Michonne Hawthorne

This article is only for the TV version of Michonne Hawthorne. To see the article for the original version, go to Michonne Hawthorne (Comic Series).
 
Michonne Hawthorne (later known as Michonne Grimes) is one of the tritagonists of AMC's The Walking Dead franchise. 
She is a resilient and resourceful survivor of the post-apocalyptic world overrun by walkers. Initially introduced as a mysterious and solitary figure, she quickly becomes an integral part of Rick Grimes' group, known for her exceptional combat skills with a katana and her ability to adapt to the harsh realities of the new world. Michonne's character evolves significantly throughout the series, as she transitions from a guarded and emotionally closed-off individual to a fiercely protective mother, leader, and friend. 
She is portrayed by Danai Gurira, who also portrayed Okoye in Black Panther. 
== Overview==
Michonne has a similar first appearance in both the TV Universe and Comics Universe. Armed with a katana, Michonne makes her entrance clothed beneath a hood, dragging along two reanimated corpses. She uses them as both a shield and a disguise for her protection. It's later revealed that these two walkers are actually her former boyfriend and his best friend, now zombified. In both the comic series and the TV adaptation, Michonne plays a significant role in the conflict that unfolds between the town of Woodbury, led by The Governor, and the group residing in the Prison. However, the portrayal of Michonne's character changes drastically between the two mediums. While in both versions, she initially appears as an outsider who quickly proves her worth to the group, there are notable differences. 
In the comic, Michonne is depicted as a former lawyer and a divorced mother searching for her two missing daughters. She enters into a casual relationship with Tyreese, who is already involved with Carol Peletier. Her conflict with The Governor is a lot darker in the comics, as she endures a traumatic sexual assault before exacting revenge by mutilating him. As Michonne faces numerous losses, her mental state deteriorates, drawing her closer to Rick Grimes, who shares a similar history of trauma. Despite briefly finding solace at The Kingdom under Ezekiel's rule, Michonne ultimately runs away and seeks refuge at Oceanside before eventually returning. Her absence during this period is explored in a 3-episode mini-series created by Telltale Games, shedding light on her departure and her life at sea.
==History==
In the television series, Michonne's backstory is slightly altered. She is depicted as having a three-year-old son named André Anthony, while the fates of her boyfriend and boyfriend's friend remain unchanged. Over the course of the series, Michonne's trauma and her guarded disposition gradually recede as she undergoes a process of recovery. She starts to open up and becomes more invested in the close-knit community formed around Rick's core group.
Her conflict with The Governor in the TV series stems from his attempt to kill her. She departs from the town under the suspicion that he poses a threat and wants to protect her friend Andrea. Furthermore, the television series delves deeper into her relationship with the Grimes family. Michonne becomes a significant presence in their lives, encouraging her group to strive for safety in Washington, DC. She also embarks on a romantic relationship with the series' protagonist, Rick Grimes, taking on the role of a surrogate mother to his children, Carl and Judith.
In the six years that follow Rick's disappearance and apparent demise, Michonne evolves into one of the leaders within the Alexandria Safe-Zone. During this time, she gives birth to Rick's son, Rick Jr. (RJ). However, she eventually departs from the community upon learning of Rick's survival and abduction by the Civic Republic Military (CRM), setting out on a journey to find him.
==Biography==
===Season 2===
Michonne's initial appearance occurs towards the conclusion of the second season's finale episode, "Beside the Dying Fire." However, it's worth noting that Danai Gurira had not yet been chosen to play this character during that time. In this scene, Michonne intervenes just in time to rescue Andrea from an approaching walker. She wields a katana, featuring a distinctive triquetra symbol on the inner crossguard.
Similar to her portrayal in the comics, Michonne is accompanied by two walkers who are bound by chains. These walkers have been modified to prevent them from attacking, with their arms and lower jaws removed. This modification effectively renders them docile. Michonne demonstrates practical uses for her unique companions, such as utilizing them as carriers for supplies or as a disguise. Other walkers tend to ignore those who walk alongside her and her walker companions due to the scent and presence of the chained walkers. Eventually, Michonne decides to decapitate these walkers not long before she and Andrea encounter Merle.
