After 11 seasons, 12 years, and a total of 177 episodes, The Walking Dead has finally come to an end. It was an explosive finale with declarations of love, tremendous loss, and a changing of the guard. Every character had their final moment. Some had happy endings, others redemption, and others devised plans to embark on entirely new journeys.

Fans finally got answers to their most pressing questions about how the show would end, including what was in store for their favorite characters.

Maggie

The Walking Dead Season 11 episode 21 Maggie End

One of the things fans believed Maggie needed to resolve before the end of The Walking Dead was her friction with Negan. While Maggie didn’t forgive Negan, she did have an emotional heart-to-heart with him to express her feelings. She told him that while she could never forgive him: every time she looks at him, she can’t help but see the horrifying things he did to Glenn. It helped that he finally delivered an emotional apology to her, saying the words “I’m sorry” she had so longed to hear.

After finally taking down Pamela, the one-year time jump showed Maggie leading Hilltop. Fans were left unclear about her plans other than to send Daryl on a mission to learn more about what's going on in the world. The upcoming spin-off starring she and Negan confirm that the pair will cross paths once again.

Negan

The Walking Dead Negan Talking With Maggie In  Series Finale Season 11 Episode 24

After being forced to his knees, his wife and unborn child threatened in the penultimate episode, Negan finally understood what Maggie felt when he did the same to her. He expressed this to her, even willing to sacrifice himself to kill Pamela for her.

While Maggie admitted he earned his place in the community, and thanked him for saving her son’s life, she could not forgive him for what he had done and never would. It's unclear if Negan decided to stay living at Hilltop or somewhere nearby. Fans do know he somehow ends up in New York with Maggie. The upcoming spin-off will answer these questions.

Carol

The Walking Dead - Melissa McBride as Carol

While Carol will no longer be appearing in the upcoming spinoff starring Daryl, she did survive the events of the finale. She is the Director of Operations within the Commonwealth, taking over Lance Hornsby’s old position, but running things her own way. It’s one of the best decisions Carol has made in The Walking Dead.

Saying her heartfelt goodbyes to Daryl, the pair declared their love for one another and finally called each other their respective “best friends.” Carol remains a fierce fighter who is simply looking to make things better for everyone. And she is on the path to doing just that.

Daryl

Daryl from The Walking Dead leaning up against a wall, sort of half smiling.

Fans knew Daryl would survive since there’s the upcoming spinoff series starring the character. But there was a slight moment of worry when he was seen passed out on the floor, a bloody Judith, hanging on for dear life, rushing to block the doors to save him before passing out next to him.

Daryl went on to deliver an inspirational speech to help convince the Commonwealth Army members who were still following Pamela that there was another, better way to live. He finally said those important three words, “I love you,” to Carol. While he did not begin a romantic relationship with Connie as many had hoped, it was clear the pair remained close. Daryl continued to live as a nomad, of sorts, infrequently spending time at the communities. By the end, however, he was seen riding a motorcycle into the unknown, on a journey to learn more about what caused the outbreak, as instructed by Maggie. But chances are, he also wants to try and find Rick.

Judith

Judith from The Walking Dead, lying on a gurney looking up behind her.

The penultimate episode teased a potential death when Pamela accidentally shot Judith. With Daryl screaming in agony, scooping her up, and trying to run her to safety and medical help, fans weren’t sure if the young girl would make it.

Thanks to a blood transfusion from Daryl, however, along with medical help just in time from Tomichi, Judith survived. She went on to live in Alexandria with her family and friends and had hopes that her Uncle Daryl would not only find her parents but also have his own happy ending. She ends up receiving the compass she once gifted to Negan (after he initially stole it). He returned to her with a letter advising that he hoped it would protect her as it had him all those years.

Ezekiel

The-Walking-Dead-Season-11-Ezekiel-Group

Fans thought Ezekiel might have died long before the finale due to his cancer diagnosis. But one positive that came out of the Commonwealth was that he was able to receive treatment and make a full recovery, making Ezekiel one of the longest-surviving characters on The Walking Dead. He also found his voice once again as a leader, first declaring to Mercer that the group would help him save the others in the community, not just escape on their own.

He ends up as the Governor of The Commonwealth, leading the revived community alongside Mercer and Carol.

Gabriel

Gabriel Stokes from The Walking Dead standing in the sun, looking to the left.

