Meet Jesus, The Walking Dead's Shady Customer
Fans of AMC's The Walking Dead were probably baffled by the episode that introduced Paul "Jesus" Monroe to the survivors. Who is he? And why in God's name would Rick and Daryl let him live? Here's what we know about him from the comics and what we may be able to expect from him on the TV series. Beware of potential spoilers! Don't say we didn't warn you.
He's not as shady as he seems
Jesus, appropriately enough, is a good guy. In the comics, he generally always tries to do what's just, fair, and right in any given situation. While in his initial appearance he seems like a casual, easygoing dude with an impish sense of humor, he later reveals himself to be a pretty serious guy. It takes Rick a long time (and a lot of rope, as well as a few punches to the face) to trust him, but once their relationships is established, it's rock solid.
He's a survivalist (and one heck of a fighter)
Jesus can fend for himself in the most dire situations, whether it be wriggling out of ropes that Rick ties on him or escaping a herd of zombies alone and unscathed. He's quick on his feet and has a lot of foresight when making what can seem like snap decisions. Additionally, you may have noticed that Jesus holds his own against Daryl in his introductory episode...until Daryl is armed, that is. Jesus is highly skilled at hand-to-hand combat. In a fight without weapons, he can probably kick just about anyone's ass. That doesn't mean he will, unless he has no other choice.
Rick was right: he's got a group
Rick is spot on: Jesus isn't running around alone in the apocalypse. He's from a group called the Hilltop Colony, and it's huge: there are over 200 survivors in their community! Jesus serves as the Hilltop Colony's resident diplomat, scouting nearby colonies and communities with which to trade. That skill also serves him well as a hostage negotiator later on when things get rough.
He's a powerful ally
Jesus will play a crucial role in the survivors' encounters with Negan and his group the Saviors, who will be introduced later in the season. If you recall, in the midseason finale and premiere, the motorcycle bandits who threatened Abraham, Daryl, and Sasha worked for Negan. Just to be clear, the Saviors are bad guys. Jesus, in this show and comic book series, is definitively not a savior...but that doesn't mean he doesn't save the day when he needs to.