The Walking Dead is one of the longest-running scripted dramas to ever air on AMC, beginning in 2010 and airing eleven seasons in the years since. Over that time, the series has introduced plenty of iconic characters that fans have fallen in love with during their time on the series.
As The Walking Dead inches closer and closer to its series finale, fans are looking back at the most iconic moments in the series' twelve-year run, including some of the most memorable quotes from each of the prominent characters therein.
"Mom Told Me I Would Beat This World. I Didn't. But You Will."
Carl Grimes, "Honor"
Carl Grimes, portrayed by Chandler Riggs for the first eight seasons of The Walking Dead, was always meant to be the one who survived. His mother even told him so as she lay dying in Season 3. Carl recalled this moment while writing a letter to his younger sister Judith, knowing his death was at hand. He encouraged her that she would be the one to survive, echoing Lori's words from so long ago.
Though many fans find Lori to be utterly irritating. this callback is nevertheless every bit as touching as the writers intended it to be. Carl's death may have left a gaping hole in the series, but his final letters to his closest loved ones, especially Judith, truly found the beauty in his exit.
"The Only Thing You Can Choose Is What You Risk Your Life For."
Hershel Greene, "Isolation"
Scott Wilson's Hershel Greene was the moral compass of The Walking Dead in its early seasons, always guiding Rick and the group in the right direction. He proved this in his final days when he risked his own life by exposing himself to the contagious disease that had overtaken the prison colony in order to help treat the sick.
Hershel's line perfectly sums up his character arc, acting as the moral compass for the other survivors in the prison community. In his final days, Hershel did his very best to preserve the lives of those around him, even if it put his own life at risk.
"Maggie, I'll Find You."
Glenn Rhee, "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be"
Steven Yeun played fan-favorite survivor Glenn Rhee in the first seven seasons of AMC's hit post-apocalyptic series, finally meeting his tragic and violent end at the hands of Negan and his baseball bat Lucille. In his final moments, Glenn locked eyes with his beloved wife and promised that he would find her.
Glenn's death was a turning point in the show, and not in a good way, as fans would always look back at this moment with a hint of disdain for the show's writers. Nevertheless, Glenn's final words harkened back to the very heart of the show's story, as he died with nothing but love in his heart for his wife and their unborn baby.
"It's About Doing Whatever It Takes To Not Bury More."
Michonne, "Adaptation"
After the tragic death of a close friend at the hands of a new threat in the Whisperers, the Coalition of allied communities was sent reeling. However, Michonne, played by Danai Gurira, did her part in reminding those grieving that their duty was to make sure that nothing like this ever happened again.
Michonne is the perfect example of The Walking Dead's superb character development, as she transforms from a lone ronin into a bonafide leader. Though Michonne's hopes that they would lose no more members of their community would be quickly dashed, she certainly would do her part in making sure that no one's death would be in vain.
"Eenie, Meeny, Miney Moe."
Negan, "Last Day On Earth."
Negan made his bloody and highly-controversial debut in the season six finale "Last Day on Earth." Lining up eleven of the show's main stars, Jeffrey Dean Morgan's character played an infantile game to select which one he would brutally murder in front of the others, ending the season on a massive cliffhanger as fans were left to theorize about who had been chosen.
Negan's infamous lineup immediately established him as a worthy villain to the group for the upcoming season and remains a moment that the character continues to atone for in current episodes. While he has had many memorable scenes over the last few years, fans will always best remember the moment they first met the leader of the Saviors.
"Glenn Made The Decision. I Was Just Following His Lead."
Maggie Rhee, "The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life."
After the death of her husband Glenn, Lauren Cohan's Maggie Rhee embarked on an emotional journey as she mourned her loss. She soon becomes the leader of the group known as Hilltop, eventually leading them into battle against the Saviors, saving Rick and the Alexandrians in the process. When asked why she came to their aid, Maggie relayed to Rick that Glenn had made the choice by saving him in Atlanta years ago.
Though Season 7 was a controversial season for fans of the series, its finale is widely regarded as one of the series' best episodes. Maggie's closing speech brings the season to a fitting end, referencing the show's very first episode and finally promising that justice will be reaped for Glenn's brutal murder.
"All Life Is Precious."
Morgan Jones, "Here's Not Here"
After six years of scattered appearances throughout the series, Lennie James's Morgan Jones finally joined the cast as a series regular in Season 6. Thereafter, he often repeated a phrase he had learned during his years on the road, which claimed that all life was worthy of being preserved, even those of the enemy.
This repeated line often got Morgan in hot water with his fellow survivors. However, they merely did not understand the emotional weight of these simple four words. Morgan's philosophy was the result of years of believing the opposite, which brought him nothing but pain and sorrow. In adopting this phrase as his own, Morgan finally found solace in a broken world.
"I Can't Love Anyone Because I Can't Kill For Anyone."
Carol Peletier, "Twice As Far"
Carol Peletier, played by Melissa McBride, has one of the most striking examples of character development in the series, transforming from an abused housewife into a ferocious survivor. However, the weight of her actions began to bring Carol down, causing her to distance herself from her loved ones in order to keep herself from killing others to protect them.
This development highlights an issue with many characters in the series in that finding loved ones inevitably means killing others in order to protect them. In attempting to stray from this inevitability, Carol was trying to keep her remaining humanity, only to be dragged down this road again as the seasons progressed.
"We Ain't Ashes."
Daryl Dixon, "Consumed"
Norman Reedus's Daryl Dixon has become the new series lead after Rick and Michonne's back-to-back exits in Seasons 9 and 10, respectively. However, Daryl had a long journey to reach such a level of leadership, which came into focus in Season 5, when he promised Carol that, unlike the dead, they weren't ashes.
Daryl is one character already confirmed to survive the series, with a spinoff series in development following his character. However, fans will always harken back to Daryl's early days as he learned his true place in the world after it had already fallen apart. His line to Carol in Season 5 will always represent that story, as he came to appreciate his own life and the lives of those he loved.
"We Tell Ourselves That We Are The Walking Dead."
Rick Grimes, "Them"
Andrew Lincoln led The Walking Dead for its first nine seasons as Rick Grimes. At the end of a long speech during the group's darkest moment in Season 5, Rick encouraged them to tell themselves that they were the walking dead, not the zombies outside.
While Rick's words managed to motivate the group to press onward, Rick's future storylines would serve to discount this philosophy, as he came to realize that life was far more than avoiding death. Rick would go on to learn that there was far more potential left in the world for a happy life than he had ever considered possible.