In regards to the CRM, The Walking Dead has several questions in need of answers. The main series has ended, but the overarching story of the franchise is far from over. By branching out into at least three more spinoffs, The Walking Dead universe will have opportunities to continue some of its most important plotlines.
No loose end in the franchise stands out more than the CRM. After filling villainous roles in The Walking Dead: World Beyond and Fear the Walking Dead, the Civil Republic Military cemented their status as the overarching villains of the franchise. Since the main series did little more than tease them, it’ll no doubt be left up to the spinoffs to fully flesh them out. Thanks to World Beyond and FTWD, the franchise has provided at least some insight into who these characters are, but a great deal still remains to be revealed. Here’s nine questions The Walking Dead’s spinoffs must answer about the CRM.
9What Is A “B” To The CRM?
Discussion over the CRM’s “A” and “B” classifications date back to The Walking Dead season 9. In the show, the CRM originally abducted Rick because Jadis convinced them that he was a “B.” Later remarks from Jadis in World Beyond provided some clarification as to what one of these letters means. Apparently, an “A” is someone who would make for a suitable test subject for the CRM’s scientific experiments. In truth, Jadis regarded him as an “A,” but falsely claimed he was a “B” to save him from that fate. As for what a “B” actually is in the eyes of the CRM, that has yet to be explained. That said, it’s clearly someone they see some sort of value in.
8Why Does The CRM Want Rick Grimes?
Arguably the most pressing CRM mystery pertains to its interest in Rick Grimes. Jadis’ lie about him being a “B” only accounts for part of its reason for wanting him. That on its own doesn’t make sense of why they sent helicopters and an untold number of armed soldiers after him in The Walking Dead series finale. The resources they spared to go after him illustrate just how much significance he holds.
What it doesn’t shed light on, though, is why they consider him to be so important. It’s quite possible that the explanation lies with Rick’s bag, which he tossed onto the boat before his capture. He may have stolen sensitive data or perhaps something else that would pose a risk to their operations. Either way, this is most definitely a question for Rick and Michonne’s spinoff.
7How Many Facilities Does The CRM Have?
The CRM obviously has an expressive reach, with facilities and bases in New York and Pennsylvania, but The Walking Dead has thus far avoided defining their borders. With the CRM shaping up to be the main villains of Rick and Michonne’s show (and the franchise in general), some concrete details on this subject are expected to arrive sooner or later. If anyone, such as Michonne’s new mystery group, seeks to take them down for good, this information would naturally be relevant to the spinoffs.
6Why Has The CRM Been Destroying Other Communities?
The events that take place in Rick and Michonne’s show may also touch on the CRM’s motivations for wiping out other communities. As seen in World Beyond, the CRM decimated its own allies, including the Campus Colony and Omaha for ambiguous reasons. Based on comments from Huck in World Beyond season 2, the acts of genocide perpetrated by the CRM may have to do with its wish to maintain a “statistical balance” of populations and resources. Wiping out these communities (and others) may be how they serve that purpose, but whether or not that’s actually the case is open to speculation.
5What Is The CRM’s Masterplan?
Wiping out communities may or may not factor into their endgame in the franchise, which is the subject of yet another lingering mystery. Everything they’re doing has to be stepping stones toward some larger goal. A statue of the Earth in World Beyond hinted at global expansion being their real masterplan, which could very well be true. Alternatively, their interests may lie in the development of a cure for the zombie virus. That would make sense, considering all the questionable experiments they’ve been shown to be involved with in World Beyond.
4Does The CRM Know How The Outbreak Started?
As evidenced by their scientific ventures, the CRM is heavily invested in learning more about the zombie virus. With that in mind, it’s worth wondering what the extent of their knowledge of the virus is in the Walking Dead universe. For instance, they might know about the origin of the outbreak. If they do, that reveal could come in Daryl’s spinoff. Daryl Dixon will send its titular character to France, which World Beyond confirmed was linked to the start of the zombie apocalypse. Since looking for Rick (one of their abductees) is a priority for him, there’s at least a chance the CRM has a sizable role in Daryl’s story.
3Are The CRM & Commonwealth Connected?
Ever since The Walking Dead season 11, there’s been ample cause for suspicion that the CRM has a secret alliance with the Commonwealth. One of their leaders, Lance Horsnby, once warned that his death would upset “certain allies,” but never explained who they were. It’s been suspected – but not confirmed – that this means the Commonwealth has diplomatic ties with the CRM. Adding evidence to the theory was the reveal that the Commonwealth ships some of its prisoners to a location known only as Designation 2. Since The Walking Dead ended without providing further details, it may be that the franchise’s intention was to save this answer for one of its spinoffs, which could reveal that Designation 2 is a CRM base.
2What Did The CRM Do With Heath?
One CRM mystery that predates all others is the whereabouts of Corey Hawkins’ Heath. The character vanished from a bridge in season 7’s “Swear.” The presence of his van at Jadis’ camp created a clear connection between Heath’s disappearance and the CRM, considering that Jadis is a known CRM contact. Walking Dead showrunner Angela Kang later confirmed that the CRM is indeed responsible for what happened to Heath. So far, there’s been no announcement of his return, but the continued focus on the CRM should allow for an appearance from Heath in one of the spinoffs.
1What Does The PPP Card Mean?
Curiously, Heath’s disappearance raised an additional question. Tara found a keycard marked with the letters “PPP” at the site where he was last seen. Years later, the franchise revisited the PPP card by revealing that another was in the possession of Tales of the Walking Dead’s Davon, an amnesiac survivor. Based on the Heath connection, it became likely that Davon was once a CRM operative. The meaning behind the PPP card, on the other hand, is still shrouded in mystery, but is certainly something that could be addressed when The Walking Dead continues Rick’s story.