In 2010, AMC premiered the pilot episode of The Walking Dead titled “Days Gone Bye.” The series would outperform expectations and conclude with a 24-episode final season with the series finale “Rest in Peace.” The final episode featured a one-year time jump.

The Walking Dead’s final hurrah featured the takedown of The Commonwealth, a highly advanced community introduced at the beginning of season 11. The idyllic setting featured many modern amenities our survivors had not seen since before the outbreak. But like most things that seem too good to be true, the Commonwealth’s leader’s true colors would slowly be revealed.

The finale came to a head with a battle between the CW military and the resistance that formed against it, including our survivors and members of the CW, including the former General of their army, Michael Mercer (Michael James Shaw). Dept. Governor Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton) was killed, and Governor Milton (Laila Robins) was captured.

The Walking Dead ending

After the dust settled from the battle, the story experienced a one-year time jump, which gave everyone a chance to acclimate to the drastic changes.

Former leader of the Kingdom, Ezekiel (Khary Payton), took on the role as governor of the CW with Mercer at his side as his deputy. Mercer’s relationship with Princess (Paola Lázaro) continued to flourish.

Eugene (Josh McDermitt), now married to Max (Margot Bingham), is shown with his baby daughter Rosie as he honors Rosita (Christian Serratos), Luke (Dan Fogler), and Jules (Alex Sgambati), who all died during the skirmish with the CW.

Now married, Magna (Nadia Hilker) and Yumiko (Eleanor Matsuura) are shown with sisters Connie (Lauren Ridloff) and Kelly (Angel Theory), and now all reside at the CW, happy in their new lives. Lydia (Cassady McClincy Zhang) and Elijah (Okea Eme-Okwari) are still a couple and work as couriers between the communities. They deliver a package to Judith (Cailey Fleming), which contains her compass, a gift she previously gave to Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who had chosen to move away with his wife Annie (Medina Senghore) and their child. Negan thanked her for the use of the compass and hoped it would guide her to her dreams.

Back at Alexandria, Aaron (Ross Marquand), Jerry (Cooper Andrews), Nabila (Nadine Marissa), Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam), and their children celebrate the continued efforts to bring the community back to its former glory. Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and her son Hershel (Kien Michael Spiller) have moved back to the Hilltop, which is now thriving while being rebuilt.

Fan-favorites Carol (Melissa McBride) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) share an emotional conversation as Daryl prepares for his travels outside the communities. He aimed to find others who could join them and information on Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln), who everyone now knows survived the bridge explosion.

These events lead to continued stories of several main characters. Maggie and Negan are featured in The Walking Dead: Dead City, and Carol and Daryl in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Rick and Michonne, featured in a coda scene during the finale, continued their stories in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.