Five years ago, Rick Grimes’ old life ended. Taken by the CRM, Rick is given no choice. He works as a Consignee, doing five years of dangerous labour before earning citizenship in one of the three CRM cities. Rick tries to escape repeatedly. Rick sacrifices a hand to do so. He fails, time and again and, slowly, he tries to get out by going in…

Focusing on Rick for the first time in five years is a wide choice and Andrew Lincoln’s time away from the role has brought him back to it with fresh eyes. He was always fantastic in the role but now he’s exceptional. Rick’s determination and seething calm are tempered by the knowledge he can’t fight his latest opponent head on. Lincoln’s also such a subtle actor at this point in his career that we can see he… kind of likes it here. The CRM has some appeal to the former lawman and every character can see that but him. Including the CRM themselves. Years ago, Rick was described as an ‘A’ by Jadis when he was extracted. Now, at last, we know what that is: a leader, someone with the capacity to change things rather than endure them. It’s the last, and exact, thing Rick wants to hear and seeing him wrestle with that is fascinating. His frequent screen partner, Pearl Thorne (played by the exceptional Lesley-Ann Brandt) is in the same boat. A natural survivor, a natural leader and as furious and disgusted and desperate as Rick.

But in the end the choice is simple. Lincoln shows us this during a suicide attempt where Rick suddenly stops and full body shudders at the ridiculousness of what he’s considering. They’re the Ones Who Live. And Rick, a man raised in order and justice, finds himself ready to be The One Who Lives. He gives up. He goes native. It hurts impossibly, and he does it anyway. On one side of his life is Michonne, and the impossibly sweet, romantic dreams he keeps having of her. Danai Gurira and Lincoln have such wonderful energy in these scenes, gentle and kind and sweet, and driving Rick back to who he is not who he’s decided he has tom be. On the other is Thorne, the CRM and Okafor (Craig Tate), the senior CRM officer who saved Rick’s life and who sees who he is. An A. A leader. Someone who can change things. Okafor is every inch Rick’s equal and more so, and Tate is spectacular here. His purring growl, his burning intelligence, his wounds as open as Rick’s. He’s a hero who needs help. The living embodiment of Rick’s weakness, No wonder he signs on.

And of course, almost as soon as he does, he and Michonne are re-united. The episode opens with Rick removing his own hand. The episode closes with Rick getting his heart back on the wrong end of a Ground-to-Air missile.

Verdict: The Ones Who Live are back together. Get ready. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart