47 Most Shocking Moments from The Walking Dead… So Far

41. Carl Thinks Rick Turned

I’m actually more shocked that this didn’t happen- that Carl didn’t shoot Rick. He shot his mom. What stopped him this time? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he didn’t, because that would be the end of Rick, but I’m shocked.

Rick was badly injured and Carl is watching him, waiting for him to wake up. It’s dark in the room they’re in, so when Carl hears heavy breathing coming from his dad, he immediately thinks Rick has turned. He pulls out his gun and aims it at Rick. I totally thought this would be a game changer. I thought Rick would die and Carl would step up, and become a newfound leader in this show.

However, Carl can’t find it in his heart to shoot him. He breaks down and embraces his fate. That’s when you can faintly hear Rick saying, “Carl. Go outside. Stay safe.”

This moment was both a shocking, and a touching one. Carl has had to grow up with such a thick skin, you rarely see his vulnerabilities. When he thinks he’s about to lose his father, you finally see him breakdown, and admit to being scared.