One of the wildest things about being a Walking Dead fan is how much emotional whiplash the show gave us. One second you’d be cheering because your favorite character pulled off some impossible escape, and the next you’d be crying because they were suddenly gone. It’s part of the ride. We all knew to expect shocking deaths.
But let’s be honest, some losses were just plain unnecessary. And none stung worse than when the show killed off one of its most beloved characters, a move that didn’t just break fans’ hearts but also killed off what could have been the franchise’s greatest spinoff.
Imagine the stories, the character growth, the leadership potential we could’ve seen if AMC had just let this one stick around. Instead, we’re left daydreaming about the what-ifs and wishing we had gotten the show that could have changed everything.
There's one specific character I can think of right now that perfectly fits this description. That it'll be Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs). As Rick’s son and the heart of the original comics, Carl was more than just another survivor. He represented the future. Watching him grow up in the apocalypse gave fans a unique perspective we didn’t get from anyone else, and it set him up to eventually take the reins as a leader.
I mean, think about it. Here was a kid who had seen more horror than most adults could even imagine, yet he still managed to hold onto his humanity, his morals, and even a little bit of hope. Carl had that rare mix of toughness and heart, the kind of character you can’t help but root for, even when the world around him was literally falling apart. And that’s why his death hurt so much. Not just because he was adored, but because we all saw the spinoff potential vanish right before our eyes.
Carl was about 14 years old when he met his demise in the eighth season, and it saddens me to think about all the stories we’ll never get to see. He had so many lessons to learn, relationships to build, and leadership moments to experience. He could have carried the torch for the next generation, exploring a world that was slowly starting to rebuild after all the chaos and destruction of the apocalypse. But no. AMC chose to end his story far too soon, which is really annoying when you think about it, since Carl doesn't even die in the comics.
In Robert Kirkman's comic book series, Carl survives into adulthood and plays a central role in the story’s conclusion. He lives through the main events and helps rebuild society after the apocalypse, eventually starting a family of his own. This is a major difference from the TV adaptation, where Carl is killed off in season 8 after being bitten by a walker and then fatally shooting himself to avoid coming back as one.
It's one thing to make such a drastic change from the source material, but the television series didn't even give Carl the farewell he truly deserved. Instead of a climactic, heroic moment that honored everything he’d been through, his death felt rushed and convenient, more a plot point than a meaningful conclusion to his story. Carl deserved better, and this is something I still think about when reflecting on the series.
The Walking Dead is available to stream on Netflix.