Rick Grimes’ Greatest Triumphs and Failures In The Walking Dead
5 Best and 5 Worst Leadership Moments of Rick Grimes
Rick Grimes is the main protagonist of The Walking Dead. Ever since he woke up from his coma in Season 1, he’s been the heart of the show, leading and rallying the survivors with remarkable determination. However, his leadership wasn’t without flaws. Here’s a look at some of the best and worst decisions Rick Grimes made throughout the series.
BEST - 1. Taking Charge After The Farm Fell (Season 2, "Beside the Dying Fire")
After the devastating loss of the Greene family farm, the survivors are broken and lost. Rick steps up, declaring, “This isn’t a democracy anymore,” and takes full, decisive control. It’s harsh, but it’s the strong leadership the group desperately needs to survive the immediate aftermath and find stability.
2. Clearing The Prison (Season 3, "Sick")
Upon discovering the prison, Rick devises and leads a dangerous, methodical plan to clear the cell blocks of walkers. His strategic thinking, willingness to take risks, and hands-on approach secure a fortified home for the group—offering their first real sense of safety and hope since the outbreak began.
3. "We Are The Walking Dead" Speech (Season 5, "Them")
Trapped in a barn during a fierce storm, physically and emotionally exhausted, the group is at its lowest. Rick delivers a powerful, raw speech acknowledging their brutal reality (“We are the walking dead”) but implicitly urging them to survive despite it. It’s a moment of grim acceptance that galvanizes their resolve.
4. Leading The Charge Against Terminus (Season 5, "No Sanctuary")
Captured and facing certain death at Terminus, Rick doesn’t despair. He crafts makeshift weapons, rallies the others (“They’re screwing with the wrong people”), and leads a ferocious escape. His quick thinking, ruthlessness, and promise to return turn a hopeless situation into a decisive victory.
5. Choosing Mercy Over Wrath With Negan (Season 8, "Wrath")
Despite Negan murdering Glenn and Abraham and terrorizing their communities, Rick ultimately honors Carl’s dying wish for a better future. Sparing Negan’s life after defeating him is a controversial but profound act of leadership—breaking the cycle of violence and laying the foundation for rebuilding civilization, not just surviving.
WORST - 1. His Dictatorship Leading To Division (Season 3)
While his initial takeover was necessary, Rick’s subsequent descent into grief-fueled isolation and authoritarian rule after Lori’s death creates instability. His erratic behavior and refusal to listen alienate members of the group (like Tyreese) and leave a power vacuum that allows figures like the Governor to seem appealing.
2. Underestimating The Governor (Season 3 & 4)
The Governor rose from the background as Rick’s greatest rival. Initially, Rick didn’t take him seriously. His attempts at diplomacy and reluctance to launch a preemptive strike allow the Governor to regroup and eventually destroy the prison, costing many lives, including Hershel’s.
3. The Alexandria Leadership Struggle (Season 5 & 6)
The concept of “us vs. them” took root as soon as Rick entered Alexandria. His deep skepticism and mistrust led to secret plans, open challenges to Deanna’s authority, and a public meltdown where he waved a gun around. His paranoia nearly gets the group exiled and undermines their chance at peaceful integration.
4. The Disastrous Saviors Outpost Raid (Season 6, "Not Tomorrow Yet")
The Rick–Negan conflict produced some of The Walking Dead’s most brutal moments. Believing they could easily eliminate Negan, Rick leads a brutal, preemptive night raid on a Savior outpost. This violent assault, based on incomplete intel, underestimates the Saviors’ strength and ruthlessness—directly provoking the war that costs Glenn and Abraham their lives.
5. Obsession With Negan Leading To Bridge Camp Failure (Season 9, "Episode 2")
At one point, Rick ends up “dying” (albeit fake) because of his determination to keep Negan alive. It becomes a forced cooperation between enemies who clearly despise each other. This simmering conflict, combined with Rick’s fixation on the symbolic bridge project, contributes to the instability and eventual walker catastrophe. In doing so, he ignores the needs and anger of his own people after everything they endured under the Saviors.
