The finale ends with a surprise montage featuring Rick and Michonne. It’s revealed they are both still out there—Michonne in her scavenger armor hunting for Rick, and Rick attempting to escape a CRM (Civic Republic Military) facility. As they speak in voiceover, the episode closes on the central theme of the entire series: "We’re the ones who live" [1, 5].
The victory is bittersweet. Rosita, after a heroic rescue of her daughter Coco, reveals to Eugene that she was bitten during the escape. Her final scenes are peaceful, as she says goodbye to her friends before passing away, surrounded by love [4, 6].
The story jumps forward one year. Ezekiel is the Governor of the Commonwealth, with Mercer as his second-in-command. The communities are thriving and connected. Carol and Daryl share a tearful goodbye as Daryl sets off on his motorcycle to find out what else is left in the world [3, 6]. "The Ones Who Live"
Maggie and Negan also share a final, heavy conversation. Negan offers a sincere apology for killing Glenn. Maggie admits she can never truly forgive him or look at him without seeing the bat, but she acknowledges that he has earned his place among them [2, 4]. A New Beginning
To save the city from the massive herd, the group lures the walkers into the Estates—the most affluent part of the city—which has been rigged with fuel and explosives. A massive explosion incinerates the dead, symbolizing the literal destruction of the old, corrupt class system to make way for something new [1, 5]. Heartbreak and Goodbyes
The Commonwealth soldiers, moved by the survivors' bravery, turn on Pamela. Mercer arrests her for crimes against her people. Rather than killing her, Maggie stops Negan from taking the shot, and they leave Pamela to live with her failures behind bars [3, 4]. The Great Explosion