Unraveling The Walking Dead's A&B Conundrum: Analyzing the Plot Hole in Rick's Departure

The Ones Who Live finally clarified the mystery around As and Bs, but in doing so, it created a plot hole regarding Rick's The Walking Dead exit. After departing The Walking Dead over five years ago, Andrew Lincoln finally returned to the franchise alongside Danai Gurira's Michonne, but the protagonist's exit now makes less sense. Rick's departure involved sacrificing himself and blowing up a bridge to prevent a zombie horde from reaching his group. However, despite being incredibly close to the explosion, Rick miraculously survived after he was found by Jadis, who traded him to the CRM.

The Civic Republic Military was officially introduced in the spinoff World Beyond, while The Walking Dead's finale provided a glimpse into the villain group's activities and Rick's departure. The new show, The Ones Who Live, sheds light on Rick's whereabouts and his complicated relationship with the CRM. It is revealed that the CRM is determined to keep him within their ranks, despite his attempts to escape. As Rick becomes involved with the CRM, he discovers the significance of As and Bs, leading to a major complication in his departure from the main show.

Understanding the Meaning of As and Bs in The Walking Dead

The Ones Who Live Provided A Detailed Explanation Of What "A"s and "B"s Are

Rick Grimes, Jadis, and the CRM from THe Walking Dead - The Ones Who Live Provided A Detailed Explanation Of What "A"s and "B"s Are - What A&B Means In The Walking Dead

There has been much speculation surrounding the meaning of A and B in The Walking Dead over the years, but it has finally been clarified. Some theories suggested that As were individuals who had been bitten and were to be used for experiments, while Bs were considered to be regular, healthy people. However, this turned out not to be the case. The true AB meaning was disclosed by Okafor during a clandestine meeting with Rick and Thorne. He revealed that As are leaders who are willing to sacrifice themselves for their beliefs, whereas Bs are ordinary individuals simply trying to survive and do not possess any special attributes.

The group's sinister nature is evident in the way they eliminate As without providing them with an opportunity to integrate into society.

Okafor explains that Rick and Thorne are classified as As, leading him to seek their assistance in altering the CRM. As individuals are typically not permitted entry into the Civic Republic and are instead eliminated due to the perceived threat they pose. Conversely, those designated as Bs are embraced by the CR as consignees and provided with employment opportunities, as they are less likely to cause disturbances. The CRM ensures that Bs are treated well, contributing to the efficient maintenance of the Civic Republic. However, the immediate execution of As without affording them a chance to integrate into society sheds light on the group's dark and ruthless nature.

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The Walking Dead's A&B Rules Don't Fit With Rick's Helicopter Exit Scene

Okafor Claimed That The CRM Don't Want "A"s Despite Seemingly Looking For Them In The Helicopter Scene

Rick Grimes facing a helicopter in The Walking Dead's final episode. - Okafor Claimed That The CRM Don't Want "A"s Despite Seemingly Looking For Them In The Helicopter Scene - The Walking Dead's A&B Rules Don't Fit With Rick's Helicopter Exit Scene

Rick's helicopter exit scene becomes puzzling in the context of the CRM's stance on As. Jadis, upon finding Rick injured, informs the CRM helicopter that she does not have an A but a B, implying that the CRM was seeking an A. This contradicts the information revealed by The Ones Who Live regarding the CRM's treatment of As and Bs. Okafor's statement further adds to the confusion, as she mentions that the CRM eliminates As and accepts Bs. The discrepancy between the CRM's actions in searching for As and accepting Bs is intensified by the time gap between the helicopter incident and Okafor's speech.

Labeling individuals as Bs without proper justification could jeopardize their safety, further deepening the enigma surrounding the military's interest in individuals from Jadis, particularly those classified as As. The CRM's emphasis on secrecy and security, as highlighted in The Walking Dead, makes the notion of actively recruiting individuals seem implausible. The privacy maintained by the CRM was underscored when Rick resorted to self-amputation in The Ones Who Live, underscoring a significant plot gap in the protagonist's departure scene.

Jadis Claimed Rick Was A "B" But The Ones Who Live Proves He's An "A"

Jadis Lied To The CRM About Rick Being A "B"

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live and Pollyanna McIntosh as Jadis Stokes in World Beyond - Jadis Lied To The CRM About Rick Being A "B" - Jadis Claimed Rick Was A "B" But The Ones Who Live Proves He's An "A"

He is one of the strongest leaders in the entire franchise who motivates and inspires people, even those that initially opposed them.

