Unveiling the CRM's Strategy: Why Rick's Group Remains Unharmed (& Dispelling a Popular Theory)

Despite its reputation for destroying rival settlements across the United States, the CRM has surprisingly not attacked Alexandria, as explained in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live episode 1. The Civic Republic itself may be relatively benign, but its military arm has committed genocide against other communities, many of which posed no threat. This makes the CRM's lack of aggression towards the Alexandria-Hilltop-Oceanside alliance somewhat unexpected.

Even more perplexing is the fact that the CRM includes Rick Grimes, the former leader of that very alliance. While Rick would never betray his community, the CRM's past collaborations with Jadis and the knowledge of Alexandria's existence suggest that an attack should have been likely. The events of The Walking Dead season 11, particularly Lance Hornsby's secret dealings with a nearby community, further indicated that the CRM would have had information about Rick's friends once Alexandria gained control of the Commonwealth.

The CRM Doesn't Know About Rick's Former Community... Yet

Alexandria in The Walking Dead - The CRM Doesn't Know About Rick's Former Community... Yet

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live episode 1 reveals that the CRM lacks knowledge about Alexandria. During a heated confrontation, Rick questions Okafor about what the organization knows regarding his past. Okafor admits to reading about a woman named "Michonne" and seeing an image of a young girl he assumes to be Rick's daughter in his letters. Despite Rick's discomfort, this interaction highlights the CRM's limited understanding of his life.

The CRM, portrayed as a villainous organization, remains oblivious to Alexandria, Hilltop, Oceanside, and Rick's background. Okafor's only insight into Michonne and Judith stems from intruding on Rick's personal correspondence. He warns Rick that any future missteps could lead the CRM to investigate survivors like Michonne in the vicinity where Rick was found. This threat underscores the CRM's current lack of awareness regarding Alexandria's existence, despite Okafor's belief that it could be discovered easily.

The Ones Who Live Debunks A Major Walking Dead Theory

Intriguingly, the confrontation between Okafor and Rick indirectly indicates that Jadis has kept Alexandria and its allies a secret from the CRM. In The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Jadis is now a military investigator within the CRM and was rewarded for turning in Rick. Despite this, she has chosen not to disclose any information about the other survivors she briefly resided with after the battle against the Saviors. This decision aligns with the revelation in World Beyond that Jadis took on the surname Stokes as a tribute to Gabriel. It is evident that she would not have taken such a sentimental risk if her superiors were aware of Gabriel's connection to her.

A CRM helicopter approaching Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead series finale. - The Ones Who Live Debunks A Major Walking Dead Theory

By revealing that the CRM is unaware of Alexandria, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live effectively debunks several prominent theories. One of the most significant is the belief that the CRM was using blackmail to force Rick Grimes to comply by threatening to obliterate Alexandria, which is clearly not true. Rick's decision to cooperate with the CRM stems from different motivations, and the CRM's power and influence are so substantial that resorting to blackmail is unnecessary.

The Ones Who Live also challenges the notion that attacking Alexandria is part of the CRM's broader strategic plan. Despite previous hints that Major General Beale had intentions for Alexandria, Okafor's remarks suggest that the community is currently of minimal significance to the CRM. In comparison, Omaha and Portland, the other targeted communities, each house around 100,000 survivors, making Alexandria and its allies relatively insignificant.

While not completely dismissing the idea, The Ones Who Live also casts doubt on the theory that Lance Hornsby was collaborating with the CRM. If Lance had indeed made a pact to send troublesome Commonwealth citizens to the CRM for sinister purposes, the CRM would have surely taken notice of the Commonwealth's sudden leadership change. Although the connection to Rick Grimes may have been missed, any dealings with the Commonwealth would likely have put Alexandria on the CRM's radar.

Okafor Mentioning Alexandria Makes More Walking Dead Cameos Possible

The Ones Who Live will inevitably reveal more in coming episodes, and the above speculation all hinges on the depth of Okafor's inner knowledge. As a lieutenant colonel, Okafor held a very high rank within the villainous organization, so if he asserts that Major General Beale does not currently know about Michonne and Alexandria, his words carry credence. Nevertheless, even Beale has his secrets. The villain might actually know exactly where Rick comes from and what his friends have been doing, but has not shared that intel with even his most trusted officers for some unknown reason.

An older Judith walking with a bag on The Walking Dead. - Okafor Mentioning Alexandria Makes More Walking Dead Cameos Possible

Okafor's suggestion of a possible CRM investigation into the area where Rick Grimes was found, leading to the discovery of Alexandria and a potential threat to its residents, hints at a dark future for Rick's loved ones in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. The looming possibility of the CRM targeting Rick and Michonne's group, whether out of retaliation or perceived threat, now appears inevitable.

If The Ones Who Live is faced with such a scenario, it presents a prime opportunity to introduce characters from the franchise's broader universe. Potential cameos could include any character who survived and resided in Alexandria or the nearby communities at the conclusion of the main show, particularly if the CRM launches an attack. Of utmost importance to Rick and Michonne's narrative are appearances by Cailee Fleming as Judith and Antony Azor as RJ. A long-awaited Grimes family reunion is essential to completing Rick's storyline.

Catch The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live airing Sunday on AMC.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides an insightful analysis of the CRM's lack of aggression towards Alexandria in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. The author effectively debunks several prominent fan theories, such as the CRM's supposed knowledge of Alexandria and its use of blackmail to control Rick Grimes. The article also highlights the CRM's limited understanding of Rick's past, which raises questions about Jadis's role and potential future threats to Alexandria. Overall, the article offers a well-reasoned and thought-provoking exploration of the CRM's enigmatic behavior.

The article's discussion of potential cameos in The Ones Who Live is particularly intriguing. The author suggests that if the CRM targets Alexandria, it could lead to the introduction of characters from the broader Walking Dead universe, including Judith and RJ Grimes. This would be an exciting development for fans who have been eagerly awaiting the reunion of the Grimes family. The article effectively sets the stage for future episodes and leaves readers eager to see how the CRM's actions will unfold.