The Walking Dead: 7 Reasons Why Carl's Death Was A HUGE Mistake

4. It Wastes Carl And Negan's Relationship

The Walking Dead Negan Carl
Gene Page/AMC

Despite Jeffrey Dean Morgan's obvious charisma, Negan hasn't translated as well to screen as fans hoped, with the villain too often coming off as being one-note.

One of the best aspects of his charcter, then, and one that does give him a bit more depth and Morgan something different to play, is with his strange relationship with Carl. Although on opposing sides of the conflict, Negan has an odd respect that even borders on affection for Rick's son, and it allows him to be something other than the swaggering loudmouth, while giving Carl more to do as well.

It gets explored further in the comics, and it could've been fascinating to see on TV. Carl's death means the end of that relationship, robbing Negan of a great on-screen partner and taking away the chance to deepen their relationship and add more layers to both characters in the process, instead favouring the shock over great development.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.