Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol episode 4.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon created a huge mystery in season 1 as Carol's radio call claimed someone came back without the show ever revealing who, but the spinoff appears to have finally answered the big question. After Carol made it to France in Daryl Dixon season 2, her journey took her closer and closer to her inevitable reunion with Daryl, and episode 4 finally brought the duo together. Although it happened under difficult circumstances, they were both able to escape the Nest during Pouvoir's attack, allowing them to spend some time alone together and catch up.
Isabelle, Laurent, and Ash were all mentioned during the conversation, but Daryl finally asked Carol the question we'd all been waiting for. Given the radio call cut off without an answer, finding out who came back remained a major tease for the better part of a year. There was plenty of speculation that Carol's "came back" line was about Rick, with these rumors only amplifying after The Ones Who Live's ending. However, Carol finally confirmed what her cryptic message was really about in "La Paradis Pour Toi", and the long-awaited answer wasn't the one many were expecting.
Carol's "...Came Back" Line From Daryl Dixon Season 1 Was About Her Feelings
Daryl Dixon Season 1's Mystery Radio Call Was About Carol Feeling Unsettled In The Commonwealth
Alongside Rick, names like Morgan and Dwight had also been thrown out regarding who came back, but the line was actually about Carol's feelings the whole time. With Daryl capitalizing on the opportunity to confront her about their radio call, Carol explained it wasn't about a person, but instead her feelings regarding the Commonwealth. She has struggled to settle in communities in the past, as evidenced by her spending time away from both Alexandria and the Kingdom when things got overwhelming, meaning her radio message was about letting Daryl know that the community felt strange without him.
It does explain her hesitation, as she probably felt a little unsure about telling Daryl about something that might seem so trivial while he's on a completely different continent. Carol knows how important a Walking Dead reunion with Rick would be to Daryl, suggesting she would have told him straight away about Rick's return if she had been there when it happened. Instead, the "came back" line being about her feelings highlights why she was so quick to leave for France, as she wasn't comfortable at home without Daryl, making his current situation the perfect excuse for a new adventure.
Carol's Unsettled Feelings May Explain Why She & Daryl Don't Return Straight Home
Season 3's Spain Location Suggests Carol May Not Be Ready To Return To America
Not only did Carol's unsettled feelings give her a reason to leave the Commonwealth, but it also may help explain why she doesn't return home straight away. Daryl Dixon season 3 will take place in Spain and filming has already begun, meaning season 2 can't end with Daryl and Carol heading to America. Despite the relationships the protagonist has built in France alongside all the difficulties he's faced, returning home was still a priority for Daryl, meaning only something drastic would stop him. However, Carol's struggles could be the incident that takes them on a trip to Spain instead.
New episodes of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol air Sundays on AMC and AMC+.
Rather than heading straight to America, Carol may sabotage their ride home or come up with another reason to travel through Spain. She has already made a habit of lying in Daryl Dixon season 2, and she's not above misleading those closest to her if it means getting what she wants. Therefore, Carol's unwillingness to return home could be the catalyst for why they head to Spain, even if it goes against Daryl's goal to give Laurent a safe home and, given she has faced difficulties with her emotions in the spinoff, Carol being responsible for the detour seems possible.
Is Carol Telling The Truth In Daryl Dixon Season 2?
Carol Could Be Lying Again As She Knows Daryl Is Extremely Vulnerable After Isabelle's Death
With Carol lying frequently throughout season 2, it's impossible to know for sure if she's telling the truth about her radio message. Her desperation to find Daryl has led to some extreme decisions, as Carol even lied about Sophia's death in Daryl Dixon season 2's opening episode to secure her ride to France. In addition, she also lied to Genet about why she wanted to find Daryl, proving just how deceitful she could be. While these lies all helped further her own goals, she could be intentionally holding back the truth from Daryl in an attempt to spare his feelings.
After losing Isabelle, the protagonist is already highly emotional. As a result, revealing that one of Daryl's former allies or enemies returned would only make him react more erratically. If Carol's radio call really was about Rick, now would be the worst time to tell Daryl, as he is already on edge and acting instinctively. Knowing how determined he is to find Laurent, it seems probable that Carol avoided telling him about Rick as it would make the lead character completely conflicted.
On the one hand, he would still be desperate to find Laurent, but on the other, he'd be itching to get home. Daryl spent years of his life looking for Rick after he disappeared, and it was arguably his main goal in the franchise, meaning returning home would almost take priority over the search for Laurent. With this in mind, Carol may have thought a little more rationally and would rather wait for Daryl to find his French allies before giving him hope about Rick, meaning the "came back" line could still have another twist to come.
If This Really Is The Walking Dead's "Who Came Back" Mystery Solved, It's An Anticlimax
Daryl Dixon's Big Mystery Being Nothing More Than A Feeling Would Be Underwhelming After Rick's Return
Until Daryl and Carol return to the Commonwealth or Alexandria, the radio call will still have a hint of mystery, but if the answer really has been revealed, it's a little underwhelming. The way the call was cut off created an intentional mystery, and even if it got more attention than the writers intended, it was an obvious attempt to draw theories and build anticipation for Carol's arrival in France. Given there are still several big Walking Dead returns that could be impactful - including Rick's potential reunion - leaving Carol's message on a cliffhanger left audiences craving the truth.
Even if she wasn't talking about Rick, having Carol's message be about another character would keep viewers interested, but missing Daryl and feeling unsettled isn't much of a reveal.
Therefore, the message being about Carol feeling unsettled at home would be a major disappointment. Even if she wasn't talking about Rick, having Carol's message be about another character would keep viewers interested, but missing Daryl and feeling unsettled isn't much of a reveal. Unless Daryl Dixon pulls off another twist with this storyline, it would be a huge anti-climax if a year of build-up led to nothing more than a wholesome conversation. Carol could have easily opened up about her feelings without this suspenseful call anyway, making me all the more hopeful that she is still hiding the truth.
