( CNN ) -- `` The Walking Dead '' left us hanging with its midseason finale last year , so we knew to expect surprises when the AMC show returned Sunday . And oh , were there surprises . We talked with Danai Gurira -- aka Michonne -- ahead of Sunday 's premiere , and she said to watch for a different tone during the remainder of season four as the focus shifted to the journey of individual characters . She conveniently left out that her character 's backstory would be explored in a dream sequence , a scene that easily became one of Sunday 's highlights . There was much-needed insight into Michonne , including an apparent explanation on why she became so emotional when holding baby Judith -- she had had a son before ( not to mention a lover ) . Here are three other moments that still have us talking : . 1 . Rick 's not dead , is he ? Rick was left in a horrid state after a prison attack in the midseason finale , and at first it seemed that he was going to be the first casualty of `` The Walking Dead 's '' return . Our panic grew after a struggling Carl thought his father was a goner when he could n't wake him up . During the seconds it took for Carl to draw and aim his gun , we wondered the same thing he 'd been wondering : Could he survive without his dad ? Thankfully , he did n't have to answer that question . 2 . Michonne 's walker `` pets '' and a disturbing discovery . In addition to her backstory filling in some of the blanks , Michonne revived something else from the past Sunday : her `` pets . '' As she left the prison , she crafted another set of armless , jawless walkers to accompany her through the desolation -- but not before stumbling upon the decapitated head of Hershel . But Michonne 's a soldier : She pushed past the horror of finding Hershel 's zombie noggin and had the courage to end his life . Her strength was on display again when she sprang back to life in a herd of walkers , slaying them with her weapon of choice , a katana . 3 . Carl becomes a man . Rick , Carl and Michonne were the only three from the original clan in Sunday 's episode , which offered an especially intimate view of Carl 's struggle . He was angry with his father , Rick , for the desperate state they 're now in , so much so he believes he can make it on his own and would n't care if his dad were dead . ( That 's obviously not so true , given his hesitation to shoot him . ) Carl did test out his solo survival skills , and although he nearly was turned into a walker , the experience left him unscathed and with a renewed perspective . Carl is becoming a man -- and one who clearly enjoys giant cans of pudding .
`` The Walking Dead 's '' midseason premiere focused on Michonne , Rick and Carl . Part of the episode filled in some of Michonne 's backstory . It also highlighted Carl 's transition into adulthood .