Episode 3 of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, entitled ‘Bye’, opens with a haunting flashback, taking us back to the moment when Rick first stumbled into the city and encountered Jadis. She desperately tried to convince him that he had glimpsed the future and that she had been the one to salvage his life. Yet, Rick remained resolute, insisting that he would find a way out, and so she reluctantly left him to his own devices.
Now, in the present, Jadis confronts Rick with a stark warning, demanding that he remain where he is. Curious, Rick demands to know what has changed. She reveals that while Rick alone is powerless, with Michonne by his side, they possess the potential to escape - a dire threat to the CRM's ironclad security.
Following Okafor's solemn funeral, Beale confesses that his trust in Rick remains as tenuous as ever, yet he promotes Thorne to the rank of Command Major General. Thorne, loyal to Okafor's vision, continues with his plan and briefs Rick on the upcoming mission. She also reveals that Beale has his suspicious eyes trained on Dana, alias Michonne, and that Rick must take responsibility for her safety.
Deeply concerned, Rick rushes to inform Michonne that their escape is imminent. He presses ahead, leaving her to follow. But when she finally reaches the designated rendezvous point, he has vanished without a trace. Her heart pounding, she stumbles upon a lifeless body clad in her uniform and finds a letter. It becomes clear that Rick has no intention of fleeing; instead, he intends to stay behind and provide cover while she returns for Judith. He confides in Jadis, informing her that Michonne has fled and pleading with her to cover up the investigation.
However, Michonne steadfastly refused to depart, sparking a furious outburst from Rick. With an unchecked vigor, she smiled calmly and resumed her tasks, catching Thorne's attention. Additionally, she embarked on her maiden visit to the city, stumbling upon the artist who had diligently sketched her and Judith on cell phones. He confessed that it was Rick who had commissioned him to depict them, though he had struggled to capture Carl's likeness. Michonne declared her intent to find Rick, and the artist counseled her to hold onto hope.
That evening, Thorne, accompanied by a scowling Rick, escorted Michonne to Okafor's hideout, extending an invitation to join their ranks. She emphasized that Rick was family and that it was solely due to him that Michonne was still alive. Thorne surreptitiously drew her blade, startling Rick, but Michonne calmly acquiesced and accepted her fate.
Their inaugural joint mission entailed clearing the walkers patrolling the perimeter of the Cascadia Base, where high-ranking CRM officials were converging for a summit. Thorne was designated as the bait, while Michonne served as backup. As they neared the border, Michonne observed Thorne struggling, yet refusing assistance. Impulsively, Michonne took the role of bait, with Rick swiftly joining her side. After successfully diverting the walkers' attention, Michonne urged him to flee, but he stubbornly refused.
Returning to a furious Thorne, who attempted to shoot Michonne, Rick intervened, deflecting her aim. Back at the base, she sternly admonished him to adhere to Okafor's plan, declaring that Michonne had no place among them. To Michonne's astonishment, Jadis unexpectedly appeared, attempting to persuade Rick to depart. However, his tone was harsh as he declared their relationship over, stating that his place was with CRM, whereas she did not belong. Undeterred, Michonne seized an opportunity during their helicopter ride back, abruptly seizing Rick and leaping off at the climax of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Episode 3, leaving the fate of their relationship hanging in the balance.
