The Walking Dead has a history of badass female characters. Andrea and Carol were around when the show kicked off its first season, developing into strong, prominent figures. Then, characters like Maggie, Sasha and Tara were all significant to the series’ plot. However, the most badass of all was Michonne. From the moment that she was introduced as a hooded, katana-wielding warrior, it was clear that she was going to be an empowering character.

It was a big deal when Rick left The Walking Dead, but when Michonne followed to look for him, it left a huge hole in the cast. Finally, Season 11 has addressed the issue by having Rosita step into Michonne’s role as the empowering female character.

So far, the season’s main plotline has followed Maggie’s group on their mission to find food and defend themselves from the Reapers. Meanwhile, the subplot showed the rebuilding and defense of Alexandria. Aaron has become the de facto leader of Alexandria while Maggie and Gabriel have been away, but in “For Blood,” Rosita stepped up.

It was a dark and stormy night, and everyone was huddled together inside. Then, the winds broke down a piece of the wall and lightning struck the windmill, causing a fire. So, the people separated into three groups. Aaron’s group went to fight the fire, while Carol’s crew went to repair the breach in the wall. That left Rosita to defend everyone in the house from whatever might come, and it was soon more than anyone bargained for.

It wasn’t long before walkers started swarming the house in droves. Everyone inside tried to keep the door closed and even started nailing boards across it. But the doorframe was rotten. So, Rosita decided to buy everyone some time. Taking a macuahuitl — a wooden club with embedded obsidian blades — she charged through the door and went on a killing spree. She sliced and diced what must have been over a dozen walkers. Her actions bought time for everyone else to move upstairs and barricade themselves there. However, the episode ended on a cliffhanger with walkers entering the house.

Fans of The Walking Dead know that messing with Rosita was never a good idea, but this one-woman-army fight sequence put her combat prowess on the same level as Michonne. Her willingness to sacrifice herself if need be to buy time for her friends showed just how much of a leader she has become. On top of that, the bond that she showed with Judith earlier in the season proved even more how she is stepping into Michonne’s role in this final season.