walking-dead-carol-return-daryl-dixon-season-2-risk-problem While The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1 focused solely on its titular character, Daryl Dixon, the last scenes of the finale imply that yet another The Walking Dead favorite will be returning in this spinoff, however, Carol’s return to the franchise is actually much riskier than it seems. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is the latest spinoff of The Walking Dead franchise and follows Daryl Dixon as he inexplicably wakes up in France finds himself submerged in the political and social issues of their post-apocalypse. The end of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon sees Daryl at a crossroads: stay in France and fight, or return to America’s safety.

Although The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has only hinted at Carol’s life back in the States, the finale confirms that Carol is still there, and she is looking for Daryl. In the finale’s last scenes, Carol chases down a man riding Daryl’s motorcycle, demanding to know where he got it from. This all points to the fact that Carol is tracking down Daryl, and likely, will make her big return in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 when she finds him. In fact, this is only confirmed by the announcement made at New York Comic Con that Melisa McBride’s Carol will be a series regular in season 2.

Carol’s Return In Daryl Dixon Season 2 Makes The Spinoff More Like TWD

Melissa McBride as Carol pointing a gun in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon season 1 finale

Although Carol’s return may seem like a good thing for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, it is actually a huge risk because it jeopardizes the show’s unique nature. The Walking Dead franchise is no stranger to spinoff series, but Daryl Dixon is certainly its most unique by far. Daryl Dixon brings viewers to France, where everything is new and unexpected. Daryl not only has to get his bearings in this new country, but he also has to forge new relationships and try to understand the issues going on around him. Ultimately, it maintains The Walking Dead’s themes and ambiance, while giving audiences new and exciting information to chew on.

Unfortunately, Carol’s introduction into Daryl Dixon could hurt this aspect of the show. With Carol as a series regular in season 2, a great portion of the series will likely be dedicated to her journey. Though her storyline could start with her reuniting with Daryl in France, it could just as easily begin in the U.S., and this would almost definitely hurt Daryl Dixon. Having the series set in France is so refreshing and new that bringing audiences back to the U.S. would like taking two steps back. In the end, Carol might bring too much familiarity to Daryl Dixon, which thrives on its freshness.

Daryl Dixon Season 2 Being “The Book Of Carol” Means Less Daryl

Daryl Crying Over His Grandfather's Grave in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon Episode 6

With The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1 at its end, the series gave a sneak peek into the next season, which is entitled The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol. Ultimately, this title says a lot about where Daryl Dixon is headed, and it might not be good. First and foremost, naming the season after Carol insinuates that season 2 will have less Daryl, which is definitely a risk for the series. Considering that the show is named after him, Daryl needs to be integral and then some. If Carol gets in the way of that, the series could have some complaints thrown its way.

Plus, once again, an overabundance of Carol in Daryl Dixon season 2 could seriously affect the cool ambiance that Daryl Dixon has already built up. Daryl Dixon has been so successful because it is so different from what the franchise has done before, and adding Carol to the mix definitely runs the risk of making the series feel more like The Walking Dead than Daryl Dixon. Overall, in order to make Carol’s return work, the series needs to prioritize the balance between Daryl and Carol, and furthermore, needs to outweigh the audience’s familiarity with Carol with more new characters and content.

Why Carol’s Walking Dead Return Is Still A Good Thing

Melissa McBride as Carol in Walking Dead Daryl Dixon

Despite the risks, Carol’s return in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is still a good thing. Daryl and Carol have one of the strongest relationships in the franchise, and reuniting them will be powerful. Although Daryl Dixon thrives on its newness, it could still benefit from a taste of the familiar, and France and the U.S. teaming up in season 2 will be a good move for taking down the Pouvoir. Carol may change the dynamics of the show, but if anything, Carol will bring a new level of urgency and exictement to The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon that will get the ball rolling for season 2.