The Walking Dead Review: What We Become (Season 10 Episode 13)
Michonne finds going on a trip while staying inside isn’t so fun on The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 13, “What We Become,” an episode that delivers on her character in time for her departure, but stumbles with coincidences and out-of-character decisions to push that departure along.
Michonne, as a character, has been one of the most engaging, her sharp style of keeping everything under control matched by her big heart for those she cares about. This episode breaks that down to her essentials, trying to find a new way to accept others and to accept her choices.
But it’s hard to shake the feeling that the episode is dragging its feet a little. It’s a lot of waiting, and while some of the trippy parts are great visually, it’s hard to engage when in the back of your head you’re wondering if Michonne will ever get those weapons, or if she will even make it out of there at all. After so many exciting episodes, it’s almost like whiplash.
The alternate timeline is one of the more fascinating aspects of the episode, how Michonne’s life could have gone if she chose to allow Andrea to die than save her, and the continual crossing into the lives of the other characters. A life of hard times leading to Negan is an intriguing idea, that closing off to others and a difference of circumstances could lead to a life of cruelty.
It’s something the episode doesn’t quite earn, however. The Walking Dead, as a show, has proven time and time again that being kind is almost a fifty-fifty chance of doom, and while its ultimate message of mercy and peace rings true as a concept, everything that’s come before shouts the exact opposite. Michonne would not be in this mess throughout if not for trusting Virgil.
Michonne finds the kindness of her kids to be her center but has been largely untrusting of people.
For her to fall for Virgil’s trick, and then embrace two strangers and this new herd of people during the final moments, feels a little out of character. She’s been the hardest on accepting new people into Alexandria during the ninth season after the time skip, so the “what if” alternate timeline trip isn’t entirely changing things to make her trust more.
The need to find Rick, though, is a more understandable place to end her character’s journey on The Walking Dead. It feels strange for her to leave without Judith and R.J. at her side, especially when the episode is kind of teaching her that those you’re closest to are most important. Maybe it could have worked where all three go off in search of Rick, but Michonne by herself feels a little strange.
With Alpha and the Whisperer threat confirmed to be gone, however, it’s a little feasible that this would be the direction that leads to Michonne leaving. The threat is mostly gone, and she can leave without a guilty conscience and knowing her family is safe.
But you have to wonder why none of the characters have witnessed a caravan of people like this before. Is it a once-in-a-lifetime migration elsewhere, or are these people who have been stuck under Whisperer fear, as well? It’s likely we won’t have an answer until the Rick and Michonne movies that have been announced, but for now, it’s a mystery, one that’s a tad disappointing to wait for.
It’s hard to shake off the massive coincidence of finding a cellphone with Michonne and Judith etched into it, especially when it’s mostly under a pile of ship manifests. The boots alone are a pretty impossible thing, but for the phone, too, it’s pretty wild. It’s needed to push Michonne forward, but a little too much for the believability factor.
Luckily, Danai Gurira is excellent throughout, reliably bringing the immense emotions of both her guilt and her newfound hope to soaring heights. While the first half of the episode dwells in more frustrating territory, it’s when Michonne’s morality and underlying fears are played on where both her character and Gurira are allowed time to shine. She’s been a wonderful part of the show, and she will be missed!
The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 13, “What We Become,” may suffer under taking its time and feeling a little lost in itself, but the conclusion does allow for Michonne to not only find the peace she’s been searching for, but some hope along the way. Her path ahead may be completely open, but her path on this show has come to an end.
Michonne has contributed to some great moments over her eight years on The Walking Dead, and hopefully there are more to come with the movies.
What did you think of this episode of The Walking Dead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.