He awakens from a coma to find the world overrun by walkers. Once a small town sheriff’s deputy, now he’s a leader to a group of survivors who he fights for so that others can live. His entire life becomes a life serving others. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
For today’s Wednesday Warriors let’s have a look at The Walking Dead’s strongest character, Rick Grimes, and what makes him who he is. Be warned, spoilers lie therein.
Played by Andrew Lincoln, Rick begins his journey into real life horror by taking the job no one wants. That job is that of leader to a band of people who have no clue what has caused walkers to take over the world. All he knows is what propels him forward each day—the hope for a new beginning, the hope to survive another day—hope. Perhaps a place out there exists that will save his group from the ravages of the roamers. Perhaps that place is closer than anyone thinks. Wherever it is, he’ll be damned if anyone or anything will stop him from finding the peace he so richly deserves.
Every season of AMC’s The Walking Dead, Rick gets that much closer to losing his mind. But isn’t that what being a leader is all about—walking a thin line between making the best decision to becoming an utter failure? In that sense, he succeeds admirably. He’ll have his good days, where everyone will love him for getting them out of the worst of messes, to his bad days, where everyone will question his sanity for him wanting to rid a prison filled with walkers. If that isn’t enough, he has to fend against insubordination at every turn, and that’s not including those outside the group who want to see him dead.
Adding to his troubles, Rick has to deal with the ever-increasing threat of walkers to the group. His life has become nothing more than a game of shells. No matter what he does, he’ll always meet with opposition, and if he so happens to do good, there’s isn’t enough time to relish the moment because the undead is ready to pounce on him and those he loves.
Of all The Walking Dead characters, Rick is the one who goes through the most noticeable transformation. From an everyman to someone bent on survival, he pushes the limit of what it means to be human, all in an effort to keeping the group together and his sanity in check. If anyone needs a reason not to live another day, it’s Rick. Yet, despite all the obstacles, he makes it through each day with a new resolve that never betrays his strong convictions—even if it looks otherwise.
Rick Grimes, Wednesday Warriors’ rock, and a walker’s ultimate nightmare.
RANGER MARTIN AND THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE, on sale now.
RANGER MARTIN AND THE ALIEN INVASION, on sale now.
If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, what do you like about Rick? What excites you the most about the show?
Looking to God 
I look forward to watch season. Rick has run the gamut of new world order with “old world morals”.
Finding that didn’t fit. He’s been tested, revamped, put on trial by the group and found wanting. The new world sucks the life out of you.
One thing I’ve noticed is that you have to change on a day-to-day basis or you die or are close to dying. I believe that everyone has a breaking point. Rick is the primary character and being a leader and then a bit loony and then forced to be strong again for the sake of survival…yeah. I am constantly thinking ‘what’s next’ for Rick and then what about the others.
Overall the show shows the hardships of being in a group and just plain surviving. That is the core of what keeps me coming back.
I’m looking forward to it as well. It’s the one season I’ve totally been involved since the beginning, and I’m worried about Rick as much as the next guy. I really am cheering for Rick this season.
I’m a huge Rick Grimes fan, not just for the reasons you have pointed out but because as a parent with a son who is a huge fan of TWD I have found that I can use the show to aid in my parenting tactics. I can use characters like Rick to set examples and make a point where all else has failed. As a matter of fact, I even started a blog about it called “Waking the Walker – a mother’s quest to survive her son’s “zombie” years, aka his teens. You can check it out if your interested, would love some feedback. https://wakingthewalker.wordpress.com/
Hi, Jack. Considering I have yet to read the comic series, I like the unpredicability of a new adventure each new episide each week.
I’m a huge fan of Rick Grimes. The way he evolves, including his leadership style, feels believable. The actor is great too!
I don’t watch the Walking Dead but the character of Rick sounds fascinating!
He’s worth the character study for sure, Christy!
Ricktatorship – gotta love it.
Reblogged this on My Monsters and Me.
Thanks so much for the reblog. I really appreciate the support!
No problem.. You are one of my favorite bloggers
Thanks very much for your heartfelt comment!
Rick is not my all-time favorite character, on the show, but that doesn’t mean I don’t admire the Hell out of him.
I have to admit this: while I certainly aware of The Walking Dead, I’ve yet to view it. I know…I know. Guilty as charged. I’ll work to fix that in 2015. Promise.
I used to be a big fan of Rick and although his development is still interesting to watch, I find myself more invested in a number of other characters now.
What I love most about Rick Grimes is everything, and Rick Grimes excites me most about the show. Rick. F’ing. Grimes.
I’ve always wondered how the Hell he can put up with the pressure of being a leader in such a chaotic ( ? ) situation. Most people would break, in more ways than the obvious.
I enjoy watching Rick devolve on the show. I’m sure he will once again return as the Rick of Season 1. But that may not happen until the boomerang shifts in the wind.
The poor guy has been close to the edge several times already. I think only a complete return to normalcy in society will bring him back totally. Then that would be the series FINALE.
Even though I am not in any way a Walking Dead fan, I will agree that Rick has probably the best and most believeable character arc. Plus, he’s not Norman Reedus, which is always a bonus. 😉