Like many other series, AMC’s The Walking Dead has carried a particular reputation for killing off beloved characters in the name of advancing the overall story and evoking a strong sense of emotion in its audience. As a result, devoted fans have been forced to cut ties and say goodbye to some of the most beloved characters in all of television — and the farewells have certainly never been easy. But with a show that boasts a plethora of unforgettable characters, it’s only a matter of time until they make their eventual departure.
Over the course of 11 seasons, thrill-seeking viewers have followed along in separate journeys of a variety of different characters — both baddies and good guys. Amongst those favored figures, it’s worth noting that Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) is one of the most popular characters. Introduced in the very first season, Walking Dead fans came to understand Carl’s difficult predicament as a child walking amongst zombies — which eventually led to his character growth and overall development through the seasons.
But unlike his comic book counterpart, who survives the apocalypse and eventually starts a family of his own down the line, the television version of Carl suffers a tear-jerking death that left viewers absolutely stunned.
What episode does Carl die?
In a tragic state of events, Carl suffers the beginning of his ultimate demise in the midseason finale episode of season eight, “How it’s Gotta Be.” In the episode, viewers learn that Carl was bitten by a walker (zombie) while protecting other members of Rick’s group — as he had done so many times before.
In the ninth episode, Carl dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, shooting himself in the head to prevent the infection from spreading throughout his body and causing him to turn into a walker. In the days leading up to his death, Carl wrote several letters to his loved ones — including his father, sister, and even a letter specifically written for Negan.
Without a doubt, Carl’s death is one of the most impactful in the entire series — right up there with Glenn Rhee and Hershel Greene. More than that, Carl’s death was seen as a major shock to the system — seeing as Carl never died in the famed Walking Dead comics.