Come February 25, 2024, fans will finally find out what happened to Rick Grimes. The Ones Who Live is The Walking Dead’s most anticipated spinoff—and for good reason. The CRM (Civic Republic Military) whisked the fan-favorite character away after a seemingly deadly explosion back in Season 9. A season later, Michonne went on the hunt for her missing lover, and aside from brief cameos in Season 11, no one has seen them since.
While a teaser trailer for The Ones Who Live dropped at SDCC 2023, the latest sneak peek offers the best look at the series so far. The short clip has a lot to unpack, including commentary from actors Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira. The “crazy love” story comes as no surprise. The Ones Who Live promised a Rick and Michonne romance from the very beginning. And although that theme continues, fans may have missed these other reveals.
The Ones Who Live Features Familiar Faces
A quick pause at the 0:21 second mark reveals familiar faces. Bailey (Andrew Bachelor, aka King Bach) and Aiden (Breeda Wool) first appeared in Season 10, Episode 13, “What We Become,” of The Walking Dead. While their involvement was brief, they were the last people Michonne was with before leaving the series. The sneak peek proves their importance by bringing them back. Their role is still unknown, but it seems they may be instrumental in Michonne and Rick reuniting.
Terry O’Quinn Trades Creepy Islands for Zombies
Terry O’Quinn’s casting was announced at 2023’s NYCC, but the sneak peek offers the first real look at his character, Major General Beale, a leader of the CRM. While O’Quinn has a plethora of roles under his belt, he is arguably best known for playing John Locke in ABC’s Lost. Locke was a tragic character fans loved to hate, so there’s no doubt Quinn will impress as a shadowy, apocalyptic villain.
Michonne Still Lugs Around a Rick Keepsake
Season 10, Episode 13, “What We Became,” is an essential episode of The Walking Dead. Not only does it mark Michonne’s final appearance, but it seemingly ties up her run-in with Virgil (Kevin Carroll). Remember Virgil? The man who drugs Michonne and locks her up—something he had already done with his unlucky co-workers. During all this, Michonne discovers cowboy boots once worn by Rick. Later, Virgil leads her to an abandoned ship where she finds Rick’s name carved into glass, along with drawings of her and Judith. It’s the clue that really kicks off Michonne’s lost-persons mission, and in the sneak peek, it seems she’s still holding onto those same boots.
Rick’s Hand Is Under Question
In The Walking Dead comics, Rick loses his hand after the Governor slices it off. The Governor, of course, has come and gone in the TV series, but that doesn’t mean The Ones Who Live can’t work in that gruesome story beat. In fact, many fans have been speculating this very thing since the NYCC reveal trailer. While the new sneak peek doesn’t confirm or deny this theory, the way Rick kills a walker at the 0:17 mark seems a bit odd. If the series decides to go in that direction, a trailer won’t make it known. A twist like that will undoubtedly be saved for shock and awe when The Ones Who Live drops February 25, 2024, on AMC.
