The Walking Dead‘s latest spinoff, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, had an unsure future for a few years. It was first advertised as a trilogy of movies before circumstances changed and the creators decided to develop Rick and Michonne’s storyline into a limited series. This six-episode spinoff was a major success, giving these beloved heroes an epic storyline before they’re happily reunited with their family and community.
Quickly following the conclusion of the first season, viewers were wondering if The Ones Who Live would receive a follow-up. However, unlike the other spinoffs, this had a well-rounded conclusion that satisfied fans and the lengthy storyline of these long-running characters. In contrast to Daryl Dixon and Dead City, The Ones Who Live series felt more like a long-awaited conclusion rather than a new plot to expand upon in the franchise.
The Ones Who Live Saw The Demise Of An Epic Walking Dead Villain
The Echelon Briefing is the next step in the CRM’s plan for rebuilding the world, and TWD: The Ones Who Live details everything about the project.
In The Walking Dead pilot, “Days Gone Bye,” Rick saw a helicopter in the sky in Atlanta, GA. Though this wasn’t a CRM helicopter, it could have been one that Okafor flew at the beginning of the apocalypse when the Air Force was trying to stop the spread of the outbreak by bombing large cities.
The Civic Republic Military was introduced early on in The Walking Dead, though fans didn’t yet know the danger and severity of the organization. The true power of the military was revealed in short clues throughout the franchise and was further developed in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: World Beyond. Though this was not a positively received addition to the franchise, it highlighted the serious threat of the CRM. When The Ones Who Live finally aired, the audience witnessed the monumental power of the CRM and how the corrupt military was able to hold a strong survivor like Rick Grimes captive for several years.
By the premiere of The Ones Who Live, viewers knew Rick and Michonne would have to find a way to evade or defeat the CRM. However, this spinoff did an extraordinary thing by not having this community end in death and destruction, as is often the case in TWD franchise. In an epic full-circle way, the CRM was one of the biggest threats throughout the franchise but ended up being a major ally by the conclusion of The Ones Who Live. By defeating their military, Rick and Michonne were able to win against a major villain while still choosing to better the world and not just their own chances of survival. This was a worthy final act for the long-running apocalyptic heroes.
The Ones Who Live Ended Rick And Michonne’s Story On A Positive Note
Rick Grimes and Michonne aren’t the only Walking Dead characters caught up in the CRM’s business. Here’s every main character on The Ones Who Live.
By the time Rick and Michonne reunite in The Ones Who Live , they’ve been apart for around eight years. Rick had created alliances in the CRM and Michonne became an honored leader in Alexandria.
At the beginning of The Ones Who Live, viewers weren’t sure what would happen to Michonne and Rick throughout the six-part series. The first episode, dedicated to Rick’s missing timeline, was a heartbreaking sequence that outlined why he gave up trying to escape or ever see his family again. The second episode, which featured Michonne’s storyline following her departure from Alexandria, showed her adventure and struggles to find Rick. By the end, just like Rick, Michonne had given up finding her lost love and was headed back home when fate had the two lovers reuniting. This reunion kick-started a thrilling four-episode sequence in which the two decide how to go forward.
These six episodes honored Rick and Michonne’s beloved characterization from the original series while also emphasizing that the last several years changed them forever. Seeing these characters fight for what they’ve lost was exceptionally moving, and there was little doubt that these survivors would have a positive ending. It would have been unforgivable for The Walking Dead franchise to give Rick and Michonne a bittersweet or tragic finale. Taking down a major villain, finding a new way to sustain their home, and reuniting with their two surviving children was an endearing conclusion to their long fight for happiness and stability. After dedicating years to watching these characters fight, this is the ending long-time fans of The Walking Dead deserved.
This Limited Series Honored The Future With These Cameos
The Walking Dead’s Jadis returns in The Ones Who Live Episode 5, but what is her fate after her unexpected meeting with an important friend of hers?
Throughout The Walking Dead , baby Judith was played by eight sets of twins from her first appearance in Season 3. Cailey Fleming played Judith following the time jump in Season 9.
The future of The Walking Dead survivors has never been certain, especially with the continuous death throughout the storyline. Viewers were repeatedly disappointed with young character deaths, such as Carl Grimes, who was the future of this post-apocalyptic world. However, later seasons and spin-offs have renewed hope that the youth of this world will live to be the next generation of survivors. This hopeful undertone throughout the franchise is why it was so critical that The Ones Who Live incorporated Judith or her brother RJ.
Protecting children has been an underlying theme of The Walking Dead franchise, especially in Rick Grimes’ storyline. Though he eventually lost his first child, Carl, Rick’s focus was always creating a better and safer environment for his children. The children were an obvious focal point for the main characters’ development, outlined in obvious ways like Rick protecting his children over anything else, and even in more subtle ways, such as Michonne’s first encounter with Rick being her carrying formula intended for baby Judith to the prison in Season 3. This spin-off honored the importance of family by featuring Judith and RJ in the finale.
The End Of The Ones Who Live Doesn’t Mean The End For Rick And Michonne
The Walking Dead franchise has seen its fair share of criticism, but one major character arc in The Ones Who Live sets out to disprove one criticism.
The Walking Dead spinoff Daryl Dixon will receive a second season in summer 2024. This season will bring Melissa McBride’s Carol into the European timeline.
Though the stars of The Ones Who Live have hinted at a possible second season of the limited series, it has yet to be confirmed. This is unlike the other two active Walking Dead spinoffs that were renewed for another season early on (or, in Daryl Dixon‘s case, before the series premiere). This suggests The Ones Who Live had a more complete arc than the other spinoffs. While the other new shows began a fresh and intriguing storyline featuring long-running characters, Rick and Michonne’s plot felt like a finale to their previous character arcs.
The Ones Who Live could certainly be continued with dozens of possible storylines, but Rick and Michonne had a perfect finale. If the creators choose not to go forward with any more seasons, that may mean no more Michonne or Rick-centered plots. However, that doesn’t prove the two characters will cease to be a part of the franchise. Various plots in Daryl Dixon and Dead City could incorporate Rick and Michonne, as well as other survivors in Alexandria and the neighboring communities. Carol’s mysterious message to Daryl in Daryl Dixon, telling him “he’s back,” is one of the biggest mysteries of the first season, but many viewers believe she was referencing Rick’s return home.
If The Ones Who Live continues with more seasons, that leaves the future and success of the franchise up in the air. While the first season was a great conclusion to Rick and Michonne’s storyline, more seasons could drag out tedious plots and fail to impress fans, as was the case for many later seasons of The Walking Dead. The franchise can either end each spinoff with a strategic, well-thought-out plot or stretch each out to the point of disappointing dedicated viewers.
