The 'Rick Grimes crying' meme originates from a poignant scene in the popular TV series "The Walking Dead," where the character Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, mourns the loss of his son, Carl. This scene is iconic for its raw emotion, capturing Rick's grief and helplessness. Over time, it has been adapted into meme culture, often set to a sad indie track, and is used to exaggerate feelings of despair over more trivial matters. Its entry into meme-dom is a classic example of how dramatic TV moments can be repurposed for comedic effect online.