Shocking Revelation! The Truth Behind Rick Grimes' Return Revealed in Epic Walking Dead Scene

Summary

A surprise scene in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon episode 5 teases Rick Grimes' possible return and hints at a reunion with his friends.

Carol's enigmatic demeanor hints at a significant event in Alexandria, which she hesitates to disclose to Daryl.

Rick's reasons for coming back to Alexandria may revolve around reuniting with his dear ones and safeguarding them from the peril imposed by the CRM. However, a potential discrepancy in the timeline plot may occur upon his return.

Spoiler alert for Episode 5 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon!

In a surprising twist, Episode 5 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon hints at the possibility of Rick Grimes making a comeback. It is widely known that the original protagonist is set to return to the franchise, although the specifics of his reunion with his friends in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live are still undisclosed.

Rick's Walking Dead Return? Carol's Line & Possible Meaning Explained

The static distorted the message, but Carol's voice came through, mentioning that someone had "come back." The show purposely obscured the name, abruptly ending the conversation when Daryl asked, "who came back?" No explanations were provided in the episode regarding this tantalizing clue, but it's clear who the viewers are intended to suspect. Among the missing characters from Alexandria, none stands out more than Rick Grimes. After all, Daryl had been tirelessly searching for him following the bridge explosion and had made a promise to Judith to bring her father back.

Interestingly, Rick is not the only candidate for this mystery. An alternative possibility is Carol, who could be referring to Michonne. In season 10, Michonne left to search for Rick, so it is not impossible that she paid a visit to Alexandria before the events of their shared spinoff, The One Who Lives. Considering Michonne has been away for a while, it is likely that she would want to check in on her kids before continuing her mission to find Rick.

Another option could be Heath, a confirmed victim of the CRM, who disappeared in season 7. Despite not being around for long enough to greatly impact Daryl, the fact that he has a connection to the CRM, and therefore Rick Grimes, would make his arrival in Alexandria worth mentioning to Daryl. Lastly, there is Fear the Walking Dead's Morgan, who may potentially return to Alexandria now that he is searching for Rick. However, Morgan does not have a significant history with Daryl, thus a reference to him would seem unimportant.

Carol Is Clearly Hiding Something In Daryl Dixon Episode 5

Further reinforcing the suggestion that Rick's return possibly occurred off-screen is Carol's peculiar behavior during her conversation with Daryl. Her evasiveness strongly implies that something significant is happening back at Alexandria, something she hesitates to disclose. If she is avoiding the topic, it could indicate that the news involves something that may unsettle or distract Daryl. Rick suddenly reappearing after being absent for over ten years would certainly qualify. The same would be true if it were Michonne who returned since her return would also tie into Rick's story in some way. In either case, it is highly likely that things are not as calm and uneventful in Alexandria as Carol suggests.

Why Rick Grimes Would Have Returned To Alexandria

The shock of Daryl Dixon's episode 5 tease owes much to the expectation that Rick Grimes is preoccupied with dealing with the CRM in The Ones Who Live. Nevertheless, The Walking Dead hints that Rick will return home despite this. It is logical for Rick to want to reach Alexandria, as it is where his family and friends are. Returning has likely been his primary goal, but the CRM has impeded his progress. This was evident when he failed to escape from their clutches in the series finale of The Walking Dead.

While reconnecting with his loved ones is the primary motivation behind his return, it's not the sole driving factor. The looming threat of the CRM poses a more immediate concern. Despite the fact that Rick is typically cautious and would hesitate to involve his loved ones in his battle, there is a possibility that he may take the risk if Alexandria is already in the CRM's crosshairs. Given the potential connections between Lance Hornsby and the CRM, it's plausible that they have set their sights on Alexandria due to the events of season 11. If this is the case, Rick could be attempting to warn them about the imminent danger heading their way.

Rick's Return Risks A Walking Dead Timeline Plot Hole

Reuniting with his friends from The Walking Dead would be incredibly exciting for Rick. However, this would complicate the already complex Walking Dead timeline. The events of The Walking Dead: Dead City happen after Daryl Dixon's story, which means any major developments should have been addressed in Maggie and Negan's spinoff. It's hard to ignore such a significant event like Rick's return, especially considering his former role as the leader of the core group. Negan and Maggie would undoubtedly reference it. The same applies to whatever issue Carol hinted at in episode 5.

How Daryl Dixon's "Who Came Back?" Mystery Sets Up The Walking Dead's Future

Clearly, the exchange between Daryl Dixon and Carol, questioning "who came back?", holds significant importance for the future of The Walking Dead franchise, regardless of whether it specifically refers to Rick Grimes. It is likely that the season finale for Daryl Dixon will focus on his ongoing struggles in France and therefore will not provide any clarification regarding Carol's question. The scene's purpose is undoubtedly to introduce a new mystery for the franchise to explore in future seasons, particularly as it relates to the people of Alexandria and hints at the return of familiar faces.

This prospect further supports the growing theories of a large-scale Walking Dead crossover. Morgan's quest for Rick and Daryl's own mission to find him provide additional evidence that the show intends to reunite its characters once again. The emergence of a new mystery in a different location, not tied to any existing spinoff, only strengthens this possibility. It is conceivable that after The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, The Ones Who Live, and Dead City, all the characters will unite to wage an epic war against the CRM, ultimately bringing an end to the franchise.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon releases new episodes on Sundays on AMC.