Character Sketch Example: Rick Grimes From AMCs The Walking Dead

The character selected for this sketch is Rick Grimes from AMCs The Walking Dead. Rick Grimes is a male in his mid-thirties. Rick is a Sherriff Deputy who wakes up from a coma induced by a gunshot to find the world has been overrun by zombies (AMC). Rick fights his way to find his wife and son and establish a safe haven for the band of survivors he meets on his journey to Washington DC that is supposed to be a haven. Rick is well built physically and can capably handle himself in situations that require physical endurance. From the coma, he fights his way through the hospital that is infested with zombies, across town, and to his home barely minutes after waking up from a coma and nursing a gunshot wound to the back. Throughout the series, Rick demonstrates physical prowess in war, farming, construction and running for miles to safety.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Rick is also a clever and capable leader. He leads in a quiet way except when bombarded by many complex issues when he might blow up in a fit of rage. Rick assesses the situation at the camp where the survivors first make a stand at the beginning of the show and tell the people their best hope for survival was to move the camp further away from the city since zombies were increasingly getting closer to them and posing a security risk (Kain). Ricks leadership is tested by his former police partner Shane who opposes many of Ricks ideas. Shane fights Rick's ideas probably because he slept with Rick's wife and desired to be seen as the dominant one before her. Rick engages with Shane away from the survivors' camp, and their dispute does not spill over beyond the two of them. Rick is also a capable leader because he almost always has a plan for whatever predicament the survivors find themselves in no matter how much the odds are against them.

Rick is a major character in The Walking Dead. Most of the story revolves around him and his group of survivors. The episodes are structured around the group of survivors and their experiences past and present. The entire group is unanimously led by Rick. At times such as in the first, third, sixth and seventh season of the show, characters such as Kenny, Simon, Jane, Negan and the Governor emerge and are antagonists to Rick and his group (Henderson). Most of the antagonists desire to control the group led by Rick because they seem to be doing well for themselves regarding firearms and other scarce resources. However, with Ricks leadership and the assistance of other survivors who serve as confidantes and spear carriers, Rick manages to overcome the antagonists.

Rick is a dynamic character. The unfolding situation forces him to change his perceptions of the world. To begin with, as the show continues, Rick develops a deep mistrust for people. He does not want to associate with strangers stemming from bad past experiences. However, at times during the show, Rick changes his mind and accepts new members to join their group despite the dissenting sentiments of his fellow survivors (Satt). Rick also changes his perceptions towards the child his wife fathered with Shane. He is devastated that his wife cheated on him and hated her for it. However, his feelings towards her change especially towards her death and birth of the child. He raises the child as his. Rick is plausible and consistent. His actions can be attributed to his well-developed character. At times, his consistency makes him predictable.

Works Cited

AMC. "The Walking Dead AMC." AMC, AMC, 2017, www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead. Accessed 27 Jan. 2017.

Henderson, Danielle. "The Walking Dead: Episode by Episode | Television & Radio | The Guardian." The Guardian, The Guardian, Nov. 2015, www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/series/the-walking-dead-episode-by-episode. Accessed 27 Jan. 2017.

Kain, Eric. "Forbes Welcome." Forbes Welcome, The Walking Dead' Season 7, Episode 7 Review: Negan Is The Worst, Dec. 2016, www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2016/12/04/the-walking-dead-season-7-episode-7-review-sing-me-a-song/#11740ff61c15. Accessed 27 Jan. 2017.

Satt, Nick. "The Walking Dead Redemption Club Season 7, Episode 7: Sing Me a Song." The Verge, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2016, www.theverge.com/2016/12/5/13838252/the-walking-dead-season-7-episode-7-sing-me-a-song-recap. Accessed 27 Jan. 2017.