( CNN ) -- Season four of `` The Walking Dead '' has featured some of the most brutal scenes in the popular series ' history . ( Yes , that 's a warning for those behind on the show . Spoilers ahead ! ) There was the gut-wrenching death of Hershel in the midseason finale , but there was also the burning death of David and Karen early on . It was a mystery who killed them , but it soon came out that Carol ( Melissa McBride ) did it to stop them from spreading a deadly disease through the prison . When Rick learned what happened , he banished Carol from the prison , but she reappeared in the second half of the season . Young sisters Lizzie and Mika were left under Carol 's care after their father died , but it became clear that Lizzie had a skewed sense of right and wrong , and she killed her younger sister to bring her back as a walker . Then Carol decided yet again that another survivor was too dangerous to live and shot Lizzie in the back of the head . The reaction to this episode was huge . With McBride at the center of some of this season 's more memorable scenes , CNN spoke to her about Carol 's evolution and the finale Sunday night . CNN : What was your initial reaction when you learned what Carol was going to have to do this season ? McBride : It was surprising to me that Carol was going in this direction , absolutely . But it also made a great deal of sense to me that they would take her in this direction . First of all it 's a very interesting arc for this character , considering that she 's lost her daughter ; she carries so much responsibility for that , and also ( she 's ) trying to navigate this world . CNN : Is this the most challenging acting role you 've ever had ? McBride : By far . This has been by far the most difficult , and certainly the longest-running . The most challenging and rewarding , for all the same reasons . CNN : There was a powerful response online to the deaths of Lizzie and Mika ; did you follow that reaction at all ? McBride : Yeah , I was really happy about the responses that came from that episode . Shooting that episode was remarkable and such a great experience . It all just came together in such a wonderful way . People talk about how `` it needs to be earned . '' I felt what was necessary in this episode was absolutely earned . The emotional and critical response has been wonderful . The fans have just been phenomenal in their appreciation for that episode . What ultimately happened in that episode was controversial , but I feel like it was handled with such a sensitive approach . The build-up to it was just handled so well . CNN : Have you seen the memes that have cropped up about the scene ? The line `` Look at the flowers '' has taken on a life of its own . McBride : People are pasting people 's faces over Lizzie 's in the flower bed ! ( Laughs ) That 's another thing I love about the fanbase : They have a great sense of humor . ... I 'm a spoofy kind of person . I appreciate the humor , and it 's a great way to offset the devastation that people on the show ( are ) going through -- it 's sometimes very refreshing to see that stuff . CNN : There 's a segment of fans who like the idea of Daryl and Carol together . They have n't had too many scenes together this season , but is that something you might be pulling for ? McBride : I know that Carol and Daryl have a tremendous bond . Personally , I am living vicariously through the fans , I guess . I enjoy their passion . For some people , watching the show , it 's a fun element for them . They 're very passionate about their 'ships ! CNN : How do you react to the show 's massive popularity ? McBride : I 'm constantly amazed by the amount of different types of people that are aware of the show . After the episode with the girls , a gentleman who is 73 years old -- he said , `` I 've never written a piece of fan mail ever , but I had to write how much I enjoyed that episode . '' It touched me so much . When I think of how far-reaching this show is , and how big it is , it 's like trying to fathom the beginning of time , and I have to stop . CNN : What 's your favorite thing coming out of the show ? McBride : It certainly has to be the relationships within the cast and crew , and getting to work with the people I do . It 's so tremendously fulfilling , and personally getting to play this character has been a dream . CNN : What can fans expect from the season finale ? McBride : There 's nothing I can say that has n't already been said ! Like every finale , ( whispers ) it 's gon na be crazy !
`` The Walking Dead 's '' fourth-season finale airs Sunday night . As Carol , Melissa McBride has been at the center of some brutal scenes this season . She was shot in the head by a walker and is now paralyzed from the neck down.