How Daryl Dixon Season 2 Can Fix The Walking Dead’s Lowest-Rated Episode

Over 11 seasons, The Walking Dead has had a few misses, but its spinoff, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, can correct the lowest-rated episode’s shortcomings. Anything from detestable characters to poor pacing can impact audience reception to a long-running show’s episodes, especially with The Walking Dead‘s cast being so expansive. Additionally, the global pandemic meant more cohesive seasonal arcs weren’t always as possible due to limitations about cast and crew numbers allowed on sets.

Nevertheless, The Walking Dead‘s franchise appeal has allowed it to give characters more redemptive arcs, like Dwight and Sherry’s move from the flagship show to Fear The Walking Dead allowing them to make The Sanctuary a haven. Therefore, The Walking Dead spinoffs offer room to amend less desirable or weaker moments from the main show. In the case of Daryl Dixon, the titular character’s massive fan appeal means moments that failed his storyline in the main show can be addressed in season 2. This is likely with The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon‘s season 2 cast including Melissa McBride, who will reprise her role as Carol, one of Daryl’s closest friends.

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8 Biggest Unanswered Questions After Daryl Dixon Season 1’s Finale

cThe story is far from over for Daryl. After The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season finale, there’s a number of questions for season 2 to answer.

Daryl Dixon And Carol Peletier Grew Apart In The Lowest-Rated The Walking Dead Episode

From very early on in the main show, Carol and Daryl are close friends with a deep care for each other. According to IMDB, season 10, episode 21, “Diverged,” is the lowest-rated The Walking Dead episode with a 4.1 user rating. The episode shows the aftermath of an argument where Daryl blames Carol for the cave-in that led to Connie’s believed death and blames himself for Rick’s supposed death. Therefore, Carol and Daryl’s estrangement in “Diverged” makes for a slow, inconsequential episode, even by the standards of some of the other episodes made during the pandemic.

Not only does the episode show both Carol and Daryl sulking on their own, with Daryl looking for supplies in the woods and Carol trying to find a way to help in Alexandria, but it also amplifies how dissatisfying an episode dedicated to them being on bad terms is. By the end of the episode, no progress is made. Even though Daryl returns to Alexandria to fix his motorcycle, the pair goes off on their separate ways again. This suggests that Carol and Daryl’s separation and stagnancy didn’t sit well with fans, further emphasizing how beloved their friendship is.

Carol’s Return In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Can Improve Her Friendship With Daryl

With The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 subtitled The Book Of Carol, there’s an opportunity for Carol and Daryl to reconnect and strengthen their bond. Although they team up in season 11 after being on separate arcs since “Diverged,” their moments of friendship are brief and don’t compare to previous seasons because season 11 had multiple storylines to wrap up before the finale. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon‘s season 1 ending establishes Carol’s mission is to find Daryl. Whether this physically takes her to France, brings Daryl back to America, or happens via radio communication, Carol and Daryl’s reunion could give fans more interesting moments with the duo again.

If Carol can communicate via radio, she can reach Daryl sooner and help with the continued Genet threat. Moreover, Carol being on-the-go in her search could introduce her to Genet’s people in America like the ones in the flashback scenes explaining how Daryl got to France. With Carol hopefully ending up in France, Daryl Dixon could explore the complexities of the pair’s dynamic in a new way, highlighting their individual growth. This ties in with Carol’s main show finale line about how time apart would be good. Plus, Carol’s determination to find Daryl fixes her instinct to run away, amplifying the importance of their friendship for her.

What Carol And Daryl’s Reunion Would Mean For The Walking Dead’s Future

With speculation around Daryl staying in France indefinitely, Carol reconnecting with him could encourage a return to Alexandria and inform him about life back home. This already solidifies his connection to the wider Walking Dead universe better than Daryl Dixon season 1 since he hasn’t had any successful contact with anyone in America. Additionally, it could provide answers to questions like Daryl’s unresolved feelings for Connie and whether Carol has any updates about her from her time in Alexandria post-season 11.

Moreover, Daryl and Carol’s strong reunion after their bittersweet farewell in The Walking Dead‘s series finale could round out their stories beautifully by allowing them enough time to revisit their friendship. If done well, it would be the first aired crossover in the franchise featuring characters present in every season of the main show. Not only could this help remedy the “Diverged” issues, but it could also inspire confidence in future franchise crossovers. Although Daryl and Carol left the main show on good terms, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon can provide one of the franchise’s most popular duos with more time to correct the rushed friendship arc in season 11.

Source: IMDB