Supa-Star Chandler Riggs has grown up in front of horror lovers. Starting out as one of the original characters in the long-running The Walking Dead series, fans have watched Riggs’ Carl Grimes grow from a scared young boy into a brave and steadfast character worthy of his praise. Ahead of Riggs’ upcoming appearances at Supanova in Brisbane (5-6 November) and Adelaide (12-13 November), we’ve rounded up some of Carl Grimes’ best moments from the show. The Walking Dead spoilers ahead!
CARL GETS RICK’S HAT
Season 2, Episode 4
Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Rick in his full Sheriff regalia is crucial to his character, proving just how self-sacrificing and brave he is as a person. So when Rick hands his Sheriff’s hat down to Carl in a sweet and tender moment, it reflects his son’s transition into becoming a brave and kind person like his father.
Recovering from a gunshot wound from Otis on the farm, Carl wears the hat for the majority of his onscreen time before he passes the hat to his sister Judith just before he dies. Telling Judith that “it made me feel as strong as him…” It becomes a sweet token of strength, bravery and kindness as Judith goes on to wear the hat in all of her tenacity.
“JUST DO IT”
Season 7, Episode 1
The introduction of Negan was intense to say the least, and Carl’s age certainly didn’t exclude him from the brutality. The opening episode of season seven saw Negan testing Rick by demanding he chop Carl’s arm off. As Rick pleads to save his son – already emotionally distraught due to the deaths of Glenn and Abraham – Carl steps up and tells his father to “just do it”. He bravely sacrifices himself for the group and accepts his fate for the sake of others, before he is thankfully saved from losing the arm.
Credit: Gene Page/AMC
The whole scene shows just how much Carl has grown up and just how far he will go to help others. He proves through his bravery that he really is made of the same strong stuff as the Sheriff.
CARL LOSES HIS EYE
Season 6, Episode 9
Now, this particular scene in season nine is actually one of the most iconic scenes in the comic book series, so it seems amiss not to include it here. During a Walker invasion at the town of Alexandria, Carl travels with the others under gore ponchos in an attempt to escape, before young minor character Sam freaks out and unfortunately alerts the Walkers to their presence. Distraught over the death of Sam and his mother Jessie, Jessie’s older son, Ron, blames Rick for their death and points the gun at him. In reaction, Michonne slays Ron with her katana, but the gun fires anyway and hits Carl in the eye.
Miraculously, Carl was saved, but he forever had to contend with the fact that he had now lost an eye. Chandler Riggs then had to continue Carl’s growth throughout two seasons without the use of his eye – something the actor should definitely be commended for, as that certainly wouldn’t be an easy thing to do.
Credit: Gene Page/AMC
CARL TRIES TO KILL NEGAN
Season 7, Episode 7
Negan is a complicated character and despite his villainy and his introduction, he ends up going on to have a respectful relationship with Carl and then his sister, Judith. So impressed with Carl’s gumption as he attempts to take on the leader of the Saviours himself, he actually ends up giving Carl a tour of the base and learning that while he opposes Rick, Carl is actually just doing what is best for his family.
Negan’s backstory showcases that this is a sense of strength for Negan and his respect for Carl makes some absolutely amazing scenes that Chandler Riggs nails consistently. This respect for Carl is actually what leads to some great character development for Negan as he mourns Carl’s death and loses the war against Rick.
LORI’S DEATH
Season 3, Episode 4
Hands down one of the most iconic scenes in The Walking Dead history comes in season three as Carl’s mother, Lori, goes into a particularly harrowing labour. As an emergency C-section is given to Lori to save baby Judith it becomes clear that Lori isn’t going to survive the procedure. The emotional scene sees Carl saying goodbye to his mother, promising to be strong and take care of his new little sister, before he puts a bullet in her brain to ensure she doesn’t turn into a Walker.
It’s not an easy situation for a young boy to be in, and Carl was so young that this scene was really highlighted as the point when he truly grows up and steps into the person he is destined to become. He shows bravery, strength and kindness and it is hands down one of the best Carl Grimes moments in the whole series.
CARL’S EXIT
Season 8, Episode 9
Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Carl’s death on the show was one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the series, as it was a bit of a surprise to fans of the show who had become attached to the character. In the episode, Carl is bitten by a Walker and as the infection spreads he knows that the end is near. In a tearful moment saying goodbye to Rick and Michonne, Carl turns the gun on himself, being the one to stop the Walker infection from turning him. It’s the ultimate kindness to Rick, and the ultimate act of bravery for Carl.
THE CHOCOLATE PUDDING
Season 4, Episode 9
Finally, one of Carl’s best moments comes in season four when he is helping his father recover from the battle at the prison. Some of his best moments arise through his bonding with Rick, and Chandler Riggs really shines in these dramatic scenes. But what everyone really remembers from the episode is he when takes a break from Walker-hunting duties to sit on the roof of an abandoned house and polish off a giant tub of chocolate pudding.
The character of Carl Grimes is still a young boy in this season, the weight of the Walker-led world on his shoulders, so this moment of peace and happiness is well deserved for Carl. And who wouldn’t want to stop and devour chocolate pudding in a Walker-infested world?
Lead image by Gene Page
