Rick Grimes’ identity has finally been revealed in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, but why is he so important to the CRM?
The Walking Dead season 9 offered Andrew Lincoln the most cryptic exit possible when he left his role as a full-time protagonist of the zombie apocalypse. Rick’s sickly body was discovered by Jadis; who used her business ties with the Civic Republic Military to gain them both a free trip to safety after he was impaled and blown up (on the same day, no less).
Rick’s sole hope of survival, according to Jadis, was a Civic Republic doctor. Andrew Lincoln hasn’t appeared since, although Season 10 of The Walking Dead at least proved Rick’s survival. Michonne came upon an iPhone with a photo of herself and Judith engraved on it. The character’s finding not only proved her beloved was still alive; but it also suggested Rick couldn’t come home to Alexandria for whatever reason; implying his escape from the CRM.
Unfortunately, The Walking Dead has kept us in the dark about Rick Grimes’ destiny… until now. Season 2 of The Walking Dead: World Beyond takes a risk and reintroduces Pollyanna McIntosh as Jadis, six years after she first joined Rick on that fateful chopper.
Despite the fact that Jadis only mentions Rick Grimes once in her Walking Dead: World Beyond comeback episode (“Who Are You?”), it’s a potentially crucial clue. When Jadis left the junkyard and joined the CRM properly, she “gave the Civic Republic something very valuable,” she tells Huck. The line makes it clear that Jadis is “giving” the CRM Rick Grimes as her ticket into the group; and it gives important information about Rick’s current situation in The Walking Dead.
Clues point to CRM scientists testing zombies on survivors with specified characteristics
To begin with, we now know Rick was warmly welcomed by the CRM. During the ninth season of The Walking Dead, Jadis told the CRM about their departure. Rick was a “B,” despite the fact that he had earlier stated that he was an “A”. Angela Kang, the showrunner for The Walking Dead, then said Jadis lied to guarantee the chopper picked them up.
Whether via deception or not, Jadis’ description of Rick as “valuable” indicates that the Civic Republic saw Rick as a worthy purchase for one reason or another. Second, Rick’s connection to the CRM is implied by Huck and Jadis’ exchange in Walking Dead: World Beyond. Jadis seemed to have obtained a great post and a nice life in the Civic Republic after handing over Rick.
Based on the CRM’s brutal attitude to HR thus far, Jadis would have suffered the CRM’s fury if Rick had caused difficulty or escaped. The more pressing question is why Rick is so crucial to the CRM, and one theory ties along with The Walking Dead’s unsolved “A” and “B” mystery. Clues point to CRM scientists testing zombies on survivors with specified characteristics. Rick Grimes; with his leadership qualities, experience, tenacity, and bravery, maybe a valuable experiment subject.
On the other hand, it’s possible that Rick’s worth was not immediately apparent. The CRM may have underestimated Rick when he initially arrived with Jadis; only to discover that their newcomer was a zombie-killing machine capable of inspiring survivors into unwavering loyalty. Rick is now a higher military rank than Jadis, indicating how important he is to CRM.
These alternatives contradict the iPhone from Season 10 of The Walking Dead, which showed Rick Grimes had escaped the CRM. What does it mean to be “valuable” if you’ve already fled? Perhaps the CRM understood Rick could give them trouble after seeing him for the first time; but Jadis at least forewarned the Civic Republic about Rick as a potential threat.
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