Gabriel had one of the best full-circle moments. While in a showdown against Pamela and her Commonwealth soldiers, Gabriel decided to put down his gun and walk towards the entrance, declaring he would let in the community members begging to get back inside. It was reminiscent of the first time the group met Gabriel when he admitted to having locked all his parishioners out of the church. He was finally able to get the redemption he so craved.

Gabriel later learns of Rosita’s pending death and reads her last rites. In the one-year time jump, he is seen as a member of one of the communities, seemingly having taken over the care of Coco.

Rosita

Rosita from The Walking Dead fighting off walkers to save Coco.

Rosita was the main character death in the final episode. After having valiantly rescued Coco and attempting to escape, Rosita fell into a pit of walkers leading fans to believe that was the end. However, she burst from the middle of them to take them all down and escape once again.

As expected, however, she did not come out unscathed. Rosita was bitten, which left her to absorb every last moment before she knew she would perish. She shared heartfelt conversations with Eugene, revealing the news to him first. Her final words were in expressing to Eugene that she was glad he was the last one standing.

Eugene

Eugene from The Walking Dead wearing a cowboy hat.

Eugene had arguably the happiest, most settled ending of them all. While he lost his best friend in Rosita, he gained a long-term companion in Max. They also had a child together, which they, not surprisingly, named Rosie.

Eugene finally came into his own, with a new sense of confidence and strength. He was seen fighting off walkers in a way he never had been in previous seasons. He used his intelligence to help in ways he could and became someone everyone could count on instead of a timid man who felt he needed to lie in order to belong.

Aaron

Aaron from The Walking Dead looking scared, protecting Gracie who is behind him.

After helping save Lydia following a walker bite that took her arm, Aaron managed to escape back to the Commonwealth with her by disguising himself among the walkers. He survived the events, being an integral part of the plan to fight back against Pamela.

Aaron was later reunited with his daughter Gracie where the family lived in harmony in Alexandria, visiting back and forth with the Commonwealth and Hilltop as the three communities worked together. Aaron grew tremendously through the show, finding inner strength he never had prior.

Yumiko

Yumiko from The Walking Dead in a suit, looking at papers.

In the penultimate episode, Yumiko did her best to defend Eugene in court only to realize that she didn’t stand a chance. She joined her friends by the end, fighting against the Commonwealth Army and the walkers that had managed to get into the community.

She went through an emotional moment as she and her other initial group members, including Magna, Connie, and Kelly, mourned the death of Luke. Yumiko, however, had a happy ending when she was finally reunited with Magna. Before the two could say anything to one another, Magna grabbed Yumiko and kissed her, suggesting the once couple would be getting back together.

Connie

Connie (Lauren Ridloff) spreads her arms out goodnaturedly, Daryl (Norman Reedus) watches from behind in The Walking Dead

Connie’s death was teased early in the season, and fans were excited when it was revealed that she was still alive. The romantic spark between her and Daryl never materialized, though the two clearly remained good friends.

She remained working as a journalist to provide news for the communities. She appeared genuinely happy, as Daryl commented to her in her last scene, finally able to enjoy some semblance of a normal life once again.

Pamela

Pamela from The Walking Dead standing outside, looking angry.

Pamela – one of the many Walking Dead villains throughout the show’s run - shot and almost killed Judith. Though she tried to blame it on Maggie, it was clear the guilt was eating away at her. Nonetheless, she refused to let the other community members back in and set out to kill the defectors.

However, following an impassioned speech by Ezekiel, Mercer, Gabriel, and Daryl, the last remaining soldiers turned on Pamela. They decided to follow Mercer instead, and he promptly ordered her arrest. She seemingly tried to succumb to death by bringing her face closer and closer to a now undead Lance outside the gates of the community. But she was ironically saved by Maggie’s clean shot and words from Judith, who she realizes managed to survive. The last that was seen of Pamela, she was spending her remaining days in prison.

Mercer

Mercer from The Walking Dead standing outside a truck with the door open, in full Commonwealth Army uniform.

After being freed from prison by Princess and Max, both of whom enveloped him in a warm embrace, Mercer donned his orange uniform once again and was back to business. This time, however, he was ready to take down Pamela and have her pay for her crimes. He led an elaborate plan to direct all the walkers to one spot with music then blow them up with a massive explosion.

Later, in a one-year time jump, Mercer is seen leading the Commonwealth as Lieutenant, with Ezekiel being appointed as Governor. He and Princess are seemingly still together and happier than ever.

NEXT: The 10 Most Important The Walking Dead Characters To Die From A Walker Bite