#danai the writer that you are

[machonnes]

THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE (2024) 1.04 | What We

[riickgrimes]

THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE | 1.04 — "What We" Directed by Michael Slovis Written by Danai Gurira

[whateverisbeautiful]

The

Only

Time

I

Feel

Safe

Is

When

I’m

With

You

[alokarotativa]

If I got a coin every time my favorite ship did a scene where a panic attack was comforted with a steady hand above the heartbeat

I'd have two.

Not that much but it's AMAZING that it happened twice.

[superpowered-dirt]

i might never get the "you're the love of my life. i couldn't just let you go. it felt like my heart ripped itself out of my chest and walked out the door" line out of my head

[iccedays]

Happy Birthday Danai Gurira! 💘💘💘

Our Valentine’s Day Beauty

“I'm a storyteller. I'm always willing to serve the story, a story I believe in, in whatever way is necessary. If I need to write the story I believe in, I will write it.”

“I want women and girls of African descent and of color to be able to not have to keep searching for stories about themselves.”

- Danai Gurira ~ February 14th, 1978

[tllgrrl]

March 22, 2024 - Episode 252

Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).

This week, Danai Gurira joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about her return to The Walking Dead in The Ones Who Live, writing and serving as showrunner on the episode, and why telling Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and [her character] Michonne’s love story was important. The playwright also opens up about whether those skills can translate to Marvel and what she learned about the industry after what happened with [HBO] Max’s Americanah.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Showrunner Segment starts about 15 minutes in.

[youledmehere]

THE ONES WHO LIVE EPISODE FOUR: WHAT WE

[WRITTEN BY DANAI GURIRA]

-> Vulture: After some tedious lies and deceptions, in Michonne’s words, they needed a time-out. That’s exactly what they get in one of the best stand-alone episodes in all of The Walking Dead. (…) It’s like watching a two-person play, which makes sense, as the episode’s writer, Danai Gurira (Michonne herself), is an acclaimed and Tony-nominated playwright (…..) “What We” is not a bottle episode. Multiple sets in a single location, two characters with an internal conflict, and the special-effects budget make it a “Suitcase” episode. Editors Rating: 5 stars

Bloody-Disgusting: Andrew Lincoln once again showcases a masterclass of acting as Grimes cycles through his damaged psyche, desperately trying to figure out how to connect with Michonne. Gurira matches Lincoln’s emotional performance, evoking Michonne’s desperation and anger with authenticity. Letting Gurira take over writing duties for this specific episode proved extremely beneficial given the emotional legwork the character trudges through in this particular installment. If there’s anyone who can understand Michonne the best, it’s Danai Gurira.

The Hollywood Reporter: As the writer of the episode, Gurira felt she clearly understood Michonne’s arc, but she wanted to make sure her co-star and fellow executive producer Lincoln had enough meat to sink his teeth into, as well. “You want to give an actor like him everything you can,” she says. “Andy’s such a fantastic actor who throws everything into it. I was keen to give him that workout.” Lincoln added to THR, “It was thrilling to do all of this with friends, but Danai had one heck of a role as well as showrunning the fourth episode as an added responsibility. I thought the work she did on that was an astonishing testament to her skills, especially because apparently she only needs two hours a day to sleep.”

Den of Geek: To call it a bottle episode is dismissive. Certainly, there’s one major setting, and most of the episode contains little in the way of special effects (by the standards of the average Walking Dead Televisual Universe show). However, most bottle episodes aren’t this interesting, or this gripping. “What We” feels like The Walking Dead taking a stab at doing a spinoff of the Richard Linklater Before trilogy, not wallowing in the usual zombie action or soap opera frippery. It’s almost certainly going to be polarizing, but it’s one of the most captivating, emotionally-deep episodes of television from this universe, and it’s all down to the powerhouse that is Danai Gurira.

SpoilerTV: “What We” is a captivating exploration of love’s transformative force. Rick and Michonne shed their pretenses, abandoning deceit to forge a profound reconnection. Andrew Lincoln’s performance brilliantly resurrects Rick from the abyss of a living man who is dead inside, courtesy of Danai’s masterful writing.

Bleeding Cool: But it’s Gurira pulling double duty that deserves all of the attention and tons of praise. Proving that she knows this couple and their dynamic better than anyone, Gurira presented us with what felt like a real couple going through the problems with real reactions- even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. I know that reviews can sometimes go to the extremes-positive or negative- but in the case of “What We”, we have an easy contender for one of the best single episodes of the franchises run.

