The newcomer who got a bad start with Rick and Daryl will likely introduce the group to a new, bigger world.
- Feb 22, 2016
AceShowbiz - "The Walking Dead" has just introduced a new face, Jesus, in the latest episode which aired February 21, but that wasn't the biggest surprise. There had been speculations about whether or not Rick and Michonne's relationship would turn into something romantic, and the episode just answered it.
In the episode, [SPOILER ALERT!] Rick and Michonne shared an intimate moment on the couch. They kissed and ended up naked in Rick's bed together. They woke up to someone calling Rick's name and that person was Jesus, who is played by Tom Payne. So now, at least one person has found out about Rick and Michonne's tryst.
Fans must still remember that Rick just lost his other love interest, Jessie, in the midseason premiere that aired last week. However, according to showrunner Scott M. Gimple, "weeks have passed" on the show since moments in last week's episode.
On where the show would take this relationship to, Gimple says, "These are two people who have suddenly realized - pretty much at exactly the same time, on that couch - what they already had together and who they already were to each other. This isn't a one-night stand. And what they have was already there, before they even kissed."
Gimple also talks about Jesus' introduction. "He's introduced a little bit differently than he was in the comics, but he is very much the character from the comics," he explains, "and moving into the next episode - because we see him at the end in Alexandria - we're going to start down that road where we're seeing more and more moments of Jesus from the book."
Payne himself describes his portrayal of the comic book character. "They want this lighter character, not that he's too light. He's a very serious person actually. He could be talking about something very serious, but there's also a lighter side to it," he tells EW.
On Jesus' intention when he stole the key's truck, he says, "He was just taking that stuff at the beginning, but then when they catch up to him, he sees that there's a bit more about them because when I was watching it again yesterday, I was like, 'Wow, they're super persistent. They really ran after him.' ...So I think the character as well, he's like, 'Wow, they caught up to me, like I drove a fair distance away. I'm going to check these guys out.' "
But Rick and his group may need to be more cautious as Payne additionally notes, "He's a mysterious character at this point... His motives should be not necessarily immediately apparent."
As seen in a preview for the next episode, Rick is taking the group to a new place as he claims that "the world is about to get a whole lot bigger." But Rick doesn't easily trust him, and warns him that if he sets them up, he won't be safe.
"Knots Untie" airs Sunday, February 28 at 9/8c on AMC. The official synopsis has not been released yet.
