The Ones Who Live episode 2, "Gone," Nat is vital to Michonne's story

Often when watching a favorite series or movie you come across a character who just clicks something in you as they become a favorite. This was the case for me with one of the newest characters in TWDU, Nat, portrayed by Matthew Jeffers. He first appeared in the second episode of The Ones Who Live, an episode that focused on Michonne (Danai Gurira).

This article contains spoilers for The Ones Who Live episode 2, "Gone."

Nat is one of the members of the caravan of survivors first seen in Michonne's final episode of season 10 of The Walking Dead. Michonne, beginning her search for Rick (Andrew Lincoln), encounters two people, Bailey (Andrew Bachelor) and Aiden (Breeda Wool), who are being left behind by their group, a massive caravan seen in the distance.

The second episode of The Ones Who Live, "Gone," begins with Michonne taking Bailey and Aiden to their group, where Aiden's sister, Elle, the leader of the group, interrogates Michonne. She tells her, "My name is Michonne. I lost someone years ago. But I just found out that he might... I just found out that he's alive. I saw two people who needed me, your people, and I helped them. That's it. No other reason. No agenda."

While Elle tries to convince Michonne to join their group, Nat storms in, agitated that the rear guard wouldn't allow him to help his friends Bailey and Aiden, whom he doesn't see in the room. He is furious that Elle would leave behind her sister, as is the practice of the group. He says they are strong enough to stop and strong enough to rescue those who need it.

It is discovered that Nat, a little person with a larger-than-life personality, is quite resourceful; he knows how to blow things up and build weapons and things that are very useful in this world. His father left when he was young, not wanting a "little" little kid and being born with dwarfism, saw him on the receiving end of bullies. He then began burning and blowing things up in the forest. But his mother married a man, Danger, who knew of his trauma but accepted him for who he was. He would then subtly steer Nat towards building and inventing instead of destroying.

The Ones Who Live - Nat & Michonne

After Bailey, Aiden, and the others died from the exposure to the CRM's chlorine gas, Michonne and Nat have an even greater bond, one of survival. It took them a few months to recover from the gas exposure, and then they continued their search for Rick. They finally come to Bridgers Terminal, where the boat she found Rick's possessions last made port, only to find destruction and masses of burnt bodies.

In an uncharacteristic moment of despair, Michonne breaks down, sobbing for being parted from Rick for so long. Nat translates the Japanese writing on the phone she carries that Rick etched her and Judith on, "Believe a little bit longer." He tells her she can believe he is still out there but return to her children, who need her, and that isn't giving up. He tells her he will do it with her as she is all he has left.

They begin their journey to Alexandria when this episode catches up to episode one and the helicopter attack. When Michonne reunites with Rick, Nat sees and is overjoyed to have been part of this. Sadly, he is shot in the back by a CRM soldier. Michonne is devastated as she tells Rickdevastated Nat helped her find him.

At the end of the episode, Michonne is seen holding Nat's lighter, which is then revealed to have the name Danger etched on it. This is why Nat holds the item so close and fidgets with it while thinking.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jeffers shared his thoughts on Michonne possessing Nat's lighter at the end.

" I think the whole symbolism of Nat keeping Michonne’s fire going and having that lighter carry on is poetic and stunning and deeply upsetting in a beautiful way. "

- Matthew Jeffers

Nat was someone Michonne needed, as even the strongest person gets weak occasionally, leading to poor decisions. Jeffers states that he kept her fire going when it was in danger of being snuffed out. Nat ensured that Michonne's dream of reuniting with Rick was fulfilled, the same way Danger did for him as a child. This was Nat's way; he claims not to like or love many people, but the ones he did, he would do anything in his power to see those dreams come true.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live airs new episodes weekly on Sundays on AMC and AMC+ through March 31, when the finale airs.

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