this episode might be one of the greatest episodes ever

When Rick said “what if I can’t figure out how to die all over again?” I lost it. I was a mess when Rick’s memories of Carl finally came flooding back after Michonne gave him the phone with Carl etched on it. Best TWD episode I’ve ever seen. And by the way, it’s perfectly okay to cry. 😊 That was an amazing performance from Andy Lincoln and what a phenomenal writing job by Danai.

Danai made no "bad writing choices" in this episode, as far as I'm concerned. 😎 She's not a Tony Nominated Playwright for nothing. ;)

This was how it was in the beginning of TWD. Emotional. We cared about the characters and this family. It strayed for awhile. This is magic again.

I wouldn't say that Carl was his big wake up call, as losing Carl in his dreams wasn't the thing that finally broke him. It was losing Michonne in his dreams that shattered Rick. Rick's exact words to Michonne were, "I'd meet up with Carl in my dreams and that's how I survived here [pointing to his mind], kept me alive. And then one day he was just gone. He just left. But then I started dreaming of you. And there you were. You and I fell in love in different ways, and it kept me going. And then you were gone, too. I couldn't see your face anymore, just like I couldn't see Carl's. I can't live without you [referring directly to Michonne]. Without you, I die. And I figured out how to do that. I know how to be dead and live now. You can't just come back here, make me come alive again if-- I don't know if I won't lose you again. What if I lose you and I can't figure out how to die all over again? I can't-- I need to get ahead of it, Michonne. I can't. I can't. When I-- When I saw you, I got so scared, and I needed to get ahead of it. I had to. At least if I think you will live on longer than me without knowing if you do, I can just believe that it's true. Knowing-- seeing that loss-- I can't. I won't survive that, Michonne. I just won't." The loss of Michonne is what irrevocably broke Rick the first time, not Carl, and it's the loss of her now-- her dying-- that he would absolutely not survive a second time. Rick opened his monologue with Carl's loss, but the rest of his monologue was entirely about Michonne. He was able to continue living without Carl visiting in his dreams, because Michonne began appearing. He died, mentally, when Michonne stopped showing up. That's what crushed his desire to go home. It's the loss of Michonne that broke him, and it's the idea of losing her again that has him terrified now. Michonne is Rick's reason for living. If Michonne dies, then Rick dies. Michonne giving Rick back his memories of Carl was symbolic of her being the only one who can pull him back to himself. She's his tether. Michonne is Rick's reason for living and, clearly, Rick is Michonne's reason for living. She left her children behind to find him. Yes, they can survive without the other, but neither of them can truly live without the other.

One of the best in the entire walking dead franchise. It was heartbreakingly beautiful ❤ The script. The acting. The cinematography. The edit. Perfection . AMC just needs to submit this to the Emmys so that Andy and Danai can finally be recognized

I was 15 years old when TWD came out and I was there for the live showing of the pilot. I'm 28 now and this episode makes me feel so happy and fulfilled as a fan. This is everything I could have ever wanted

Rick is very lucky to have Michonne because she has the patience to do the work it required to break through this ten inch brick wall he built around himself. Also, I loved all of their little cute, funny banter moments. Part of it is the surety that they weren’t going to be killed, so I didn’t feel that “okay, stop talking and move on, the walkers are coming” push. We rarely get to see Rick and Michonne just be a normal couple who bicker and joke and just talk. They spent a lot of time in the mothership just being badasses together. What I love about what Danai did writing this episode is she made the dialogue so real and relatable. She made them feel like a couple who has been married for years and are devoted to each other, no matter what.

Very easily one of, if not the best episode of TWD imo. There's just something about good writing with dialogue that brings back history between characters, while answering questions and having a purpose for the story. And then you put Danai and Andy in a room and you tell them to work....and you get perfection. SO. GOOD. Let me take a look at your channel real quick because your reaction to this episode was so sincere and I really enjoyed this.

The episode was never going to end with them apart. They marketed this as a love story from the start. Craziness will happen, but in the end they'll make it together.

