The Walking Dead's Epic Plan: Reviving Carl Grimes in Rick's Spinoff

Summary

The Walking Dead can bring back Carl Grimes in Rick's spinoff by having him appear as a hallucination, allowing him to serve as Rick's moral guide and influence the narrative.

Previous developments in the show have established the concept of Carl reappearing in Rick's mind as hallucinations, rendering it plausible for Carl to make a comeback in such a manner.

Rick's envisioning of his son's current appearance can account for Carl's matured look, and his return would rectify the error of eliminating a major character and creating a narrative gap in the show.

Despite being killed off in season 8, there is a perfect opportunity for The Walking Dead to bring back Carl Grimes in Rick's upcoming spinoff. Both Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Carl (Chandler Riggs) have been absent from the show since 2018, with Rick making a brief appearance in the series finale to set up his own spinoff. Although Chandler Riggs had a small role as an extra in the final episode, his return as Carl is still pending. While Carl may not have been initially adored by viewers, his character development in the later seasons made him a favorite among audiences. The reunion of Rick and Carl depicted in artwork reminded fans of the dynamic duo and the excitement of seeing them together on screen again. Given Carl's significance to the show, he deserved a better farewell. While The Walking Dead cannot resurrect his character, there is a way for Carl to play a meaningful role in Rick's resurgence in the franchise.

Carl Grimes Can Return As A Hallucination In Rick Grimes' Walking Dead Spinoff

The Walking Dead can bring Carl back as a hallucination in Rick's spinoff, since retconning his death is impossible. Hallucinations and dream sequences are common in the franchise and provide a perfect opportunity for Carl's return. His death played a significant role in Rick's victory over the Saviors and sparing Negan, making Carl's influence on the narrative still relevant. As Rick still has children to care for, Carl's return becomes even more meaningful as he can serve as Rick's moral compass in the spinoff.

While Michonne's return will provide support for Rick, he may still seek advice from his firstborn child given his experiences. With Rick and Michonne expected to face off against the CRM, it would be a major arc in the franchise and fitting to involve one of its most significant characters. Although Carl cannot physically participate in the battle, giving him a role in helping his father defeat or escape from the CRM would emphasize his importance in The Walking Dead universe, even years after his death.

Walking Dead Already Set Up Carl Returning In Rick's Head

Previous events in The Walking Dead have already established the notion of Carl's presence returning to Rick's thoughts. Following the death of Rick's wife, Lori (played by Sarah Wayne Callies), he began experiencing hallucinations. In the prison storyline, Rick would hear a ringing phone and would answer it, convinced that it was a signal from a safe community. The last phone call he received was from Lori herself, despite her being deceased, which confirmed to both Rick and the audience that these phone calls were figments of his imagination. His grief fueled these hallucinations, making it difficult for him to move on, although this was not the only instance in which he had them.

In Rick's final episode of The Walking Dead, he appeared to be severely injured and constantly lost consciousness, encountering people from his past. These individuals engaged in conversations with him and offered guidance, a phenomenon similar to what Carl could do in The Ones Who Live. Considering the sinister nature of the CRM, it is plausible that Rick has endured mistreatment and been held captive by them. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that Rick could experience hallucinations and seek guidance from those closest to him, as has been demonstrated previously. These prior insights into Rick's state of mind effectively demonstrate the viability of Carl's return in this capacity.

Rick Hallucinating Would Explain Why Carl Looks Older

If Carl were to make a return to The Walking Dead, it is natural that he would appear older. However, the hallucinations can still serve as an explanation for this change. Chandler Riggs, if he were to reprise his role, would be five years older, resulting in Carl appearing older than when Rick last saw him. It may be confusing for Rick to imagine his son looking different from when he was on the show, but this can be easily justified. The portrayal of a father struggling to fully come to terms with his son's death would help make sense of the altered appearance. It is completely valid to imagine what Carl might look like now if he were still alive.

Carl continues to play a significant role in Rick's life, and it is understandable for Rick to envision him as a grown man and consider what he might look like. If Carl were to serve as a guiding voice for his father and pass on his wisdom, it would only enhance this more mature appearance. The visual contrast between Riggs now and his previous appearance on the show is still recognizable. Long-time viewers would easily recognize that it is the same actor portraying the character, and witnessing a slightly older version of Carl would be a meaningful full-circle moment, given how young he was during his initial introduction.

Carl's Walking Dead Return Would Fix A Major Walking Dead Mistake

Bringing back Carl Grimes presents an opportunity for The Walking Dead to rectify one of its biggest mistakes. The decision to kill off Carl was undoubtedly one of the show's worst choices. Not only did his death rob the series of a significant character, but it also served little purpose. In the comics, Carl takes on the mantle of Rick's successor, essentially becoming the new protagonist. However, the show abruptly wrote off Rick shortly after, leaving a void in the heart of the narrative. To fill this void, The Walking Dead should be led by a member of the Grimes family, and Carl would have been the perfect choice during Rick's absence.

Carl's character underwent tremendous growth, making his demise even more disappointing. The episode in which he was killed received negative reviews, and the rest of season 8 suffered greatly without Carl, who played a central role in that storyline. By allowing Riggs to return as Carl in a more minor capacity for "The Ones Who Live," the show can mend his messy and lackluster exit. The comeback of Rick Grimes is already a monumental moment for the franchise, but adding Carl to the mix would elevate it even further. As The Walking Dead is regaining its former glory through its spinoffs, bringing back Carl would help steer things in the right direction.