The Walking Dead: Another Sign Michonne Is Taking Andrea’s Place

Spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 12 follow.

Robert Kirkman‘s writing for Andrea in The Walking Dead comics is one of the biggest differences when looking at the television adaptation on AMC.

On the pages, Andrea develops a relationship with Rick Grimes, acting as Carl’s mother and the pillar on which Rick often leans when times get tough in Alexandria. However, the TV series killed Andrea in its third season, prompting one of the largest deviations from the source material in its history.

However, the deviation appears to be leading towards a bit of a course correction with another character filling Andrea’s shoes. Michonne has stepped into the relationship with Rick, being strong when he cannot, and offering encouragement when he needs it.

UP NEXT: Gallery Of Rick And Michonne Getting It On!

One of Andrea’s most crucial traits in the comics has been her impressive skills with a sniper rifle. Michonne has slowly been developing those skills on television, seen practicing with a rifle early in the show’s seventh season, and continuing to do so in Sunday night’s Say Yes episode.

Not only have Rick and Michonne been getting it on non-stop through the episode, solidifying their relationship just in case anybody had any doubt about it, but she chose to take a couple of unnecessary shots with her rifle while standing atop the school’s roof overlooking the carnival. This is yet another sign that Michonne is gearing up to fill in for key moments which involved Andrea, her sniper, and Negan in The Walking Dead comics.

One of those key moments is a scene which involved Andrea overseeing a dispute between Negan and Rick but getting caught by one of the Saviors in the belltower. After an intense fight, someone falls from the tower and Rick thinks his better half is dead. It is later revealed that Andrea took quite a beating but managed to toss the Savior from the tower and narrowly survive.

Of course, the AMC series takes liberties of altering moments seen in Kirkman’s original comics. Whether or not Michonne will fill out the role left behind by Andrea or make an entirely new path on television can only be seen on Sunday nights.

If Michonne does follow Andrea’s story through until the end, the most recent issue will spell trouble for the character when it is realized on television.

MORE WALKING DEAD: What Happens To Dwight In The Comics? / What Happens To Eugene In The Comics? / Who Dies In Hostiles And Calamities? / Austin Amelio Calls Season 7 Finale A Fulfilling Turning Point

The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 pm ET on AMC. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.