Daryl Dixon Season 3’s New Setting Sounds Great, But The Show Can’t Forget Its Most Important Storyline

   

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon's third season will officially be taking the franchise to Spain, but the new location has me worried that the spinoff could forget its most important storyline. After another thrilling outing, Daryl Dixon season 2's ending showcased the protagonists heading towards England as they looked for a way home. Unfortunately, season 3's trailer indicates that they won't be successful and wind up in Spain instead, which is where the next installment will predominantly take place. While this sets up another exciting adventure after France, it could be bad news for one major storyline.

Norman Reedus filtra un detalle importante del futuro de The Walking Dead:  Daryl Dixon

Given Daryl and Carol have been central characters for well over a decade, they look set to share the spotlight when the series returns, which causes concern about Ash and Laurent's future. Although the spinoff did a great job of keeping its new additions alive in season 1, Ash and Laurent were among season 2's few survivors, but they may not appear in the next outing. Daryl and Carol's Walking Dead reunion meant their dynamic instantly became the most important aspect of the show, and with their story heading to Spain, the supporting duo's fate becomes unclear.

Daryl Dixon Season 3 Needs To Show What Happened To Laurent & Ash After They Left France

The Duo Were Last Seen Flying Towards America In Daryl Dixon

Ash (Manish Dayal) meets Laurent with Daryl nearby in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

Daryl Dixon season 2's ending hinted at a happy ending for Laurent and Ash as they escaped France and began flying towards the US, but season 3 has to show what happened next. Their fate may appear relatively obvious at first glance, but Ash and Laurent making it to the Commonwealth is much more complicated than it seems. Given the difficulties Carol and Ash faced while traveling to France, it's reasonable to assume there will be some hurdles on the way home for Ash and Laurent, especially as they lack some crucial survival skills.

Laurent's story has been at the center of both seasons and is the reason Daryl stayed in France for so long, meaning his fate shouldn't be left on a cliffhanger.

As a result, the duo has a tough road ahead, and season 3 can't just ignore them. Laurent's story has been at the center of both seasons and is the reason Daryl stayed in France for so long, meaning his fate shouldn't be left on a cliffhanger. While it's possible they have a short cameo if Daryl and Carol make it back to the US, this wouldn't do Ash and Laurent's adventure justice. Instead, they should be given their own segments throughout the season showing the obstacles in their way, or even their own episode that would elevate their importance.

Both characters have played a big role in the story so far, and it would be a shame for them to be an afterthought in season 3. Therefore, the spinoff must give them a strong amount of screen time to show whether they made it to the Commonwealth or not; otherwise, Spain's story may make viewers lose interest in the duo's Walking Dead future.

Daryl & Ash’s Trip To Spain Suggests The Spinoff May Forget About Laurent & Ash

The Spinoff Is Unlikely To Take The Spotlight Away From Daryl & Carol

Despite how important Laurent and Ash's journey to America is, the show pivoting to Spain is an indicator that they may not feature next season. Throughout the spinoff, Laurent's story has been intertwined with Daryl's, while Ash's journey coincided with Carol's. However, with this no longer being the case in season 3, Daryl Dixon would have to spend large amounts of time away from the protagonists to focus on Laurent and Ash, which feels unlikely. The recent spinoffs have all centered around two popular characters and remained committed to their stories, suggesting season 3 won't move away from this formula.

Considering both the UK and Spain will feature, there is already a lot to fit into six episodes, and with Codron potentially returning in Daryl Dixon season 3, it's hard to see much room for Laurent and Ash. At best, they may appear briefly in the finale to remind audiences that they're still involved in the overarching story, but without Daryl and Carol alongside them, their screen time is destined to be limited. Unfortunately, this means the series may forget about one of its most important elements, which would really undersell just how crucial Laurent is to The Walking Dead.

Why Laurent & Ash’s Storyline Is So Important For The Walking Dead’s Future

Laurent & Ash's Arrival At The Commonwealth Could Set Up A Potential Crossover Show

Manish Dayal as Ash, Louis Puech Scigliuzzi as Laurent, and Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore

Including Laurent and Ash isn't just necessary for Daryl Dixon's story but for The Walking Dead's narrative as a whole. While the spinoffs have been a step up from the main show's final few seasons, they haven't achieved much in the grand scheme of things. The Ones Who Live seemingly brought Rick and Michone back to the main group, but Dead City and Daryl Dixon's plots haven't really impacted the central survivors. Thankfully, Laurent and Ash's arrival at the Commonwealth would change that, making it one of the most significant things to come from any of the spinoffs.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 will premiere in 2025.

Laurent's potential immunity has positioned him as an extremely valuable part of The Walking Dead universe, meaning he could still provide a cure. Even if this isn't the case, the duo making it to the US would potentially allow some recognizable faces to appear in the spinoff and begin setting up the heavily teased crossover. Although it's a long shot, the duo's appearance could even be a way of teasing that Rick did in fact reunite with his former allies - even if he doesn't appear on-screen - proving Daryl Dixon season 3 can't afford to waste Laurent and Ash.