Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in Daryl Dixon and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 will continue the protagonist’s journey in France with Carol also making her way to Europe, but one Walking Dead theory indicates Rick Grimes could play an important role. Having returned to the franchise in his spinoff with Michonne, Rick Grimes’ The Ones Who Live ending saw him reunite with his family and the conclusion suggested he may also be back with the main group. Assuming he had off-screen reunions with his allies at the Commonwealth, it’s probable that Rick will have learned about Daryl ending up in France through Carol.

While he’d likely want to take things easy and spend some time catching up with his family, Rick helping out Daryl and his mission in France isn’t out of the question. Fans have been wanting a Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon reunion for years, and while that may not be on the cards in season 2 of Daryl’s spinoff, Rick could still be involved in the show. With the character creating an alliance with the CRM and wanting to support Daryl, one Walking Dead theory explains how Rick could have a secret role in helping end the conflict in France.

Daryl Dixon’s French Group Needs A Proper Leader, Not Laurent

Rick Grimes Could Help Lead L’Union’s Quest For Peace In France

Rick Grimes Daryl Dixon and Laurent in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Isabelle Carriere (Clémence Poésy), and Laurent Carriere (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) avoid variant walkers on The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Rick Grimes Daryl Dixon and Laurent in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon and Laurent in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Laurent, Daryl, and Isabelle in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Rick Grimes Daryl Dixon and Laurent in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Isabelle Carriere (Clémence Poésy), and Laurent Carriere (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) avoid variant walkers on The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Rick Grimes Daryl Dixon and Laurent in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon and Laurent in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Laurent, Daryl, and Isabelle in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

With L’Union believing that Laurent is special, the group sees him as their future leader, but in truth, they need someone much more experienced. While they were somewhat coping before Daryl’s arrival, it’s clear he helped give the group more hope and was key in getting Laurent to the Nest, proving they relied on someone with true leadership qualities. Daryl may be a great ally and a capable fighter, but he doesn’t possess the same sort of authority as Rick, as he has taken over multiple groups and made them stronger, which is exactly what L’Union needs.

Naturally, Rick isn’t going to move to France permanently, but he could help inspire the resistance and help create peace in France. Even if he doesn’t travel to Europe physically, it’s possible he can make L’Union one of his allied communities through Daryl and Carol, subsequently leading them from afar. The Walking Dead has proven Rick is the franchise’s best leader on numerous occasions, and having him assist the people of France would not only put them in better hands, but it would allow Laurent a more normal childhood, rather than being unfairly forced to become an important leader.

Laurent may be special in Daryl Dixon due to his optimism and hopeful nature, but forcing him to guide a group of people against a more powerful faction seems unreasonable. He is still only a child and despite the religious themes at play in Daryl Dixon, the zombie series is unforgiving, proving L’Union needs a proper leader to fight back against Genet and her army.

Rick Grimes Potentially Has Connections Outside Of The US

The Ones Who Live Means Rick May Have CRM Connections Extending Beyond America

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live with Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Judith (Cailey Fleming) from The Walking Dead in the background Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live and zombies from The Walking Dead. Rick Grimes covered in blood and holding a gun in The Walking Dead Terry O'Quinn as Major General Beale and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes with zombies in the background in The Ones Who Live Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes next to an army of CRM soldiers in The Ones Who Live Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live with Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Judith (Cailey Fleming) from The Walking Dead in the background Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live and zombies from The Walking Dead. Rick Grimes covered in blood and holding a gun in The Walking Dead Terry O'Quinn as Major General Beale and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes with zombies in the background in The Ones Who Live Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes next to an army of CRM soldiers in The Ones Who Live

Rick Grimes physically heading to France and risking his life in another war seems like a big ask given everything he’s been through, but he may have allies who can help Daryl and L’Union. The Ones Who Live explained that Rick was captured by the CRM for a long time and spent most of his apocalyptic life with the group, which means he will likely have gained some important connections. While his closest allies died in the spinoff, Rick and Michonne helped stop General Beale’s evil plan and brought peace to the Civic Republic, subsequently gaining the community’s trust.

Rick doesn’t have to physically appear in Daryl Dixon season 2 in order for his influence to be noticed.

The Ones Who Live‘s ending also implies that despite Rick heading back to Alexandria, he is still on good terms with the now liberated CRM, who have agents all over the world. Therefore, it’s possible the protagonist could pull some strings and potentially request that the CRM soldiers in Europe help L’Union, proving his importance. Rick doesn’t have to physically appear in Daryl Dixon season 2 in order for his influence to be noticed, but if the CRM does get involved in the fight for France, they could mention their connections to Rick.