=== Season 3===
In the episode "Walk with Me," Michonne and Andrea are taken by a group led by Merle Dixon to Woodbury, a nearby town governed by the enigmatic leader known as the Governor. Andrea, weakened after eight months on the road, finds solace in the town's sense of community, while Michonne remains wary of the Governor's intentions. Despite her efforts to persuade Andrea to leave, Michonne eventually decides to go on her own.
In "Hounded," Michonne's suspicions about the Governor's true nature are confirmed when Merle and his men are sent to kill her. She manages to kill two of Merle's men and escape, subsequently encountering Maggie and Glenn, who reveal the location of the prison where they're staying. A wounded Michonne arrives at the prison with supplies for an infant but struggles to gain trust.
In the mid-season finale, Michonne joins Rick, Daryl, and others to rescue Glenn and Maggie from Woodbury. During the operation, Michonne discovers the Governor's gruesome collection of zombie heads and his reanimated daughter, Penny, whom she kills. She engages in a brutal fight with the Governor, ultimately stabbing him in the eye before Andrea's intervention stops her from delivering the final blow.
Upon her return to Rick's group, they question her reliability due to her absence but recognize her importance in Daryl's absence. Michonne continues to face Rick's distrust and is told she'll be sent away when fully recovered. As the Governor attacks the prison in "Home," Michonne assists in its defense. Michonne informs Andrea about the Governor's intentions and his ruthless control over those who try to leave Woodbury. She further bonds with Rick and Carl during a weapons run. Merle plans to hand Michonne over to the Governor but changes his mind, opting to attack the Governor's group instead. He sacrifices himself in the process.
In the season finale, Michonne, Rick, and Daryl set out to locate the Governor but stumble upon the aftermath of his brutal actions. They find Andrea, who has been bitten and put her down to prevent reanimation. Michonne offers to stay with Andrea in her final moments before returning to the prison with the group and Woodbury's remaining residents.
=== Season 4===
In the Season 4 premiere, Michonne returns to the prison after her relentless but unsuccessful search for the Governor. Her demeanor at the prison appears notably more relaxed, even engaging in light-hearted moments with Rick and Carl. However, events take a dramatic turn in subsequent episodes.
In "Infected," Michonne prepares to resume her quest but stays behind when a walker attack is announced, injuring her ankle. During this time, she has a poignant moment while caring for baby Judith. In "Isolation," she volunteers for a mission to obtain antibiotics from a veterinary college, joined by Bob, Daryl, and Tyreese. The group hears a radio message about Terminus but faces a perilous walker encounter.
Despite her resolve to find the Governor fading, Michonne continues her journey with the group. In "Internment," they return to the prison after dealing with a walker herd, and Michonne assists in disposing of the deceased. In the mid-season finale, the Governor reappears, taking Michonne and Hershel hostage. He demands that Rick's group vacate the prison and uses Michonne and Hershel as leverage. Despite Rick's attempts to negotiate, the Governor kills Hershel with Michonne's katana, sparking a violent confrontation. In the chaos, Michonne escapes after impaling the Governor and, as walkers overrun the prison, the group becomes separated, leading to uncertainty about Judith's fate. Glenn and others leave, unaware that Michonne is still there.
Michonne then adopts two walkers as her traveling companions and embarks on a journey through the woods. During her travels, Michonne experiences a haunting nightmare about her life before the apocalypse, which highlights her comfortable life with her boyfriend Mike and her young son Andre. This dream serves as a poignant reminder of her past.
While walking through the forest, Michonne encounters a walker that bears a striking resemblance to her former self. Realizing that the walkers do not perceive her as a threat because they mistake her for one of them, Michonne decides to reclaim her life and humanity. She fearlessly takes on and eliminates an entire herd of walkers. However, this emotional ordeal leads to a breakdown, and she briefly addresses her lost loved ones, particularly Mike.
