The Walking Dead is finally coming to an end after 11 seasons. While the franchise will live on with several spinoffs, the main series will bow out, and most expect it to follow the comics when it ends. If this is the case, then when the Whisperers War comes to an end, it is time for the Commonwealth storyline.
This would hopefully end the main character's journeys before the series splits off into various spinoffs. Based on what happens in the comic books, there have to be changes made because many characters are no longer alive, but there is still a chance to play out this arc in a satisfying way.
On the AMC series, Eugene (Josh McDermitt) has been talking to a mysterious voice over a closed-circuit radio without telling any of his fellow survivors. This woman is Stephanie, and, as fans of the comics know, she is a member of the Commonwealth community in Ohio. However, she's just a regular person working in the Commonwealth, and the real story will pick up with the people in charge of this new group of survivors.
The Commonwealth gives The Walking Dead a chance to show something it hasn't had a chance to before, which is a society on the brink of being normal. The Commonwealth is a civilization complete with armed military forces, functioning businesses and people living safe from the undead, so it gives the survivors a chance to truly live again.
It is also a community of 50,000 people, where everyone has a job they are required to do. Their status in life is determined, so they can not move higher up the system. This way of living bothered Rick Grimes in the comics. While the governor, Pamela, is a well-meaning person, she isn't always doing the best things for all people; although, it keeps them alive.
With Rick gone, it is likely going to be Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) dealing with the Commonwealth government. They will have to figure out how to ensure everyone continues to live in peace and safety, despite forces working against them. In the comics, it's a civil war exacerbated by Dwight that works against them. Since Dwight is gone, this role will also need to go to someone else amongst the show's survivors. Finally, Michonne plays a large role in the comics, as she finds her daughter is alive, but since Danai Gurira has left the show, that might not happen.
There is a chance that all of this can play out in the final season of The Walking Dead. The Rick Grimes movies are coming with Andrew Lincoln returning to the role. There are also rumors that Gurira is willing to reprise her role as Michonne in those movies. If those movies can tie into the final season of The Walking Dead, there is a chance everything in the comics could play out on the series, with Judith (Cailey Fleming) replacing Carl for his final arc.
There are a lot of things that could change in the final season of The Walking Dead as well. Carol and Daryl are wildcards since the former is no longer in the comics at this point and the latter was created for the show. Furthermore, they're probably safe thanks to their AMC-announced spinoff series. Carol could have gone out in a blaze of glory like Andrea in the comics, but this is highly unlikely now.
However, if Rick is in the Commonwealth already, since it's unclear what is fate is, the entire Andrea storyline from the comics wouldn't work. However, this could provide a different version of Michonne's reunion with her daughter from the comics. Judith could reunite with her father, Rick, in the Commonwealth, which could touch on similar themes seen in Michonne's reunion.
If this all happens, the final season of The Walking Dead could pay off immensely, especially if they do the time skip seen in the comics. Characters still in play could get their comic endings, like with Maggie, who makes peace with Negan and becomes president of the Commonwealth. Even characters no longer in the show, like Rick and Michonne, could have comic accurate conclusions with a time skip summing up what's happened to them if the actors don't return or the films providing these answers. Finally, other characters can take the roles of those no longer in the show but still present in the comic's finale. For instance Judith could take on Carl's role, sharing stories about her father to keep his legacy, and the legacy of The Walking Dead, alive.