Rick Grimes has seen tough days in the past on "The Walking Dead," but it is different this time. It is as if he is trapped in the vicious cycle of doom and depression.

In "The Walking Dead" season 3, Rick lost his wife Lori, and he lost it for some time. It cam to a point that he even received calls from dead people. However, "TWD" season 4 mid-season finale episode saw the death of Hershel Greene. Also, Rick and team lost their home - The Prison - after the Governor and his party attacked it and tried to take control. After the prison battle, Rick believes that baby Judith is dead. The potential loss of little Judith will affect Rick in a very big way.

"It's going to hit [Rick] in a way that we haven't seen before," said Scott Gimple (executive producer) to TV Guide.

Rick and Governor's hand-to-hand combat was one hell of a sequence, and it left the former in a bad shape. Carl and Rick found the empty, bloody car seat and sobbed believing that Judith is no more. Scott mentioned that the Rick and Carl will be on their own when "The Walking Dead" returns on February 9, 2014. The sneak peek of "TWD" episode 9 and promo reveals that while Rick deals with losses, Carl becomes responsible.

"If it's just the two of them, [Carl is] going to have to step up quite a bit because circumstances are wildly different and a lot will depend on him in terms of them just surviving," said Scott. "They don't have an awesome, dual-layer fence and brick buildings to hide behind. They're out in the world."

Robert Kirkman (comic book writer/executive producer) mentioned that "The Walking Dead" season 4 episode 9 will follow the comics, where Rick and Carl leave together after the prison battle and take shelter in a home close to the prison. Andrew Lincoln hinted TVLine that episode 9 will be Carl Grimes' episode.