Major General Beale’s “Pharmakon” Line Sets Up The CRM’s Destruction

Beale’s Line Suggests Rick Grimes Could Be The CRM’s Poison & Its Cure

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A clue from The Ones Who Live, episode 3, sets up Rick and Michonne destroying the CRM through Beale’s pharmakon line. During a conversation with Rick and Thorne, Beale reveals he doesn’t fully trust Rick, and uses the word “pharmakon” to describe the protagonist. Beale states that it is a Greek word meaning both the poison and the cure, which is an accurate summary of Rick’s character. During his time on The Walking Dead, Rick has had a history of poisoning communities, as he has often changed how they operate, which has caused tension and disruption over the years.

Beale’s line reinforces the likelihood of Rick and Michonne taking on the CRM and completely destroying it from the inside.

However, Rick always ends up curing these communities by leaving them in a better situation than how they started. Beale’s line points towards Rick doing the same with the CRM, initially causing chaos and conflict before rebuilding it into something better. If this is how the spinoff goes, it is possible that Rick and Michonne burn down the CRM in The Ones Who Live‘s ending. This theory has been speculated based on clues from previous episodes, but Beale’s line reinforces the likelihood of Rick and Michonne taking on the CRM and completely destroying it from the inside.

Although Michonne is desperate to get home with Rick after years of searching for him, she knows first-hand how dangerous the CRM are, and what consequences leaving them unscathed could bring. Rick’s apprehension about leaving suggests that the military group has plenty of leverage, and Jadis’ involvement only adds to how difficult escaping will be. While episode 3 ends on a cliffhanger that could begin the couple’s escape attempt, they may decide that fighting the CRM is the only way of curing them, which could set up a potentially sad ending for Rick and Michonne in The Ones Who Live.

How Beale’s Clue Connects To Rick’s Story From The Ones Who Live Episode 1

Beale’s Clue Subtly Connects To Rick’s Story About His Dad

Beale’s story not only sets up the potential destruction of the CRM, but also holds a symbolic connection to Rick’s story in episode 1. The concept of having to poison something before curing it relates to Rick’s story about his dad burning down their farm when he was a kid. The story holds a symbolic nature, as Rick suggests his father intentionally burned down the farm in order to save it. The farm was going to fail and by burning it down, Rick’s father was able to rebuild it and get a better harvest than they’d ever had.

Rick also mentioned that it left his dad with scars which acted as a reminder that he helped save his family. Perhaps the most poetic line of Rick’s story is when his dad tells him, “It may look like the end of the world, but it’s only just the beginning.” This story relates to Rick’s journey with the CRM, perhaps having to make some sacrifices that seem devastating to make real change. It explains why Rick was willing to leave Michonne behind in The Ones Who Live, as his sacrifice may have been the start of something bigger.

Rick joining Okafor’s rebellion would involve poisoning the CRM from within before they could truly cure it.

Given Rick tells this story to Okafor just before committing to his plan to change the CRM, it makes Beale’s line all the more impactful. Rick joining Okafor’s rebellion would involve poisoning the CRM from within before they could truly cure it. Their plan would have led to division and probably caused bloodshed, but it would all be necessary to change the CRM. Just as his dad had to cause pain and fear to allow his family to thrive, Rick may have to rip apart the system in order to take over the CRM in The Ones Who Live.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Isn’t Being Subtle About Its Fire Motif

There Has Been Plenty Of Fire Imagery Throughout The Ones Who Live

The use of fire has been constant throughout The Ones Who Live, indicating it could be pivotal to the show’s ending. In the spinoff’s opening credits, fire is frequently displayed, indicating right from the first few minutes that it could be an important theme. Moments after episode 1’s title sequence, Rick fights flaming zombies and even cauterizes his wound with fire after cutting off his own hand. The fire motif only seems to continue throughout the episodes, with Rick’s story about his dad also involving the concept of burning.

Michonne’s journey shares the symbolism of fire, with her ally, Nat, telling the story about his lighter with the word “DANGER” carved onto it. Fire is an important part of Nat’s childhood, as he reveals he used to burn things back when he was a troubled kid, hence why he kept the lighter. Even more subtle things like Rick and Michonne burning notes in the CRM all seem to play a symbolic role in the spinoff. With how prominently The Ones Who Live features fire, it seems inevitable it will play a part in the show’s ending.

Major General Beale’s pharmakon line further emphasizes this, as it could be the poison he is referring to. Rick and Michonne burning down the CRM could be the poison that the group needs before it can be rebuilt. If the couple survives this, they may end up with scars just like Rick’s father, but it would allow them to cure the CRM and rebuild it into something greater, which still gives Rick and Michonne the chance of a happy ending in The Ones Who Live.