Warning: this article contains spoilers for The Walking Dead season 11, part 2.
As The Walking Dead hurtles towards its conclusion in season 11, part 3, it still has to adapt its biggest comic book moment - the death of Rick Grimes. The problem is the show has already done Rick's death in season 9, although it was a fake-out moment reminiscent of Glenn and his dumpster affairs. Rick survived the destruction of the bridge but he was swiftly whisked away by Jadis in a helicopter, likely in the direction of the CRM. The CRM did not play a part in the comic, but it's a key organization in both Fear The Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. As a result, it seems that the fate of Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes will be closely tied to the CRM, and will be resolved in the movies that will be developed once The Walking Dead ends.
With Rick not present during the Survivors' conflict with the Commonwealth in The Walking Dead season 11, the show has had to deviate from the comics. Rick moments in the comics have been shared by remaining characters in the show, such as Aaron showing Pamela Milton around Alexandria. Pamela Milton is another key aspect of the show which differs from the source material since Lance Hornsby appears to usurp her as the main antagonist of The Walking Dead's final season. This indicates that season 11, part 3 will continue to do things its own way; but while the show can be a different beast, it must faithfully adapt some key moments to appease comic fans.
Rick Grimes' death is one such moment, and while it will inevitably need to be changed for the show, it's too big to be cut from The Walking Dead's final season entirely. The moment is the catalyst for the comic ending, concluding the Commonwealth arc and Rick Grimes' story in one fell swoop. While Rick's story will live on, the Commonwealth arc must end in season 11 to give the show a sense of finality, and it will likely do so by adapting the biggest moment from the comics. Here's how The Walking Dead could try to adapt Rick's comic book death, and why it'll likely be underwhelming.
Rick Grimes' Comic Death Can't Happen In TWD Season 11
Andrew Lincoln is rumored to finally return to The Walking Dead in its final episodes, after his departure from the show in season 9. Lincoln was spotted in Atlanta when the show was filming, and while he may have just been visiting the set, it's hard to think that his time there was just a coincidence. Even if Lincoln does return as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead season 11, he cannot return for his comic death. After his fake-out death several years ago, any return just to briefly act as a deus ex machina and fulfill his comic book death would seem cheap. Furthermore, Rick will return in the long-anticipated Walking Dead movies once the show ends. It's possible that Rick could get his comic death during the movies, however, they'll likely focus on a completely new story, centered around the CRM, rather than the conclusion of the Commonwealth arc.
Who Could Get Rick Grimes' Death? (& Why It Has To Be Ezekiel)
In the comics, Rick is killed by Sebastian Milton, who is just as petulant and spoilt in the comics as he is in the show. Sebastian kills Rick because he blames Rick for his mother, Pamela Milton, being overthrown in the Commonwealth. The Walking Dead season 11 has so far teased the Milton family's corruption, and an upcoming insurrection in the Commonwealth, so it appears that the Miltons will eventually be overthrown in the show too. Where it may deviate is how Rick is responsible for putting an end to the fighting, as he addresses both sides of the feud in public, and due to his popularity, a resolution is reached. Since Rick's death, and the moment proceeding it is so iconic in the comics, someone else will need to fill Rick's boots in the show.
That's no easy task, however, and whichever character takes Rick's place must fulfill two criteria. Most importantly, it must be a beloved and long-standing character. Their death must be as heartbreaking to audiences of the show, as Rick's was to readers of the comic. As a result, the character must have been in the show a long time in order for audiences to have a relationship with them, that's been built over many years. Furthermore, in order for the character to realistically take Rick's place and bring an end to the conflict, they must have leadership abilities. Rick's leadership and philosophy is the only reason that the citizens of the Commonwealth listen to him, and want to follow him. Whoever takes his place must therefore be known within the Commonwealth and have some influence within it.
As the only survivors that have been on The Walking Dead since season 1, the potential death of either Daryl or Carol would probably be the most impactful way to end the show. Both have become true favorites with audiences, and have experienced some of the most severe character changes in the show. In comparison to the prickly lone wolf he once was, Daryl learns the importance of his adopted family and has become a real leader in the main group, especially after Rick's departure. Since Rick left the show, Daryl has also become The Walking Dead's main flagship character. From an importance perspective, Daryl seems the best suited to take Rick's comic death. This won't happen, however, as Daryl will appear in a spin-off where he explores post-apocalyptic Europe. Carol was also meant to be in the spin-off show but actress Melissa McBride recently dropped out of the project, meaning that Carol is a viable option for Rick's death. Carol is not a leader in the same way Rick was, however, and she does not have much influence in the Commonwealth. Carol prefers to play innocent with her cookies, and it would seem out of character for her to give a big speech in front of the whole community.
Similar to Daryl, Maggie and Negan certainly fulfill both criteria. Both characters have been leaders within large communities, and are two of the biggest characters in the show. Granted, Maggie has been in the show for a longer time than Negan, who first appeared in season 6, but Negan's popularity and relevance cannot be underplayed. Nonetheless, both characters will survive the events of The Walking Dead season 11 since they're due to appear in the spinoff Isle of the Dead together.
That only leaves one character left that fulfills the necessary criteria - Ezekiel. Since being introduced as the king of the Kingdom in season 7, Ezekiel has endeared himself to audiences. Ezekiel's marriage to Carol, his memorable scene with his tiger Shiva, and his time on the Hilltop council mean that he certainly has leadership material and is well-liked among audiences of The Walking Dead. Furthermore, Ezekiel is arguably the character with the most roots in the Commonwealth. In season 11, he opens a secret medical clinic for citizens that cannot afford healthcare which could mean that many citizens would admire and listen to him. It's also worth noting that Ezekiel has escaped death more than most. He's outlived his comic counterpart, whose head ended up on a Whisperer pike, and he finds treatment for his cancer in season 11. The show must have something big in store for him.
Ezekiel's Death Would Be Disappointing
Ezekiel saving the Commonwealth from destroying itself would certainly be the greatest reason why the writers left him alive. The problem is that despite this, Ezekiel's death would be underwhelming in comparison to Rick's in the comics. While he's well-liked, his popularity isn't on the same scale as Daryl, Carol, Negan, or Maggie. Plus while his introduction in season 7 makes him one of the longest-lasting characters on The Walking Dead, he's not from the original group of survivors. Rick's death is so poignant because The Walking Dead comic is his story, and readers see it from start to finish. For Ezekiel, viewers pick his story up at the halfway mark. Ezekiel becoming such a prominent force in the final episodes of The Walking Dead would also come as a surprise for some viewers. There have been no hints that he has a greater purpose, beyond his secret clinic, and it's only been foreshadowed that Daryl will have a conflict with Sebastian. Ultimately, with Rick no longer in the main show, The Walking Dead cannot possibly do justice to Rick's comic death. Ezekiel certainly fits the role, and it makes sense, but his death would be a somewhat underwhelming way for The Walking Dead to end.