The premiere of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live series brought a major twist for fans as Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, made a surprising return by cutting off his own hand. This momentous event pays homage to a significant milestone from the comic books, where Rick loses his hand during a confrontation with The Governor.
Set years after Rick's departure from the original series, the new storyline follows him as a reluctant soldier for the Civic Republic Military (CRM), a group with questionable ethics. In a bid to escape their control, Rick takes matters into his own hands, quite literally, by severing his hand to remove a tracking device.
Lincoln, along with Danai Gurira, who plays Michonne, not only star in the series but also serve as executive producers. The decision to finally have Rick lose his hand was a long time coming, with Lincoln expressing his desire for this development for years.
The choice to include this pivotal moment was a deliberate one, aiming to stay true to the essence of the original comic book storyline. Despite initial doubts and concerns, the decision was ultimately driven by the characters' motivations and the emotional depth it added to the narrative.
Following the amputation, Rick adapts to his new reality with a high-tech prosthesis provided by the CRM, enhancing his action sequences. The repercussions of this event ripple through the series, showcasing Rick's evolution and his deeper involvement with the CRM.
Both Lincoln and Gurira stand by their decision to honor this iconic comic book moment, with Gurira even suggesting that the adaptation surpasses the source material. The six-episode season of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC and AMC+, promising a thrilling continuation of Rick and Michonne's journey.
