Before Rick Grimes joined the Civic Republic Military (CRM) in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, another main character almost took his place two seasons earlier, revealing a significant twist in the series’ trajectory.

In Season 7, Jadis, leader of the Junkyard group, contemplated trading Gabriel to the CRM, a move that could have drastically changed the course of events.

With the CRM’s mysterious classification system designating individuals as “A” or “B,” Gabriel, deemed a “B” for his survivalist nature, was on the brink of being consigned to the military faction.

Had Jadis succeeded in her plan, Gabriel’s fate would have likely aligned him with the CRM, setting the stage for potential involvement in Okafor’s rebellion, as depicted in the spinoff series.

Walking Dead

However, Rick’s intervention in Season 7 spared Gabriel from this fate, leading to his eventual evolution into a courageous leader, as seen in later seasons.

The close call with the CRM underscores the influence of Rick’s group on Gabriel’s character development and survival. Had he been isolated within the CRM earlier, Gabriel’s growth may have been stunted, highlighting the pivotal role of his allies in shaping his journey.

This revelation adds depth to Gabriel’s character arc and showcases the intricacies of the CRM’s operations, offering fans new insights into the series’ rich narrative landscape.

As speculation continues about the show’s future, Gabriel’s near miss with the CRM serves as a compelling reminder of the unpredictable twists that define The Walking Dead.