I know how you feel. He was raised in this environment and I am loving his transformation as he grows. He's amazing.
He really is. I used to think Carl was such a brat always running off and never listening. Part of it was just growing up and being a kid and wanting to do his own thing. Carl is now a teen and yes okay he can be a bit immature about some things (aka baiting Ron) but he’s grown up so much.
I feel like it all started to change when Lori dies and in my mind all the decisions he makes are to honor her and what she told him when she died. Carl has been through so much and done so much more than anyone his age should have to. Fact of the matter is that he had to shoot his mom so she wouldn’t turn and then his father checked out. Rick had lost his wife and I’m not saying I blame him 100% but he wasn’t there for Carl like he should have been.
It used to be he was shut down every time he asked to help, that was also when his dad was farmer Rick. But look at the situation now when he is included in things to help protect team family. Another difference is he doesn’t question when Carol or Rick ask him to do something in a crisis situation. He knows they all have jobs to do and he is okay with his being there to protect Judith. He was trusted at the church to protect her and he was trusted again when the wolves attacked. It’s no small job to have and it’s huge that Rick and Carol both know he is up to the task.
Carl is still a teen and I expect we will still see changes in him in the future, some possibly sooner rather later. He still does stuff like going over the walls with Enid, and repeatedly baiting Ron with smart ass remarks. Those things remind us of his age (you mean he isn’t 40 with how mature he’s become??).
For now he is still my pudding pop and I love seeing his transformation. He’s a young man now and despite growing up in a shit world he has a good heart and he always tries to do the best. Lori would be so proud of him and that’s all I can ask for.