The inevitable has happened. Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) has finally -- and officially -- been killed off in "The Walking Dead." After showing his father Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) his fatal zombie bite, all it took was one gunshot wound for the well-loved father and son to bid each other a final farewell. What is next for Rick? Based on recent spoilers and speculations, would it be possible that the day of Rick's departure is coming soon, too?
Rick might have attributed this blow to his nemesis Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), but as Carl stressed before he died, "It wasn't The Saviours. It just happened. I got bit."
Would it be far-fetched to think that Lincoln might also leave "The Walking Dead" and shift to the spin-off "Fear the Walking Dead," which stars Lennie James' character, Morgan? It might not be too far-off, if only due to the intensity of the father's love to his son. But Lincoln also dropped statements that might serve as hints by saying that it might not be the end for Rick and Morgan. He told Entertainment Weekly, "It's always been that way with Rick and Morgan. I don't know, there's something in the air, that I feel that it's not quite the end yet for Rick and Morgan."
Now, as fans are still reeling from this major chapter on the show's entire storyline, "The Walking Dead" universe will keep moving forward. On the next episode, titled "The Lost and the Plunderers," a showdown between Rick and Negan might finally be in the works. Given both characters' personalities on the show, it might be as bloody and as wretched as expected. The two will be seen in the 10th episode screaming at each other through walkie-talkies, as a sign of things to come.
In the promo, Rick is seen reading a letter that Carl left behind for him, but it seems that the pain is still too real for him to even stomach reading it. This, after the revelation made during the last episode that the reason Carl never took off his father's hat is so that they will always be close to each other. His gravesight is seen and, with Carl's death, it seems that the last episode will feature Rick at his most wrathful self.
Catch the upcoming episode of "The Walking Dead" next Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on AMC.
