Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira Deserve a Better ‘Walking Dead’ Reunion Than ‘The Ones Who Live’: TV Review
14.02.2024 - 11:01
/ variety.com
Jessica Liese The long-anticipated “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live,”which premieres on AMC on Feb.25, marks the return of two of the series’ most beloved characters. This should be exciting news, but in a “Walking Dead”universe that still feels oversaturated with content, even a sequel series centered on the franchise’s most iconic couple has the capacity to disappoint.
Season 9 of “The Walking Dead,” which aired in November 2018, marked the final regular appearance of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), its primary protagonist. After appearing to sacrifice himself to save his community, Rick was rescued by his mysterious sometime ally, Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh), and whisked away by helicopter to the Civic Republic, a huge civilization ruled by a military junta known as the CRM.
His wife, Michonne (Danai Gurira), departed the series the following season to search for him. Rumors that Rick was gone from the franchise forever were greatly exaggerated, of course; not only was he still alive, his final appearance on “The Walking Dead” was immediately followed by an announcement that Rick’s story would eventually continue via a series of films.
A number of factors conspired to keep these films malingering in development hell for several years, including scheduling issues, COVID delays and a decreased appetite for theatrical releases over streaming services. Meanwhile, far from dooming “The Walking Dead,” Rick’s departure from the flagship series almost seemed to have a galvanizing effect.
And while it would be a stretch to say Rick and Michonne weren’t missed at all, fans’ appetite for their story was somewhat diminished in light of the series’ continued success. Eventually, the project evolved into a limited-run series,
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