The Walking Dead's 10 Best Farewell Episodes
9. Sophia Peletier - Pretty Much Dead Already
The image of sweet little Sophia, Carol’s teddy bear-loving preteen daughter, limping out of Herschel’s barn as a walker, and Rick’s subsequent killing of her, has cemented as an iconic image of The Walking Dead. Of course, many fans felt frustrated and strung along with this revelation, but it was nonetheless heartbreaking and horrifying.
Sophia’s death is a major deviation from her comic book incarnation. As many know, the comic book Sophia is adopted by Glenn and Maggie after Carol’s suicide, eventually marries Carl, and survives the entire 193-issue run.
So, as much as this is a farewell to Sophia, it’s also a farewell to pre-apocalypse Carol and her comic book fate. Sophia’s death hardens Carol, helps her break-free of her abused housewife stigma, and transforms her into the badass woman we know today. Fast-forward eight seasons and Carol’s storylines have felt repetitive at times, and her decisions questionable, but her initial arc is profound to watch unfold, and it wouldn’t have happened without Sophia’s downfall.