The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live shocks viewers with "Become"

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live has aired its penultimate episode. As of now, we don't have confirmation if this is a one-and-done season or if there will be a continuation of this story in additional seasons.

Originally, this series was supposed to take place over multiple movies, but then a global pandemic and multiple delays threw a wrench into those plans, and now, here we are. Despite how this all played out, I have been pleasantly surprised with how the season has gone.

I was so ecstatic to see how Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne's (Danai Gurira) story would progress, and watching their reunion has been nothing short of amazing. The way the story has built in just a few episodes has been amazing, and after this week we are heading into the potential series finale.

Leading into the newest episode, "Become," Michonne had finally convinced Rick to run away with her and get back to their family, CRM be damned. It was not an easy sell, especially because Rick had previously tried to escape and failed many times. But they rode off into the sunset, which brings us to this week's episode.

Find out what happened in "Become," including a couple of unexpected moments that we did not see coming. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD from The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Season 1, Episode 5.

#Richonne take on the world...and a whole lot of ramen

Things were off to a rosy start for the newly-reunited couple when "Become" starts. They're attempting to drive off into the sunset kissing and hugging (amongst other things) as often as possible. It is actually very sweet to see, especially when they come across an insane amount of ramen. It's just the little moments, isn't it?

It is all short-lived, of course, as they stop to help someone and end up getting robbed in the process. Of course, the robbers soon realize that this couple is not to be messed with.

Jadis' secret lover emerges...

Fans may have been shocked to learn through flashbacks that Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh) had a secret lover and this lover is someone we know really, really well. Any guesses?

...Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam). Yes, that's right, FATHER GABRIEL. The episode flashes back to three years ago where we learn Jadis and Gabriel would meet up every year. She revealed to him that she was haunted by all the things she had done, and perhaps would do in the future. However, Father Gabriel comforted her and told her that he should have never lost faith in her.

As the two went their own ways, Father Gabriel gave her the ring that he once held onto for Rick. It was supposed to be the ring that Rick would give Michonne while Father Gabriel married them. Gabriel hoped that the ring would somehow guide Jadis down a more righteous path. But as we know, that is exactly the path that Jadis did not take.

Another flashback shows us when Gabriel learns that Jadis has continued to worsen over time. There is even a moment where it looked like Jadis would kill her lover, but instead, she chooses to shoot a walker instead, and leave it at that.

Richonne vs. Jadis

As we head back to the present, the two lovebirds' slumber is disturbed when Jadis shows up unexpectedly. Long story short: Jadis implies that if Richonne were to die in that moment, then it would protect Alexandria and keep their children from living short lives.

Rick and Michonne make a narrow escape. What ensues is an epic car chase ending in Jadis and that group from earlier cornering the lovebirds into a station. While the group's life is short-lived thanks to walkers, Jadis persists to take on Rick and Michonne.

But the Michonne we know is smart and intelligent, and as she tries to find her way out of this situation, she realizes there is only one way to go: pretend like they've given up. She tells Jadis that Rick will go back to the CRM while she returns to their family in Alexandria.

While Jadis may have believed that momentarily, it becomes quite clear that Michonne does not mean a single word she is saying. After all of that, would she actually let Rick go back? OF COURSE NOT.

Ending of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Season 1, Episode 5 explained

This series has done a great job of keeping us on our toes, and it pulls that off once again in the penultimate episode. Just as Jadis comes to the realization that Michonne has been lying to her, a group of walkers comes behind her and bites her neck.

At this point, Jadis knows it's the end of the road for her, so she tells Richonne where she has been hiding the dossier containing all their information. It's back in her room at Cascadia, which means Richonne is going back to the CRM.

In her final few words, Jadis pleads with Richonne to leave the CRM alone. She believes in their mission to build the world again, and doesn't want them to tear that to pieces. While one would think that they'd feel some sympathy for Jadis, Michonne doubles down and tells her they will absolutely bring down the CRM.

In fact, she shares that Rick will go back to the CRM, get the dossier, get the Echelon Briefing, reveal the CRM's plan to the city, and then take the whole organization down. And this is why we love Michonne so darn much.

In Jadis' final moments, before Rick shoots her in the head, she hands him the ring that Gabriel gave her that was meant for Michonne. Ugh, why does this have to be her end?!

I must admit this is a rough moment to watch as a Pollyanna McIntosh fan, because I wanted more for Jadis' arc. It's not fair that Jadis is gone, and it's not fair that McIntosh's time in the series has come to an end. I was so excited about her return, and it's a bummer that she went out the way she did. It was just too quick and easy and I wanted more.

But alas, that is what has happened, and now we must look ahead to next week's finale, which promises to end things with a bang, a boom, and much, much more.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live will air its season 1 finale (or maybe its series finale?) on Sunday, March 31st on AMC and AMC+.

Episode Grade: B+

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