“Things Like That Play True”: One Rick & Michonne Moment In The Ones Who Live Episode 4 Was Unscripted

This article contains SPOILERS from The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live season 1, episode 4.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live director Michael Slovis reveals an unscripted moment in episode 4. While Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) already had their long-awaited reunion earlier in The Walking Dead spinoff series, it isn’t until the latest episode that they have a chance to talk extensively, confront difficult truths, and make a plan for what’s next. The episode mostly steps away from the formidable Civic Republic Military and serves as a more intimate exploration of Rick and Michonne as individuals and in terms of their relationship.

Among the many pivotal moments in the episode, Slovis explains the thought process behind his direction in The Ones Who Live episode 4. He focuses on two particular moments, one of which was scripted, while the unscripted moment comes from Lincoln, who not only reprises the role of Rick, but is also one of the show’s co-creators and executive producers. Read Slovis’ comments below:

I love two moments there. I had them kiss when they were on top of each other. After they made love, to me, it was that they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other. Now that he’s been released and she welcomes it, she’s like, “We’re partners again.” And indeed, it’s what Jadis says in a previous episode, that no one can touch them when they’re together. No one is stronger than the sum of the total of their energies.

But my favorite part of that scene, actually, is when that walker hits the window and [Rick] goes, “Yep, got to go.” That was not scripted. That just happened on the day, I believe. It was great. One of the things that’s so great about these two actors is that they’re always so present. Even if they’re not saying something that’s scripted, even if they’re going off book, even if they’re doing something that was unanticipated, it’s always within what the characters would do. They are always, the two of them, at one with their characters, and they’re always honest. So, even little things like that play true.

Rick And Michonne Have Made The Walking Dead Great Again

Lincoln’s well-placed improvisation is just a small example of why The Ones Who Live works so well, and why it’s the best The Walking Dead franchise has been in a while. Since Rick’s first scene in The Walking Dead‘s pilot episode and Michonne’s first appearance at the end of season 2, they have been among the show’s most compelling characters. Their romantic relationship, which formed gradually over time, arguably became the heart of the series.

The Walking Dead was never as strong after Rick was taken by the CRM in season 9 and after Michonne exited the series to find him in season 10. The Ones Who Live is a triumphant return to form for the franchise as it is grounded by Rick and Michonne’s epic love story. Lincoln and Gurira have seamlessly revitalized their iconic roles, even in the smallest moments, maintaining the characters’ essences while also showing how they’ve changed. Their work as co-creators, producers, and writers – Gurira wrote episode 4 – contribute to this consistency and development as well.

The CRM’s extensive power, influence, and ambition are intriguing and clearly integral to the future of The Walking Dead universe, but it’s not the CRM that makes this spinoff series successful. It’s the palpable chemistry and heart of Rick and Michonne’s relationship that makes The Walking Dead: The One Who Live work, with their struggles and love story always remaining at the forefront, making their honest reconciliation in episode 4 all the more satisfying.

Stream The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live on AMC+.