‘Worst Decision in TV History’: The Walking Dead Fans Unite on the Moment That ‘Ruined the Franchise’

Summary

Fan sentiments indicate that “Carl’s death killed The Walking Dead, ”mainly due to the deviations from the original comic storyline.
Viewers regarded Carl’s demise as a pivotal moment that shifted their interest away from the series.
Despite earlier controversies, dedicated fans can look forward to the releases of Dead City and Daryl Dixon in 2025.

The AMC universe has garnered immense popularity, yet a segment of fans feels disenchanted, believing the series suffered a major blow long ago due to a single misstep.

For many viewers, The Walking Dead once epitomized thrilling Sunday night entertainment, captivating millions each week. However, by the sixth season, audience engagement began to wane, particularly around the release of Season 7 in 2016. The brutal death of Glenn at the hands of Negan left many fans disheartened, contributing to a noticeable drop in viewership. Yet, while Glenn’s tragic demise was significant, many fans believe it was Carl’s death that truly harmed the series.

Impact of Carl’s Death on The Walking Dead Franchise

A recent discussion on Twitter/X highlighted the widespread sentiment among fans regarding pivotal moments in The Walking Dead. User @cineqrimes articulated a common frustration, asserting that Carl’s death was the definitive moment that “killed”the show. This statement resonated with many, emphasizing that “killing off Carl was the dumbest decision in television history, ”suggesting that it fundamentally altered the franchise’s trajectory. Carl Grimes, portrayed by Chandler Riggs, met his end after being bitten by a walker in Season 8. While his death served as a compelling emotional pivot for Rick, it left many viewers feeling disillusioned, given that the comics depicted Carl surviving Rick and ultimately evolving into a formidable leader.

keeping carl alive because killing off carl was the dumbest decision in television history and completely killed the franchise from the point forward https://t.co/c9BFNgCzGL — kaleb (@cineqrimes) March 5, 2025

The decision to eliminate Carl was seen not only as shocking but ultimately unnecessary, especially as it deviated from the narrative arc established in Robert Kirkman’s original comics. Following @cineqrimes’ comment, a wave of agreement flooded in from other fans. Many echoed similar sentiments, stating Carl’s death drove them to stop watching the show entirely. One noted, “It made me quit watching the show, ”while another commented on the timing, highlighting, “Negan had just killed 2 pivotal characters, and then killing Carl so soon was so unnecessary…”

It appears that The Walking Dead aimed to shock its audience, yet many fans found themselves mourning the loss of a character they had watched grow for eight seasons. The decision to remove Carl was perceived as abrupt and unfounded. Nevertheless, loyal viewers who have remained committed to the franchise can anticipate the premiere of Season 2 of The Walking Dead: Dead City on May 4, 2025, followed by the third season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon in the fall of 2025, available on AMC and AMC+.

Source: X/Twitter

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