Before Rick Grimes joined the CRM and set the stage for the events of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, another main character nearly found themselves entangled with the military group two seasons earlier. In Season 9 of The Walking Dead, Rick Grimes, portrayed by Andrew Lincoln, departed the series after a harrowing experience that led him to be traded to the Civic Republic Military (CRM). Jadis, a character from the series, stumbled upon Rick while he was injured, just as a CRM helicopter approached. This encounter paved the way for both characters to join the enigmatic Civic Republic. However, the story could have taken a different turn if Jadis had followed through with her original plan, which almost involved trading a different main character to the CRM back in Season 7.
Jadis’s Almost Trade in Season 7
Back in Season 7 of The Walking Dead, Jadis appeared poised to send Father Gabriel to the CRM. In the subsequent season, Jadis found herself desperate to secure passage into the CRM and was in search of someone to trade. Before she used Rick as her ticket to the CRM, she had contemplated trading Gabriel instead. Gabriel, portrayed by Seth Gilliam, was perceived as one of the weaker members of Rick’s group, making him an easy target for Jadis. However, Rick’s timely intervention prevented this exchange from occurring.
In Season 7, Episode 10, Rick and his group visited the Junkyard, where they negotiated Gabriel’s release from Jadis. Had Rick not intervened, Gabriel would likely have been handed over to the CRM, given the pre-existing relationship between Jadis’s group and the military faction. This near-miss showcases how close Gabriel came to a fate similar to Rick’s, albeit two seasons earlier.
Gabriel’s Potential Fate
Had Jadis succeeded in trading Gabriel to the CRM in Season 7, he would have been classified as a “B” by the group’s standards. “Bs” in the CRM are considered ordinary individuals striving to survive, in contrast to “As,” who are perceived as leaders willing to sacrifice themselves for their beliefs. Gabriel, given his initial characterization as a cowardly figure, would have likely fallen into the “B” category. However, this classification would have ensured his relatively comfortable existence within the CRM, a fate he narrowly avoided.
Interestingly, when Jadis encountered Gabriel again in Season 9, she hesitated to go through with the trade, acknowledging his evolved character and leadership qualities. This suggests that Gabriel had undergone significant development since his near-capture in Season 7. Without the influence of Rick and his allies at Alexandria, Gabriel’s story within the CRM could have unfolded very differently.
Jadis’s plan to trade Gabriel to the CRM highlights the intricate web of relationships and potential outcomes within The Walking Dead universe. While Rick Grimes ultimately became entangled with the CRM, Gabriel’s near miss serves as a reminder of how pivotal character decisions can shape the trajectory of the series. As fans continue to explore the expansive universe of The Walking Dead, such near misses provide fascinating glimpses into what could have been.
FAQ
Who was nearly sent to the CRM by Jadis in The Walking Dead?
Jadis, a character from The Walking Dead, nearly sent Father Gabriel to the Civic Republic Military (CRM) in Season 7.
What stopped Jadis from trading Gabriel to the CRM?
Rick Grimes intervened and negotiated with Jadis for Gabriel’s release, preventing him from being traded to the CRM.
What would have happened to Gabriel if he had been traded to the CRM?
Gabriel would have been classified as a “B” by the CRM, meaning he would have been considered an ordinary person trying to survive. He would have likely become a consignee, receiving relatively comfortable treatment within the CRM.
How did Gabriel’s character progression affect Jadis’s plan?
By Season 9, when Jadis attempted to trade Gabriel to the CRM again, she couldn’t go through with it due to Gabriel’s evolved character and leadership qualities. This suggests that Gabriel had undergone significant development since his capture in Season 7.
What role could Gabriel have played within the CRM?
Had he been traded to the CRM earlier, Gabriel may have joined Okafor’s rebellion against the group. Alternatively, he might have remained the same cowardly version of himself without the influence of Rick and his allies at Alexandria.
How did Rick’s group influence Gabriel’s development?
Gabriel’s progression from a cowardly character to a valiant leader was influenced by the presence of Rick’s group, particularly the As (leaders) at Alexandria. Without their influence, Gabriel’s story could have unfolded very differently within the CRM.