[terriblegam2r]

I am so, so happy that Danai has finally been given the opportunity to write for TWDU, and especially to write for Michonne. Screeners are saying that episode four (the episode Danai wrote and showrunned for) is the best episode in the show so far and I’m not surprised by that in the slightest. Danai is a very talented writer (writing is what she’s most passionate about) and I’m so happy and glad that Danai can truly give the respect to Michonne (and her journey thus far) that she deserves. :’)

You see AMC, this is what happens when you give the reigns to talented people that actually really care about their character’s journey. Magic happens ❤️

[richonnesbitch]

Me at Scott’s and Danai’s and Andy’s doors begging them for more: You can’t just leave us like that. I don’t even want a story. Just get together and film some scenes of what live at the Grimes’ is like now. It doesn’t have to follow a big narrative arc or anything. But I do need to see it. What type of activities and the likes does Rick do to spend time with his kids and get to know them? What does Michonne do to ‘make up’ for the year she missed? How do they adjust to being now a 4 person household? Where is it seamless? Where do they struggle a bit? How does Rick occupy his kids when he needs some alone time with his wife (that man is not done, ok lol)? Rick being the most attentive and present father to be there has ever been during Michonne’s pregnancy (listen, she’s already pregnant, it’s not up for debate lol). What incredible heartstopping declarations of love does Rick keep dropping on Michonne? What little gifts does he keep finding for her? I need to see all of this and so much more. PLEAAAAASE. Who do I need to bribe??? What do I need to do??

This is why the world needs fanfiction writers 😭😭 I hope all the richonne fanfic writers don't go back into hiding again. Now is when we need them the most!!!

[baifengxis]

danai gurira you're my favorite writer in the whole damn world, please write every tv show ever from now on, YOU CAN WRITE MY LIFE TOO I TRUST YOU I LOVE YOU PLEASE

[myobsessionsspace]

AMC DOES NOT play about Richonne

The said in their press tour and press releases.

They said in their interviews.

The writers, producers and main actors said it over and over again. It’s a LOVE STORY.

Forbes article

Not a bromance, not a continuation of The Rick Grimes Show, not the return of ASZ Leader Rick,

“If you look at [“Daryl Dixon” and “Dead City”], they have that ‘Walking Dead’ DNA of those larger-than-life characters and that real emotion,” Gimple said. “It isn’t just zombie storytelling. The stories that you’re going to get are going to have these features that are consistent throughout all of the expressions of these stories, however different they are. We value that character and emotion above all.” The Wrap

Lincoln says that, “This has been a long time coming, this story. Essentially the DNA of the original series was a man in search of his family, and that DNA is very much in this story, but we wanted to make it a bit more operatic and, hopefully show what the grownups have been dong while we've been scrambling around in the dirt for, you know, ten years.” Forbes

A LOVE STORY, a RICHONNE LOVE STORY.

Rick went through YEARS of struggle

Michonne went through YEARS of struggle

Nothing was easy

Love was always the message

“I loved returning to the role, and I love working with Danai. That was always the attraction, to continue telling this love story of these two characters that are so similar and found each other in this crazy apocalypse,” Lincoln told TheWrap. “When we did have our first scene, everything made sense, the reasons for completing the story and reviving these characters.” The Wrap

Lincoln insists that his and Gurira's new series, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, is, in fact, a love story. MovieWeb

This was a show about them, love, family, home. TWD has been a show about love, family, home.

“It's an epic love story. But it's a survival story too, because here's a wild question: Would Rick Grimes have survived coming out of the hospital if he didn't have a wife and a kid? I'm not sure he would have. What drove him was his love. MovieWeb

Lincoln describes the new TWD series as a love story that the world needs right now. The show's creators and cast are committed to portraying the love story accurately, despite the usual focus on survival and enemy threats in The Walking Dead world. MovieWeb

They did what they came to do and did it spectacularly.

🧡

[restesdelune]

I've been cooking, I've been cooking...

Let me share the cover art and a few stills from the next installment of my Richonne videos.

How Richonne Was Born #2 - Dandy On Set and Off

I've also been writing my first fanfic (Richonne of course)! I'll share it here before venturing to ff or ao3 because I'm brand new to this and that is a lot. I've put 7000 words down in two days but as usual, the rewrite hurts like a *****.

