Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol episode 2.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 has officially made Carol a major part of the show, but her role has changed significantly since joining the spinoff. Although Carol and Daryl's meeting looks inevitable in season 2, Carol's journey to France was far from easy, resulting in her having to make some tough decisions. Alongside lying to Ash the entire time, she threatened people for information and even tracked down members of Genet's army, suggesting she was as confident as ever. However, not all of Carol's actions reflect this, as something seems different about her in Daryl Dixon.
Given she is one of the most experienced survivors on the show, it's no surprise Carol has been able to talk herself into a trip to France, but things haven't been quite as smooth as expected. Carol is one of The Walking Dead's longest-surviving characters, having been introduced in the very first season, yet in Daryl Dixon, she hasn't been overly competent. Although she has kept herself alive so far, Carol has had numerous close calls that seem very out of character for someone who is usually so calculated, confirming that she has a new role in the spinoff.
Carol Is Making Simple Survival Mistakes In Daryl Dixon Season 2
The Walking Dead's Veteran Hasn't Looked Her Usual Self In Daryl Dixon Season 2
Despite her years of experience in The Walking Dead's post-apocalyptic world, Carol has been making simple survival mistakes throughout Daryl Dixon season 2. Her trend of errors started in episode 1, where Carol made a number of mistakes. Early on in the episode, she crashes her car, then she proceeds to trust Ash with her life despite being a stranger. Later in the episode, she snoops through Ash's greenhouse, which results in her leaving the gate unlocked and being attacked by a group of zombies, only surviving thanks to Ash's intervention. Unfortunately, these mistakes continued into episode 2.
Upon landing in Greenland, Carol is immediately caught off guard by grass zombies, meaning she once again requires help to survive. Additionally, she happily hands over her crossbow to a stranger, who nearly uses it against her, and also ends up being captured by Genet, confirming she is far from the Carol we're used to seeing. While Melissa McBride being part of Daryl Dixon season 2's cast undoubtedly improves the show, seeing Carol act so sloppy and struggle to survive basic counters feels off, but thankfully, the spinoff seems to have an explanation behind Carol's incompetence.
Why Carol's Role Change Is Necessary For Her Walking Dead Spinoff Story
Carol's Mistakes Are Necessary To Add Drama To Her Solo Adventure
Watching Carol make such rookie errors is definitely frustrating, but it's also crucial to her story in season 2. Although she had been allied with Ash for the first two episodes, her journey seems like it will be fairly independent until she meets Daryl, which would quickly get stale if she breezed through every encounter. Relying on other people's help and finding herself in tricky situations has made her story compelling; otherwise, she'd have simply flown to France alongside Ash without much trouble. Therefore, even if it's a little out of character, Carol's mistakes are pivotal to a dramatic story.
Her lies and deception may also explain why she is acting differently, as worrying over Daryl has resulted in Carol adopting a by-any-means-necessary approach, hence why she lied to Ash about her true intentions regarding France. Carrying this burden while also being concerned about her closest ally could be the main factor behind her being so reckless. Normally, Carol is incredibly cunning and deceptively ruthless, but with the weight of the world seemingly on her shoulders in Daryl Dixon season 2, it's understandable why mistakes are more common, making her new role strangely fitting.
