The Walking Dead #TBT: Rick beats up Pete, gives iconic speech in ‘Try’

“Or what? You gonna kick me out?!” was Rick Grimes in one of his most alpha moments of all time on The Walking Dead.

Season 5 of the series saw Officer Friendly take a page out of Shane’s book by coveting another man’s wife, and acting on it. All this came to a head in season 5 episode 15, “Try.”

The moment was heightened that much more by a simple fact, Rick and Jessie Anderson had major, major chemistry on-screen. In fact, Rick and Jessie had more chemistry in the first minute of season 5’s haircut scene then the multiple seasons of Rick and Michonne that would follow.

The slow buildup was perfect, no one forgets Rick reaching for his gun when seeing Pete place his arm around Jessie’s back a few episodes prior. Then when Rick discovered Pete’s “heavy drinking” ways at home, there was reasonable justified motive to move in on Jessie honorably. Plausible deniability you know? Save Jessie and her family from Pete’s wrath.

Rick made his case for Jessie leaving Pete behind in the couple’s own home only for an angry Pete to realize what’s going on. The two got into an all-out fist fight bursting through a window and into the streets. Eventually, Rick gained the upper hand placing Pete into an MMA style chokehold. A red balloon flew in the air as Carl (fresh off stealing Pete’s son’s girlfriend) watched his father winning in style. Alexandria’s Deanna Monroe demanded Rick stop only to be surprised by a battle weathered Rick, brandishing a community-banned pistol.

Then one of the best monologues on the entire series begins, “Or what? You gonna kick me out?!”

Rick goes on to besmirch Alexandria’s leadership, talking about their endless hesitation. “We know what needs to be done and we do it! You, you just sit around, plan, and hesitate! Your way of doing things is done!”

It’s then Rick says the coup d’état, cherry-on-top line of the year, “Things don’t get better because you want them too! Starting right now, we have to live in the real world.” The quick pan to Jessie’s expression for a few seconds says it all. It’s one of those lines like Negan’s “not making a decision is a big decision!” that stands the test of time and transcends the screen. One that stays with the viewer for eternity and is applicable to real life. Carol briefly smiles during the epic speech, agreeing and proud of Rick.

The spell of the speech was only broken by Michonne who knocked Rick out with a cheap shot from behind. Thus concluded “Try,” one of The Walking Dead’s most memorable episodes.

Ironically, the speech’s basis about not hesitating would be used against Rick by Negan during the infamous Rick-Carl-Negan axe scene. “This needs to happen Rick, chop-chop, and it needs to happen now! Are you gonna make me count? Fine, Rick you win. I am counting!”

Check out The Walking Dead cast and alumni Thank Andrew Lincoln in a heartfelt video.