Daryl Will Likely Find Out That Rick Is Alive In Daryl Dixon Season 2

Carol’s Radio Call Sets Up Daryl Learning The Truth About Rick

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead next to Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon Rick Grimes next to Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, and Magna in The Walking Dead Custom image of Rick Grimes looking angry on The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live and Daryl Dixon looking up stonefaced on The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) looking exhausted and and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) looking up in The Walking Dead Rick Grimes with facial hair looking worried and Daryl Dixon looking over his shoulder in The Walking Dead. Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead next to Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon Rick Grimes next to Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, and Magna in The Walking Dead Custom image of Rick Grimes looking angry on The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live and Daryl Dixon looking up stonefaced on The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) looking exhausted and and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) looking up in The Walking Dead Rick Grimes with facial hair looking worried and Daryl Dixon looking over his shoulder in The Walking Dead.

Season 1 of Daryl’s spinoff teased him finding out about Rick’s survival, and season 2 may finally show the series’ protagonist learning the truth. In episode 5 of Daryl Dixon, Carol claimed someone came back with many viewers speculating that she could be talking about Rick. Given the franchise’s main character managed to return home to his children in The Ones Who Live, it seems likely he joined Carol and his other allies in the Commonwealth, adding more fuel to the fire that the call was about Rick. Therefore, Daryl may finally hear about his ally’s fate in season 2.

Although Carol’s motivation for traveling to Europe could simply be that she’s worried about Daryl, the story setup suggests there’s a far more urgent reason at play, such as informing him about Rick’s return.

With Carol heading to France in search of Daryl and the trailer even briefly showing their reunion, it’s clear the duo will come in contact when the show returns. Although Carol’s motivation for traveling to Europe could simply be that she’s worried about Daryl, the story setup suggests there’s a far more urgent reason at play, such as informing him about Rick’s return. While it’s unclear exactly how far into the season Carol and Daryl will cross paths, it seems incredibly likely that Rick’s name will come up, which could lead to an emotional scene.

Rick’s CRM Training Makes Him A Perfect Weapon Against Genet’s Forces

Rick Is More Dangerous Than Ever After His Time With The CRM

Andrew Lincoln looking angry as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Andrew Lincoln As Rick Grimes On The Walking Dead Rick Grimes bloody and leaning against a brick wall in The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live Custom image of Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead finale Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in front of the CRM logo in The Ones Who Live Andrew Lincoln looking angry as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Andrew Lincoln As Rick Grimes On The Walking Dead Rick Grimes bloody and leaning against a brick wall in The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live Custom image of Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead finale Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in front of the CRM logo in The Ones Who Live

With Genet’s army holding most of the power in France, L’Union needs someone with strong military experience to help fight back, making Rick the perfect weapon. Although Daryl is great in hand-to-hand combat and is capable of putting together short-term plans, Rick is even more experienced in this regard, especially after the CRM. He was already tenacious and strong-minded before his time with the military faction, but after spending years learning about their covert operations and working with relatively advanced technology, it’s clear the protagonist is more dangerous than ever and capable of stopping Genet’s forces.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has officially been renewed for a third season.

The Ones Who Live showed he thinks with a more strategic outlook these days, and while this isn’t always a positive quality, it would be useful for helping the conflict in France. Although Rick never accepted the CRM’s Walking Dead plans, he was once committed to Okafor’s vision and learned a lot about the factions’ tactics and weaponry, even learning how to fly a helicopter. If he was able to influence the dispute in France and help L’Union, Rick would be the perfect counter to Genet’s leadership and could finally achieve some peace for Daryl’s European allies.

What Rick’s Potential Role In Daryl Dixon Season 2 Could Be

Rick Could Help Support The War In France While Remaining In The US

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon in his spinoff show and Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes aiming pistols in The Walking Dead The walking dead Rick Grimes alongside Daryl Dixon and Judith Grimes Daryl on the Radio with Carol in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon and Rick Grimes looking worried in The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon in his spinoff show and Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes aiming pistols in The Walking Dead The walking dead Rick Grimes alongside Daryl Dixon and Judith Grimes Daryl on the Radio with Carol in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon and Rick Grimes looking worried in The Walking Dead The Ones Who Live

Involving Rick in season 2 could be complicated given Andrew Lincoln is very unlikely to appear physically in Daryl Dixon, but he could still influence the plot. Even if Rick doesn’t have any lines in the show, having CRM soldiers show up to help Daryl, Carol, and L’Union would acknowledge his presence without him actually traveling to France. If the spinoff features Carol telling Daryl about Rick and his military connections, it would help explain the CRM showing up. Additionally, other familiar faces could head to France to join the battle, signifying Rick’s involvement.

While Rick and Michonne seem unlikely to make the trip to Europe after their exhausting experience in The Ones Who Live, characters like Aaron, Gabriel, or Jerry could potentially have cameos that the Walking Dead have managed to avoid leaking. They could explain that Rick sent them to help liberate France and create a new alliance, giving the protagonist a secret role in Daryl Dixon season 2 without stealing the spotlight.