The Walking Dead death that continues to irk fans as one of the most pointless in the long-running series.

The Walking Dead fans endured several tragic deaths throughout its long run and continued to experience the extended franchise set in the post-apocalyptic world. Some of these deaths left a lasting impact on viewers, including that of Carl Grimes, the son of the show’s protagonist, whose journey came to an end in Season 8.

And fans of the show have long expressed their disappointment with the pointless death of the character who was the driving force behind the protagonist’s motives and his vision for a peaceful and better future.

Carl in The Walking Dead | Credit: AMC

The Walking Dead’s death continues to disappoint fans

The Walking Dead has never shied away from killing off main characters, a practice that continued throughout the show. However, sometimes it resulted in what fans consider pointless deaths, including that of Carl Grimes in Season 8.

Carl’s journey, from growing into a brave, courageous man, takes a tragic turn in Season 8, leading to his death. His passing is followed by one of the most heart-wrenching goodbyes, as he shoots himself after getting bitten while trying to save Siddiq and others.

Carl and Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead | Credit: AMC

However, fans have noted that his death is one of the most pointless, arguing that it defeats Rick’s motive to ensure a better future for his son, Carl Grimes, and the community they built in the face of a zombie apocalypse.

“Carl’s death is the biggest shaggy dog story of the show. The whole thing was about Rick creating a world and future for Carl to live in,” one fan argued in a Reddit discussion surrounding the series.

Others echoed the sentiment, noting, “Definitely Carl. Still salty about that. And the way he died? Soooo stupid. They did him so dirty.”

While the show continued and Rick kept fighting, with Carl gone, it just didn’t give off the same energy. Additionally, it deviated significantly from the comics.

In The Walking Dead comics, Carl survives till the very end and grows into a strong and capable leader living in a peaceful society that Rick (Andrew Lincoln) once imagined for him.

Why did The Walking Dead kill Carl Grimes in Season 8?

Carl Grimes’ death and the exit of Chandler Riggs, who portrayed the character, raised many questions about why the showrunners decided to kill him despite having so much more to explore about the character.

Riggs has shared that his exit from the show was surprising for him as well. “It was devastating for me and my family because the show has been such a huge part of my life for so long,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes | Credit: AMC

He also explained that Carl’s death was the showrunner’s way of bridging the gap between Rick and Negan, as it represented Carl’s hope for a peaceful future where everyone, including Negan, could survive without violence.

Showrunner Scott M. Gimple echoed this idea, calling Carl’s death a “very intense story turn” in the series during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite these reasons, however, fans continue to be disappointed by the unexpected twist in the series, which they believe could have been avoided.

The Walking Dead is available to watch on AMC+.