Let's be honest: Before season 4's best episode and the season 5 premiere of The Walking Dead, Carol Pelletier was pretty basic.
Beware: Spoilers ahead! She was whiny, needy, clingy and generally a burden on the group: She delayed their travels to search for her daughter, who ended up being one of the pet projects in Hershel's barn. She murdered and burned poor Tyreese's poor, sweet girlfriend over a flu. She cried when that little pain in the ass Carl Grimes told her that God doesn't exist.
Admit it: You wouldn't necessarily have minded if she, like ultimate basic bitch Andrea, got bitten and kicked rocks. Until now. Check out all the ways Carol transformed from basic bitch to straight up boss on The Walking Dead.
Carol Pelletier overcame an abusive relationship.
Of course, Shane beating the bejesus out of her wife-beating husband helped. This was a key point in making her stronger and less insufferable than Andrea, who was the living worst and remained the living worst until she was the dead worst.
Photo: AMC
Carol is a great mom.
She was so determined to find Sophia that she had no problem holding up the entire group. Okay, so that made her a little annoying, but wouldn't you do it for your kid? (Genuine question. I hate children, so I don't know.) She's transferred that maternal instinct to taking care of Judith, who's pretty much just an anchor for the group. That's love.
Photo: AMC
Carol is a better driver than Lori Grimes.
Granted, like, Hershel's pegleg would be a better driver than Lori Grimes was, but still. That counts for something.
Photo: AMC
Carol Pelletier is an awesome teacher.
In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, she taught little girls to shoot guns and survive in a post-apocalyptic world.
Photo: AMC
Carol is merciful ...
... when she wants to be. Instead of stopping to smell the roses, she encourages sociopathic children to "look at the flowers." She'd probably make a great veterinarian. Or successor to Jack Kevorkian.
Photo: AMC
Carol uses all natural cosmetics.
The woman isn't vain, okay?
Photo: AMC
Carol is independent.
There's a reason Rick was totally cool with leaving her all alone in the woods during a zombie apocalypse.
Photo: AMC
Carol is honest.
Carol came clean to a very, very angry Tyreese about, you know, murdering and scorching his girlfriend.
Photo: AMC
Carol keeps Tyreese sane.
After confessing to the murder and incineration of his girlfriend, Carol actually became buddies with Tyreese. Do you know how hard that must be?
Photo: AMC
Carol Pelletier can be ruthless.
Welcome to new Terminus, bitch!
Photo: AMC
Carol is great at first aid.
She nursed Daryl Dixon back to health when basic bitch Andrea shot him. God, she really was the worst.
Photo: AMC
Carol is conscious of public health.
Considering how Carol Pelletier reacted to an average flu outbreak, wouldn't you want her on your side for the Ebola pandemic? (Hint: Don't sneeze around her.)
Photo: AMC
Carol Pelletier is a master tactician.
Batman is a master tactician and knows how to kill every single member of the Justice League if they abuse their power or turn against the group. After blowing up a propane tank and mowing down walkers and cannibals, Carol may have just become the Batman of The Walking Dead.
Photo: AMC
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