The Walking Dead: 16 Easter Eggs You Probably Missed In Season 5

11. The Watch Symbolism

As already stated, time is a huge narrative symbol, and the saga of Rick's watch - which came back into his possession this series after the unfortunate Sam "lost it" - was an important one. Not only did it fit in line with the focus on controlling time and order, it also represented something to Carol's evolution as a character. When Rick attempted to return her watch to her, her refusal of it was a hugely significant moment: it was of course a gift from her husband, and Carol has come a long way since he was making his surly presence felt. If there was any doubt that she had completely evolved, that refusal was the final confirmation that this is very much not the same Carol.