Exploring The Walking Dead's Long-Term CRM Storyline
Unveiling the subtle hints of the CRM's presence in The Walking Dead's inaugural season.
Spoilers are ahead for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, episode 1, "Years."
The sixth spin-off in AMC's post-apocalyptic zombie franchise, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live follows Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln) as he faces off against the Civic Republic Military (CRM). This army is responsible for protecting and governing the Civic Republic in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, the CRM was actually introduced in The Walking Dead season 1, but now takes center stage in The Ones Who Live. The group is currently led by Major General Beale, played by Terry O'Quinn. However, hints in the series suggest that Rick may eventually take control of the CRM in the future.
The Walking Dead Has Been Setting Up The CRM Since The Beginning
Okafor's story in The Ones Who Live focuses on Rick, the franchise's long-time protagonist, and Michonne (Danai Gurira). It only makes sense to tie together threads from the shows' pasts, like the CRM. The premiere episode of the spin-off reveals what happened to Andrew Lincoln's character after he exited The Walking Dead in season 9. Captured by the CRM, Rick is forced to go on dangerous missions to gain access to the supposed utopian community as a full-fledged citizen. Despite this opportunity, Rick wants nothing to do with the hidden city or the CRM, and he is constantly planning his escape.
Okafor (Craig Tate) looks serious in The Walking Dead - The Ones Who Live - Okafor's Story Means The Walking Dead Has Been Setting Up The CRM Since The Beginning
Lieutenant Colonel Okafor, portrayed by Craig Tate, meets his end at the hands of Michonne in "Years." Despite this, Okafor remains a significant figure in The Walking Dead series. Surprisingly, Okafor's influence can be traced back to season 2, episode 5, "Chupacabra." In a flashback, viewers witness Lori and Shane seeking refuge as military helicopters bomb Atlanta with napalm during the initial outbreak of the epidemic.
Okafor, a former pilot for the U.S. Air Force, was married to a Marine named Estelle. They were both involved in Operation Cobalt, a military plan activated during a viral outbreak. Okafor carried out napalm bombings in Los Angeles and Atlanta, while Estelle and her fellow Marines dealt with the aftermath of the attacks.
When they were instructed to bomb Philadelphia, Estelle suggested targeting the Marines' base instead. This decision led to the deaths of Estelle and 4,000 Marines, but it also paved the way for the formation of the Civic Republic of Philadelphia.
The Walking Dead's CRM Setup Truly Began In Season 1
Rick Morgan and Duane in The Walking Dead - The Walking Dead's CRM Setup Truly Began In Season 1
In The Walking Dead, the seeds for the CRM's existence were planted early on in season 2, but the show actually hinted at Okafor's story in the first season. In the pilot episode, Rick Grimes sees a helicopter flying overhead. This was around two months into the viral outbreak, so it makes sense that a military helicopter would be surveying the situation. While the season 1 helicopter is not directly connected to the CRM or its aircraft, it is likely that Okafor or one of his Air Force comrades was piloting it.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live consists of only 6 episodes.
The Walking Dead's Long Setup Makes Its CRM Story The Franchise's Biggest Yet
Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the helicopter in The Walking Dead - The Walking Dead's Long Setup Makes Its CRM Story The Franchise's Biggest Yet
Since The Walking Dead's pilot episode aired in 2010, some believe that the groundwork for the CRM and Okafor was actually laid 14 years before The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Although the series did not originally plan for this, it ended up working out quite well. Viewers had long questioned the significance of the rogue helicopter, but Okafor's backstory and the CRM's emergence shed some light on the situation — even if these connections were made to address previous oversights.
It even appears that Okafor is preparing Rick to eventually take on a similar role...
When Okafor meets Rick, there's a sense of coming full circle. Lori and Shane had witnessed Okafor's regrettable actions in the past, and Rick may have even seen Okafor flying a helicopter above Atlanta. In The Ones Who Live, Okafor plays a crucial role in keeping Rick alive despite his numerous escape attempts. It appears that Okafor is grooming Rick to uncover the corruption within the CRM, paving the way for Rick to follow in his footsteps. While the franchise did not originally plan for the extensive CRM storyline, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is reaping the benefits of this narrative development.
New episodes of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live are airing on AMC and AMC+ every Sunday until March 31, 2024.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of the Civic Republic Military (CRM) in the Walking Dead franchise and its connection to the character of Rick Grimes. The writer effectively highlights how the CRM has been subtly introduced since the early seasons of the show and how its influence has gradually expanded. The article also discusses the intricate backstory of Lieutenant Colonel Okafor and his role in the formation of the CRM, adding depth to the overall narrative.
The writer's analysis of how the CRM storyline has evolved over the years, from its initial hints to its current central role in "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live," is particularly insightful. The suggestion that Rick Grimes may eventually take control of the CRM adds an intriguing layer to the plot and raises questions about the future direction of the franchise. Overall, the article offers a well-rounded examination of the CRM's impact on the Walking Dead universe and leaves readers eager to learn more about its future developments.