In the subsequent episode, "Claimed," Michonne accompanies Carl on a supply run and shares more about her tragic past to uplift his spirits. She reveals that she had a three-year-old son named Andre Anthony, who tragically succumbed shortly after the outbreak began.
As they continue their journey, Michonne, Rick, and Carl follow a set of train tracks, only to discover that a group of men has been tracking them. In the season finale episode, "A," as they approach Terminus, they are suddenly ambushed by a gang of marauders who hold them at gunpoint. Joe, the leader of the marauders, threatens extreme violence, including rape and murder. In a fit of rage, Rick brutally kills Joe by biting his throat. Amid the ensuing chaos, Michonne manages to seize a firearm and eliminates two of the marauders. Following this intense encounter, the reunited group resumes their trek towards Terminus.
On the outskirts of Terminus, Michonne opens up to Carl about the tragic circumstances surrounding Andre's death and the rationale behind keeping two walker pets. She explains that during the initial outbreak, she, her boyfriend Mike, his friend Terry, and her son Andre were part of a larger survivor group. However, a devastating incident occurred when Michonne was away scavenging for supplies, leaving Mike and Terry in charge of Andre. While she was out, the group was suddenly attacked by a horde of walkers, leading to Mike and Terry getting bitten and Andre losing his life. When Michonne returned and comprehended the dire situation, she allowed Mike and Terry to turn into walkers, keeping them as her "walker pets" as a form of punishment for their negligence. She confides in Carl, expressing her desire to move away from this dark aspect of her past.
As they enter Terminus and realize it's a trap, Michonne, along with Rick, Carl, and Daryl, attempts to escape but eventually gets captured. They are confined to a container, where they reunite with Glenn, Maggie, Bob, Sasha, and also meet Sergeant Abraham Ford, Dr. Eugene Porter, Rosita Espinosa, and Tara Chambler. The season concludes with Michonne present as Rick delivers a resolute statement: "...they're fuckin' with the wrong people," hinting at the group's determination to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
===Season 5===
In the season five premiere titled "No Sanctuary," Michonne and her group manage to escape Terminus and are joyfully reunited with Carol, Tyreese, and baby Judith. As they continue their journey in the episode "Strangers," Michonne discovers her katana is missing and uses a gun to dispatch a nearby walker. They come across Father Gabriel Stokes, who offers them shelter in his church, although they initially mistrust him. In the episode "Four Walls and a Roof," the group takes refuge in the church, where they face the remaining cannibalistic members of Terminus. Michonne assists in defeating Gareth and his group and reclaims her katana. In "Crossed," the group learns of Beth's captivity and decides to rescue her, leaving Michonne, Carl, and Judith at the church. In the mid-season finale "Coda," Michonne helps defend the church against a walker horde but is saved by Glenn and others. They eventually head to Atlanta to support Rick and witness the tragic discovery of Beth's death.
In the midseason premiere titled "What Happened and What's Going On," Michonne advocates for heading to Washington, D.C., despite Noah's community being overrun. Tragically, Tyreese is bitten, and Michonne is forced to amputate his arm, but he succumbs to blood loss. In "Them," Michonne expresses concern for Sasha but witnesses her anger and isolation. The group continues their journey towards D.C., enduring a tornado. In "The Distance," Michonne plays a pivotal role in convincing Rick to trust Aaron, a recruiter for the Alexandria safe haven. They arrive at the community, where Michonne witnesses children playing and feels reassured by their decision.
Michonne, along with Rick, struggles to adapt to Alexandria's peaceful life. They are appointed as constables by Deanna Monroe, Alexandria's leader. In "Forget," Michonne dons a police uniform and reluctantly attends a welcoming party. She has a heart-to-heart with Abraham about adjusting to their new lives and places her katana above a fireplace mantle in one of the houses, symbolizing her internal conflict. 
