What We Become
Hope dies when the truth is finally seen by those who refused to look.
"What We Become" serves as Season 6's ninth episode, marking the death of diplomacy between Alexandria and the Saviors. Following a botched diplomatic mission and a catastrophic walker herd, the narrative pivots from desperate appeasement to the grim realization that coexistence is impossible. It defines the moment Rick Grimes and his group stop surviving for tomorrow and start preparing for war today.
- Season
- 6
- Episode Number
- 9
- Original Air Date
- February 21, 2016
- Primary Antagonist
- The Saviors
- Key Location
- The Hilltop Colony (approach) / The Sanctuary outskirts
Lore & Background
Consumed by guilt after the herd incident, Rick Grimes wanders alone into the wilderness, separated from Alexandria. He is tracked and captured by a Savior patrol led by Simon, who spares his life only to abandon him in the woods—a psychological tactic designed to break his will rather than end it. Meanwhile, Maggie Rhee, Daryl Dixon, and Michonne scour the area for Rick, stumbling upon a settlement being extorted by Saviors. They witness firsthand that Negan's influence is not isolated but systematic, forcing them to accept that their strategy of submission has failed and survival now demands resistance.
In Their Own Story
Mud clings to Rick’s boots as he pushes through the underbrush, every step weighted by exhaustion and failure. He is driven not by a plan, but by a desperate need to find answers. The woods offer no sanctuary; shadows detach themselves from the treeline—not walkers, but Saviors with rifles trained on his back. They watch him struggle, letting him crawl just long enough to feel the weight of their control before vanishing into the mist, leaving him isolated in a world that has turned against him.
Reader's Guide
The episode opens with Rick Grimes trekking through the wilderness, separated from his group after the walker herd chaos. He is ambushed by Saviors who capture him but decide to leave him alive in the woods, a cruel tactic designed to break his spirit rather than end it.
Simultaneously, Maggie Rhee, Daryl Dixon, and Michonne set out to find Rick. Their search takes them deep into contested territory where they witness the harsh reality of Savior rule. They encounter a group of Saviors collecting tribute from a small settlement, confirming that Negan's influence is widespread and ruthless.
The climax occurs when Maggie and her companions locate Rick, but their reunion is cut short by the arrival of more Saviors. A tense standoff ensues, highlighting the impossibility of negotiation and cementing the shift toward open conflict.
Did You Know?
- This episode features a significant tonal shift, moving the series from survival horror to pre-war preparation rather than revealing the Hilltop Colony directly (which occurs in the following episode).
- The scene where Rick is abandoned by the Saviors serves as a direct parallel to his own past actions, highlighting the moral ambiguity of survival.
- Simon, Negan's second-in-command, makes a memorable appearance here, showcasing his brutal efficiency and setting him up as a major antagonist for future seasons.