The focus of “Years,” the opening episode of AMC’s post-apocalyptic series “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live,” is Rick Grimes’ attempts to adjust to life in the Civic Republic. He longs to see Michonne and be with their child again, but he is stuck in a town that, to protect itself, would not allow escapees from the area.
Rick’s ability is recognized by Donald Okafor, the Lieutenant Colonel of the Civic Republic Military (CRM), who makes every effort to include Rick on his team. An inevitable reunion that raises more questions than it does answers occurs at the end of the episode!
The Ones Who Live Episode 1 Recap
Five years after Rick Grimes blows up a bridge to murder hundreds of walkers, “Years” opens with his loved ones thinking he’s dead. At the moment, he is a member of one of the biggest survivor communities in the world: Civic Republic.
Rick makes a third and final attempt to break free from the group, even sacrificing one of his palms in the process. After his fourth failure, he is compelled to concede that, in the words of Donald Okafor, “there’s no escape for the living.”
Rick is reluctant to join the Republic, but Okafor recognizes something special in him and convinces him to become a member of the CRM. Following a protracted period of resistance, Rick finally gives in and enlists as a CRM soldier, receiving a prosthetic arm.
Pearl Thorne, another recruit, is travelling with him. Rick continues to have frequent dreams about Michonne, which haunts him. In addition, he keeps a journal in which he expresses his thoughts to her even though he is aware that they will never reach her.
Rick and Pearl are informed by Okafor that they will be collaborating closely with him to reorganize the Republic’s operations after they join the CRM. Okafor requires Rick and Pearl to lead the revolution to modify the way the community’s “system” is applied.
The ultimate head of the Republic, Major General Beale, asks Rick if he knows anything about Okafor, to which the former sheriff replies, “No.” Rick confronts his supervisor after finding out that Okafor is aware of his background and his marriage to Michonne, but their exchange persuades the former that he has become an indispensable member of the Republic.
After the Omaha settlement collapses, Rick finds himself faced with a decision: take his own life or take a life for the CRM. He wants to get over his failed attempt to kill his life and move on to become a dedicated CRM soldier by putting Michonne’s memories behind him.