You don’t need to apologize for not talking. Your facial expressions also communicates your reaction. The best reactions are physical, not verbal (which is why I get annoyed when some reactors talk over dialogue). I appreciate that you mostly pause to speak out your thoughts.

You didn't cry alone, King. This episode is amazing.

Haven't teared up over a episode since 9x5, this really is a masterpiece

Your hair looks great You calling Rick a dickhead was so funny because I felt the frustration we all did.

No, he had a panic attack.

The Ones Who Live... requires a box of tissues 💯💔

Excellent, excellent episode, the acting was fantastic and Danai is one hell of a writer. Great job all around !!!!

Rick was like a scared puppy dog that a sweet woman finds on the side of the road. Though it isn’t easy, you have to build that trust and get him on your side with a few cuddles and treats then he’s yours for life. This analogy helps me not hate Rick during this episode. He’s like a prisoner in his own mind that convinces itself that he’s protecting his family by no being with them. Idk how that makes sense but I’m trying to be reasonable and see his pov.

I don't judge people for crying, crying mean your human and that is good

Loved the episode!!!! Rick is trying to save his fam and the world once again sacrificing himself for others again. She still sees her and her people always winning while she’s been loosing the last 8yrs. Only issue was the noise and fire from the helicopter you’d see and hear roaring all night but….TV😂 I don’t think the plan is to go home but to go back and complete Okifors’ plan maybe the summit🤷🏽‍♀️

Excellent recap. The editing truncating the convos make it hit different. Also i like your stopping with your immediate thoughts. Made me excited for when you would see more then change your mind.

I loved your raw and sincere reaction ❤

When Rick finally broke down and told Michonne why he wasn't leaving the CRM, it was about his dreams first seeing Carl. Then Carl started to fade away😔then meeting up with his 💘 Michonne ❤❤ Once Rick couldn't see Michonne anymore he became dead inside. A living Walker!!! Rick is all about Michonne his 💘 that's his life❤❤ he lives and breathes Michonne!!! He CAN'T live without her end of story🙅🏾‍♀️!!!! Even Michonne can't live without Rick, six years of searching and mourning for her love💘 ❤🤴🏻❤👸🏿ZA🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

This was a wonderful reaction! Thank you!

16:54 That took me out too 😭 you ain't alone

This was so emotional omgggg

i felt the same when carl died on screen i cried bad because rick literally lost everything it just hurt then this episode happened and i felt it all again 😢

Great reaction to an emotional episode.

He was having a panic attack, but I understand why you might have thought that. I did too for a second and then I'm all like, oh, panic attack.

I feel you! I ugly cried for 10 minutes!

We are in the same thingking, that Richonne doesn't fully understand Rick's point. Clearly, Rick wasn't able to focus because Michonne distracted him. She's got a point too but somehow she should really understand what really the situation is.

THIS GUTTED ME!!! THE BEST❤❤❤!

Carl was a little asshole when he was younger. His attitude started to get better after he had that talk with. Michonne the day after the claimers attacked them, and they were on their way to Terminus. He was more respectful to his dad and I believe she played a huge part in the way he changed because he finally had someone he could open up to. She became his best friend and I really liked the older Carl then the younger one. When he died and told Michonne he loved her that when I really broke into tears. He had a much better relationship with her than his own mother. I think if he lived, he would’ve been an awesome big brother to Judith and RJ. You can already see how much he loved his baby sister and I think if he wore us alive, he would’ve become a great leader and would’ve made sure that his younger sister and brother would always be protected by him no matter what it’s too bad. We didn’t get a chance to see that.

How can you say when Rick was crying about the thought of losing Michoone that he was only doing it for himself? You really don’t know Rick’s character

You literally think that Rick meant everything that he said? 😬 How long have you been a fan of TWD universe?? Lol How could you not understand that a man who has been under constant trauma for almost a decade, including severing his own LIMB in an attempt to get back to his family/Michonne, was only saying this to try to keep her safe?? Lol He also was obviously going to leave with her, initially, until Jadis paid him a visit and threatened his Michonne and his family back home, when she discovered that Michonne was there. The Emotion IQ on some people is severely lacking.