Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon episode 6!
The finale of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon left a lot unanswered, but one scene foreshadowed that its hero could be killed off sooner than expected. With everything he has survived so far alongside the longevity of his character, it’s hard to imagine Daryl’s death will ever come. He has become the face of the series over the last few years and is easily one of, if not the most popular character across the entire franchise. This would suggest Daryl is untouchable, however, the season 1 finale may have just suggested that the show will do the unthinkable.
Daryl Dixon season 1’s ending left Daryl with an ultimatum, return home to America or stay with Laurent and fight alongside L’Union. Season 2’s confirmed renewal would make it seem like Daryl may choose the latter, with his decision to stay in France potentially changing The Walking Dead forever. Imagining the franchise’s future without him is difficult, yet it could become a reality if the spinoff’s ending was foreshadowing his future. Choosing to stay and fight for his new French allies is a risky move, one that could ultimately cost him his life, especially since he’s the largest threat to the show’s villains.
Walking Dead’s Comparison Between Daryl & His Grandfather Teases His Death
The Walking Dead put heavy emphasis on Daryl’s grandfather in Daryl Dixon’s finale and drew some pretty clear comparisons. After leaving the Nest, Daryl visited his grandfather’s grave and seemingly finally understood why he fought in the war. When he initially left the Nest, Daryl put not staying down to it “not being his fight“, the sort of logic he’d used all season long. When the opportunity to finally leave France presented itself, however, he had second thoughts. It appears that Daryl’s grandfather’s role in World War II somewhat mimics Daryl’s own thoughts, pondering the idea of fighting a war that isn’t his.
If he chooses to stay and fight for L’Union, he may very well end up sharing a similar fate to his grandfather. His grandfather lost his life fighting for something bigger than himself which directly reflects Daryl’s situation and the character he has become. The two may never have met, but it seems they share a similar mindset regarding fighting for what’s right. There is no guarantee Daryl will stay and fight in France, but the show’s ending looks to foreshadow that he will. With his potential U-turn coming after all the information about his grandfather, there are parallels between them that tease the possibility of his death.
Canceled TWD Plan Makes Daryl’s Death Way More Likely
It may seem unlikely that Daryl will be killed off, especially away from the IP’s main characters but one canceled Walking Dead plan makes his death very plausible. Before the franchise decided to end the main show and create spinoffs instead, The Walking Dead had plans to go on until at least season 15. Lauren Cohan commented on an alternate Walking Dead ending, suggesting that “At the time, Norman [Reedus] was going to leave.” Instead, Maggie and Negan would be the lead characters in season 11, and with the series already having thought about a future without Daryl, killing him off is not out of the question.
While Reedus ultimately decided to stay and agree to two seasons of his spinoff, it could be that he decided this might be the end of his involvement with the franchise. It is equally possible he had a change of heart and wants to be part of the series’ long-term future, but there are now questions about what lies ahead. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon may be a chance to give Daryl a proper send-off, potentially sacrificing his life to defend Laurent from Genet. Involving Carol in season 2 would be a way to relay his death to the main cast and grant Daryl a concrete ending to his story.
