AMC is not hiding what’s about to come on The Walking Dead: Carl is going to die in the season 8 midseason premiere. We figured as much after “How It’s Gotta Be,” which ended with Rick and Michonne in tears after Carl shows them he was bitten by a walker, and now we know for sure. William Riggs, the father of 18-year-old actor Chandler Riggs, complained about his son getting fired; creator Robert Kirkman was forced to come to the defense of showrunner Scott Gimple (who will soon be replaced after a promotion); and Norman Reedus said that he’s “desperately unhappy” about losing one of his longest-tenured co-stars.
But, as our own Dustin Rowles pointed out, Carl has to die so Negan can live, and the trailer for the second half of season eight begins with the unavoidable death. It’s a more emotional, less tense teaser than we’re used to from The Walking Dead. Although there’s still plenty of violent intrigue, especially Negan striking someone in the face with Lucille and the tagline, “Finish the Fight.”
But before all that, we get Carl’s goodbye. “Before mom died,” he says to Rick, “she told me I was gonna beat this world. You will.”
The Walking Dead returns February 25.