Warning: This article contains spoilers for the latest episode of The Walking Dead, which airs on Fox in the UK tonight (February 26).
Fans of The Walking Dead were left devastated in the latest episode when Carl made an emotional exit when season eight returned with 'Honor'.
After seeing Carl (Chandler Riggs) being bitten at the end of the last episode we knew his exit was inevitable. But that didn't mean it hurt any less, and fans took to social media in their droves to express their devastation.
Speaking to SyFyWire, series producer and the director of 'Honor' Greg Nicotero opened up about the death of the much-loved character, telling fans it was "beautiful" with "a lot of heart and a lot of sentiment".
"On The Walking Dead, our deaths are so sudden and so brutal and so shocking that people very often don't have an opportunity to react," he said. "In this episode, we are fortunate enough to share Carl's last moments. That's critical, because it does allow these characters, and our audience, some closure.
"Closure is critical in The Walking Dead. Imagine Tyreese's death versus Beth or Glenn or Abraham's deaths, that were so shocking, that it took people a long time to get over them and adjust to them.
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"In this instance it is really different. I think there are some great opportunities, and some great moments. As sad as this episode is, I think there are some great moments. I think it's really beautiful. It has a lot of heart and a lot of sentiment."
Nicotero also let fans know that Carl didn't die in vain, as his death will be used as a catalyst to set up exciting new storylines as the season continues.
"I think Carl's death is definitely going to provide the fuse for what's coming in the second half of the season. You've got to understand the relationships Carl had with all these people, and how each one will react to his death," he continued.
"Also, Negan has brought the war to them. Up until this point, Negan's people were relegated to being trapped in the sanctuary. Now they are out, and it really changes the entire dynamic of the war.
"As we've seen in the end of episode eight and will see in nine, Alexandria is in ruins. Negan has brought the war to them. That's something they have never experienced to this calibre before."
While we can agree with Nicotero that Carl's death was beautiful and heartbreaking it doesn't make it hurt any less. Still, even in The Walking Dead, all things must move forward.
The Walking Dead returns on Sunday, March 4 on AMC with next episode 'The Lost and the Plunderers'. Fox airs the show in the UK on Mondays at 9pm.
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Stephanie is a freelance news writer, who previously covered WWE and AEW for Digital Spy.
After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she studied journalism at Birkbeck University.
Outside of her work at Digital Spy, she writes about pop culture, with a special focus towards Irish media and how it intersects with politics.
You can read more of her work on her Substack page.
