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<i>The Walking Dead</i> – Mid-Season Premiere “Honor.” Review. Goodbye Carl, Hello Negan?

Season 8, Episode 9

Air date: Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 9PM E/P on AMC

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“It’s not supposed to be like this. I know it can be better.” – Carl

 

The Walking Dead mid-season premiere heavily peppers in some tear jerker moments as we all say goodbye to Carl (Chandler Riggs). That’s not a spoiler. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock or don’t know a thing about the series, or haven’t seen Riggs’ father’s Facebook rant, Carl was bitten by a walker in episode 806, “The King, the Widow, and Rick,” while trying to help Siddiq (Avi Nash), a new survivor who first appeared in the season 8 premiere, “Mercy.”

Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes, Avi Nash as Siddiq – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

As I mentioned in my review of the mid-season finale, “How It’s Gotta Be,” I haven’t been the biggest fan of Carl – the character. I have nothing against the actor, but I feel his character lacked development. Aside from the infamous ‘rooftop pudding’ episode, Carl seems to have put himself in harm’s way more than a few times, endangering himself and others along the way. But after watching “Honor,” and Riggs and director Greg Nicotero on The Talking Dead afterwards, I kind of wished the writers had done this kind of character development for Carl years ago. I actually found myself caring more for Carl in this singular episode than I have the past seven seasons. Riggs’ performance in “Honor” is both heartwarming and heart wrenching. I’ll get more into the tear-jerker moments later.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Throughout “Honor,” some more utopian future flashes are sprinkled in showing a grayer Rick (Andrew Lincoln), a slightly older Judith (Kinsley Isla Dillon), and a few other people I definitely didn’t expect to see. I’ve wondered if these flashes of the future were real – if this is what is to come for our beloved Alexandria-Kingdom-Hilltop groups (A.K.H.). The answer to my question is revealed both at the end of “Honor” and in The Talking Dead. Let’s just say I’m not sure if there will ever be a Mr. Rogers version of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) picking tomatoes with Rick anytime soon.

Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The entire 90-minute episode (well, more like 65-70 minutes, given the plethora of commercials) goes back and forth between flashbacks to previous episodes, flash-forwards to a bright yet surreal future, and the present. So much happens in “Honor,” this would technically be a recap if I began to get into all the various storylines folded into the episode. The heart of “Honor” is saying goodbye to Carl. At the beginning, set to the song “At the Bottom of Everything,” by Bright Eyes, the gravity of Carl being bitten sets in. Carl stands in front of his bathroom mirror, looks at the bite marks on his ribs, and tries his best to move forward. Fresh out of the shower and into a clean shirt, Carl sets on a path of writing farewell letters and spending time with his baby sister. This is where I started choking up a bit. In spite of my overall feelings for Carl, his love for little Judith always stood out. He has been a wonderful big brother.

Tear Jerker Moments:

Everyone is going to have their opinion about which moments in “Honor” truly had them reaching for tissues, but here are my picks (in no particular order).

  1. Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

    Carl saying goodbye to Judith in the tunnels for the last time. Daryl (Norman Reedus) volunteers to take Judith to Hilltop so Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) can stay with Carl in his final moments. Carl talks to Judith as though she isn’t a two-year old, as if she understands the enormity of his words. Then Carl passes on the hat, that tattered hat Rick used to wear when he was a deputy. Queue lump in my throat.

  2. Siddiq saying thank you and goodbye to Carl in the tunnel. “You brought me here; you gave me a chance. I know I can never repay you, but I can honor you by showing your people, your friends, your family that what you did wasn’t for nothing. That it mattered, that it meant something because it did.”
  3. Carl talking to Michonne in the tunnel. “Don’t carry this; not this part…you’re my best friend, Michonne.” Pass the tissue please.

  4. Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

    Rick and Michonne carry Carl to the burned out church in Alexandria. Carl tells both of them he loves them, to which Rick responds, “It was all for you.” Rick’s actions have all been for Carl, and then Carl and Judith, to protect them the best way he knew how. And then Carl, slowly moving his hand to his gun (with a silencer)…then hearing the quiet shot. Queue the waterworks.

 

Observations

Lennie James as Morgan Jones, Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, Khary Payton as Ezekiel – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Morgan (Lennie James) is becoming more unhinged by the second. The once calm and anti-killing man is quickly transforming into a conflicted murderous monster. He seems to kill without a second thought. Morgan and Carol (Melissa McBride) head to the Kingdom to rescue King Ezekiel (Khary Payton). After all the death in “Honor,” particularly inside the walls of the Kingdom, it almost seems moot to spare Gavin (Jayson Warner Smith). It’s not like he would hesitate to put a bullet in Morgan, Ezekiel, or Carol. But in the end, another innocent child becomes corrupt. Will Henry (Macsen Lintz) end up going through the phases Carl did – wanting to kill, kill, kill, and ask questions later?

I know A.K.H. got their guns from Oceanside back in season seven, but did I miss the memo where they also had silencers? Seriously?

Throughout “Honor,” there are some scenes that have been peppered throughout the season showing Rick with bloodshot eyes, alone somewhere in a field. As “Honor” comes to an end, we see Rick sitting up against a tree looking like he’s been shot in the abdomen. What. The. F**K?

Overall

Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 9 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

“Honor” does a great job of giving a long standing character a wonderful send off. Riggs has been on the show since the beginning and no matter your feelings about his character, Carl’s death is bittersweet. Ultimately, Carl’s death is the catalyst to propel many of the storylines forward – for better or worse. Will Rick fulfill his son’s dying wish to make the world a better place? Will the future be as bright as Carl envisioned with everyone getting along? Will little Judith become the “sous” to Eugene’s (Josh McDermitt) “chef?” And will we ever see Negan picking produce from a garden and playing nice with Rick?

While in a perfect world, living in peace and working together seems like the right path. But when you are in a zombie apocalypse fighting for survival, can there truly be harmony without animosity among the people? I guess we’ll find out.

What did you think of “Honor?” Comment below and tag me on Twitter @judybopp to chat.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.