The Walking Dead season 8 episode 9 spoiler review: Carl dies - the verdict

*Major spoilers for The Walking Dead season 8 episode 9*

(AMC Studios)

“It wasn’t The Saviours. It just happened. I got bit.”

The reveal at the end of The Walking Dead midseason finale was one of the biggest shocks the show had doled out in its entire eight-year run: Carl – two episodes previous – had a chunk taken out of him by a walker and was slowly succumbing to his wound which he revealed to his father and surrogate mother Michonne in the closing moments. The irony here is that this twist, while resulting in a morbid episode so focused on death, seems to have provided the show with fresh life. 'Honour' is a resounding success.

Which is not to say the show won’t be affected by the departure of Carl. For his final stand, actor Chandler Riggs gets handed more screen time than ever before – the opening alone revisits the very moment he got bit (this time, we actually see it happen - camera trickery be damned) followed by a montage sequence showing him come to terms with his fate back in Alexandria: writing letters to those closest to him (Enid included) and enjoying some downtime with his sister Judith, all smiles for a Polaroid camera before The Saviours come knocking.

'Honour' is one of those languorous episodes of television you'll carry with you long after the credits roll, one where you know what's going to happen and almost find it too unbearable to watch. The remainder of Carl's scenes sees him attempting to impart some old-before-his-years wisdom to his devastated father, attempting to yank him from the point of no return knowing his death could see Rick descend further away from the merciful man who showed Carl how to survive in this world (after killing surrendering enemies).

Sparking Carl's resilience is the immediate way in which Rick attempts to attribute blame for Carl's death to Negan's army. His son ushers away such conjecture: “It wasn’t The Saviours. It just happened. I got bit.” In this world, these things happen - ultimately pointless scenes will see major players die. In this way, The Walking Dead feels dangerous like it hasn't in a long while.

Carl dreams of a future where violence has dissipated – Michonne (Danai Gurira) is happy, Judith older and Alexandria rebuilt, the community comprised of characters from warring factions (Jerry, Siddiq, Eugene and – shock horror – Negan). Rick promises his son he will put these wishes into effect through an endless stream of tears. It's always been about him, you see - and as a gunshot rings out signaling the end of his son, Rick's purpose lies around him in tatters. Are these scenes merely Carl’s dreams or genuine flashforwards that Rick ensures are realised?

While that mystery may continue, the prevailing theme here is... well, grief with producers refusing to leave any viewer with dry eyes. Several of the episode's moments could vie as the show\s most emotional to date - see: the scene where Daryl (Norman Reedus) lauds Carl for saving everyone before turning his back on him for the final time; or Carl paying tribute to his “best friend” Michonne, Black panther sensation Gurira showing more emotion than she's ever had to before. She, Lincoln and, most of all, Riggs provide stellar evidence as to why The Walking Dead's absence from the Emmys is a sham.

This doesn't stop short with them either. The remainder of the episode is die extremely well-directed scenes (here's looking at you, Greg Nicotero) largely serve to highlight how much more dangerous our heroes can be and, by the end, Gavin expresses true abhorrence of the monstrous actions dished out by Morgan, who firmly leaves his conscientious objector days behind him as he literally pulls entrails out of a living human man.

Beyond this, of course, the most intriguing aspect to Morgan's scenes is enforced by the fact that – in seven episodes time – Morgan will have somehow made his way into the centre of action alongside Madison (Kim Dickens) and company in the forthcoming season of Fear the Walking Dead. Going by these scenes, he won't spell good news for them.

It’s an exciting time to be a Walking Dead fan, heightened in no small measure by the fact that this time last year, fan anticipation had somewhat waned. It’s just regretful we’re going to have to proceed without one of the show's greatest characters.

The Walking Dead season 8 continues on AMC every Sunday with the UK premiere arriving the next evening on FOX as well as being available to stream on NOW TV.

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