The Walking Dead Carl’s 10 most memorable moments

6. Carl Inherits The Hat

Season 2 “Cherokee Rose”

In “Cherokee Rose” Carl is awake after Hershel was able to perform surgery and remove the bullet fragments left after Carl got shot. As Rick is sitting by Carl’s bedside Carl tells Rick that now they’ve been both been shot. Rick tells Carl that since he’s been shot now he gets to wear Rick’s Stetson hat, his Sheriff’s uniform hat.

That hat has become Carl’s signature icon. All of the main characters have symbols that have become synonymous with their characters. For Carl that symbol is Rick’s Sheriff hat. This moment, when the hat was passed from father to son, is an iconic moment for Carl. It was a reminder of the incredible bond that Rick and Carl share. And a reminder of the values and attitudes that Rick has worked so hard to demonstrate and pass down to his son.

Now that Rick has gone through so many changes the hat is a symbol of who he used to be and the values that Carl still has that Rick has lost over the years. When Carl found Siddiq in season 8 he goes back to bring him food and water, which is something that Rick would have done years ago. Now Rick no longer trusts strangers.

But Carl has managed to find a way to balance caution with hope, which is the greatest lesson that Rick ever taught him. Even though Rick doesn’t always remember what they are fighting for Carl does. They’re fighting for hope. And humanity. Carl never forgot that. And Rick’s Sheriff hat will forever be a symbol of family and loyalty.