**The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - A New Spin-off Receiving Critical Acclaim**

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live has garnered one of the highest Rotten Tomatoes scores in the history of the franchise, with a Fresh 90% rating for its first season. The new spinoff brings together familiar faces from the original series, such as Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira), after a long period of separation.

This reunion has sparked discussions on whether the presence of characters like Rick is essential for the success of The Walking Dead.

**The Importance of Rick in The Walking Dead Universe**

Rick, as the central character of The Walking Dead, played a crucial role in how viewers experienced the zombie apocalypse from the very beginning. His absence in certain seasons has raised questions about the impact on the show's overall success.

Interestingly, the seasons featuring Rick have consistently received higher Rotten Tomatoes scores compared to those without him, indicating a possible correlation between his presence and viewer reception.

**Analyzing the Rotten Tomatoes Scores**

Examining the Rotten Tomatoes scores of various seasons within The Walking Dead franchise reveals a trend where seasons with Rick tend to perform better in terms of critical acclaim.

Out of the 12 seasons that received over 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, Rick was a part of the main cast in seven of them. This suggests that Rick's character may have played a significant role in the show's popularity during its peak.

**The Success of Character Reunions in New Spinoffs**

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, created by Scott M. Gimple and Danai Gurira, explores the aftermath of Michonne's departure from the original series as she embarks on a quest to reunite with Rick.

The new spinoff showcases the dynamics of important character reunions, which may contribute to its positive reception among critics and audiences alike. The success of this spinoff, along with other new series like Dead City, demonstrates the continued potential for storytelling within The Walking Dead universe.

**Conclusion**

As The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live continues to captivate viewers with its engaging storyline and character dynamics, it highlights the importance of iconic characters like Rick in shaping the success of the franchise.

The reunion of beloved characters and the exploration of new narratives offer fans a fresh perspective on the post-apocalyptic world, drawing them back into the gripping universe of The Walking Dead.