The Walking Dead stars Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride reflect on their characters, Daryl and Carol, meeting onscreen for the first time. Two of the zombie franchise’s most enduring characters were introduced back in season 1, which premiered in 2010, and after forming a special bond, appeared in almost every episode of the original show. Both characters are set to return in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2, subtitled The Book of Carol, as she travels to France to find her best friend.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly ahead of Daryl Dixon season 2’s premiere, Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride reflected on their characters, Daryl and Carol, meeting onscreen for the first time. It was during season 1, episode 3 that Carol first saw Daryl enter the camp carrying squirrels, and their first interaction came when Daryl handed her a bloody pickaxe to put down her husband. Read their full comments below:

Melissa McBride: I believe the first time I saw you was when you came in with the squirrels.

Norman Reedus: That’s right. You had to put down your husband, and I kept handing you a bloody pickaxe. I kept dipping it in a bucket of brains and blood. And the final time, you just yanked it out of my hand and I’m like, “God, I love her.”

Why Daryl & Carol’s Bond In The Walking Dead Is So Special

Longevity & Similar Experiences

The main reason why Daryl and Carol’s bond in The Walking Dead is so special is because they are the show’s only two original characters from season 1 remaining. Other Walking Dead spinoffs, such as Dead City, follow Maggie and Negan, characters who were introduced in seasons 2 and 6, respectively, and whose relationship is complicated, but generally combative. While The One Who Lives followed Rick and Michonne, the latter is also introduced in season 2, that spinoff appears to be over after one season.

However, the bond between Daryl and Carol extends beyond mere longevity. The connection between the characters originally stemmed from their shared abuse – Carol from her husband, Ed, and Daryl from his brother, Merle – and having to overcome this trauma. Both were empowered by the apocalypse, with Carol evolving from a timid, oppressed woman into a strong, powerful figure, while Daryl, initially rough around the edges due to his difficult relationship with Merle, became willing to risk his life for others and step into a heroic role, with their connection growing from this mutual transformation.

How Daryl Dixon – The Book Of Carol Will Connect Back To The Characters’ First Meeting

The Spinoff Will Revisits Pivotal Moments In Their Relationship

In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, the connection between the two characters comes full circle, connecting back to their first meeting when she had just lost her abusive husband, and Daryl handed her a bloody pickaxe. The Book of Carol will revisit pivotal moments in their relationship, such as Daryl’s search for Carol’s daughter, Sophia, which cemented their bond. As Carol travels across continents to find Daryl, the journey is not just about rescuing a friend, but confronting their shared trauma, survivor’s guilt, and continuing their mutual support for one another.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol premieres on September 29.