Back in Season 9, Rick’s story supposedly ended in a blaze of glory. He blew up a bridge—and himself—to save his people from a horde of walkers. It was poetic, tragic, and felt like a proper send-off for Andrew Lincoln, who wanted to leave the show.
But here’s the kicker: Rick survived. The explosion didn't kill him. Instead, he was found by Jadis (remember her creepy art-world?) and whisked away in a mysterious helicopter. Yeah, a helicopter—in The Walking Dead universe, where cars barely run.
That helicopter belonged to a group called the Civic Republic Military (CRM). Think of them as a secret, super-organized army with clean uniforms and a weird obsession with “good” people. They took Rick to a safe, unknown location.
Where Is Rick Now? The Current Timeline
Fast forward to the end of the main series and the spin-off, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Rick is alive, but he’s been a prisoner of the CRM for years. He’s not dead, but he’s far from free. Imagine being trapped in a compound with creepy soldiers and a rule book thicker than a zombie’s skull.
Meanwhile, his wife, Michonne, spent years searching for him. She found his boots, a hidden drawing, and eventually a lead. Their reunion in the spin-off is intense, weird, and full of “I can’t believe you’re alive” moments. It’s not a fairy tale—it’s two damaged people finding each other in hell.
If you haven’t watched The Ones Who Live, here’s a spoiler: they finally escape together. But it costs them. The CRM is ruthless, and Rick has to do some dark stuff to get out. He’s not the same Sheriff Rick anymore.
Walking Dead: Old Man Rick Explained