Michonne and Rosita search for Sasha, who has gone missing while hunting walkers. They find and help her eliminate a group of walkers. When Rick's conflict with Pete escalates, Michonne knocks Rick out to prevent violence in front of the crowd. In the season finale, "Conquer," Michonne learns about Rick and Carol's gun theft but supports Rick's intentions. During a town forum, she defends Rick's actions, witnesses the chaos when Pete confronts Rick, and experiences Morgan's arrival. In the end, Michonne decides to keep her katana with her as a symbol of her commitment to the group's survival.
===Season 6===
Rick, Michonne, and their group face challenges in keeping the people of Alexandria safe and teaching them survival skills. The season begins with the discovery of a massive walker herd trapped in a quarry nearby. They decide to use this as an opportunity to learn and eliminate the threat. While leading the herd away, a horn from Alexandria distracts the walkers, forcing Michonne, Rick, Morgan, and others to investigate. Morgan goes ahead to check, while Rick splits the group to divert the walkers. Michonne and Glenn are tasked with returning the others to Alexandria and finding out what's happening.
In "Thank You," Michonne, Glenn, and Heath work hard to stay ahead of the herd and protect the group. Unfortunately, Glenn gets separated from them, and only Michonne and Heath make it back to Alexandria alive. In "Now," Michonne informs Maggie that she's uncertain about Glenn's fate but remains hopeful. Rick returns, but the herd follows him to the walls of Alexandria. They must now figure out how to deal with the walkers while waiting for Glenn and others to return. They also learn about the attack by the Wolves, and Carol reveals that Morgan allowed some of them to escape, whom Rick later kills. Michonne debates with Morgan about his belief that "all life is precious," emphasizing that life is more complex in their new reality.
The mid-season finale, "Start to Finish," sees the herd breaching Alexandria's walls. Michonne, Rick, and others seek shelter in a house. Deanna is fatally wounded during the chaos, and Michonne tends to her. As they wait, Michonne and Deanna bond, discussing the future of Alexandria and survival. Deanna encourages Michonne to find her own purpose, and Michonne promises to do so. When walkers infiltrate the house, they're forced to leave Deanna behind to end her own life. The group uses a gruesome tactic to move through the herd unnoticed.
In the midseason premiere, tragedy strikes as Jessie and her sons are killed by walkers, and Carl is seriously injured. Alexandria starts rebuilding two months later. Michonne, after a heartfelt moment with Carl, realizes what she wants in her life. She and Rick begin a romantic relationship. However, they soon face a conflict with Negan, a ruthless antagonist who takes some of their group hostage and kills one of them with a brutal weapon named "Lucille."
===Season 7===
In the season premiere, "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be," Michonne witnesses the brutal deaths of Abraham and Glenn. Negan forces Rick to almost amputate Carl's arm, which is a test of Rick's loyalty. Sasha later helps Maggie reach the Hilltop for medical care. Michonne accompanies Rick and the group in an RV after Negan and his followers depart. Michonne prepares for potential conflict with the Saviors by practicing her marksmanship. The Saviors demand Alexandria's guns, and Michonne reluctantly hands over a rifle. Rick tells her about Judith's true parentage, and they discuss the harsh realities of their new world.
Michonne uses a clever tactic to take a Savior hostage and heads towards the Sanctuary. She witnesses the Saviors' power and returns to Alexandria after the Saviors kill Spencer and Olivia and abduct Eugene. Michonne finds Rick in the jail cell Morgan built, trying to convince him that they can resist Negan's rule. Michonne, along with Daryl, Jesus, and others, regroups with Rick, Maggie, and Carl at the Hilltop. They plan their next move against the Saviors. Michonne joins a group traveling with Rick to the Kingdom in hopes of enlisting their help. They encounter explosives placed by the Saviors, steal them, and discuss their determination to resist.
Michonne assists Rick when he's challenged to fight an armored walker. She receives a gift from Rick, a metal cat sculpture. In "Say Yes," Michonne scavenges with Rick and they enjoy their time together. They face danger but reaffirm their commitment to each other. Michonne joins Rick's mission to Oceanside to acquire weapons and potential allies. The group encounters resistance from Natania but ultimately succeeds.
