Sunday in the final Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live“Richon” took the “im-” from “mission: impossible”.
While Michonne destroys Jadis' Alexandria dossier, Rick receives an echelon briefing from Peele. Its essence? In 18 hours, the CRM intends to steal a few bright kids from Portland, then destroy the city as it establishes itself as the most powerful force on the planet.
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Needless to say, our heroes didn't let that happen. So after sending Rick Peel, Michonne pulls a country to detonate the CRM bombs, not Portland. Thorne gave his life trying to stop them. In the end, she admitted, the married couple “kept the faith.”
Later, “The Last,” cuts to “Richone” reuniting with Judith and, in Rick's case, RJ asking “Are you a brave man?” asked the boy. Yes, Rick replied. “But you can call me dad.” (Sniffle.) Here, co-creator, executive producer and leading lady Danai Gurira discusses with TVLine the nail-biter of a finale and its emotional denouement. (Also, read our post-mortem with TWD overlord Scott M. Gimple.)
TVline | That was Very much The end! Was it always planned to end the series so that Michonne and Rick could be with their kids?
Yes, any other way would be too dark. [Laughs] Not what we wanted in terms of an epic love story.
TVline | So no conversation about Michonne or Rick dying a hero?
If there's one thing I don't remember, it's that it was very brief. We knew we had to show how they were empowered together. They must have gone through all that trauma and sadness for one of them to die… it's so dark. our Show!
TVline | Are you hoping we'll see Michonne and Rick reunite with the whole gang in Alexandria?
We discussed that and how to reconnect everyone. But it was a lot to try and fit in and a lot to try and arrange to be. It will need two more chapters and should have been given time [it would have deserved] on the screen.
TVline | I can't count how many times Michonne and Rick cheated death this episode. “Is this one explosion too much for them to survive?” Did someone say that?
It's interesting because in the end, you're dealing with a lot of things going on at once—big things. You shoot two episodes at once, sometimes going back and forth, [so] When you reach it [do-or-die] The moment, they figure it out, it all comes together. They cheat death, but that happens sometimes! [Laughs] Sometimes people survive things you wouldn't expect them to survive.
TVline | Killing off characters like Jadis, Peele, and Thorne will help you and fellow-EPs Andrew Lincoln and Scott M. Was it hard for Gimple too?
Definitely. Jadis has been an important part of our story in the show's recent years — and is quite unique in how she's managed to branch out into other spinoffs. But we've already given her a redemption story and she's gone the other way again, so her journey had to come to an end at some point. She can't be trusted to leave Grimms alone!
TVLINE | How was it for you to reunite with Kaylee Fleming (Judith) and Anthony Azor (RJ) after a long time apart?
It was incredible. I was really happy for my character because all of her fears revolved around the safety of her children and thinking, “Am I going too far in a direction where I can't find Rick? In the meantime, are my kids safe?” So to make the choices that she made and have it pay off, that she was able to get through this moment and bring this man home to his kids… I was so happy for Michonne.
TVline | RJ So Grown I had to watch the credits to make sure it was the same actor.
He did! That's what kids do and you can't stop them. But we were very happy to have him. The way he and Andy teamed up was amazing. I've never seen him engage in the funniest way he has with Andy. Fascinated by him!
TVline | If this turns out to be the last time you play Michonne (and we know the story will continue), will you be satisfied? Have you done everything in the role you expected?
Yes, I have had an amazing, incredible opportunity to play this character and explore her from so many angles. But people's stories can go on in many different ways. I wouldn't say she's scrutinized in everything Single Way, but I definitely feel like I ate a whole meal. I am very excited and very grateful that I get to act with her.
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