Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon within The Walking Dead universe, promises that the second season finale of the spin-off series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will be “the best one-hour Walking Dead ever.” This has fans curious about what might happen. There’s one theory that could see a reunion between Daryl and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), his best friend and unofficial brother. While this is unlikely to happen in person by the end of Season 2, it's likely to occur before this spin-off ends.
If these two reunite in the series, or even if Daryl simply learns about Rick's survival and is able to speak with him in Season 2, Reedus is correct in that this would be one of the most explosive, most emotional moments ever in the series’ run. Reedus may be referring to something else in his promise for the finale of Season 2 of the show. But Carol revealing Rick's happy fate to Daryl is sure to make a massive impact.
The Clues That a “Rickyl” Reunion Could Happen in TWD
The big surprise at the end of Season 1 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon was the appearance of Carol (Melissa McBride), his best friend. While the spin-off was initially supposed to be centered around both characters, McBride opted not to participate due to filming logistics. This changed, however, when she showed up in a post-credits scene after the first season’s finale episode. She was searching for Daryl, worried that he hadn’t checked in for some time. Season 2, which is called The Book of Carol, will heavily feature her character alongside Daryl. As she slowly puts pieces together and figures out where he is, she finds her way to him to ensure he’s okay. But it may be for a bigger reason than concern for his well-being.
In the fifth episode of Season 1, fans see a flashback that confirms how and why Daryl ended up on a ship to France. Just prior to these events, he called Carol on a radio to check in, as he had seemingly always done. Choosing to live a nomadic life, Daryl set out on long missions, presumably returning to the communities periodically. But he always kept in touch, so they knew he was okay. During this conversation, we hear Carol’s voice on the other end. It’s somewhat choppy, but fans can hear her say that someone is “back.” Daryl can’t hear her clearly, so he’s unsure of what she means but shrugs it off when other events take place and the call cuts out.
Based on the timelines of all The Walking Dead shows, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon picks up shortly after the end of The Walking Dead. Daryl’s time in France may coincide with Michonne’s (Danai Gurira) time at the Civic Republic Military (CRM) where she was reunited with Rick. The pair went through ups and downs, trying to break free of the CRM hold and take down the organization. Fans who watched The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, know they were eventually successful in doing so.
Rick returned home by helicopter, reuniting with Judith (Cailey Fleming) and meeting his son RJ (Antony Azor) for the first time. Fans will recall that Carol was residing in and working at The Commonwealth where Judith was living at the end of The Walking Dead. So, she would undoubtedly have seen Rick when he returned. Knowing how close Daryl was with Rick, and how close Carol is with Daryl, she recognizes that Daryl would be overjoyed to see Rick, and most important, learn that he is still alive.
Thus, fans think Carol didn’t just set out to find Daryl and make sure he’s okay, but to let him know that Rick is, too, and to urge him to come home and see his brother. Based on the Season 2 trailer for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and confirmation of the trajectory of the season, Carol does finally find Daryl. One scene shows Daryl talking with Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) and informing the young boy that he and Isabelle (Clémence Poésy) are considering heading to America and taking him with them. If Daryl had any uncertainty about going back home before, Carol’s visit will convince him to do so.
AMC notes that the already confirmed third season will take place in Madrid, Spain as Daryl and Carol "continue their journey home...to the ones they love." So, it's unlikely that the second season will end with Daryl and Rick reuniting in person back at The Commonwealth; it would make for a heck of a finale. But it would also be emotional to see Daryl learn of Rick's survival, maybe even hear his friend's voice on the radio.
Daryl and Rick’s Walking Dead Journey to This Point
Daryl was part of the group that Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), Shane (Jon Bernthal), and Carl (Chandler Riggs) took up with shortly after the apocalyptic event in the inaugural season of The Walking Dead. When Rick found his family, he and Daryl didn’t get along at first. In his time before the outbreak, Daryl didn’t take to police officers or other figures of authority well. When he discovers that Rick, a police chief, shackled his brother Merle (Michael Rooker) to a rooftop and left him for dead, he was none too pleased with him.
However, as the two got to know one another better, Daryl started to view Rick as a good person and a solid leader he could get behind. He did his best to prove his worth, show his skills, and become Rick’s right-hand man. The two developed a close and unlikely bond that persisted throughout the series.
Both went out of their way to help one another time and time again, willing to sacrifice their own lives for the other. Daryl was happy to call Rick his brother and vice versa. They were two people who trusted one another implicitly. During the final big attack on The Saviors, even when there was friction between the two on how to handle things, resulting in a physical fight, they settled down and realized how important they were to one another.
When the bridge blew up and Rick was presumed dead, Daryl was gutted. He refused to stop looking until he found his friend. Whether it was a severely injured Rick or his blown-apart body, Daryl needed closure. He spent months, even years, out on his own, refusing to re-integrate with the group. A part of him believed Rick was still alive and wouldn’t rest until he had proof otherwise. Another part couldn’t cope with the loss. While Daryl grew up with Merle, his actual brother wasn’t someone he could look up to. Rick was the closest thing to a true brother, mentor, and even genuine friend he ever had.
Their friendship was tested beyond normal limits, and it endured. Fans can only imagine how emotional Daryl will be to learn the news of Rick being alive. And it’s unlikely that Carol wouldn’t tell him. It stands to reason that The Walking Dead creators would give fans this moment, if not by the end of Season 2 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon since fans know Daryl and Carol are still trying to make their way back home by Season 3, then at least before the spin-off comes to an end.
Even a teaser with Daryl hearing Rick’s voice will tug at the heartstrings and deliver on Reedus' promised “mind-blowing” moment he claims is coming. Fans will need to break out the tissues either way. A reunion between Daryl and Carol is heartwarming enough. Serving as proof to the sometimes insecure Daryl that he truly matters to those back home will be the fuel he needs to get back there. But knowing Rick is waiting? That will light a fire like fans have never seen. Stream The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 1 on Netflix and Season 2 starting September 29, 2024, on AMC+.
