Summary
Now thatThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonhas confirmed the timeline betweenThe Walking Deadto the start of the spinoff, Daryl’s original ending is as pointless as ever.The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonhas been a successful spinoffofThe Walking Dead,earning a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and two additional seasons. Audiences have evidently enjoyed seeing Daryl’s exploits in France, where the zombie virus first took root. However,The Walking Dead’sendingseems strange, especially now that it’s understood thatDaryl Dixontakes place mere weeks afterThe Walking Dead’sfinal episode.
In a recent interview,The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixoncreator David Zabel clarified theDaryl Dixonseason 1 and 2 timelines. In particular, Zabel revealed that the spinoff takes place “only three or four weeks after [Daryl] left the Commonwealth on his bike.” This means thatThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonpicks up almost immediately afterThe Walking Dead’sfinale. Apparently,Daryl Dixonseason 2 will also continue right from the end ofDaryl Dixonseason 1. On one hand, this new information is interesting, but on the other, it messes with the integrity ofThe Walking Dead’sending.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 - Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has started strong, and with season 2 on the way it’s clear AMC has big plans for the Norman Reedus TWD spinoff.
Daryl Dixon’s Spinoff Timeline Confuses Daryl’s Reason For Leaving The Commonwealth
Daryl Didn’t Need To Leave The Commonwealth At All
At the end ofThe Walking Dead,Daryl leaves the Commonwealth in order to search for Rick. However, now that audiences know Daryl goes to France immediately after, this ending feels like it has no point. Daryl was shown returning home in season 1, which indicates that he had already given up on finding Rick.The Walking Dead’sending made it feel like Daryl was going to go on a specific adventure, yet he ended up going on a completely different one.Daryl’s decision to leaveno longer makes sense, since nothing actually came from it.
In reality,Daryl didn’t need to leave the Commonwealthat all. He could have been kidnapped just as easily on a routine supply run. There was no reason to force his character away from those he cares about, as that development could have been saved forDaryl Dixon. If Daryl had stayed in the Commonwealth at the end ofThe Walking Dead,his ending might have felt more satisfying or comforting. Rather than splitting upThe Walking Deadcast, the characters could have stayed together and been more or less happy.
Daryl Didn’t Need Such An Obvious Setup
The other reason whyDaryl Dixon’stimeline hurtsThe Walking Dead’sending relates to how it went against the trajectory of Daryl’s story.Daryl’s exit was slightly overdramatic, and was obviously aset-up for Daryl Dixon’sspinoffthat went against his current goals, which were looking after R.J. and Judith. However, this could have worked better if Daryl’s exit made an impact on the start ofThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,but it didn’t.The Walking Deadcould have kept Daryl right where he was and nothing would have changed.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonseason 2 is set to premiere on June 12, 2025.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
Cast
In a post-apocalyptic France, the series follows Daryl Dixon as he navigates the complexities of a new landscape. Separated from his familiar world, Daryl faces unexpected challenges and forges new alliances while confronting the lingering threats of a walker-infested reality.
