Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead."
"The Walking Dead" surprised fans with a huge departure from the comics during its 90-minute mid-season finale.
In the episode's final moments, Carl revealed to his father and Michonne that he was recently bit. Chandler Riggs, who plays Carl on the show, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter Carl will indeed be killed off the show.
While some may have applauded the show taking a big risk, a lot of comic-book fans aren't happy with the decision to kill off Carl at all. Many are pointing out how Carl becomes integral to the comics after the end of Rick's war against Negan. There are so many more big storylines in the comics for Carl as he becomes a teenager.
A lot of people are upset with showrunner Scott Gimple and are airing their grievances.
Gimple’s decision to kill off Carl may just be his Andrea moment.
— The Walking Dead World (@TWalkingDWorld) December 11, 2017
That was the final straw for Mazarra, and rightly so.#TheWalkingDead
GIMPLE IS RUINING THE SHOW! THERES NO SHOW WITHOUT CARL
— The Walking Dead Fan (@twd_fan_page) December 11, 2017
I don't even care at this point anymore. Carl was the future. No more Carl = End of the show.....and I hope that end comes real soon. Gimple and the idiot writers ruined this once amazing show 🤮👎🏻
— Rob Roca (@RobRoca25) December 11, 2017
Scott Gimple just put the show into a hole where it can't dig out of. Either the show dies within the next two years or they bring carl back. Which they technically did with negan in the comics but killing carl was a giant mistake. Basically means Glenn died for no reason.
— Michael Hammond (@SmeltedArmor) December 11, 2017
Scott Gimple made a huge mistake killing Carl off... We won't be seeing Carl's epic storyline with him being the leader along with Maggie... That's why this show never gets any awards horrible writing and bad choices.
— Kilea Thomas (@ItsKileaThomas) December 11, 2017
I'm starting to believe that Gimple purposely threw a wrench at AMC for not letting him have more creative control. Why else would he decide to have Carl killed off? It makes no sense.
— twd 808 spoilers (@LinzLovesEugene) December 11, 2017
treating carl as disposable or anything less than the second protagonist of twd is inexcusable. scott gimple is a god damn idiot
— hayseed yubaba (@WerLevethix) December 11, 2017
Scott M. Gimple did good for a while, but lately, not at all with idiotic decisions:
— 🍇 iMember 🍇 (@iLEADFARMER) December 11, 2017
- That STUPID (rightfully deserved fan backlash) cliffhanger with Negan's debut?
- These trash people?
- Killing Carl?
...Yeah, we need a new showrunner & writers. #TheWalkingDead#TWD
I have enjoyed walking dead since the start but the past few episodes have really been crap and it pisses me off that that Carl got taken down by a random ghost walker. They need to fire gimple and fix the show. No wonder they are losing viewers.
— Cenafn54 (@TTVCenafn54) December 11, 2017
The decision to take Carl out of the picture at this point in the show is a bit eyebrow-raising if you're familiar with Robert Kirkman's comic series of the same name.
Carl starts to take on more of a leadership role as his father gets older. Over the past few years, the comic has started to shift more from Rick to his son Carl. Since Carl is one of the few characters who has truly grown up and lived his life through the apocalypse, it starts to make more sense that the comic would center around the younger Grimes.
In some ways, it feels like it always has been his story.
Some fans are wondering why the show didn’t take the opportunity to kill off or seriously injure Daryl. As of late, he's become little more than a man bent on revenge. Carl has a rich set of material to continue on the show for years.
One of the biggest story lines "The Walking Dead" would be tossing out is the unique bond and friendship that eventually comes to pass between Negan and Carl. Eventually, Carl gets enough confidence to start walking around without his eye patch and bandage and embraces his injury as part of his identity. A lot of that is because of Negan. It's a sour spot for Rick that he and his son never really discuss much in the show or the comic. Now, it feels like a huge missed opportunity for character growth.
Perhaps some of Carl's story arcs will be passed along to another character like his sister Judith or his girlfriend Enid.
But killing off Carl when he's at his peak makes it seem like it was a waste for the show to even bother removing his eye in the first place.
It seems like Riggs himself was caught off guard by the decision to kill his character. In his interview with THR, he says that he had just bought a home close to where they film before he was told Carl would be leaving the show.
Carl's death is expected to be seen when the series returns February 25. You can follow along with our "Walking Dead" coverage here.
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