The Walking Dead: Did Michonne make the right decision to leave?

When Michonne left to find Rick in The Walking Dead episode 1013 “What We Become”, did she make the right decision to leave Judith and RJ?

In The Walking Dead “What We Become” we see Michonne contemplating the biggest decision she’s made in quite some time. It all comes full circle when Michonne finds the familiar boots of the man of her dreams and cell phone with the image of Michonne and Judith on it with the message “Believe a little longer.” She decides to find out if Rick is alive, but was this the right decision?

Was the phone a way for Rick to give a message to himself, or was it done by someone like Anne who we know can draw? Or was it a message from Anne to Rick? While there’s so many speculations, the bottom line is we know Rick is alive and we know Michonne is going to get her lost love back.

Michonne radios Judith and tells her what she has found. At this point, she has made no definite plans to go. Motherhood has to come first, and Michonne has always been somebody who thinks before acting. Her greatest question to Judith is how are things back at home? She’s clearly wanting to know if everybody is safe. As the audience we know things are not okay. Judith feels the need to be less than honest with her mother. She knew that is what her mother needed to hear. Judith proceeds to tell her Mother that they got the Whisperers and most of the herd. Most importantly is the message that Alpha can’t hurt them anymore.

Michonne lets out a huff and is still worried. That’s when she tells her beloved daughter about the items she found that belonged to Judith’s father, “The Brave Man.” It could mean nothing, but it could mean everything. Judith doesn’t waiver for a solitary second and tells her to go.

Michonne is needed at home of course. She always is, and always will be. Judith goes on to tell her mother that Rick could need her more than they need her. Maybe Rick doesn’t remember his life due to amnesia. Maybe Rick can’t come home because he’s hurt or under control in somebody else’s world. Even Judith knows with the little memories she has of her father that Rick would move heaven and earth if he knew he could save one of them. Judith’s last words, “Go get him,” say so much. And that’s exactly what our Samurai Warrior Queen does.

Was it the right decision? Seeing all the reviews and opinions on social media I see a lot of mixed emotions about it. Could you leave your children for a greater cause?

Some have said absolutely not. You always put your children first above all else. Others are in complete agreement with Michonne. Rick needs them and they need him. Too many years have passed already, and if there’s a chance you go and you don’t look back.

My first reaction was it was a rushed decision that she could have thought a little on. A longer goodbye should have been given to the children. And she should have had a long discussion with Daryl about it. However, on a second thought, you have to think about the legacy of Rick Grimes. This isn’t a decision she made quickly just because she wants the man she loves, and the father of her children.  When you think about the decision as a whole the entire community needs Rick. He had friendships, bonds, and love with so many people. Even getting past this the Whisperer war doesn’t guarantee their safety.

As we look back at the years and the history it has been threat after threat and war after war. While others have stepped up to the plate you can’t replace leadership like Rick Grimes. Bringing him home means so much for so many. If Rick knew so many people had been taken from death and what those deaths have done to the living, I would feel sorry for anyone who stood in his way.

The immediate impact he would have on their world now would be immeasurable and a beautiful thing to see. Picture Carol and all she has lost. Rick could understand her pain and her actions more than anyone else could. When he lost Carl he went through the same turmoil and same heartache. Luckily Michonne brought him back but not everyone has that kind of force in their lives. Sometimes it takes someone who has been through that pain to see the light. To show that it can be okay and life can become a life again.

In the end I believe she made the right decision. She had Judith’s blessing which was the most adorable, heartbreaking, and loving moment I have ever seen in The Walking Dead. RJ has never had the opportunity to even meet his father, and deserves a chance to have one. Daryl deserves the chance to see his brother again. Michonne definitely deserves the chance to see the love of her life again.

Even when Rick was gone she still remained loyal to him even if all she ever had was a sliver of hope. She became the leader and protector that Alexandria needed, and that Rick would be proud of. I for one am so proud of the Mother, Leader, and Friend she has become. It will be an emptier show without her, but she lives on through Judith until the day we see her again. Now that hope has risen, we wait.

Bring him home, Michonne.