeringly good episode, packed with high stakes, emotional revelations and well handled callbacks. Lincoln, as ever, is on top form, and as daring as the story was, it no doubt worked a treat and ushered in a whole new era the show is still enjoying to this day.