(Major spoilers ahead for the episode of “The Walking Dead” in which Carl dies.)
Well, we had to wait more than two months since Carl (Chandler Riggs) revealed his zombie bite in the last scene of the mid-season finale to actually see him die, but the big day has finally come. Carl is now dead, after getting most of an episode to say goodbye to everyone and have them tell him how much they love him before Rick handed him a pistol so he could shoot himself in the face.
It was quite the emotional episode, given how attached fans have gotten to Carl in the last couple years, as he really grew into on the best characters on the show.
On Sunday night, there was lots of crying and lots of jokes (of course), but certainly there wasn’t much apathy — strong feelings happened all the way around as folks shared their responses to Carl’s exit. Below you’ll find a sampling of what folks had to say.
First, there was the heart-wrenching run-up to the final moments as the other characters said their goodbyes to Carl. A few viewers hoped the show would pull a fast one and save Carl, but as time went on, they started to accept that yes, Carl was really going to die.
Trying to make it through tonight's episode of #TheWalkingDead like………. pic.twitter.com/RZmfKmIbAo
— Ryan The Lion™ (@HerculesHandy) February 26, 2018
Me watching Carl coming to terms with his fate and preparing to die #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/uBOO0ejAhu
— Renae Pryor (@rfinnell9) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/naturalhorror/status/967945232703565824
https://twitter.com/TaraFknChambler/status/967944532032602117
Watching michonne break down like #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/SMPfKXI1Dx
— Alex lock (@asimoalex) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/ShotokanDancer/status/967949166881267713
Looking at all the characters that should be dying instead of Carl. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/GD3PJDsaRv
— 💀🎃Phillip🎃💀 (@ThatOneGuy2393) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/RickAndThangs/status/967948329928810498
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SHOW MICHONNE AND RICK DIGGING HIS GRAVE?!?! My heart can’t take this. #TheWalkingDead
— Amanda 🖤🐍 (@aaamanda) February 26, 2018
Seeing old ricks vision for the future and Carl dying in reality is killing me #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/S8zE2qhUOq
— Black Barbie 🧜🏾♀️🪷 (@JayyNaomi) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/AlwaysAngela614/status/967953705197817856
Among the roughest moments: When Carl passed his iconic sheriff hat to his little sister Judith.
https://twitter.com/MMarston_14/status/967953705483071489
That hat probably stinks to high heaven #twd #TheWalkingDead
— Sara Lieb (@mommylieb) February 26, 2018
Carl's goodbye to Judith. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/Siv3e7hIuj
— jennifer (@Woahh_Jennifer) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/_candicenguyen/status/967954006118223872
“You saved these people, that’s all you man.” -Daryl to Carl #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/RBqsGmwyqe
— Ana (@Ana_Dimas4) February 26, 2018
I’m not prepared for the final Rick/Carl scene. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/7ZZtrYolQc
— E ❥ (@elle_evil) February 26, 2018
I'm crying so hard I can't breathe. #TheWalkingDead
— Scaper4 (@Scaper4) February 26, 2018
I'm not crying. You're crying. #TheWalkingDead
— Jamie McMillen (@McMillenjl) February 26, 2018
These goodbyes are killing me #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/exWRMjc97j
— 🐻♗ αℓ𝔩lＤᗩⓣＪ𝒶𝕫𝐳 🍭♪ (@AlllDatJazz) February 26, 2018
Carl: You're my best friend Michonne
Michonne: you're mine too 😢😢@WalkingDead_AMC #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/Atf3rJdOmd
— Margo 📸📺📽️✏️ (@iMargo_CEO) February 26, 2018
And then there was Carl’s actual death, which restarted the whole cycle and hurt even more than many seemed to expect.
It’s time to break out the tissues even more now 😢 #TheWalkingDead
— transita (@transita18) February 26, 2018
ok…that did it Carl #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/JVP5RhZaYY
— Sugar Cone (@StayCtheGr8) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/Chels4Short/status/967963172551512069
How am I still alive #TheWalkingDead
— _Natzeli (@NatzeliJB) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/zachmcantwell/status/967963553478029312
Welcome to the This is Us episode of Walking Dead #talkingdead #TheWalkingDead
— Larry Strickland (@acestrick) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/FreddyInSpace/status/967963552622497792
Omg….😭😭😭😭😭 that gunshot was the most dredded thing I've ever heard 😫 I love you CORALLL, forever and always. Thank you @chandlerriggs for making twd so much better for me and being such an amazing character. I am so proud of you #TheWalkingDead #RipCarl #TalkingDead
— Amber (@AKleitgen) February 26, 2018
#TheWalkingDead soooooooooo manyyyy feeeeeeeels pic.twitter.com/V1Qgj9PbSM
— NYCubana (@NYCubana_) February 26, 2018
But as always, “The Walking Dead” had one more trick, ending with Rick’s vision of the future Carl had hoped for, which includes peace with the Saviors — and even Negan living in Rick’s community.
#TheWalkingDead crying uncontrollably as Carl dies and then with the vision of Judith going up to Negan went straight to pic.twitter.com/S2PwE7zCQT
— Josie Crawford (@JosieCrawford) February 26, 2018