The Walking Dead: 5 most award-worthy performances of Danai Gurira

5. Michonne Faces Her Own Mortality

Season 4, episode 9 “After”

After the Governor’s attack on the prison where he murdered Hershel and almost killed Rick the group was at the lowest point they had been at up until that point. They were scattered and trying to figure out what to do next. The destruction of the prison hit Michonne particularly hard. It took a lot for her to take down her emotional walls and decide to be part of the group. She finally allowed herself to be happy with people again and then lost them, again.

When she’s trying to decide what to do next she creates a couple of pet walkers to keep herself safe and just wanders. As the herd starts to grow around her she starts to think about giving up and dying. Then she sees a walker who looks just like her and has a momentary break with reality. In that moment she has to decide to live, and to risk the possibility of more loss, or to give up and let herself be taken down by the herd.

Like so many others have on The Walking Dead, she almost lets go and lets death happen. But, at the last second, she changes her mind and decides to keep fighting. She fights her demons figuratively and literally as she slices her way through an entire herd. When she’s done she turns back to the point where she saw Carl’s and Rick’s tracks and goes to find them. Choosing life and choosing a family.