There are two types of people in this world: Those who appreciate "The Walking Dead" and those who don't. It's pretty simple, and until you give it a chance, you will always think it's a dumb zombie show. However, the fans of "The Walking Dead" appreciate the show for different reasons. People either watch it as a suspenseful drama or as an exercise in analysis, to watch how the characters, symbols, and themes change throughout each season. I happen to watch the show for the second reason (and it's not just because I attend Georgia Tech).
Carol Peletier is one of the most interesting characters on "The Walking Dead," in my opinion. Yes, every character has had to adapt and survive in unimaginable ways, however, Carol has made one of the largest transitions, reflected through her bravery and intellect. Because everyone at Alexandria sees Carol as another innocent middle-aged woman who poses no threat, she can easily blend in with her baking skills and sweet voice. Her real character is nothing short of the opposite. The only person who truly sees Carol outside of her group is Jessie's younger son Sam. He witnesses Carol taking guns, and Carol is never fake with him, telling him to move on when his father was just murdered right in from of him.
Carol's husband Ed abused her and their daughter Sophia, leaving Carol characterized as very submissive and weak. She never felt as if she had power, and it took Ed and Sophia's death, along with comfort from her new group, to find her new self in the middle of an apocalypse. One of the most controversial moments in the show was finding bodies that were burned because they were infected with a lethal virus. Lethal virus equals zombie. It turns out that Carol was responsible -- sweet, innocent, weak Carol. Not anymore. She took the initiative to try to get rid of whatever it was that was killing humans -- the most valued life form, that was now outnumbered by the dead. For her inhumane actions, however, Carol was exiled. Her loyalty was proven once she used a firework to blow up the propane tank at Terminus, basically saving everyone. This brings up Carol's tactic as a repetitive character theme -- her blending.
Carol's way of blending in with the walkers when approaching Terminus is repeated through her blending act in Alexandria, and yet again, in this season's third episode "Thank You," when she blended in with the "W" people, going so far as to write the W in blood on her forehead. Her skills are sharper, wiser, and uninhibited as she attempts to explain to Morgan why killing these evil living people is necessary, as Morgan is still trying to take a passive approach.
Carol's character has developed into a harsh form that has made her stronger in fighting off the dead, but more importantly, the living.
