I agree with you DC. As much as he was so disrespectful (down right cruel) to his dad, he is forced to experience so much loss during this Zombie apocalypse. And, Carl is growing up. I saw the repeat of the episode in which Carl gets shot. He seemed so young and that was what 2 yrs ago?
For me, as much as I love surprise action/deaths in the show, I like also seeing a human side and get to know the personalities of the characters. I think Sunday's episode was just that.
TIS