Well Gang. The Walking Dead season nine premiere is upon us. On one hand, I’m excited because I missed my favorite show. On the other hand, I’m not ready for Andrew Lincoln to leave Rick Grimes behind. No more ‘thangs and stuff’ to do in The Walking Dead world. No more tender moments with Judith, heart to hearts with his most trusted friends, and no more hot and steamy scenes with Michonne (Danai Gurira).
Richonne is the best couple to come out of the TWD universe. Fans have been shipping them since before they knew they were into each other. This is one ship that has kept audiences…mostly women…coming back each week. They complement each other so well. The relationship is the most written about in TWD fanfic. My friends Mel and Kia at the Two Dead Chicks podcast recently held a contest, “Champions of Richonne” where fans voted each week for the best Richonne moment of all time. Here are the top eight from the Champions of Richonne, courtesy of the Two Dead Chicks.
Carl and Michonne Walk Along the Train Tracks as Rick Watches
From season 4, episode 15, “Us” Michonne and Carl (Chandler Riggs) walk along the tracks to see who can keep balance while walking on the tracks. Rick watches them play. Michonne was always so good with Carl and Judith. Rick noticed it from the beginning. She gave Carl a sort of mother figure to watch over him and a best friend to confide in. I’m pretty sure this was the moment they started to become a family. By the way, Carl won the contest.
Drag Racing Walker Kill
In way, Rick and the gang had the Saviors to thank for this one. But it was Richonne’s quick and brilliant thinking that pulled it off. In season 7, episode 9, “Rock in the Road,” the Saviors left a booby trap for anyone, dead or alive, who wanted to cross that bridge. After successfully removing the explosives, Rick and Michonne used the wire tied between two cars to take out a herd of walkers that was headed their way. Best Walker Kill Ever!
Reordering the World/You Led Me Here
In “Say Yes” in season 7, episode 12, Rick tells Michonne that they are building a new world for the future; for Judith and Maggie’s baby. He says they will lose people, maybe even each other. Michonne doesn’t want to hear that, but Rick says she has to be strong if he dies. She led him there, on that path. And she will be the one to take over if something happens to him. Ugh! (Sad)
Champions of Sex
Also from season 7, episode 12, “Say Yes,” the honeymoon…sort off. When Rick and Michonne set off on their mission to find more guns, they also took the opportunity for some much needed alone time. Needless to say, the van was rockin’ all the way to the carnival. Yep, their road led them to a carnival where they found the guns they needed from the dead military walkers trapped inside the gates of the carnival rides. Even though they had business to take care of, the couple had a lot of fun on this run. They even had a candle light dinner complete with army rations! Yum!
Morning Routine
Dental hygiene is important to Michonne. At the beginning of Season 6 episode 10, “The Next World,” Michonne asks Rick to find some toothpaste on his supply run. When Michonne turns to go back into the bathroom, Rick looks her up and down. By this time they had become a team, coparenting Carl and Judith, and able to keep each other in line. So a romance was the next natural step. I don’t think Rick could have hidden his interest if he wanted to. Those glances…Dang!
Bare Naked Jumping Out of Bed
They say Jesus watches over us, but this is ridiculous. In season 6, episode 10, “The Next World,” Paul “Jesus” Rovia (Tom Payne) had Rick and Daryl (Norman Reedus) running ragged. They tied him up and put him in a cell. In the middle of night, he got loose and snuck into Rick’s bedroom. Rick and Michonne had just made their relationship official, so they were in bed together, naked. And when Jesus woke them up, they jumped out of bed, grabbing weapons before clothes. Always on alert! That’s why Richonne is GOAT!
I Love You
In season 8, episode 14, “Still Gotta Mean Something,” Rick and Michonne were still grieving over Carl when they headed into the final battle with the Saviors. There was no certainty that they would win or that either of them would come back. Even though we knew it, the audience melted when Rick finally told Michonne that he loved her.
First Kiss
Season 6, episode 10, “The Next World” is the best Richonne episode because of the ending. Michonne had asked Rick to find toothpaste. After chasing Jesus around all day, he only came home with breath mints. Just a touch of the hand ignited the fire inside of Rick and Michonne. That first kiss had fans squealing with delight! The ship became a reality! Richonne was official!
RELATED: Catch up on THE WALKING DEAD Season 8 Here!
There you have it! I’m sure we’ll get some great Richonne moments in season 9, but not enough. Thank you to Mel and Kia for letting me borrow this list. You can find the Two Dead Chicks podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher. Follow the gals on Twitter, Tumbler, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.
The Walking Dead returns Sunday, October 7 on AMC.
News Editor, Senior Contributor, and Press Editor. Coordinate breaking news, trailers and press releases. I also contribute reviews, recaps and interviews. Creator of the Indigenerd Wire, a column dedicated to the Indigenous creatives in pop culture.
GGA's resident Indigenerd, a little bit rez, a little bit classy...with a love for all things Star Wars, zombies, science fiction, and Indigenous. My ultimate goal is to start my own podcast.
- INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Recap: (S02E07) I Could Not Prevent It - June 24, 2024
- INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Recap: (S02E06) Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made Light - June 17, 2024
- INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Recap: (S02E05) Don’t Be Afraid, Just Start The Tape - June 10, 2024
