The Ones Who Live crushes fandom with Rick's mention of Carl, how did he die?

Carl Grimes, portrayed by Chandler Riggs, is one of the most beloved characters from The Walking Dead. His death altered the storyline and drastically changed viewership.
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes - The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 8 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes - The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 8 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /
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Carl Grimes was first featured in episode 1, "Days Gone Bye," of The Walking Dead series. He was featured at a camp outside of Atlanta with his mother, Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), and a group of survivors. They believed that Rick (Andrew Lincoln), their father and husband, died while in a coma from a gunshot wound. Luckily, this wasn't the case, and they experienced a fabulous and emotional reunion.

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Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) - The Walking Dead - Season 2, Episode 12 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /

Portrayed by Chandler Riggs, Carl grew up before the eyes of viewers, giving him a special place in the hearts of many fans. His death in season 8 devastated a massive number of viewers who believed he would live a long life, as he did in the comic story. This is also considered a turning point in the series, as many believed it began to decline with his death.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live spinoff continues the story of Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira), Carl's adoptive mother and best friend. Several mentions of Carl in this series have pulled at the heartstrings of many.

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Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) - The Walking Dead_Season 3, Episode 12_"Clear" - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /

The Ones Who Live episode 4

The fourth episode of The Ones Who Live was a roller coaster of complex emotions that saw Rick and Michonne hash out their differences while also shedding light on a broken Rick Grimes. It was an amazing episode, one of the best within the franchise.

In the afterglow of their first intimate experience in years, Rick shares with Michonne that he used to dream of Carl, as viewers see flashbacks of the father and son. Que the tears! He then admits that he has stopped dreaming of Carl; instead, he began dreaming of her, which has also stopped. He is fighting his fears of losing her, like he lost his son.

Rick was lucky to have Michonne when he lost Carl to a walker bite in season 8, episode 9, "Honor," it is likely he could have gone down a bad path otherwise. Carl revealed the walker bite on his abdomen in the previous episode, a wound everyone knew he wouldn't recover. The three of them were able to spend time together before his death, and Carl took the responsibility of putting himself down before he turned so they wouldn't have to.

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Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes - The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /

Carl wrote many letters before his death including ones to Rick and Michonne. These letters changed both of them as Carl gave great insight into how they should proceed with Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his Saviors.

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