One The Walking Dead scene that was six years in the making went in a completely different direction than anyone would have anticipated.

Having spent so many years apart, Rick and Michonne’s Walking Dead reunion created all sorts of potential scenarios, but one scene in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live was way different from what anyone expected. The franchise’s latest spinoff finally gave Rick and Michonne their Walking Dead reunion that everyone has been waiting for. Given everything that transpired after Rick’s departure, there is so much for Michonne to tell him, but she has kept a lot of information close to her chest. However, one of her big reveals played out way differently from what most people could have envisioned.

The Ones Who Live‘s award-worthy episode 4 was full of emotion and allowed Rick and Michonne to finally have the one-on-one conversation they desperately needed. They both kept a lot hidden from each other, with Rick eventually opening up about his fears and insecurities towards the end of the episode. While Michonne is sympathetic and understanding to Rick, the franchise’s protagonist gives a surprising reaction to Michonne’s bombshell at the beginning of “What We”. Rick’s reaction is far from what anyone expected, but there is a deeper reason behind the character’s uncharacteristic response to Michonne.

Michonne Telling Rick About RJ Goes Nothing Like You’d Expect (& That’s The Point)

Rick’s Surprising Lack Of Interest In RJ Is Intentional

After Michonne finally tells Rick about his son in The Walking Dead spinoff, the protagonist shows a lack of interest in learning more. This is far from the reaction anyone could have anticipated after six years of buildup, especially considering Rick has always been a good father during his time on The Walking Dead. The idea of having another son seemed like the kind of thing that would motivate Rick to get home, yet he doubled down on his decision to stay with the CRM and immediately directed the conversation back to the situation at hand.

Understandably, this shocked Michonne, who was outraged that Rick barely reacted to the fact they had a child together. Rick’s initial reaction would suggest it was barely important to him, and that he was only interested in was getting Michonne home, so he could return to the CRM. Of course, this isn’t the whole story, as Rick’s blunt response is likely an attempt to conceal his true feelings so that he can focus on the current issue. He doesn’t truly want to stay with the CRM but feels it’s his only way of keeping Michonne and their children safe.

Why Rick Barely Reacts To Hearing He Has A Son

Rick Has An Understandable Reason For His Reaction

Rick’s reason for barely reacting to the RJ news becomes much clearer by the end of the episode. Although Rick uses the idea of taking over the CRM as an excuse for not leaving, he uses this to hide the real reason. The reality is Rick had to learn to live without his family in order to keep going. He explained how he could no longer see Carl in his dreams and that Michonne began to disappear as well. Believing Michonne and Judith are safe is the only way Rick feels he can carry on living.

Adding RJ into the equation makes things much more difficult, as it is another person he can’t take care of. It may seem like he doesn’t care based on his reaction, but the truth is, Rick is already hurting and the addition of another child to his life only makes things more complicated. Rick seems to still be grieving Carl’s death despite how much time has passed, and RJ likely acts as a reminder of his first son. His reaction isn’t a sign of him not caring, but rather him trying to bury his true emotions.