Pure coincidence. With all the horrible writing season 3 has suffered from, I truly, highly doubt that these writers are smart enough to draw that kind of parrallel.
This.
On the subject. I was pleasantly surprised. It makes me think that perhaps once Carol was as fierce and confident as she is now and Ed was just holding her back instead of her always being a meek woman. A meek woman, even one finding confidence, wouldn't say something like that. Regardless, it just made me more curious to learn about Carol and really glad she didn't get killed off.