Why Every Major Walking Dead Character Would Have Died If Jadis Hadn’t Found Rick & Michonne

Warning: This article contains spoilers for episode 5 of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live episode 5 focused on Jadis foiling Rick and Michonne’s escape attempt, but this intervention may have stopped every major Walking Dead character from dying. After Rick and Michonne’s romance-based episode in The Ones Who Live, episode 5 put the spotlight on their attempt to get home to Alexandria. They are unaware that their children now live in the Commonwealth, but getting back to Alexandria would put them on the path to their family and friends. While Rick and Michonne were ready to put the CRM chapter behind them, Jadis couldn’t let them leave.

Having fully committed to the CRM’s mission, Jadis knew Rick and Michonne returning home would jeopardize the military’s safety and had to ensure they didn’t escape. While the CRM presumed the couple were dead, Jadis double-checked the scene of their supposed death, noticing a car was missing. She was able to follow breadcrumbs left behind by the protagonists that led her straight to their location. Although finding Rick and Michonne eventually led to Jadis’ death in The Ones Who Live, it inadvertently prevented every main Walking Dead character from being killed due to one crucial detail.

Jadis Finding Rick & Michonne In The Ones Who Live Episode 5 Actually SAVED Alexandria

Despite it costing her life, Jadis tracking down Rick and Michonne in The Ones Who Live actually saved Alexandria. Had Jadis not intercepted the protagonists’ escape attempt, they would likely have made it home to their loved ones. On the surface, this doesn’t sound problematic, as the CRM and Jadis would assume they died and Rick and Michonne could keep clear of them. However, Gabriel’s The Ones Who Live cameo proves there would be one huge problem that could have put every main character’s life in danger, as his meetings with Jadis would have let something slip.

If Rick and Michonne made it home, Gabriel would definitely have mentioned it to Jadis. Their yearly chats involved intimate conversations where they updated each other on their lives. Rick and Michonne’s return would have been huge news that Gabriel was desperate to share, but it would have unintentionally led to disaster. Jadis discovering that they are still alive would have forced the CRM to attack and destroy Alexandria alongside its attached communities, causing every main character to die. Finding Rick and Michonne prevented this, as it led to Jadis’ death instead, stopping this scenario from happening.

How Rick & Michonne Could Have Stopped Gabriel’s Potential Mistake

While Gabriel may have steered his allies into trouble, Rick and Michonne could have potentially stopped this. Although Gabriel assumes Jadis’ people are bad news, he still trusts her and would have told her about Rick and Michonne’s return had they come back, but one simple conversation could’ve prevented this. In the scenario where Rick and Michonne return home, they would certainly have told the group about what they’d been through during their years away. This would have led to them mentioning the CRM and the dangers they pose, as well as Jadis, given her history with the main characters.

Rick and Michonne telling the group about Jadis trading Rick to the CRM and preventing his escape would surely influence Gabriel. It could result in him telling everyone about his secret meetings with Jadis or make him avoid mentioning the return during his next meeting. Hearing about how dangerous the group is should make Gabriel operate with much more caution and think twice about his next meeting with Jadis. This means Rick and Michonne could have potentially stopped this disaster, but it is unclear if Gabriel could truly keep this secret.

Gabriel & Jadis Would Have Still Caused Alexandria Problems If Rick & Michonne Returned

Even if Rick and Michonne warned everyone about Jadis and the CRM, Gabriel and Jadis may still have caused problems for Alexandria. Gabriel kept his meetings with Jadis a secret in The Walking Dead season 11, but this doesn’t guarantee he wouldn’t give anything away when it comes to Rick and Michonne. Had the protagonists made it home and mentioned Jadis, the right thing for Gabriel to do would be to reveal his meetings to the entire group. This would give everyone an idea about what Jadis knows and would allow them to prevent Gabriel from meeting her again.

However, Gabriel and Jadis shared a genuine connection and even kissed in their last meeting, indicating that he might’ve kept his meetups with her a secret. He may have tried not to mention Rick and Michonne, but Gabriel would inevitably have slipped up by trying to change Jadis or mentioning something about the CRM he shouldn’t know. Gabriel may have used Rick and Michonne’s insight on the CRM to try and persuade Jadis to leave the group, which could have caused Jadis to confront him about where he got the knowledge, allowing her to uncover Rick and Michonne’s return.

Gabriel’s intentions may be good, but wanting the best for Jadis would have endangered his allies. Jadis is smart enough to figure out the truth and ruthless enough to sacrifice people she cares about for her mission. Had Jadis not died trying to stop Rick and Michonne in The Ones Who Live, Gabriel may have been responsible for some major deaths in The Walking Dead.