The Walking Dead season 11 just dropped a whole helicopter-load of hints that suggest Rick Grimes will return before the show ends. Andrew Lincoln stepped away from The Walking Dead in season 9, but as a mysterious helicopter whisked Rick's ailing body to parts unknown, plenty of unfinished business remained in his wake. With The Walking Dead ending on season 11, Rick is widely suspected to return in the final episodes and tie off some of those lingering threads. Andrew Lincoln is already returning to AMC's Walking Dead franchise for a spinoff series with Michonne - it's only one short hop from there to The Walking Dead season 11.
While Rick's potential comeback in the main show remains unconfirmed, The Walking Dead season 11, episode 18 ("A New Deal") drops a host of clues pointing in that direction - some more subtle than others. These hints range from thematic allusions to indirect references regarding Rick's disappearance, and although some may be designed purely for evoking nostalgia, others carry far more weight.
Judith's Opening Narration
Since The Walking Dead season 11's final third began, each episode has been prefaced by an opening narration from Cailey Fleming's Judith, accompanied by memorable scenes from previous seasons. Episode 18's montage focuses primarily on Daryl Dixon, but references Rick Grimes in several major ways. Firstly, Judith utters the line, "The people who go aren't lost forever" just as Rick appears onscreen, possibly hinting toward her father resurfacing in The Walking Dead season 11. More convincingly, Judith's "A New Deal" opening places heavy emphasis on Daryl and Rick's brotherly relationship. Daryl Dixon, of course, refused to believe Rick died back in The Walking Dead season 9, spending many months searching the riverbank for signs of his missing friend. Daryl needs to reunite with Rick and realize his faith wasn't misplaced sooner or later, and Judith's latest intro, intentionally or otherwise, hypes up that moment.
Lance's CRM Hint
The last time Rick Grimes appeared in The Walking Dead, he was being carried off by a helicopter. That helicopter was owned by the Civic Republic Military - a villainous organization that protects the largest community ever seen in the Walking Dead franchise. Exactly what happened to Rick afterwards isn't yet clear. Michonne came across signs of his survival on a boat, while Jadis hinted that the CRM found Rick valuable in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, but The Walking Dead must still explain where Rick has been since his CRM abduction, and why he didn't return to Alexandria. In The Walking Dead season 11, episode 18, Lance Hornsby referenced certain Commonwealth "allies" in a foreboding tone, alluding toward the CRM and Commonwealth having some kind of agreement in place. That bridge between antagonist communities brings Rick Grimes one step closer to a Walking Dead comeback in season 11.
The Return Of Rick's Gun
Rick Grimes' weapon of choice was a Colt Python, which he debuted way back in The Walking Dead season 1 and left behind when he vanished in season 9. "A New Deal" sees Daryl Dixon offer the gun to Judith, who refuses on account of hoping for a brighter future (but later changes her mind when that "brighter future" gets a bit bloody). Judith previously used the gun in earlier seasons, but couldn't use it when they joined the Commonwealth. It's curious that the Colt Python should resurface here and now, so close to The Walking Dead's ending. The image feels designed to evoke Rick's memory - perhaps as a potential setup ahead of his physical return. On a more practical level, it's also useful for The Walking Dead to remind audiences of the gun's location, so Rick can seamlessly reclaim the weapon if he does ultimately appear in season 11.
Carol & Daryl Discuss Rick
As if the opening sequence and Colt Python didn't provide enough of a Rickminder, The Walking Dead season 11, episode 18 references Rick Grimes directly during a scene between Norman Reedus' Daryl and Melissa McBride's Carol. After Judith has a tantrum and runs away from home, Daryl walks the Commonwealth streets with Carol to find the missing youngster. Pondering whether he's suited to parenting, Daryl questions, "What would HE do?" before Carol replies, "Don't. Rick's not here." As with the revolver, The Walking Dead keeps pushing Rick Grimes into the audience's mind. This time, however, there's extra emphasis upon Daryl wanting to make Rick proud, and looking up to his missing friend like an older brother.
By speaking Rick's name in the first place, showing Daryl complaining that Rick isn't around to give advice, and having Carol solemnly remind everyone of the hero's absence, The Walking Dead is (possibly) laying the groundwork for Andrew Lincoln's long-awaited return. Notice also how The Walking Dead season 11's recent references to Glenn - a character who definitely isn't coming back - center around what Glenn would've wanted, whereas conversations about Rick usually end with someone wishing he was still around. One speaks to the past; the other to the future.
Judith Still Hasn't Told Anyone Michonne's Secret
When Michonne discovered clues pointing toward Rick Grimes' survival, she told only Judith, who has kept the news to herself ever since. Judith and Daryl share a deep heart-to-heart in Gabriel's church during The Walking Dead season 11, episode 18, and as Daryl lays his soul bare about parenting and the future, Judith is presented with the perfect opportunity to explain how Michonne really left because she believes Rick survived the bridge explosion in The Walking Dead season 9. Sadly, no such confession takes place. From a this-is-a-TV-show perspective, the most obvious reason for Judith to still be keeping this information secret is to maximize Daryl Dixon's shock and delight if and when Rick Grimes does finally reappear in The Walking Dead's ending.
Daryl Breaks His Judith Promise
In that same emotional exchange between Daryl and Judith, Norman Reedus' character promises his surrogate daughter, "But either way, you're stuck with me." Audiences already know Daryl breaks this promise because he's slated for a spinoff series set in France when The Walking Dead eventually ends. Unless Judith dies or Daryl takes her along - neither of which seem especially likely - Daryl will become the latest in a long line of parents to abandon Judith Grimes. While Daryl could simply hand full-time care of the children over to Carol, a better explanation would be if Judith's actual parents returned in The Walking Dead season 11. Rick and/or Michonne arriving in Alexandria and reuniting with their kids leaves Uncle Daryl free for his European adventure - without breaking the promise made to Judith in The Walking Dead's "A New Deal."
The Walking Dead continues Sunday on AMC.