In the season finale, "The First Day of the Rest of Your Life," Michonne and the group are betrayed by the Scavengers. Sasha's zombified form attacks Negan, but she fails to kill him. Michonne participates in the ensuing battle and is seriously injured. She's later seen recovering in bed with Rick by her side.
===Season 8===
The focus remains on the ongoing war against Negan and the Saviors, resulting in significant losses on both sides. Initially, Michonne has limited appearances due to prior injuries, but her involvement increases in the latter part of the season.
In the midseason premiere, titled "Honor," Michonne, alongside Rick, grapples with the aftermath of Carl being bitten by a walker. She must bid a tearful farewell as Carl, on the verge of turning into a walker, takes his own life to prevent reanimation.
In "The Lost and the Plunderers," Michonne and Rick depart from Alexandria after laying Carl to rest, making their way to Hilltop with a stop at the Junkyard along the journey. Michonne is taken aback by the discovery that all of Jadis' people have been brutally killed. She is somewhat uneasy after Rick's decision not to rescue Jadis. Eventually, the couple arrives at Hilltop. Michonne initiates contact with Negan through a walkie-talkie and reads Carl's letter intended for him. She endeavors to persuade Negan to reconsider his stance and bring an end to the conflict without further bloodshed. This belief becomes increasingly significant to Michonne as the eighth season progresses. However, Negan remains adamant about killing Rick and obliterates the walkie-talkie in the process.
In the final episode, Rick confronts Negan in a decisive battle and emerges victorious. Rather than taking Negan's life, Rick opts to spare him and chooses to imprison him for his past actions. This decision sparks frustration and anger from Maggie, although Michonne stands in agreement with Rick's choice.
===Season 9===
Following the events of the war against the Saviors that occurred the year before, Negan is incarcerated in Alexandria, and despite the loss of Carl, Rick and Michonne focus on building a future, particularly for Judith. The couple decides to start a family together. A significant project is the construction of a bridge connecting Alexandria, the Kingdom, Hilltop, and the Sanctuary, aimed at facilitating communication among all communities. Michonne also suggests a set of common laws to govern everyone, initiating the drafting of a charter. However, tensions arise at the Hilltop when their leader, Gregory, attempts to assassinate Maggie. She takes matters into her own hands, leading to Gregory's execution, a shocking event witnessed by Michonne and Rick.
Despite her busy schedule overseeing Alexandria's construction and community welfare, Michonne feels a lack of excitement in her life. She secretly goes out at night to battle walkers, finding solace in it. During one encounter, she's reminded of Glenn and Abraham's deaths, causing her to reconsider her nightly escapades. In Alexandria, Michonne intervenes to prevent Maggie from killing Negan, despite Maggie's desire for revenge. Maggie eventually decides to let Negan suffer in his cell after realizing he's a mere shadow of his former self.
In a pivotal moment, Rick seemingly sacrifices himself to save the group by blowing up the bridge. However, he survives and is taken away in a helicopter with Anne. Six years later, Michonne leads Alexandria and is a parent to Judith and her and Rick's son, RJ. A significant divide exists between Michonne and the other communities, with her hesitant to visit the Hilltop. Carol attempts to reconcile these divisions, but Michonne remains resistant. Michonne discovers that Negan briefly escaped from his cell but chose to return voluntarily. Negan proposes helping Michonne lead Alexandria, an offer she declines. Meanwhile, Judith secretly interacts with Negan, believing he's not entirely bad, which causes friction between her and Michonne.
The emergence of the Whisperers, a group surviving by disguising themselves as walkers, poses a new threat. Jesus is killed in an encounter with them. Michonne, Daryl, and others, branded and tortured during a past incident, confront the Whisperers, leading to a violent altercation. Flashbacks reveal a dark episode from the six-year time lapse when Michonne, heavily pregnant, joined Daryl in searching for Rick's body after the bridge explosion. They encountered Jocelyn, a former friend, who led a group of children and ultimately betrayed Michonne, forcing her to take extreme measures to protect Judith.
