Rick and Michonne may have just returned from a long hiatus in The Walking Dead, but one line in The Ones Who Live sets up a tragic ending.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for episodes 1 and 2 of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

Rick and Michonne’s long-awaited reunion finally happened in The Ones Who Live, but despite this happy moment, the spinoff hints at the couple having a tragic ending. After reconnecting for the first time in years, Rick and Michonne didn’t have much time to catch up before the CRM arrived to ruin their reunion. This led to both returning to the Civic Republic and pretending not to know each other, leading to them having to meet in secret. When they finally got to talk alone, Rick and Michonne had a conversation about stopping the CRM, which sets up a dark ending.

The Walking Dead has been setting up the CRM since season 1, but this has only come to light in recent years. The helicopter in the show’s first season seems to have been connected to the military group, who had their first real appearance in season 9 during Rick and Jadis’ exit from the show. World Beyond heavily featured the antagonists and emphasized that the CRM are the strongest group in the entirety of The Walking Dead. With Rick and Michonne trying to take down their toughest enemy yet, one line suggests a tragic fate awaits them.

The Ones Who Live Episode 2 Sets Up Rick & Michonne Dying

One Line Suggests The Show’s Protagonists May Die

Episode 2 of The Ones Who Live indicates that Rick and Michonne may end up dying in their spinoff. Killing the characters off after so long away would be a huge shock, but the stakes in The Ones Who Live are incredibly high, and one line suggests they may meet their demise. During Rick and Michonne’s secret conversation, Michonne asks Rick if they can beat the CRM, with Rick replying “No.” In response, Michonne asks “Can we try?” to which Rick answers “We’d never get back.” This suggests they realize the fight against the CRM may be unwinnable.

Despite this, Rick, Michonne, and their allies have overcome the odds before and always fight for the greater good. It seems to be a trait of the main survivors that they take on battles that they shouldn’t win, and this war could be too much even for them. Rick and Michonne trying to burn down the CRM is likely to lead to their demise, yet they still appear to be considering it despite the consequences. Getting home to their children is important to them, but taking down the CRM is a worthy sacrifice given the threat they pose.

Okafor mentioned that As will die for what they believe in, and Rick and Michonne dying while taking down the CRM would fit this narrative. Given how much belief Okafor placed in Rick, The Walking Dead‘s protagonist may want to honor Okafor’s legacy. Okafor was trying to change the CRM from within and died trying. Therefore, Rick may decide to continue this goal and could lose his life in the process. With the CRM being The Walking Dead‘s greatest threat, Rick and Michonne fighting them could mean they have to sacrifice themselves to defeat such a powerful enemy.

Rick Not Returning To Alexandria Would Be A Risky Ending For His Walking Dead Story

Denying Rick His Walking Dead Reunions Could Lead To Backlash

Although taking on the CRM may be a worthy mission, Rick dying without returning home would be a risky end to his Walking Dead story. Some signs point to Rick taking over the CRM in The Ones Who Live, but failing to do this and not returning home would be a tragic conclusion to his story. Fans have wanted to see the protagonist back in the series for over five years and killing him off within six episodes of returning risks a frosty reception. Considering everything he has already sacrificed, giving his life to beat the CRM may be unsatisfying.

Dying alongside Michonne wouldn’t even be felt by those he is trying to protect, as his allies don’t know about the CRM or where they’re located. However, the most controversial part of Rick dying in his fight with the CRM would be the lack of reunions. Characters like Daryl and Morgan have been part of his journey since the start and not getting to reunite with them would feel hollow. He also wouldn’t get to reunite with Judith or meet his son, RJ, which would make his highly anticipated return feel pointless after so many years away from the franchise.

The mysterious dreams that Rick Grimes experiences in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live episode 1 seem to foreshadow his ending in the series.

Rick Can Die In The Ones Who Live (But Not Michonne)

The Ones Who Live Can’t Kill Off Both Characters

Despite the risk involved, The Ones Who Live can kill off Rick, but not Michonne. If Rick was to give his life fighting the CRM and Michonne survived, she could at least return home and tell their children about what Rick sacrificed to keep them safe. It would also be incredibly emotional for those that have known Rick for years, and it would provide them with closure. Killing both would be overkill, and while it may successfully tell a tragic love story, the decision would leave a massive hole in the franchise that would be hard to replace.

The Ones Who Live has been the franchise’s best project in years and ending it with both protagonists being killed wouldn’t provide The Walking Dead with the opportunity to capitalize on the show’s momentum. If one character has to die, it makes sense for it to be Rick, given most of the survivors already believe he may be dead. His sacrifice would mean more, especially if it allowed Michonne to return home to their children. It may not be a fairy tale ending to his story, but Rick dying to help save the rest of the world perfectly fits his character.