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It didn't take Rick very long to get over the grisly death of Jessie and her children.
"The Next World" finds Sheriff Grimes getting it on with another survivor ... taking both their characters in a different direction from their comic-book counterparts, just as a fan favorite from the comics makes his big debut.
The episode kicks off with a mini-time jump from last week's bloodbath, which ended with the town of Alexandria littered in bodies of its townspeople, the Wolves and walkers. Flash forward a few weeks though, and all appears right in the world. The streets are clean from blood and human remains, Carl's eye is all patched up after getting shot out and everyone's trying to re-adjust to "normal" life within their community's walls.
Rick and Daryl decide to go on a supply run. In addition to sorghum (a drought-tolerant grain), the two are on the hunt for medical supplies and some soda for Denise. While she doesn't drink "pop," her girlfriend Tara has been talking about it in her sleep. Awww, yep, that means Tara and Denise are sleeping together now!
It's while they're on this mission that they finally come face-to-face with Jesus. No, not Christ, but his resemblance to the holy one helped earn him the nickname. Right off the bat, this guy is more than mysterious. He bumps into the two while running from walkers, then proceeds to ask them about their camp. While Rick wants to ask him the Three Questions and potentially have Jesus join them in Alexandria, the long-haired newcomer appears to be in a big rush to get outta there.
"This is the next world, I hope it's good to you guys," he says before running off.
Judging by his clean skin and trimmed beard, Rich suspects there's more to the story. After chasing after him, Rick and Daryl then discover Jesus actually swiped their keys and ran off with their truck full of supplies. Whoops. Luckily for them, Jesus gets a flat, allowing them to catch up on foot, tie him up and leave him on the side of the road.
"So long you prick," Daryl shouts as they take off. Except Jesus is crafty -- and manages to get out of his ties and onto the truck's roof to hitch a ride back to town.
Rick and Daryl eventually realize they have a stowaway, stop short and try to catch the guy on foot. Did this whole sequence feel a little Benny Hill to anyone else? The fact that it all ended with the guys accidentally letting the truck back right into a pond only drove home the ridiculousness of it all.
There are two things worth noting here though.
1.) Jesus is clearly a good guy (or wants you to think he is). He could have let Daryl get eaten by a walker, but instead tells him to duck and shoots the zombie about to grab a snack.
2.) While in this field, the gang comes across a bunch of walkers tied up to a tractor with the words, "WE WILL BE BACK FOR THEM" scrawled across it. Did the Wolves write this message? It looks like it could be their handiwork. Is this important at all? AMC released a photo of the tractor in question, so it seems like it must mean something.
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The guys re-capture Jesus, bring him to Alexandria and leave him tied up in a basement. We'll get back to him in a minute.
While all this is happening, Carl, Enid, Michonne and Spencer are seen wandering the forest. Carl and Enid go because, "We're kids, it's what we do" ... while Spencer, we later discover, is out looking for his dead mother. Carl and Enid are the first to come across Zombie Deanna, as they argue over what to do with her. Enid wants to "kill it," while Carl doesn't let her.
Zombie Deanna later stumbles across her son, who finally puts her to rest. Gotta say, it was nice of Tovah Feldshuh to get all made up for this quick cameo. After burying her, our katana-wielding friend assures Spence he still has family in Alexandria, even if they aren't blood relatives.
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Michonne later questions Carl about why he didn't kill Zombie Deanna when he had the chance. "It should be someone who loved her, someone who's family," he says. "I'd do it for you. I would." It's crazy the things that sound sweet during the zombie apocalypse.
The episode ends with Rick and Michonne kicking back on the couch to go over the events of the day. It's a rare moment of relaxation on this show, as we see them both slouch in their seats while commiserating.
"I just want to turn my brain off for a minute," Rick says, echoing most of us after a long day's work.
He gives her breath mints (she had asked for toothpaste on their run) ... and then they hold hands. The moment lingers, they look into each other's eyes and BAM, they kiss. It quickly escalates from there, with both Rick and Michonne laughing about the absurdity of what they're doing. That being said, they both deserve it!
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It's interesting to see the show go in this direction, as the two characters have nothing but a platonic relationship in the comics. Of course, Rick ends up shacking up with Andrea in the source material, and she's long gone here. Do you think Michonne will step into that role ... or was this just a one time thing? We're going with the former.
Their post-coitus slumber is rudely interrupted by Jesus, who has gotten out of his restraints and into their bedroom. "Rick, wake up" Jesus says, before Rick and Michonne -- both totally naked -- jump out of bed, ready to attack. Anyone else LOVE the fact that Rick sleeps next to his gun and Michonne's blade is right at her side?
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We'll find out what he really wants with our favorite survivors next week, as the show lumbers towards its big introduction of Negan later this season.
What do you make of this new hookup? Comic fans, how do you think Tom Payne did as Jesus? With that hair, the beanie and leather jacket, he certainly looked the part -- and has some impressive fighting skills to boot.
Sound off below!
