7 Reasons Why Rick Shouldn't Survive The Walking Dead Season 5

5. The Group Doesn€™t Need Him Anymore

Carl€™s development into a capable, assertive and (mostly) intelligent young man has shown audiences one thing very clearly: he isn€™t really dependent on his father for his survival any longer. Of course that, on its own, isn€™t sufficient reason for Rick to buy the farm. But it€™s not the only change. We€™ve seen significant character development in Carol€™s arc, from victim of domestic violence through losing her daughter, to becoming a truly post-apocalyptic mother figure, able to nurture and make the tough choices. Meanwhile, Daryl has found a real family to replace the sociopathic version he grew up with and grown a conscience into the bargain. Glenn has developed the courage he didn€™t have to begin with €“ the runner has shown true maturity in his relationship with Maggie, who has also stepped up through adversity. Michonne, on the other hand, has come out of her withdrawn, almost animalistic shell to show a hint of the woman she was before the world ended, and to develop a real closeness with Carl. As everyone else around him has grown more mature in adapting to survive the end of the world, Rick has simply become more violent, more brutal. This isn€™t the beginning of season three any longer. These people don€™t need herding any longer. They€™re fully capable of leading themselves out of the darkness€ a darkness that Rick seems more and more willing to embrace.