'The Walking Dead' says goodbye to Carl

Stephen Proctor

It was an emotional midseason premiere of The Walking Dead as we were forced to say goodbye to one of the few remaining original characters, Carl Grimes. Carl, played by Chandler Riggs, has been on the show since the beginning but was bitten by a walker in the midseason finale, sealing his fate. After coming to terms with his situation, it was time for Carl to say goodbye. In an episode full of emotional farewells, a few stood out — the first being when he gave his beloved sheriff’s hat to Judith.

“This was dad’s before it was mine,” Carl said. “Now it’s yours. I don’t know. I always thought just having it meant I always kept dad with me.” He goes on to say, “Before mom died, she told me I was gonna beat this world. I didn’t.” A crying Judith was then carried away by Daryl, who told Carl everyone there was alive because of him.

Things only got harder from that point, and as the episode progressed Carl seemed to be beginning to turn. Rick and Michonne stayed by his side as he tried to persuade Rick to end the war with Negan and live in peace. Carl told Michonne that she was his best friend, and she said the same to him. Then came the moment fans of the show were hoping never to see: Rick saying goodbye to Carl. Then, before he could turn into a walker, and with Rick and Michonne on the porch of the broken-down house, Carl presumably took his own life.

Fans got on Twitter to share their feelings about Carl’s death, with plenty of crying emojis and of course, some GIFS that sum up the episode perfectly.

The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.

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