Celebrating AMC's "The Ones Who Live"

May 6, 2024

Courtesy: AMC Networks

When you think of a franchise, no two names are more synonymous with "The Walking Dead" than Rick and Michonne, respectively, and together. "Richonne," as their fans affectionately call them, is the franchise's heart. This assertion does not disrespect the other characters, but single-handedly, no other characters can get the franchise pulsing. They are the bloodline of The Walking Dead Universe, given the positive viewer response and critical acclaim for their return. 

The Ones Who Live (in its initial stages) has been in the making for 6 years. For those unfamiliar, a quick recap reveals that a gravely injured Rick sacrificed himself by blowing up the bridge he was on to save his loved ones and was taken to the CRM (the villainous Civic Republic Military), marking Andrew Lincoln's departure from the show. Michonne, upon learning of his survival, embarked on a journey to find her husband, which also marked Danai Gurira's exit.

From its inception, AMC has promoted the couple's return as "an epic love story, kept apart by distance, an unstoppable power and the ghosts of who they were. They are thrown into another world, built on a war against the dead — and, ultimately, a war against the living. Can they find each other and who they were in a place and situation unlike any they've ever known before? Are they enemies? Lovers? Victims? Victors? Without each other, are they even alive — or will they find that they, too, are the walking dead?"

Courtesy AMC Networks

The first episode immediately sets the tone that this was indeed a love story as a desperate, albeit misguided, Rick severed his hand to get back to his wife. Throughout the episode, we repeatedly hear his voice-over narration about his love for her. Talk about commitment! 

Very rarely, if ever, do we witness this type of dedication from a leading man for his wife, but Rick's love is constantly on display as the viewer sees his absolute desperation to get back to her to the point of being suicidal. If Rick is the engine of The Ones Who Live, Michonne is the fuel.

While "The Walking Dead" opted to have their romance on the back burner, their romance is the driving force in The Ones Who Live.

The theme of Rick and Michonne's epic love story is fire. They will figuratively and literally burn down anything, leaving a bloody path for each other. This is appropriately coded since they are a powerhouse in their own right, but together, they are unstoppable. 

Michonne is absolutely brilliant. Episode 2 showcases her fierce determination while highlighting her vulnerability. She is determined as she is sexy, fierce as she is loyal, and beautiful as she is regal, which was perfectly underscored in the pivotal episode 4 that Guriria wrote. Simply put, Guira was masterful, weaving a stunning tapestry of nuance, rich in the history of the characters as she peeled back the layers desperately needed to get to the core of Rick's trauma.

Guiria was allowed to write this pivotal episode for the characters and co-wrote and executive produced the series, an honor not few African American women have achieved. Here, AMC gave Gurira and Lincoln complete creative control to tell the story by collaborating with Scott Gimple, the Chief Content Officer of "The Walking Dead."

It cannot be said enough that the way Rick loves Michonne is absolutely mesmerizing. Michonne deserves every heartfelt affirmation of thought, care, and love that Rick delivers. From the call back of toothpaste that die-hard fans know was the catalyst to act on their feelings on "The Walking Dead" to the "M" bracelet he creatively made, to the very heartfelt, symbolic marriage proposal on bended knee (even though they already considered themselves married) was all beautifully done. Very rarely in cinematic movies or television will the love between interracial couples be the driving force for a series. The Ones Who Live has crafted a path that other procedural series should follow. 

The chemistry between the couple remains palpable and authentic as ever, and the love scenes were some of the most intimate ever crafted on television. The revelation that Rick cannot lose her, and without her, he dies is the stuff romantic dreams are made of. Kudos to Lincoln's performance because the scenes would not have been so devastatingly beautiful without his commitment to the delivery.

Only Michonne, his wife, can restore Rick's confidence and break the traumatic walls that have enslaved him for the last 8 years. As she astutely said, she has returned to take him home. 

The series ends with a heartfelt reunion as the couple finally destroys their captors and reunites with their children, Judith and RJ. The reunion certainly lived up to the moment, as Rick is finally reunited with the son he never knew he had, and fans collectively cry tears of joy. Rick and Michonne are finally happy, reunited, and back with their children where they belong. 

Courtesy AMC Networks

The Ones Who Live gave AMC its Best Premiere Viewership in six years, with 3 million viewers after three days of viewing—a testament to the couple's star power. The premiere is now the most-watched episode of any show ever on AMC+. The series features a higher average rating among IMDb users than any season of the original series, as both returning and new viewers have tuned in.

Gimple, Gurira, and Lincoln stopped short of confirming plans for another season. Still, one thing is for certain, if AMC greenlights season 2, they should ensure they continue to give Gurira (and Lincoln) creative control.

 All episodes of The Ones Who Live are currently streaming now on AMC and AMC+