How Daryl Dixon Found His Way to France in The Walking Dead
When “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” premiered on AMC, I had an interesting conversation with my mom. She had already watched the show, and I was curious about how the crossbow-armed Daryl managed to journey from the East Coast of America to France amidst a zombie-infested apocalypse. Her answer was simple: “Some bad guys got him.” At first glance, this seemed like a far-fetched explanation for such a drastic shift in location over a decade into a series that usually moves characters in logical ways. As I caught up with the show, however, it became evident that my mom was onto something. Daryl’s relocation is a direct result of new antagonists whose actions conveniently unfold in proximity to one of the world’s most picturesque cities.
Behind the scenes, Norman Reedus, along with returning cast and crew from the original series, also transitioned to France for filming. After spending 12 years primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, this was undoubtedly a significant change. The “bad guys” narrative is intriguingly straightforward, as the show spends a considerable amount of its first season hinting at how Daryl made it overseas before unveiling the backstory and eccentric motivations of his abductors in episode 5. The second season, subtitled “The Book of Carol,” reintroduces Carol Peletier, portrayed by Melissa McBride, who was a crucial ally for Daryl during much of the original series. By season two’s conclusion, Daryl and Carol reunite, but they have also departed from France—another long tale in a series known for its elaborate storytelling.
What ultimately happens to Daryl Dixon at the conclusion of The Walking Dead? Hints about Daryl’s spin-off began to emerge well before the series finale. In a flashback episode from season 10, Daryl seeks solace in nature, his safe haven, trying to comprehend the fate of Rick Grimes. During this time, he encounters Leah and her beloved dog, Dog, but since this is “The Walking Dead,” their relationship takes a dark turn. Leah’s true nature reveals violent tendencies, eventually leading to tragic consequences. The final two seasons of “The Walking Dead” provide insight into Daryl’s character without directly introducing the storyline or supporting characters of his spin-off. Characterized as a loner yet capable of love, Daryl maintains a deep bond with Carol and continues to embody the hero archetype, even when it brings him peril.
As the main series draws to a close, Daryl learns Rick is still alive. In the season 11 finale, he decides to strike out on a new adventure to find his old friend, setting the stage for his unexpected arrival in France for his own series. As for how Daryl ended up in France, viewers catch a glimpse of him unconscious on a small boat at the series’ start, with the full backstory unfolding by episode 5. While searching for Rick, Daryl’s journey takes a turn when, low on fuel in Maine, he decides to assist some locals in capturing walkers in exchange for gas. He confronts a man named Juno after a violent incident at a gas station, leading to their capture by a group identified as the Pouvoir Du Vivant, or “Power of the Living.”
Onboard a vessel crewed by this Parisian faction, Daryl discovers the group’s leader, Marion Genet, is conducting horrific experiments on various walker types. The plot thickens as Genet’s backstory reveals her struggles prior to the apocalypse, fueling her quest for power over the oppressors of the old world. As Daryl leads a mutiny on the ship, he narrowly escapes, drifting the final stretch to France on his own, leaving the sinister organization behind.
Initially, Melissa McBride was set to star alongside Norman Reedus in this spin-off, but scheduling conflicts arose. Though her voice does appear in the first season through a radio exchange with Daryl, she ultimately makes a dramatic entrance by confronting a man riding Daryl’s motorcycle in Maine. Season one concludes with a thrilling moment as Carol takes to Daryl’s bike, determined to find him. Despite being far from France, Carol receives information about Daryl’s whereabouts from the locals and eventually commandeers a small plane to begin her journey. She cleverly convinces the pilot, a man named Ash Patel, to help her by fabricating a story about her daughter being alive in France.
This ruse proves effective, as Ash flies Carol to Greenland, from where she continues her quest to reunite with Daryl. Their paths cross once again in France, paving the way for their ongoing adventure, which, according to reports, may soon take them to England or Spain in subsequent seasons. “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” is currently available for streaming on AMC+.
