When Rick Grimes awakened from his coma, the apocalypse had been underway for approximately two months (60 days). This relatively short period was enough to completely dismantle civilization as he knew it, transforming the world into a dangerous wasteland overrun by the dead.
The Dawn of the Dead: Rick's Unwitting Slumber
Rick's journey into the apocalypse began not with a sudden cataclysm, but with a gunshot that left him incapacitated. While the world outside his hospital room descended into chaos, he lay in a deep coma, shielded from the initial horrifying weeks of the outbreak. His injury occurred while the world was still normal, a stark contrast to the desolate reality he would eventually face.
A Brief Timeline of Early Events
The speed at which society collapsed is highlighted by the events preceding Rick's awakening. Just weeks after Rick was shot and entered his coma, the global pandemic that birthed the "walkers" went awry. His partner, Shane Walsh, even attempted to rescue him from the hospital during the initial pandemonium, demonstrating that the outbreak had already progressed significantly by then.
Here's a simplified timeline illustrating the rapid decline:
- Pre-Outbreak: Rick Grimes is shot in the line of duty and falls into a coma. The world is still functioning normally.
- Weeks After Rick's Accident: The zombie outbreak begins, escalating quickly from isolated incidents to a full-blown global pandemic.
- Initial Outbreak Phase: Shane Walsh, Rick's best friend, makes desperate attempts to save him from the overrun hospital, indicating the rapid deterioration of order.
- Approximately Two Months (60 Days) After Outbreak: Rick awakens alone in the hospital, discovering a world already fundamentally changed by the apocalypse.
The following table provides a quick overview of these pivotal early stages:
| Event | Approximate Timing Relative to Outbreak Start | Impact on Rick's Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Rick Shot & Enters Coma | Before the outbreak | Isolated from the initial chaos |
| Outbreak Escalates | Weeks after Rick's accident | Society begins to collapse rapidly |
| Shane's Rescue Attempt | During initial outbreak | Highlights immediate danger and lack of control |
| Rick Awakens | ~2 months (60 days) after outbreak | Faces a fully transformed, post-apocalyptic world |
Understanding the Initial Chaos
The fact that only around two months had passed when Rick woke up underscores the sheer speed and devastation of the initial collapse. This wasn't a slow burn; it was a rapid, overwhelming event that completely dismantled governmental structures, essential services, and basic human society in a matter of weeks. Rick's emergence into this already established new world meant he missed the frantic early days of desperate resistance and the agonizing realization that the old world was truly gone. He awoke directly into its grim aftermath, forced to adapt immediately to a reality where survival was the only law.
For more information on the world of The Walking Dead, you can explore resources like The Walking Dead Wiki.
