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Top 5 Moments of The Walking Dead’s Midseason Premiere

Fans react to the death of a beloved character in the season 8 return of the hit AMC horror series.

by | February 25, 2018 | Comments

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

“My mercy prevails over my wrath,” distraught Rick (Andrew Lincoln) said with red-rimmed eyes at the beginning of The Walking Dead’s midseason premiere on Sunday, letting us know we were in for a rough time. Boy, were we ever.

Here are the top five moments from the season 8 episode 9, “Honor,” and the reactions from fans.

SPOILER ALERT: THIS ARTICLE REVEALS DETAILS OF EPISODE 9 OF SEASON 8 OF THE WALKING DEAD.

1. SAYING GOODBYE TO CARL

Like we really needed it, we see again that Carl (Chandler Riggs) was indeed bitten by a zombie in the midseason finale, while rescuing newcomer Siddiq (Avi Nash) in the forest. Then, there’s the montage of Carl trying to live his best life in the time he has left. Writing notes to everyone, having a cute moment with toddler Judith – and it only gets more heartrending from there.

Back in the sewers with the Alexandrians, Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) are trying to grapple with seeing Carl in his condition, while they all wait out the attack above from the Saviors, so they can escape to the Hilltop.

One by one, everyone has their moment with the dying Carl, even Siddiq, who we find out is a doctor. He tells Carl he will honor him and let everyone know what selfless thing he did in saving Siddiq’s life. Daryl gives Carl credit for saving everyone’s life by bringing them down to the sewers.

Carl saying goodbye to Judith, though, that’s almost too much. “Sometimes kids have to show their parents the way,” he tells her, adding, “Before mom died, she told me I was going to beat this world. I didn’t, but I know you will.” He then gives her Rick’s sheriff’s hat. Just stop.

Finally, alone with Rick and Michonne, Carl tells his father that when he stopped fighting, it was the right thing to do. Then Carl opts to shoot himself in the head, so the two people he loves most won’t have to. As they sit outside, they hear the gunshot, and then they bury him. Sobbing doesn’t quite describe the emotions.

2. OLD RICK EXPLAINED — SORT OF

Throughout the episode, we see glimpses of old Rick, with the beard and the cane. Walking around a thriving Alexandria, with a 10-year-old Judith. Jerry (Cooper Andrews) is there, as is Eugene (Josh McDermitt).

Turns out, it has been Carl’s vision of the future all along. As he’s dying, Carl wants his dad to be happy again. Rick says everything he has ever done has been for his kids. Carl wants him to be at peace. Rick promises he’ll make Carl’s vision of the future a real one.

3. EZEKIEL IS STILL WISE

Khary Payton as Ezekiel - The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

At the Kingdom, Ezekiel (Khary Payton) is now captured by Gavin (Jayson Warner Smith) and his small Savior crew. Gavin can’t believe how dumb Ezekiel is in listening to Rick, and now he’s going to die. Ezekiel doesn’t see it that way. He still has his kingly crown on, and tells Gavin he, too, can take a step in the right direction and not do Negan’s bidding. We miss Shiva, the tiger, by the way. A lot.

Meanwhile, Morgan (Lennie James) and Carol (Melissa McBride) reunite at the Kingdom to rescue Ezekiel, along with young Henry, Morgan’s protege, who sneaked away and followed Carol after she told him not to. Damn those kids — can’t leave Carol alone.

4. MORGAN, THE DESTROYER RETURNED

Lennie James as Morgan Jones - The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Carol and Morgan do prevail, but in killing the Saviors, Morgan, the old killing machine, returns. He even shoves his hand into a Savior’s gut and pulls his insides out. Was that necessary?

As Gavin begs then goads Morgan, Carol and Ezekiel plead with Morgan to stop. Killing Gavin won’t help, but Morgan says he must. But it’s Henry who ends up killing Gavin — with a stick through the throat from behind. Carol reprimands him for following her, but Ezekiel urges calm: “All will be resolved.”

5. THE LAST FEW MINUTES

Rick promises Carl the future world he dreams of will happen, but guess who else is there and part of the community? Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Could it happen?

Still, that’s not the most troubling moment of the whole show. It’s the last shot of Rick up against a tree, apparently shot in the gut. Oh god, is this what we have to worry about now?

Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes - The Walking Dead (Gene Page/AMC)

What did you think of Carl’s final moments? Tell us in the comments.

The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8C on AMC.

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