Michonne's trust in Daryl is tested when he arrives at Alexandria's gates with a wounded Henry and Lydia, Alpha's daughter. She allows them temporary refuge but is hesitant to provide further assistance. Eventually, she decides to help them after Judith goes in search of Daryl. They set out together to catch up with Daryl, unaware they are being observed by Whisperers. In the season's closing episodes, Michonne arranges a meeting with Alpha and negotiates for mutual protection. Unfortunately, Alpha exacts revenge by massacring several allies, leaving Michonne grappling with guilt.
In the season finale, the group returns to their communities through hostile territory, and Michonne is finally reunited with Judith and RJ. She visits Negan, recognizing that he has changed over the years, though their relationship remains complex.
===Season 10===
The tenth season marks Michonne's final appearances in the show, as Danai Gurira departs after a few episodes in the first half of the season.
In this season, the group faces the constant threat of Alpha and the Whisperers as they strive for survival. In the midseason finale titled "The World Before," Michonne encounters Virgil, a man who seems to have a significant role in the conflict against the Whisperers. To obtain weapons to use against Alpha, Michonne agrees to accompany Virgil on a boat journey to an abandoned island, leaving her children in the care of Daryl, Carol, and others.
Upon reaching the naval base with Virgil, Michonne discovers the absence of weapons and realizes she's fallen into a trap. Virgil locks her up, and she realizes there are other captives on the island. After being drugged and experiencing hallucinogenic visions of Andrea, Siddiq, and an alternate life siding with Negan and the Saviors, Michonne manages to escape her captor and free the others. During her pursuit of Virgil, she discovers Rick's boots and, later, a phone with Rick's name and a drawing of herself and Judith on it, hinting at Rick's possible survival. Leaving Virgil alive, Michonne informs Judith via walkie-talkie about her intention to find Rick. Taking two walker pets on chains, she embarks on a journey into the wilderness. Along the way, she encounters a man and a woman in need of assistance to catch up with a larger group of organized troops. Reflecting on how Rick once helped her, she decides to assist them. Michonne gets rid of her walker pets and offers her hand to the injured man. Together, they set out to join the larger group.
===Season 11===
In the series finale, more than a year after Michonne left in search of Rick, she is still on her quest. It seems she has separated from the group of survivors she had met earlier and is now traveling alone on horseback. Meanwhile, Judith decides to share the real reason behind Michonne's departure and the fact that Rick is still alive with her friends. With a determination to find other survivors, Daryl pledges to Judith that he will also make an effort to locate Rick and Michonne and bring them back home.
=== The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live ===
Michonne is set to return in a spin-off series continuing her search for Rick.
==Appearance==
Michonne is depicted as a tall and athletic African-American woman with a strong and muscular build. She has long, dark dreadlocked hair that is often pulled back or tied up. Michonne typically wears practical and durable clothing suitable for the post-apocalyptic world, often seen in jeans, a tank top, and a jacket or vest. Her most iconic accessory is her katana, which she carries with her at all times.
==Characteristics and Role==
Michonne tends to work alone and quietly, but, still fights for the survivors defense as strongly as the other active defenders. She is frequently referred to, and perceived by the other characters as one of the strongest members of the survivors, and frequently participates in the violent, but, necessary actions of the group, such as the conflict against The Governor and his henchmen. Her participation in the torture and slaughter of The Hunters showed a much more detached side of her than ever before. She admits in her imaginary conversations with her boyfriend that she cares for the group, showing that some humanity remains despite her torturous experiences. Michonne has shown from her break-down after torturing The Governor that she is still capable of vulnerability.
Despite her experiences, Michonne has proven her worth to the group; not only in her practical skills with her katana, but, her constant participation in moving the survivors forward and keeping the group safe. She is the only survivor arriving Post-Prison and before Woodbury. She remains a vital member of the survivors.
==External Links==
* Michonne Grimes (TV Universe) on The Walking Dead Wiki.
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