Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Lincoln said that, despite Rick’s speech during The Ones Who Live episode 3, he is still in love with Michonne. The actor explained a combination of Jadis’ threats and Pearl becoming less of an ally made Rick want to push her away, hoping she would escape on her own. Check out what Lincoln had to say below:

That’s the ultimate question. The point is that he knows he’s stymied because of Jadis. If Jadis hadn’t been there in that scene at the end of episode 2, they’re getting out of there. She’s rekindled the love. But I do think that what’s happened with [Pearl] Thorne in that episode, the real threat that she poses and ultimately would’ve taken out the love of his life — I think it’s a knee-jerk reaction. I do think that he’s in fear for her life and his family’s life and he loves her and he wants her to live.

Rick Wants To Keep Michonne (& His Family) SafeCustom Image by Yeider Chacon

The start of episode 3 revealed that Jadis is willing to tell the CRM about Alexandria and the other Virginia communities if the main duo escape together. She also has a contingency plan in the event of her death, essentially preventing the pair from running away with one another. This is why, earlier in the episode, Rick tried to get Michonne to escape without him, a plan she didn’t go through with because of her determination to bring him home.

By telling her he no longer loves her, he is trying to drive her away in hopes she’ll escape on her own, giving Judith her mother back while keeping their home safe. However, his words end up having the opposite effect, as, at the end of the episode, she forcibly jumps out of a helicopter with him. Since she’s unwilling to give him up without a fight, it seems Rick will inevitably have to give in and think of a way for them to get home safely.

Due to the CRM’s 500-year plan for humanity, whatever they’re trying to build could be a key element into how the pair manage to escape. Perhaps, once Rick learns what Pearl was briefed on, he’ll be able to better assess the situation and use it as a way to get back home. With his love for Michonne still intact, it might not be much longer until he’s back to crafting an escape plan that will keep everyone he loves safe from harm.