The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Recap: 6 Ups & 4 Downs From "Years"
5. Up: This Really Is A Love Story
If The Ones Who Live promised audiences anything, it's that Rick and Michonne's relationship would take centre-stage, and "Years" certainly delivered in that regard.
Though Michonne herself appears only briefly in the episode, she turns up every night in Rick's dreams of an alternate life he's imagining where they meet on park bench, talk about life, and seem to fall in love. The dreams have a sense of doom about them, Rick's subconscious reminding him of his loss, but the love is palpable.
The Walking Dead has always had a problem with romance, its couples doomed (Aaron and Eric, Rick and Lori, Daryl and Leah) or unrealised (Aaron and Jesus, Carl and Enid), but Rick and Michonne have always been on-hand to light the way. Despite being so far apart, their love is so strong and life-affirming, it keeps Rick fighting.
This particular theme promises to only become a bigger aspect of the show as it progresses, but even here - separated by time, place, calamity and an endless sea of walkers - you can't help but root for these two through thick and thin.