Where does 'The Walking Dead' go from here?

It's no secret that 'The Walking Dead' hasn't been as good as it used to be.

Take the last couple of seasons. Of course, there's always the possibility of somebody getting killed off unexpectedly, but Negan almost single-handedly kept me engaged with the show. He's a great character, but at the same time I kind of think that he's overstayed his welcome.

It seems like AMC didn't think so. Even though Negan got his throat slit by Rick, he somehow lived and is now imprisoned by The Hilltop and company. The network probably figured that viewers like me were only tuning in every week to see if Negan would kill Rick or if Rick would kill Negan, so they opted to keep the King of the Saviors breathing.

We'll see what Rick and the crew decide to do with Negan. Speaking of Rick, he might have some more pressing problems to deal with.

In the season finale, it looked like Maggie and Daryl were planning a coup against Rick and Michonne (mostly Rick). It just seemed kind of hard to believe for anybody to go through with that except Maggie. Negan killed Glenn and Rick should've ended Negan but didn't. So, Maggie has a pretty legitimate reason to break off from Rick.

But of course, the real story of the upcoming ninth season of TWD is going to be Andrew Lincoln's departure as Rick Grimes. It's been confirmed that season 9 will be Lincoln's last act as the main character, and the conspiracy theories regarding how he'll go out are already swirling.

After Carl's death, Rick really didn't have much to live for. But after reading his son's dying wishes, he found a new purpose for continuing the fight to survive. Carl urged his dad to make peace with Negan and the Saviors, and Rick eventually got the best of his nemesis. Negan was thrown into their prison and the remaining Saviors either joined Rick or left.

The plot figures to focus on the impending civil war between the factions of Rick and Maggie. I really don't think that Daryl will end up turning on Rick because they've been through just about everything since the beginning of the series. But this is The Walking Dead we're talking about. Nothing should take us by surprise at this point.

However, Lincoln's departure seems like a bad omen for things to come. I've always thought the show would end when Rick died, even though Robert Kirkman has said that they have enough material for 20 seasons (good luck).

So, how will Rick go out? Will he die? Or will he just leave like Carol did?

It doesn't seem like Rick's style to just up and leave the people that are practically his family now. Especially Judith, who's growing up without a mom already. My guess: Rick dies. I don't know how it'll happen, but it's going to happen.

Also, if Rick does decide to pack up and go, will Michonne go with him? Judith is a given, but I'm not so sure about Michonne. Will anybody else join him? Daryl figures to be the main guy on the show when Rick exits, so we can cross him off the list of possible companions (there would probably be a riot in the streets if Daryl left).

The trailer for season 9 looks pretty good. The scenes between Rick and Negan seem interesting and I wonder how much they'll be talking with each other. Remember the people in suits that showed up with the blueprints? I've got a feeling that they'll be returning, villainous or otherwise.

When Rick leaves, the future of the show looks bleak. Can Daryl carry the load as the leading guy? Negan can't hang around forever, right? There's got to be a new villain(s) on the horizon. I like Negan, but it's time for a change in scenery.

Believe me, I'd like to see TWD go on for 20 seasons. It's one of my all-time favorite shows. But without Rick, I don't see it happening. Where does the series go from here?

Beats me.

Image credit: Den of Geek

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