We'll see...

Finally, I'm still researching my bigger (essay/podcast) project #TheOnesWhoLoveLiveOn inspired by Danai Gurira, Michonne Grimes and bell hooks' work about belonging & the labor of love. This is my biggest endeavour to date and will hopefully include political and cultural commentary, from TWD/TOWL to tv/movie/genres from a Black feminist /Afrofem perspective.

You can find me on youtube, twitter or here as moonsoul or restes de lune. I had forgotten that tumblr was so much more pleasant and appropriate to follow up on and share projects. I really hope they all make it to the end, I feel empowered and motivated but my fellow adhders know that consistency and hyperfocus rarely go along hand in hand.

Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot to feel less alone. I wouldn't be making any of this if it weren't for the inspired (and yes, sometimes unhinged and worse) fandoms. I hadn't written or edited anything in forever and it's the screeners, the richonners, fanfics writers, and the overwhelming enthusiasm that brought me back to the fold and to my geeky antics.

Keep an eye out on my youtube for the next edit

How Richonne Was Born #2 - Dandy On Set and Off

Happy shipping

ps: sorry for the mistakes, English is not my first language.

[whateverisbeautiful]

I think the Jessie story was TPTB testing chemistry. Just b/c Gimple and our beloved ship captain Andy were planning for Richonne to happen, that doesn't mean the other folks involved (::cough:: Nicatero ::cough::) wanted it to happen.

I think they were hoping he'd have chemistry with the pretty blonde, and if he did, I think they would have pushed her further into Rick's arms. THANK GOD Andy wasn't feeling it. You could see in interviews and just the way he acted with her versus how he acted with Danai -- he was not feeling the chemistry, baby.

So. Chop chop. They had no choice. The Richonne fan base is too strong. GN saying he had other things to do when it came to being involved in TOWL is just him saying he never rooted for the pairing and didn't want to be around all the lovey dovey -- he wants an asexual Daryl and gore. And the way the writers messed with Michonne after Rick left, turning everyone against her -- that tells me that without Andy around they were just letting it be known that they didn't care about Michonne the way that Danai and Andy and Gimple did. No one can tell me otherwise.

And I'll bet talks about the movie broke down not just because of the pandemmy, but b/c ANDY WANTED A LOVE STORY. I'll bet you anything that has a big something to do with the movie breaking down. B/c who came together like "eff it, let's give OUR PEOPLE what they want"? The golden trio that brought us the most successful spinoff of them all, fight me (not you, I adore you, just saying).

Just when I thought I couldn’t be more grateful for Richonne and our captains, you reminded me that it really is special that Richonne exists because they overcame some major odds. Not just within the show but behind the scenes too. A healthy soulmate pairing like them is rare to see depicted on TV and usually gets thwarted, tainted, or nipped in the bud before it can even bloom because as you’ve said, some people do not want to see it happen. Thank goodness Richonne was championed by the two wonderfully devoted actors who bring Rick and Michonne to life and the longtime showrunner who saw the vision early on.

I agree that similar to how people overlooked that Rick is and has always been a romantic at heart, they overlooked that Andy also has a solid understanding that love is the driving force of why these characters fight to survive and wanted TOWL to be a love story. TWD is a story of humanity and survival and it’s not just the fighting and action that contribute to that survival, it’s love and I’m forever grateful that all three members of the golden trio knew that and depicted that as excellently as they did. The best captains we could ever ask for truly. 🫡 (Also for the parenthesis at the end - thank you! 😋🫶🏽)

[lilgoblinbitch]

THE ONES WHO LIVE EPISODE FOUR (spoilers)

my reactions while i watch this masterpiece of an episode:

HELP OMG MY HEART IS POUNDING

why is there a roomba

HOLY FUCK THEY LANDED IN THE OCEAN OKAY

WHAT IS THIS GIANT BUILDING THEYRE IN

“we needed a time out” YES YOU DID TELL HIM BAE

“the hell is this place” ITS WHERE U AND MICHONNE ARE GONNA-

why are they both so sexy omfg this is ...

OMG MICHONNE HAVE MERCY Y ON ME

rick that stare is making me feel things, STOP.

