The Walking Dead: Why Rick's [SPOILER] Was A Mistake

2. Rick Deserved To Die, And Fans Deserved Closure

Rick has been through more than anyone else on this show. He lost his wife right after she gave birth. He had to kill his best friend. He had to raise said child in this world gone to hell, despite knowing she isn't his. He's lost his son, his family, his friends, and for a time, his mind, and kept on going.

With Andrew Lincoln deciding to leave the show, it was a chance to allow Rick to rest in peace. While Rick's story at Alexandria could've gone on had Lincoln not decided to go, then the best course of action was to write Rick out permanently, for character and fans. Like him, we've been through a hell of a lot - and been through it all with him - and knowing he's alive, still out there somewhere, is going to overshadow everything that comes next.

There's some intriguing setup in this episode, courtesy of the major time jump, the arrival of Magna's group, and the tease of the Whisperers. But in the background of it all are questions about what's happened to Rick, where he is, what 'A' and 'B' and that helicopter means and so on. This should've been closure for fans who've had to put up with the show's declining quality and times when its treated them like idiots, and closure for Rick Grimes, who has spent his life fighting, and now (presumably) has to go on living while ripped away from the people he holds closest.