5 clues that a major 'The Walking Dead' character may die on the show's series finale
Jace Downs/AMC
- Warning: There are spoilers ahead for season 11, episode 23 of "The Walking Dead," "Family."
- Judith gets shot on the series' second-to-last episode.
- Music cues and other clues on Sunday's episode may have hinted that she won't survive the series.
The penultimate episode of "TWD" took a surprising turn when Judith (Cailey Fleming) was accidentally shot by Governor Milton (Laila Robins).
As her life hangs in the balance, the show may have offered a few clues about the character's fate ahead of its series finale.
Music cues and some ominous dialogue hint that Judith won't survive the show, but perhaps they're all very good misdirection to keep viewers on their toes. After all, Judith's death would be shocking. Not only has Rick's daughter been a symbol of hope for the survivors since her birth on season three, but her (currently missing) parents are returning next year in a spin-off of their own, offering an opportunity for a huge Grimes family reunion.
Keep reading to see a few moments you may have overlooked on Sunday's episode that could be hinting at Judith's death.
AMC
As the episode opens with a monologue from Judith (Cailey Fleming), we hear part of the score from both Rick and Michonne's final episodes, season nine, episode five, and season 10, episode 13, respectively.
We pointed out in our details-you-missed guide for the episode that the music in the series' penultimate episode can be interpreted in a few ways. But its use here has us wondering if it was played because we're rolling up on the final episodes of the series or Judith's final episodes.
Jace Downs/AMC, AMC / composite by Kirsten Acuna/Insider
Their brother, Carl, gave Judith that hat right before his death. The passing of the hat may signify that Judith's time on "TWD" is coming to a close and that the Grimes' legacy is in R.J.'s hands moving forward.
AMC, Jace Downs/AMC
The shot isn't the sound of a gun; it's Daryl's crossbow firing.
Still, during a second viewing of the episode, it seems like the pairing of the line and sound of the shot may have foreshadowed where Judith would end up by the episode's end.
When Judith is shot, Uncle Daryl is the first one to come to her aid.
AMC, Image Comics/Skybound
In the comics, it's a different member of the Milton family who shoots a Grimes. In the final comics, Governor Milton's son, Sebastian, shoots Rick dead in the chest as he's in bed.
On the show's penultimate episode, Pamela appeared to shoot Judith in a similar location. Granted, Sebastian wound up shooting Rick a few more times, but the locations of the wounds are in the same vicinity.
AMC
On Sunday's penultimate episode, Judith says her parents shared a "secret saying" they spoke to one another.
Judith never confirms the phrase to the audience, but it's likely: "We're the ones who live."
On the series' penultimate episode, Judith describes it as "a good-luck charm" for Rick and Michonne and also herself and R.J.
However, as far as the audience knows, Judith doesn't speak it aloud to R.J. before leaving him.
Jace Downs/AMC
Two new promo images released Monday for the series finale show Judith seemingly alive and on the move.
However, it's tough to believe that Judith would be in such great shape, barely bloody, and moving around after a serious gunshot wound.
We're guessing the photos may show Judith in an out-of-body experience as her life hangs in the balance.
AMC seemingly spoiled another character's fate in its promo images and deleted that image from its press site while keeping the Judith ones up. The photos could easily be some really good misdirection on the show's part.