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The Walking Dead Finale Originally Had a Different Ending
Summary
The Walking Dead finale originally had a different ending, which was cut in favor of the ending that aired this past weekend. The alternate ending would have jumped forward several years and picked up with Judith and Rick Jr. as adults, in the same place outside Atlanta where we first saw papa Rick in the pilot. After Daryl rode off, we would have cut forward to the Freedom Parkway, outside Atlanta - where the iconic shot of Rick rode down from the pilot. The scene would have shown an ethanol-modified van, with a young woman and man in the front seats (in their twenties), and other adult versions of the kids in the back. They would have been out there, looking to escort any survivors back to their communities, continuing the legacy of their parents. As RJ speaks over the radio, he finishes with: “If you can hear me, answer back. This is Rick Grimes.” (Which, of course, is his name — and the line Rick said in the pilot.) Then the episode would have ended with the voice of a survivor answering back: “...Hello?”
Q&As
How did the Walking Dead finale originally end?
The Walking Dead finale originally ended with Rick and Michonne's children as adults.
How did the ending change once Rick and Michonne agreed to come back?
The ending changed to include Rick and Michonne once they agreed to come back.
Why was the new ending thought to be better?
The new ending was thought to be better because it included the fan-favorite characters.
How does the new ending compare to the ending of the comic book series?
The new ending is similar to the ending of the comic book series.
What do you think of the new ending?
I think the new ending is better because it includes the fan-favorite characters.
AI Comments
👍 I'm so glad they brought back Rick and Michonne! I was getting really worried that they weren't going to be in the finale.
👎 I think they should have stuck with the original ending. I don't like how they just randomly threw in the return of Rick and Michonne.
AI Discussion
Me: It's about the alternate ending for The Walking Dead that was filmed but ultimately cut.
Friend: Oh, I see. What was the alternate ending?
Me: The alternate ending was that we would have seen Judith and Rick Jr. as adults, outside of Atlanta.
Friend: I see. Do you think that was the right choice?
Me: I don't know. I think it would have been more in line with how the creator of The Walking Dead intended to end the series. But, I guess, once Lincoln and Gurira came back, the grown-up kids ending didn't quite fit. Plus, seeing new actors in those roles was thought to create a disconnect.
Action items
- Watch The Walking Dead TV show.
- Read The Walking Dead comic book series.
- Discuss the ending of The Walking Dead with friends and family.
Technical terms
- The Walking Dead
- a television show
- Rob Bricken
- a writer for io9
- Rick and Michonne
- two of the main characters in The Walking Dead
- AMC
- the network that airs The Walking Dead
- Insider
- a website
- RJ and Judith
- the children of Rick and Michonne
- Pilot
- the first episode of a television show