Sesska's Favorite TV Moment of the Week (12/10-12/16) (Patreon)

Alright yes, this one is a few days late. I’ve been so hectically busy with channel stuff that I didn’t even notice I missed my two Sunday posts on Patreon. Hopefully things will calm down soon though. Once I knew what my favorite TV moment of last week would be, I wanted to take my time writing about it. I have a lot to say. 

So the winner for this week’s favorite TV moment goes to Carl’s conversation with Negan. I highly recommend rewatching the scene once you know how everything’s going to end. It’s so damn heartbreaking. Carl was bitten when he was out trying to find Siddiq to bring back to Alexandria (which I would assume is now pointless) but at least he’s with the group! Carl is taking his inevitable death like a man and I think that’s more crushing than anything. He knew that was “pretty much dead already” so he took the responsibility of talking to Negan and soon after offering himself to be killed as punishment. That’s a very brave decision to make. Because yes, there is a difference between dying in the loving arms of your father and getting your head bashed in with a baseball bat. 

The chemistry between Negan and Carl was always there. They had tremendously wonderful scenes together. And I think we will feel this loss the most when it comes to any interactions they could’ve had in the future (along with interactions with Rick obviously). 

But in this particular moment, Carl stepped up. Carl basically single handedly stalled Negan long enough to get everyone out of Alexandria safely. Carl was always a brave kid. Even from the first couple of seasons, Carl always wanted to do more and in that beautiful journey of Season 4, Rick was able to rely on Carl more. He has become more of an asset than we could have ever hoped for. This was the pinnacle of all of that coming together. 

I know this was a controversial decision to have made for the show. There is an aspect of the show that I believe will be missing going forward. There was something so very special about the idea that Rick wanted to make the world better for Carl (ie his little speech in “No Way Out”) so now if that’s gone….what is left? I don’t think anything they could write would put that drive into Rick in that way. 

Honestly, I want a proper send off for Carl. I know not every character gets the luxury of a whole lot of goodbye speeches and goodbyes. But I believe Carl is earned that. I really hope we see some strong focus on him and Rick in his final moments. Along with some moments with him and Michonne. I still am processing this and it’s been over a week. I’m not sure what is actually going to happen. This loss is just tremendous to the show and I really don’t know where they’re going to head next. 

As much as I would want Rick or Michonne to put down Carl in the end, I’m not sure they’re going to be able to. I think it would be lovely if Siddiq shared his mother’s philosophy of freeing people’s souls in those cases. I expect to be an emotional wreck when the show comes back in February. And maybe once I see Carl’s final moments, I will be able to process this a whole lot more. It’s so strange how this show has done this to me. I feel like The Walking Dead never ceases to amaze me with the emotions they can pull out of my very core. And this moment is serious shock. I never knew I would have to process grief on a show like this. Normally it’s very “cry my eyes out…..mourn” and in this instance it’s “cry my eyes out…..feel lost and unsure”. Which is probably what Rick and Michonne and everyone else in that group is thinking. What is all for now? I’m really hoping Carl will show them all the way. Okay I’m tearing up now…..I need a hug.