Carol Peletier's character on "The Walking Dead" is distinctly different from the version seen in the comics. So far, the creators have done a good job making the TV character vary from the character in the comics, but the temptation to merge the two characters has to be present. The sacrifice comes in the fact that she usually becomes delegated to the background or might not be seen as significant even when she is featured. Which aspects from the comic could make the TV version of Carol more interesting on TV?
Friendship With Lori
In the printed version of "The Walking Dead," Carol and Lori are very close friends and confidants. Sophia's mom is the one person Lori will go to when conflict happens with Rick or if there are issues with Carl. To this point, the friendship has not been progressed between the two women on the small screen. Right now, Lori is seen as a character that has separated herself from everyone else since her relationship deteriorated with Shane. If the creators want sympathy created for Carl's mother, allowing the two mothers to become closer could be a smart move.
Jealousy
In the comic, Carol quickly becomes Tyreese's lover. The readers are led to believe that the former football player is the first man to ever make her feel complete and grant her a feeling of self-worth. When she catches Tyreese and Michonne together, Carol attempts to win her man back but eventually slides into a state of mental despair and begins to go insane. With her relationship budding with Daryl, there is a perfect opportunity for the creators to explore Carol's extreme jealousy. What might she do if she believed someone was infringing on the man she cared about?
Confusion in Love
During Carol's progressive breakdown, she tried to get Rick and Lori to have an open relationship with her. After she was shot down, she lashed out at the two other characters, and there were times that readers could have believed the creators were preparing for the deranged woman to attack other survivors. The idea of Carol placing extra relationship issues on Rick and Lori, and appearing as a physical threat would be very interesting.
Death
Carol has one of the most memorable death scenes in the comics as she welcomed death as an end to her misery. After having an "adult encounter" with Hershel's son, Billy, she wandered off into the prison courtyard and allowed a zombie to bite her in the neck. She refused to allow anyone to help her as she wanted to die in the peace she could not have in life. The idea of one of the TV survivors giving up and welcoming death through the teeth of a walker would be extremely impactful and could give viewers extra insight as to the mental deterioration facing each of the characters.
More from this Contributor:
'The Walking Dead': Carl is Essentially an Orphan
Should 'Talking Dead' Immediately Follow 'The Walking Dead'?
'The Walking Dead': How the Prison Allows for More Walkers Than in Season 2
