The Walking Dead [1] might be known for its hefty supply of blood, guts, and rotting corpses [2], but the core of the zombie drama has always been the strength of its complex characters. Beneath the thin layer of dirt and grime [3], hardly anyone is what they seem, especially when it comes to Carol, played by Melissa McBride. She's had arguably one of the best character arcs throughout the entirety of the show, growing from a meek housewife unable to step out from the domineering shadow of her abusive husband to a ruthless pragmatist who isn't afraid to step up to the plate when need be. Time and time again, Carol has been the only one willing to get her hands dirty when no one else will, leaving a long list of victims in her wake.
Despite Carol's deadly reputation, it seems like the writers of TWD might be about to cross her in a big way. Keep reading to see why we're worried about the fate of one of our favorite characters, and see who else has the potential to bite the dust [4] in the gruesome sixth season finale [5]. Spoilers ahead!
It Seems Like She Left Part of Her Sanity Behind on Episode 13
Carol's ability to put on a performance as a harried, "I wouldn't hurt a fly" housewife to lull potential enemies into a false sense of security is one of her more clever, disturbing talents, and it appeared to be on full display in episode 13, "The Same Boat." Captured alongside Maggie by some of Negan's henchwomen, she hyperventilates and is near tears to the point where one of the women dubs her a "nervous little bird" and asks "B*tch, how did you make it this far?" Although we've seen badass Carol pull that song and dance before, this time around it felt a little off. Is it another one of her Oscar-worthy performances, or is she really losing it? By the end of the episode, Carol isn't operating at 100 percent. She's visibly shaken by the fiery trap she sets with Maggie for the Saviors, and there's a shot of her gripping a rosary so tightly that her hand bleeds.
Judging from her actions in both episodes 13 and 14, Carol is finally snapping under the full weight of her actions. She realizes that the Alexandrians have become the cold-blooded hunters, rather than the other way around, and it's not sitting well with her.
Writers Are Making a Point to Highlight the Real, Emotional Connections She's Forged So Far
Carol is a bit of a lone wolf, but her tender relationship with Daryl has always been a sweet aspect of both of their characters (Caryl shippers [6], I salute you). On top of the ridiculously cute hug Carol and Daryl share at the end of "The Same Boat," we also get a glimpse of Carol's new romance with Tobin, another member of Alexandria (Caryl shippers, I'm crying with you). Could TWD writers be upping the ante on Carol's personal relationships to make her death that much more painful? It would be wise not to put it past them.
The Disagreement She Has With Morgan Seems to Have Affected Her in Big Ways
A battle of morality has been raging on between Carol and Morgan since he arrived at Alexandria. Although Carol eventually convinces Morgan that people who threaten their safety need to be taken out, it's kind of looking like Carol could be coming around to Morgan's view of the world. She has a list of the number of people she's killed, and the longer it gets, the guiltier she feels.
We see the effects of this guilt play out in episode 14, "Twice as Far," when Carol leaves a note for Tobin explaining her decision to leave Alexandria. "I can't love anyone because I can't kill for anyone," she writes. "So I'm going like I always should have. Don't come after me, please." Thanks to her lengthy kill list and what she had to do (or, rather, who she had to turn into a zombie kabob) to survive Negan's Saviors, Carol has officially reached a turning point.
She's Lost Her Edge
Up until now, Carol didn't waste a single second wondering if she should put someone down (burning Karen and David at the prison, killing Lizzie, etc.). In the last episode, however, she doesn't kill the member of Negan's crew who threatens them with a gun in the woods even when she could have taken a shot, and when she faces off with Paula, she urges her to run first before they fight. That killer instinct is what's kept Carol from being a member of the undead until now. If she loses it, will what's left behind be enough to keep her alive?
Other Characters Have Died For Less
One of the biggest causes of death in TWD is hesitation. In a world where zombies roam free, few have the luxury to sit around and think about a decision for long. If you don't act, you die. If you find yourself crippled with fear, you die. For instance, in the shocking midseason premiere [7], Sam and Jessie suffer gory deaths because they hesitate in the middle of Rick's tense "let's cover ourselves in intestines and march through this giant pack of walkers" plan. They falter, not having the strength or the fortitude to survive. If Carol is impeded at all by her guilt, it could be her ultimate downfall. Negan and his band of merry murderers might not be the ones to take her out, but in that state, a walker easily could.