"Holy Sh*t, Rick Is A Badass"
When anyone you love is threatened with rape or death your animal instincts do tend to shine through more than your moral conscious. Rick just knew when to embrace his inner lion while looking after his cub. "Rick just headbutted and ripped that guy's throat out over Carl, I wonder what he'd do to protect me..." Oh look, Terminus. This looks dodgy. Hey look, my beloved poncho! The thieving b*stards. Sam just got slaughtered, I'm terrified but at least I still look cool, right? Why couldn't terminus just be the sanctuary they deserved? That Mary chick is going to get it, and not in the good way.