IM SCREAIMUNG INTO MY PILLOW SO MY ROOMMATES DONT HEAR ME FOLDING OVER TWO FICTIONAL CHARACTERS

MICHONNE I COULD SEE U AS A CREATIVE WRITER OMGGGG

the queen is so smart and witty and STRONG HOLY SHIT???

no because if i was her at that moment i would be on the ground sobbing and convulsing

“CHILDREN?” HELP PLEASE SOMEONE

rj…

oh god.

WHAT THE FUCK RICK

WHY DO U THINK SHE PULLED YOU OUT OF THE HELICOPTER YOU DUMB MALE

have sex already please

MY TV PARENTS ARE FIGHTING :(

michonne it’s not that simple you can’t just go home yet :(

“what did they do to you” bad things :(

“do you still love me? :(“ MY POOR BABY MICHONNE

“little brave man” i can’t.

please smack some fucking sense into him michonne.

poor rick he’s so fucking broken. and poor michonne i can’t imagine what it feels like to find your husband after 8 years and he’s just…gone. 😔

STOP IT I DONT WANNA CRY AGAIN

THE WAY HE SAVED HER FROM THE BUILDING COLLAPSING

OH FUCK THE KNIFE OH NO OH NO THEYRE GONNA FIND OUT

LMFAOOOOOO MICHONNE IS SO SASSY I LOVE HER SM “I DONT EVEN HAVE A WEAPON, COMMANDO”

okay he deserved that shove from her.

ANDY AND DANAI DESERVE AN AWARD

oh god mich again i’m so sorry. rick is gone he’s got stockholm syndrome or some shit

rick lost his manners fr he is not treating his wife well, the blood on her face the “DAMMIT HUG THE WALL” UM RICK DO YOU KNOW WHO YOURE TALKING TO HELLOOO?????

uhhhhhh what is happening….

oh! i like this part :) (they’re kissing)

oh! i like this even more (they’re fucking)

OH FUCK YES I NEEDED THIS

oh poor rick my baby he waited for this moment for way too long

omg the look in their eyes STOP THIS IS SO MAGICAL AAHHHH

i’m actually fucking sobbing.

i love them sm i don’t ever want them to leave that bed (unless they go back to their children ASAP)

DARYL MENTION!!!!

“sit, rick.” YES COMMAND YOUR HUSBAND

“we, our family, are real. our love doesn’t get denied.” 👏👏👏👏

CARL MENTION PLEASE HELP HELP HELP IM NOT OKAY :(

rick sobbing makes my heart drop. this tissue box is my new bff.

the CARL DRAWING….

i’m still fucking sobbing. like, hysterically.

THE ELEVATOR MAKE OUT YESSS

THE CAR MAKE OUT YESSS

“WE CAN MAKE THIS WHOLE DAMN WORLD OURS IF WE WANT TO” YES YOU FUCKING CAN RICKY DICKY DOO DAH GRIMES!!!!

MY TV PARENTS ARE BACK TOGETHER YIPPIIEEE

holy shit that was truly an emotional rollercoaster. honestly this was my favorite episode. danai, you are fucking amazing, thank you for feeding us this delicious richonne meal today!!!

[dandrew-stuff]

Does Andrew produce stuff with his wife? I just saw they sold their stake in a production company in the UK? I high key would love for Andy and Danai to continue to work together as producers and writers. I feel they are so professionally compatible that way.

Hey 👋🏾,hope you’re doing good.

Sorry for the answer being this late but I needed to watch this Sunday episode first cause I was too deep in my richonne brain-rot and I also needed to do some research cause by the time I became a dandy fan,they(A and G) weren’t part of the production company anymore so I didn’t and don’t know much about it.

And I am really sorry about it but I didn’t find anything relevant and trusted about the subject. I can direct you to this account who may know one thing or two (https://www.tumblr.com/wheredandylionscometogrow) and that’s all I can do for you about the subject. Sorry😢🙏🏾

And for Dandy working together in various projects will literally be my dream. I can already see them having their own production company and blessing us with their talents cause as you say,they’re really compatible professionally. I also feel like,they really enjoyed their experience in TOWL as actors but also producers;creator;writers;showrunner and all that.

I remember at the premiere in NYC, during the Q&A, Danai said that she had become addicted to this new aspect of her work and Danai has always loved the behind the scene work,Scott and Danai kept congratulating Andy on his post-production skills and he loved it too, he even tried his hand at writing and Danai congratulated him so it would be a real waste not to use more of their talents in these different areas. And their chemistry is just unprecedented, they can't abandon us now😁!