Claire Dawson
Fans of The Walking Dead have long debated how Rick Grimes survived his hospitalisation without medical support and fluids. Some fan theories suggest that Rick was in a coma the entire time, or that he was a walker who hadn't lost it. The web series The Oath reveals that Doctor Gale Macones stayed behind to help survivors and keep the hospital safe, and she may have been the one taking care of Rick while he was in a coma.
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What You'll Learn
Doctor Gale Macones
In "The Oath", Gale treats a group of men and a hospital intern named Kate. She also saves Karina from a walker and provides medical care to Paul, who is unconscious and feared to be nearing death. Gale is very pragmatic and tells Karina to prepare for the worst if Paul dies. She listens to Karina and comforts her when she shares her experiences.
Gale's commitment to patient care may have indirectly helped Rick Grimes survive. It is suggested that she was the one taking care of Rick while he was in a coma, which explains how he didn't die of dehydration or hunger and woke up in relatively good health. However, there is still uncertainty, and another candidate could be Kate, the intern who also stayed at the hospital.
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Kate, an intern
In the narrative universe of "The Walking Dead", the character of Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln) finds himself in a coma as the zombie apocalypse unfolds. The web series "The Oath" offers a backstory for Rick's survival, suggesting that a doctor named Gale Macones (or Marcones) remained in the hospital to assist survivors and maintain the safety of the facility.
However, another theory suggests that Kate, an intern, could have been the one who tended to Rick during his unconscious state. Her presence would explain why Rick did not succumb to dehydration or starvation and was able to awaken in relatively good health. Kate's dedication to her patients and her commitment to her oath as a medical professional may have been the crucial factors in Rick's survival.
The duration of Rick's coma remains a subject of speculation. Estimates range from four to five weeks, and it is believed that he woke up around the 59th day after the initial outbreak. The question of how Rick survived without medical support and fluids has intrigued fans, leading to various theories and explanations.
While some fans theorized that Rick remained in a coma throughout the events of "The Walking Dead", this idea has been debunked by the show's finale and the spinoff "The Ones Who Live." The revelation of the CRM and other narrative developments confirmed that Rick's experiences were not merely a dream but a part of the larger, interconnected story of the show's universe.
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An IV drip
Upon waking up from his coma, Rick is seen ripping off his IV drips and profusely drinking water. This indicates that the IV may have provided him with the necessary fluids and nutrients to survive during the time he was unconscious. It is important to note that IV drips are commonly used to administer fluids to patients who are unable to take in fluids orally, such as those who are comatose or unconscious.
The presence of an IV drip also suggests that there may have been some level of medical care available to Rick during his hospital stay. It is possible that a doctor or another medical professional, such as Doctor Gale Macones or Kate, as suggested by some sources, was tending to Rick and monitoring his IV drip to ensure he received the necessary fluids and medications.
However, it is important to note that the specific details of Rick's survival remain uncertain. The popular AMC show "The Walking Dead" and its webisodes, such as "The Oath," provide some insights into how Rick may have survived, but there are still questions about the timeline and specific events that took place during his coma.
Overall, the IV drip played a crucial role in keeping Rick alive by providing him with the necessary fluids and possibly medications during his coma. This, along with the potential presence of medical professionals, helped sustain him until he eventually woke up and wandered through the deserted hospital hallways.
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Bonding with the disease
There are several fan theories about how Rick Grimes survived in the hospital without water or medical support. One theory suggests that Rick was able to "bond with the disease", which kept him alive. This theory speculates that the virus kept itself dormant within Rick's body, allowing him to maintain normal bodily functions and rational thought processes.
Another theory revolves around the idea that Rick was receiving medical care from Doctor Gale Macones or Kate, an intern. In the web series "The Oath", it is revealed that Doctor Gale stayed behind at the hospital to help survivors and keep the place safe. Kate's presence at the hospital also explains how Rick survived, as she would have been able to provide him with the necessary care and attention to prevent dehydration and hunger.
Some fans have also speculated that Rick was still in a coma throughout the events of "The Walking Dead", and that the entire narrative was a dream. However, this theory has been debunked by the show's creators. It is confirmed that Rick was in a coma for around four to five weeks, and that he woke up around the events of "Fear the Walking Dead" season 3, episode 10, titled "The Diviner".
The mystery of Rick's survival in the hospital has sparked a lot of discussion and analysis among fans of "The Walking Dead", with various theories attempting to explain the seemingly unrealistic scenario of his survival in a zombie apocalypse.
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Still in a coma
There are several fan theories about how Rick Grimes survived being in a coma in a deserted hospital in "The Walking Dead". One theory suggests that Rick was able to bond with the disease, which kept him alive. Another theory suggests that Rick is still in a coma, and the events of "The Walking Dead" are occurring in his dreams. This theory has been debunked by the show's creator, Kirkman, who stated that "Rick is NOT still in a coma. The events of TWD are definitely happening".
Despite the uncertainty, it is revealed that Doctor Gale Macones or Kate may have been taking care of Rick while he was in a coma in the hospital. The web series "The Oath" provides a backstory for Rick's survival, showing how Doctor Gale stayed behind to help survivors and keep the hospital safe from walkers. She treats a patient named Paul, who she believes is about to reanimate, and places him in the cafeteria with other walkers. Paul manages to escape, which supports the theory that Rick may have survived in a similar way.
There is still some question as to how long Rick was in a coma and how he managed to survive without fluids or hospital support. In a 2015 interview, "Fear the Walking Dead" showrunner Dave Erickson explained that "Rick was probably out for four to five weeks". This timeline has been supported by other sources, which estimate that Rick woke up from his coma around "Fear the Walking Dead" season 3, episode 10, titled "The Diviner".
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few theories as to who kept Rick Grimes alive during his coma in the hospital. One theory is that it was Doctor Gale Macones, who stayed behind at the hospital to help survivors and keep the place safe. Another theory suggests it was Kate, an intern who remained at the hospital to care for the remaining patients.
Some viewers have suggested that Rick had access to an IV, which could have provided him with fluids. Others have speculated that the humidity in the hospital may have helped prevent dehydration.
It is unclear how Rick survived without food. However, Kate's presence in the hospital may explain why he didn't starve to death.
Yes, there is a fan theory that Rick is still in a coma and that the events of "The Walking Dead" are occurring in his dreams. However, this theory has been debunked by the show's creators.
