The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live — Rick has a tough decision to make in "What We"

Things left off on a cliffhanger at the end of last week's episode of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Michonne (Danai Gurira) took matters into her own hands and made a split-second decision to change the course of her and Rick's (Andrew Lincoln) life.

At least, that was the intention behind her unexpected and dramatic decision. And we must say, we applaud the fierceness within her. She is a certified bada**.

Going into tonight's episode, there's a lot of excitement and fear about the result of Michonne's actions. Obviously, she and Rick are very much alive, but that thrill of not being certain had me on the edge of my seat. I mean, this show could have taken things in many directions, but luckily, it didn't go with Rick and Michonne's premature deaths.

So what did happen during this week's episode of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live? Find out below, and remember MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

The aftermath of Rick and Michonne's helicopter plunge

Last week ended with Michonne pushing herself and Rick out of a helicopter. While there may have been doubts about what was going to happen, Rick and Michonne make it out of that situation unscathed.

We find them standing in a fancy apartment as the tension between them escalates. It has been so long since Gurira and Lincoln have played these roles, but their chemistry has not missed a beat. It is so palpable and visceral and I commend these two actors for absolutely slaying it in these scenes.

This is the first time Michonne gets a chance to convey how pissed off she is that Rick wanted her to leave and go home without him. The idea that he would willingly do this is beyond her, and why wouldn't it be? The last time she saw Rick he was a different man. The one who stands before her is defeated and only sees one way out: fully committing to the CRM. He knows this is what he has to do if he wants Michonne to live, along with their loved ones.

Except there is one thing that Rick does not know. He isn't just refusing to go home with Michonne and have a chance to reunite with Judith, but he is denying his son a chance to meet his father. Is it just me or did anyone else forget that Rick would have no idea he and Michonne had a son? I forgot he was gone before learning that!

Will he or won't he? Rick's night of decisions (and love-making)

Despite learning about RJ, Rick still isn't willing to return home. If anything, this gives him more of a reason to stay back and ensure his family's protection. And then, of course, there is the Jadis problem.

Michonne feels that it shouldn't be so hard to be willing to come together and face whatever comes their way, but Rick knows better. He has attempted to escape from the CRM multiple times and failed, and he knows that if he goes with Michonne, it will be the end of them and their family.

I honestly cannot say enough good things about Gurira and Lincoln's performances in this episode. They embody Michonne and Rick effortlessly, and the tension between the two characters had my heart racing. You feel Michonne's pain and you feel Rick's fear.

Eventually, Michonne realizes that the helicopter they were on has crashed into the building next to them. So everyone will believe them to be dead. They sort of have a 'get out of jail free' card, but Rick still doesn't want to take it. A part of him knows that Jadis will understand exactly what transpired and come after them anyway. If that does end up happening, then Rick can't offer the protection he knows he could if he just went back.

It's at this point Gurira brings forth the most emotional, fearless part of Michonne. Realizing that Rick is not going to be convinced, she decides to bid him farewell and leave. If he isn't coming, then she is going.

Michonne walks out and it leaves Ricks in pieces. Lincoln executes this moment effortlessly, and you feel his pain as the viewer. He knows what he is doing is stupid, and it doesn't take him long to run after her.

And it's just then that a CRM helicopter is spotted in the distance...

End of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lives Season 1, Episode 4 explained

The new helicopter blows up the crashed helicopter, and the explosion causes the building Rick and Michonne are in to take a major hit. In a building filled with walkers, that not ideal.

There isn't a grand escape just yet, however; Rick and Michonne do get a moment to find their way back to the apartment and into each other's arms. It is the first time in years they get to be intimate with one another, and perhaps it was what was needed for Rick to get his priorities straight.

After minutes of Rick and Michonne's passionate lovemaking, we get to the emotional nitty gritty of this episode: is Rick going back with Michonne or what?!

When all is said and done, Rick reveals that the CRM took away Carl from him and then Michonne, whom he used to see in his dreams. He lost his way. It's heartbreaking as we realize how stuck Rick has felt through all this. It's not what he wants but what he has to do.

As the building begins to crumble around them, Rick insists they must make their exit, but Michonne refuses until he says exactly what they are doing and where they are going. It's an anxiety-filled moment as she shares how the CRM took away a year from her life after attacking them with gas. She's done with the CRM and what they've done to their family. She knows that she and Rick can take on anything if they are together, and that ignites something in Rick. He's afraid to live if he feels dead, but the thought of Michonne and his family and the idea of how Carl would have wanted Rick to get back to the family inspires him. Shout-out to whoever made the quick flashback scenes of Rick and Carl. I loved those!

As Michonne eloquently puts it, they both found each other against all odds, and now that they have, there is only one place to go: home. And that is exactly what they set off to do at the end of this week's episode.

Chills. Goosebumps. More chills.

I am so excited for what is coming up next for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. I love that Rick is on this journey with Michonne now, and that he decided to leave the CRM behind. It won't end well for anyone, and the CRM is definitely going to be close on their heels.

There is just so much at stake, and my heart can't take the excitement and chaos. Until next time, ya'll.

Episode Grade: B+

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