‘The Walking Dead’: Carl Grimes Conflicted — Chandler Riggs Talks Negan’s Weakness And Observations About ‘TWD’ Villain [Spoilers]

The Walking Dead Season 7 is ending the first half this Sunday on AMC. Fans are curious what to expect, especially since Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) have interacted at the Sanctuary. Even though Negan is not considered Carl’s friend, there is a certain connection. This is creating some conflict for the teenager, who has grown up in the zombie apocalypse. What does Riggs have to say about his character? Will he continue to defend and fight for Alexandria’s freedom or is he interested in becoming a mini-Negan? The attraction of power and control as well as discovering Negan’s weakness was discussed by Chandler.

Possible TWD spoilers are ahead. Do not continue reading unless you want to know what could happen on the AMC series.

Carl Grimes has not been a favorite character for most fans during the past few seasons. However, that is changing in Season 7. He watched Negan brutally kill Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun) and Sgt. Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz). However, unlike many others in the group, Carl seems to be one of the few Alexandrians willing to take a stand.

On the last episode of The Walking Dead, Carl snuck in one of the Saviors’ trucks and went to the Sanctuary. Opening fire, he killed two of Negan’s men. Normally, the TWD villain would have killed the young man. However, he kept him alive, gave him a tour of the Sanctuary, and had some interesting conversations with the boy.

In an interview posted on AMC’s official website, executive producer Greg Nicotero said that Carl’s struggle has been about changing the way Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) sees him. As with most fathers, Rick sees his son as a child. However, the teenager wants to be looked at as a soldier.

Some TWD fans may have viewed Carl’s actions on the truck going to the Sanctuary as too risky and yet another irresponsible move. However, co-executive producer Denise Huth explained that Carl Grimes did not have a death wish. He viewed his actions as something that needed to be done and he was willing to pay the price.

Chandler Riggs also spoke about Carl and Negan in The Walking Dead. Out of all of the characters on the television show, Negan might be the only one who has ever treated Rick’s son like an adult. The actor also discussed what is going through Carl’s mind seeing the power and control that Negan has over his community.

“What surprises Carl the most about seeing all the Saviors with Negan is that they kind of worship Negan. He sees all this power that Negan has and Negan shows that he can have it. This has been a big conflict… to have all of this power and glory or to fight against him.”

However, what does Negan think of Carl? Is he toying with the teenager, playing some sort of psychological mind game? In a way, perhaps he is. He also sees something in Carl Grimes that he likes. He is reminded a bit of himself and thinks Carl would make a great recruit. As Nicotero said, The Walking Dead villain sees the fire burning in Carl’s eyes.

As for Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the actor said the interaction between Negan and Carl started off as a test. He wanted to see how tough the boy is. Then, when the bandage comes off of Carl’s eyes and he starts to get emotional, Negan apologizes. Denise Huth confirmed that the apology was genuine and he really wasn’t trying to hurt the boy. When this happens, it no longer becomes a test. For Negan, it becomes something else.

As the day wears on and Negan escorts Carl to witness Mark getting his face ironed, the boy begins to learn certain things. Scott Gimple said that Carl is beginning to figure Negan out. He recognizes what the leader has built, but also is starting to understand exactly what Alexandria is up against.

A huge turning point for Carl is when Mark’s face is melted by the iron. Huth explained that Carl realizes that Negan will always have the upper hand and will always control them. Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead, added that making his character clean up the mess is another way Negan shows his power. At the same time, Carl has stumbled upon something that others have not. He sees a weakness and a sensitivity in Negan. It is almost like there are different sides to the villain and Carl can’t figure out why Rick and the others are still alive.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, The Walking Dead Season 7 spoilers revealed that Negan didn’t kill Rick Grimes for one reason. Alexandria is worth more producing. If Rick and the others are dead, Negan gets nothing out of it.

Could Carl Grimes, seeing how much power Negan has over his men, change his mindset as he grows up? Will he use Negan’s weakness against the Saviors? How will Rick Grimes react when he finds out that Carl went after Negan in The Walking Dead?

[Featured Image by Gene Page/AMC]