The Walking Dead: Top 100 Moments

45. Carol’s Cookies

Episode 513 “Forget”

Original Airdate: 3/8/2015

Submitted By: Nir Regev

Absolutely mesmerizing, a stunning tour de force display of a dialogue crafted to perfection. The thrill of emotional pull for a scene etched on any viewers mind for eternity. If Melissa McBride never did another scene for The Walking Dead, this performance would still cement her among cinema legends. The Walking Dead’s Mount Rushmore. What was exceptional about this scene is the gravity of influence beyond only fans of The Walking Dead. Its grip universal.

‘The monsters out there’ as Carol names them, represent more than just Walkers. The reward for silence, veiled intimidation rather than persuasion. Cookies, merely code language for a vision of lively roulette. Neither side truly knows if the other will stay the course. A child, less experienced in the subtext of negotiation.

Show this scene to any individual, fan or not. They’ll be instantly hooked. A captive of curiosity, whether to know what happens next or a strong sense of protectiveness. Mother’s intuition. Fatherly rescue. The connection to the naive weakness of the child and the artful, cunning adult adapt to exploit that dewy-eyed innocence. Underlying tension brimmed to the ceiling and beyond.