Despite Jadis claiming Rick was a B, The Ones Who Live proved in its first episode that Rick is actually an A. From the spinoff's description, there is no doubt that Rick is an A. He is one of the strongest leaders in the entire franchise who motivates and inspires people, even those that initially opposed them. Jadis lied about Rick being a B despite knowing he was an A to try and save his life, since he had given her so many second chances in the show after betraying him, further proving Rick is an A.

His belief in others ultimately motivated someone as selfish as Jadis to do the right thing, and The Ones Who Live has further emphasized his status as an A, with Okafor choosing to recruit him. He set a record for clearing walkers, is the only person to try and escape the CRM five times, and even had Esteban risk his own position to help Rick escape. This means he is clearly as influential as ever. Okafor even calls him an A, confirming his status within the Civic Republic, and in the end, the CRM got the A they were looking for.

Possible Answer 1: Jadis Is Working With Okafor

Jadis May Be Helping Okafor Revolutionize The CRM

Lesley-Ann Brandt as Thorne, Craig Tate as Okafor, and Terry O'Quinn as Beale in The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live - Jadis May Be Helping Okafor Revolutionize The CRM - Possible Answer 1: Jadis Is Working With Okafor

One potential reason for the CRM's interest in obtaining an A may be attributed to Jadis collaborating with Okafor. While the majority of the CRM members appear content to comply with Major General Beale's orders and eliminate troublesome individuals, Okafor stands out as an anomaly. This could explain why he discloses information about As and Bs to Rick and Thorne. It is plausible that Jadis was the initial individual to form an alliance with Okafor. If Jadis and Okafor are indeed rebels within the CRM, it could elucidate the perplexing helicopter scene in The Walking Dead. Despite the CRM's disinterest in As, Okafor requires them to enact changes within the Civic Republic.

The CRM Wanted Jadis To Find "A" Survivors (So It Could Kill Them)

It could also be why Jadis changes her mind about Rick being an A and feels like she's saving him. Being involved in Okafor's rebellion would put Rick at risk of being killed or dying for the mission, whereas being a B would offer him a more peaceful life. Ultimately, Rick proved he was an A anyway and ended up joining Okafor, although he may not continue this mission after reuniting with Michonne. This theory would give context as to why Jadis had a relationship with the CRM despite being an outsider, and why the military were looking for As.

The CRM May Want To Eliminate All Potential Threats To The Civic Republic

Major General Beale standing in front of a massive group of CRM soldiers in The Ones Who Live trailer - The CRM May Want To Eliminate All Potential Threats To The Civic Republic - Possible Answer 2: The CRM Wanted Jadis To Find "A" Survivors (So It Could Kill Them)

The CRM may have a more sinister reason for wanting Jadis to find As - to eliminate them. Okafor suggests that if the CRM encounters As, they may kill them, but there could be a darker motive at play. By actively seeking out As, the CRM could be aiming to prevent any future problems by ensuring their elimination, prioritizing the safety of the Civic Republic. World Beyond has already shown that the CRM is willing to eradicate entire communities, such as the Omaha branch, to avoid potential complications down the line.

Despite being smaller and less threatening than the Civic Republic, Omaha was still wiped out by the CRM. It is not a stretch to imagine that the CRM would take similar actions against individuals who show leadership qualities. Jadis agreeing to such an arrangement would not be out of character at that point in the show, providing a dark yet realistic explanation for the CRM's interest in As. This sheds light on why Jadis locating As would be beneficial to the CRM and why she had a change of heart regarding his status as an A, setting the stage for a complex relationship in The Ones Who Live.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the plot hole created by "The Ones Who Live" regarding Rick's exit in "The Walking Dead." It thoroughly explores the significance of As and Bs within the CRM, highlighting the inconsistencies between the information revealed in the spinoff and Rick's helicopter exit scene. The article offers multiple possible explanations for these discrepancies, considering Jadis's potential involvement with Okafor's rebellion and the CRM's sinister motive of eliminating potential threats.

Overall, the article effectively dissects the plot hole and presents well-reasoned theories to address the issue. It demonstrates a deep understanding of the franchise and its characters, providing insightful perspectives on the evolving narrative.