How did The Walking Dead end?

The Walking Dead came to an end in a somewhat unexpected way. How did the long-running zombie series conclude?

Now that The Walking Dead isn’t on television anymore, it feels like we have entered into some kind of parallel universe. The show has been a familiar face in the ever-changing TV landscape for well over a decade that it’s hard to believe it isn’t on anymore.

But the show did end in November when it premiered its series finale on long-time home cable network AMC, bringing a story that spanned 11 seasons to a close. And if you have been watching it on streaming or just simply catching up, or you haven’t seen it yet and want to know what happened, here’s what went down in the series finale “Rest In Peace”.

*** This article contains spoilers from The Walking Dead season 11, episode 24, a.k.a., the series finale “Rest In Peace”. Don’t read on if you don’t want it spoiled. ***

What happens in the final episode of The Walking Dead season 11?

The Walking Dead‘s series finale was also the finale of season 11, so it naturally brought the Commonwealth arc to a close. It accomplished that with an invasion, as a walker herd made its way into the Commonwealth and overran everything, resulting in Pamela locking herself away in the rich part of town and leaving the citizens to fend for themselves.

In the end, Carol, Daryl, Ezekiel, Maggie and the rest of our heroes (and even Negan), with the help of Mercer, take the Commonwealth back from Pamela, arresting her and saving everyone from the walkers. Unfortunately, in the midst of the invasion, Jules is killed by the walkers, while Luke and Rosita are bitten. Luke dies from loss of blood, while Rosita survives to see the Commonwealth thrive, and later dies peacefully surrounded by her loved ones.

After this, there is a one year time-jump. Ezekiel and Mercer are now governing the Commonwealth together, while Carol has taken over Hornsby’s job. Meanwhile, the other communities Alexandria and Hilltop are bouncing back from their rough days.

Daryl decides that it’s time to explore the rest of the world and see what it’s like, which sets up the upcoming Daryl Dixon spin-off, but not before an emotional goodbye with Carol. Meanwhile, Maggie also has similar ideas of exploring other territories – something that will likely result in her crossing paths with Negan in other spinoff The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Speaking of spin-offs, the final scene of the series finale brings back Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). They are still searching for each other after all this time. It appears that Rick has temporarily escaped the Civic Republic Military, but that freedom doesn’t last as he is confronted by a CRM helicopter. But Michonne will not give up until she finds him.

The Walking Dead may have concluded, but as the series finale reminded us, The Walking Dead Universe will grow a great deal with its multiple spin-offs. Here’s what they are and when you can expect them.

Have you seen the series finale of The Walking Dead? What do you think of season 11? Let us know in the comments below!