The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 2 Review

Explaining Michonne's absence

The second episode of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live finally sheds light on where Michonne has been all this time and why she hasn't returned to Alexandria. The episode reveals that Michonne made new friends while on the road north to find Rick, only to get caught in a chlorine gas attack by the CRM that left her seriously injured. This revelation explains Michonne's prolonged absence from the main series and provides closure on her story from The Walking Dead season 10.

Introducing the Wagon Community

The episode also introduces the wagon community, a group of travelers who live by the rule of never stopping for anyone, no matter what. Led by Elle, the community has a pragmatic lifestyle and constantly moves from place to place. Despite appearing to have potential, the wagon community is quickly written out of the story, with three of the four characters associated with them meeting their demise. This quick resolution raises questions about the purpose of introducing the community in the first place.

Missed Potential

While the wagon community had the potential to bring new storytelling possibilities to The Walking Dead universe, their swift exit from the series leaves their introduction feeling unnecessary. The community's commitment to continuous movement and their conflict with Michonne could have been explored further, but instead, they are disposed of in a matter of minutes. The decision to sideline the wagon community despite their initial introduction hints at a missed opportunity for the series to delve into their unique dynamics and potential narratives.

Future Villains?

Despite their seemingly insignificant exit from the series, there is a possibility for the wagon community to return as potential villains in future episodes of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Elle's loss of her sister and other members of the group due to Michonne's actions could set the stage for a revenge storyline. If Elle blames Michonne for their hardships, it could lead to a conflict that brings real meaning to the community's introduction in season 10.

In conclusion, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live episode 2 offers closure on Michonne's story while introducing and subsequently sidelining the intriguing wagon community. The missed potential of the community as a source of conflict and narrative depth raises questions about the storytelling choices in the series. However, there remains a possibility for the wagon community to return as significant villains in future episodes, adding new layers to the evolving narrative of The Walking Dead universe.