Spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 4 follow.
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The Walking Dead’s extended fourth episode of Season 7 ended with a beautiful and heartbreaking moment from its leading man Rick Grimes. The sheriff in charge of Alexandria opened up to his girlfriend Michonne in a way which he has never before.
For years, fans have been wondering how Rick views his daughter Judith. The controversial relationship between Rick’s wife Lori and his police partner Shane in the early days of the apocalypse prompted speculation over whether or not the little girl biologically belongs to Rick. As it turns out, Rick firmly believes Judith is a product of Shane and Lori’s relationship.
The moments between Rick and Michonne shed some light on what makes Rick such a fantastic candidate to lead the people of Alexandria. Heartfelt performances from Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira drove the mesage home and left audiences reeling for the pain Rick has been shouldering. The revelation was so heavy for Michonne, it changed her perspective on the group accepting the new laws enforced by Negan.
Speaking to Michonne actress Danai Gurira, ComicBook.com got the insider’s perspective of the moments.
“It’s heartbreaking and it’s astounding and it’s painful and it’s really a painful mixed bag, because on the one hand she loves him and sees more of the beauty in him, but he has been holding this inside, and that he made the decision that he did, and that this is what makes him a beautiful leader,” Gurira said. “Because he sacrifices and he gets out of the way of his own feelings to do what’s right for others. That’s what’s beautiful about him to her. That’s why she trusts him and that’s why she’s been loyal to him, and part of why she fell in love with him.”
Michonne’s perspective, posture, and appreciation for Rick were all changed.
“To hear him share that, it does change her entire demeanor about everything,” Gurira said. “She’s got a certain degree of rage and frustration towards him before he reveals that information, but when he puts it that way and you realize, firstly, the burden that he carries. She says to him, ‘It’s not your fault every time something bad happens,’ because he carries that on him like a leader does.
“She really sees much more clearly into how specifically what happened to our friends has really hit his soul when he shares that, and he’s agreeing to sacrifice so much of who he is for the sake of others. At that moment, she can’t argue him on that. There’s nothing to argue back about that. It’s just really about trying her darnedest to support him. That’s what she says, she says she’s going to try, but it really goes against everything that they’ve been. Everything that they know.”
MORE WALKING DEAD:
Negan’s Five Most Outrageous Lines In ‘Service’ / Christian Serratos On Potential Rosita And Eugene Love Story / Eugene And Rosita Love Story Ahead? / Danai Gurira On Michonne Filling Key Comic Book Role / ‘Go Getters’ Sneak Preview Released / What Did Michonne Find? / Austin Nichols Say Spencer Wants To Be A Leader
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.
