The Walking Dead: Reflections on the Mishandling of Carl Grimes' Death

Article Overview

The Walking Dead failed to effectively address Carl Grimes' death, neglecting to delve into the examination of grief and its lasting effects on the characters, which sets it apart from other significant character deaths.

Rick's grieving process following Carl's demise was inadequately explored, with minimal portrayals and limited acknowledgement of the consequences stemming from this profound loss throughout the season.

Fear The Walking Dead effectively addressed Madison's grief over her children's deaths, delving deeper into her emotions and exploring the repercussions for the characters involved.

Now, six years later, Fear the Walking Dead has demonstrated that the franchise has acknowledged its mishandling of Carl Grimes' death. AMC's popular zombie series is familiar with heart-wrenching character deaths, as evidenced by the demise of beloved characters like Glenn. Another significant loss was the death of Carl, portrayed by Chandler Riggs, when he was bitten by a walker in season 8. Although this event had a profound impact on the series, the execution of the storyline had its share of flaws.

Maggie's story exemplifies the franchise's ability to show the lasting impact of major character deaths. Through Maggie's journey, the main show effectively portrays how the loss of loved ones has shaped her life, strengthened her resolve, and paved the way for new narratives. One notable example can be seen in The Walking Dead: Dead City, where Maggie's enduring resentment towards Negan for Glenn's murder becomes a significant part of the storyline. This approach towards characters like Glenn stands in stark contrast to how Carl's death was handled.

Rick's Reaction To Carl's Death In The Walking Dead Wasn't Enough

The Walking Dead Doesn't Explore Rick's Grief Efficiently

What made Carl's death so impactful was the way it was revealed, both to the audience and to Rick. The audience first sees Carl's walker bite before knowing how it happened, causing instant devastation and shock for Rick. In a subsequent episode, Rick and Carl have heartwarming moments, with Carl confessing how Rick's acceptance of Woodbury residents shaped him and expressing his wish for a peaceful future for Rick and Alexandria. Carl's brave decision to shoot himself, sparing Rick and Michonne from having to do it, highlights the couple's struggle compared to Carl's acceptance of the situation.

Rick's grief is evident as he reads Carl's letter, reminiscing about happier times, and in a flashback where he remembers walking with a young Carl before the apocalypse. These instances ultimately convince Rick to spare Negan and strive for the peaceful Alexandria Carl had envisioned. However, the show doesn't fully explore the extent of Rick's grief throughout the season before his departure. Even in his final episode, Rick doesn't hallucinate Carl despite his desperate search for his family. While it's clear that Rick loved his son, The Walking Dead doesn't delve into the depth of grief he must have felt upon losing his only child (as far as he knows).

Fear Season 8's Madison Story Proves How Badly TWD Handled Carl's Death

Fear The Walking Dead Explores Nick's And Alicia's Deaths The Right Way

In Fear: The Walking Dead, Madison, who was believed to have died in season 4, makes a surprising return in season 7, showcasing the transformative impact of losing a child. It is revealed that Madison is now working for PADRE and has taken to kidnapping children in hopes of finding her own missing children, Nick and Alicia. This reveals that one of Madison's primary motivations is her relentless search for her kids. However, Nick's demise lacks intensity, as he is unexpectedly killed by Charlie, who proceeds to join her group without facing any significant consequences. Fortunately, Fear eventually addresses the tragic death from season 4 when Charlie finally admits to Madison that she was responsible for her son's murder - an act of revenge for Ennis' killing.

Madison engages in combat with walkers, experiencing a mix of anger, pain, and guilt. Flashes of her and Nick are intercut throughout this intense scene. Despite being the one who brought Charlie to the stadium in season 4, Madison initially shows no concern for her well-being. Instead, she becomes fixated on the idea that if she had struck Troy harder, Nick would still be alive and Alicia would have been present. This highlights the overwhelming sense of hopelessness she feels. Fear tactfully delves into Madison's grief in a more efficient manner than it did with Rick, even though there are only four episodes remaining in the series.

It's Not Too Late For The Walking Dead To Fix Carl's Death

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Can Address Carl's Death Better

Rick's tribute to Carl in The Walking Dead brings about significant changes, but fails to fully explore his grief due to Rick's early departure. Other characters, like Sasha, had longer arcs of grief that contributed to their development. Fortunately, there is a way to reintroduce Carl in Rick's spinoff, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. By focusing on the grief caused by Carl's separation from his family and home, we can explore introspective moments filled with grief and trauma, leading to visions of Carl that may strain Rick mentally.

Given the numerous close calls with losing Carl, his final death should have a greater impact on audiences. Additionally, Rick experienced the trauma of almost having to amputate his own son's arm when they first encountered Negan. The portrayal of their shared trauma and the aftermath of Carl's death is insufficient. However, The Walking Dead can rectify this, much like it did with Madison in Fear the Walking Dead. The spinoff can delve into the lasting effects of losing Carl, allowing his death to have the significance it deserves.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the handling of Carl Grimes' death in The Walking Dead. On the one hand, I understand that the show was trying to move in a new direction and focus on other characters. On the other hand, I feel like Carl's death was rushed and not given the proper attention it deserved.

I think the show could have done a better job of exploring Rick's grief and how it affected the other characters. It would have been interesting to see how Rick dealt with the loss of his son and how he tried to move on. I also think the show could have done a better job of exploring the impact of Carl's death on the other characters.

Overall, I think The Walking Dead mishandled Carl Grimes' death. However, I am hopeful that the show will learn from its mistakes and do a better job of handling character deaths in the future.