Television is a medium that has entertained us for a century. From using it to rewatch our favorite movies on cassette back in another time to tuning into the regularly scheduled programming each and every night, you were always better off when escaping into the countless adventures that TV could provide you with. That's one of the many reasons why TV shows have become such a staple of entertainment over the years.
There are plenty of shows to enjoy these days, from beloved procedurals to long-running medical dramas, TV is the home of so many of our favorite characters - and whether you're watching them on broadcast or the countless streaming services that have popped up over the past decade, we're all so appreciative of these characters and the storylines they find themselves partaking in.
But every so often, a show comes along that defines a generation. These days, there are multiple of them. The Game of Thrones, the Breaking Bads, and so forth. And, as hard as it is to believe, it's been over two years since another one of those iconic shows have come to an end.
The Walking Dead ended two years ago, already
Yes, as insane as it is to say out loud; it's been over two years since The Walking Dead concluded. The long-running zombie series aired its final ever episode on AMC (and streamed it on AMC+) on Sunday, November 20, 2022, bringing the legendary series to a close after 11 seasons and 177 episodes.
Aptly titled "Rest In Peace", the series finale saw the surviving members of the long-lasting group of core characters take on the leaders of the Commonwealth in a bid to take control of the organization once and for all, and restore true peace to the world. They were successful in doing so (well, the Commonwealth part at least), defeating Pamela and surviving a massive herd of walkers that invaded the compound. But, as this was The Walking Dead, there were some fatalities along the way, including the long-standing beloved fan-favorite Rosita Espinoza, who died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones after their victory.
It was a beautiful finale that wrapped up the majority of storylines (while also leaving some open for the future). And even though it bowed out on a quieter note than many of its earlier seasons did, it has continued to be celebrated as one of the truly evergreen shows of our time, with new fans discovering it on Netflix in the US and Disney Plus in the UK.
But the creatives behind this universe weren't done with telling stories in it. Far from it, in fact.
The world of The Walking Dead lives on
The legacy of the TWD Universe has only grown in the years since the original show ended. There were the three original spinoffs of course (Fear The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and Tales of the Walking Dead) but it has also continued on via the multiple spinoffs that AMC and AMC+ commissioned, all of which were designed to to carry on the remaining plot threads that the finale didn't wrap up.
Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan returned just a few months later in The Walking Dead: Dead City, which has since seen the pair reignite their rivalry as Maggie attempted to get Negan to help her save her son Hershel from one of the villain's old friends in New York City. The show was a huge success, setting records for AMC+ and quickly earning itself a second-season renewal.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon took Norman Reedus' broody warrior to France in search of life, but he soon found himself on a new mission of protection that could have a huge impression on the survival of humanity itself. This one was an even bigger ratings success and earned critical acclaim for its storytelling, performances, cinematography, and fresh approach to the TWD Universe. It has since been renewed for two more seasons, with the second bringing back Melissa McBride's Carol Peletier (and earning itself a fancy new subtitle in The Book of Carol).
And, as the series finale of the original series teased, Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira returned as Rick Grimes and Michonne for a special six-part miniseries titled The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Another acclaimed strong performer for AMC and AMC+, it brought about an end to their long-running arc of finding each other and sought to reunite them with each other and their family.
Shocking as it may seem, The Walking Dead's ending two years ago was simply the beginning for the TWD Universe's new era of storytelling. With new seasons of Dead City and Daryl Dixon to come (and perhaps even the promise of more), it's still a very exciting time to a fan of this classic franchise.
Even two years later, The Walking Dead lives!