Richonne : Hands and Symbol
Seeing Richonne holding hands is one of my favorite things. Probably because their relationship started with a ‘Don’t you ever touch me again’ and their love story began with interlaced fingers.
And if I had to choose my favorite it would surely be the one we saw in 9x03:
I like this scene because it’s not just two lovers holding hands. It’s the symbol of who they are for each other, it’s the way their relationship works.
It was just after they learned that while Rick was spending a day with his family, problems had occurred at the bridge : a Savior was murdered and the tension is escalating. And Rick understands that despite all his efforts to reunite communities, to fulfill his son’s dream, once again everything he tries to build for the good of all threatens to crumble. It’s a strong contrast because he spent this day of happiness taking care of the 2 people he loves the most and the events come to remind him that he has no right to rest because he is the only one who can maintain this fragile peace.
I think you can find a way.
And as every time his old demons come to make him doubt, Rick withdraw into himself almost instantly. We can feel all the tension that invades him by watching him move, his arm extended, his fist clenched. Because it’s Rick’s burden since waking up in this hospital : he wants to do the right thing and has to face obstacles after obstacles as soon as he thinks he’s reaching his goal.
Michonne immediately guesses where Rick’s spirit wants to go, she knows that he begins to doubt, to worry. She approaches her hand and touches his, hoping that he opens it spontaneously so that she can hold it, and thus prevent him from drowning in his thoughts.
But Rick is already too overwhelmed by his emotions to respond to her move. So she looks for another angle, she tries to make him listen to reason, to explain to him that she will not go anywhere, that she will not give up, that she will not abandon him. As always, she reminds him that he is not alone.
As usual in their relationship, she doesn’t force him to anything, she doesn’t impose her vision of things, she doesn’t get upset because he doesn’t let her in right away (by keeping his hand closed) … She doesn’t abandon him either to his demons and his doubts : she’s not moving her hand away. No, she just tries another approach, she slides her fingers gently and it’s he who makes the choice to let her in. She loosens his fist but she doesn’t do it abruptly, she doesn’t want to take the lead over him, but just show him that she is present and that she understands what he feels. The way she slips gently her fingers down his palm reminds me of how she always manages to soothe him, to dispel the dark clouds.
Rick finally opens his hand completely, he finally lets her help and she takes the opportunity to interlace her fingers firmly in his, as if to tell him that she is there, she holds him, she will not let him go. He is not alone, this dream is their dream, so she will be at his side to face the obstacles.
She squeezes his hand, one last time to affirm her determination to never let him go. And he ends up holding her hand and finally resting on her. Interlocking their fingers, Michonne prevents him from closing his fist on loneliness and his demons: when he closes his fingers it is the hand of his wife that he feels now and nothing else. She has replaced the doubts and frustrations, she is a barrier against all that.
Their hands are one, and seem stuck to each other. Whatever happens, they will always face together, they will always be stronger together
That’s why this moment is more than two people joining hands to reassure each other. No, this scene represents Richonne, it’s their story. The story of a man who has always faced doubts, guilt, responsibilities alone, until he meets his pillar, the love of his life, the only person who can prevent him from sinking, by reminding him that he is no longer alone, now they are two to face the world.
Thanks to the talented @michonnegrimes for allowing me to use her gifs of this 9x03 scene.
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