The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon finished its first season and raised many questions. But what storylines should be explored in the future?

The Walking Dead franchise has expanded through various new spin-offs. While The Ones Who Live concluded two major character arcs, Dead City expanded the world into New York City, and Daryl Dixon expanded the world by journeying across the ocean to Europe. Though they’ve all been successful additions to the world of the undead, viewers are particularly intrigued by Daryl’s travels in France.

In Season 1 of Daryl Dixon, he chose to stay in France instead of returning to America. This leaves the future of the spin-off uncertain, but it will certainly be action-packed, considering the looming threat to Daryl’s new-found allies. Since the series will likely go on for more than the confirmed two seasons, there are some potential storylines viewers would love to see in the episodes to come.

A Dog Reunion Would Be Welcome Addition

Daryl got Dog in Season 9 after his chance encounter with Leah that began a year-long back-and-forth between the two loners. When Daryl leaves to find Rick in the finale, Dog stays in Alexandria.

Daryl Dixon has acquired many lovable friends over the years, but none of them were instantly beloved like Dog. Considering Daryl is the loner who prefers his own company to that of others, it made sense that he would be the one to end up with a four-legged friend. He treats his dog companion like other allies, rushing to his rescue when the dead threaten his safety.

It makes sense that Daryl wouldn’t take Dog with him on his journey to find Rick, especially since he was on his motorcycle. The animal also wouldn’t have survived Daryl being captured by Pouvoir Du Vivant or his escaping on a raft in the ocean. However, fans are still hoping for a wholesome reunion between Daryl and Dog at some point in his storyline.

A Daryl Romance is Long Overdue

There have been a couple of hints about Daryl having a romance throughout The Walking Dead , but none of the would-be relationships developed.

The Walking Dead has more to do with relationships than one might expect. Despite the focus on horror and constant danger, a main theme of the franchise is survivors finding a way to go on with life in their new world. Though not all characters require romance, many fans have hoped Daryl would end up with some love mixed into his arc.

In later seasons of TWD, following his awkward would-be romance with Leah, it was believed Daryl might end up with friend and ally Connie. In Daryl Dixon, many viewers have speculated that there’s love brewing between him and Isabelle. It would certainly change the dynamic and add more stakes to Daryl’s journey if he ended up romantically involved with someone.

Adapting to a New Culture

Throughout his storyline, Daryl has been exposed to two other languages besides English: ASL (American Sign Language) and French.

It is a running joke among fans that Daryl Dixon is the typical “redneck” that was well-equipped for the apocalypse because of his upbringing. However, he has proven to be far more nuanced than his character was given credit for, such as Daryl making hard decisions regarding his next moves in his spin-off.

In upcoming seasons, it would be fascinating to see how Daryl continues to adapt to another culture. In TWD, he was seen trying to learn sign language to communicate with Connie. Similarly, it would coincide with his previous characterization if he tried to learn the culture of his new companions, including learning French.

Daryl & Carol’s Relationship Evolving in a New Setting

Season 2 of Daryl Dixon is confirmed to focus on Carol Peletier, with this season being named “The Book of Carol.”

Carol will return to The Walking Dead franchise alongside her old friend in Daryl Dixon. She was already featured in the final episode of Season 1, going on a mission to find out what happened to Daryl. Viewers can only assume that Season 2 will feature a reunion between the two, which will likely pull Carol into the fold of Daryl’s European storyline.

Viewers are ready to see Carol and Daryl back in action. It would be thrilling to see the two long-time companions battle against a big-bad villain without the backup of their other group members. Alternately, it would also be interesting to see how the two communicate in a new setting and how Carol will react to Daryl not wanting to immediately go back home. Season 2 could just as easily feature the two heroes facing a conflict as it could feature them at odds with each other.

Discovering the Origins of the Virus

In Daryl Dixon , the villainous organization Pouvoir Du Vivant has Daryl battle variant walkers injected with a mysterious serum that makes them more powerful, faster, and ravenous.

It can’t be ignored that in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, it was revealed that the zombie virus originated in France. Despite this knowledge, the first season of Daryl Dixon did not touch upon the origins of the undead plague. This left audiences wondering if Daryl would ever learn this piece of knowledge.

Though the origins of the virus might not be important considering the state of the world, unless this would somehow help humanity combat the virus, it seems like an unusual coincidence that Daryl would end up in the same country of the virus’ origin. At the very least, it would be interesting to see how he would react to learning how the end of the world began.

Daryl Becomes a Leader

Though other members of his group, including Rick, Michonne, and Carol, have taken on leadership roles over the years, Daryl has been too reserved and nomadic to establish himself as a leader.

In Daryl Dixon, the audience saw him take on a true leadership role despite not actually being a leader. He agreed to protect Laurent in exchange for help getting back to America, but during their travels, he still devised plans and took an active part in deciding what their next move would be.

Since he decided to stay behind to save Laurent from surrounding walkers, the future of this Walking Dead hero is uncertain. However, considering the impending threat, the next season will likely involve some dangerous conflicts. Daryl has experience dealing with major villains, and it would, therefore, be advantageous for his new allies to follow his lead when it comes to maneuvering around an enemy they may be unprepared to stand against.

Expanding Beyond France

Daryl Dixon takes place in two central locations: France (present timeline) and a Pouvoir Du Vivant ship in the Atlantic Ocean (flashback).

Season 2 of Daryl Dixon will more than likely take place solely in France. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a potential to expand beyond the borders of this country or Europe. Going beyond Northern America was already a major success for the franchise, and it can only get more intense and captivating the wider the world gets.

Though France is in a similar state as North America, the survivors had different ways of surviving against the undead and depleted resources. Viewers wonder how greatly populated areas were affected, such as Beijing or Tokyo. Alternately, other less populated areas like Australia or Greenland may have had a different impact. Since Daryl has already traveled outside of America, it would be interesting to see the world expand through the lens of his travels.

Daryl’s Loved Ones Meet

Before revolutionizing the Commonwealth, Daryl was responsible for raising and protecting Rick and Michonne’s children, Judith and Rick Jr.

The Walking Dead fandom is largely torn about Daryl’s decision to stay in France. Though viewers want to see what will come next during his time in Europe, many also hope he will eventually return home to the group he survived with for over a decade. A reunion between Daryl and people like Judith and RJ, whom he had a hand in raising, feels detrimental to his characterization.

On the other hand, Isabelle and Laurent are very likable characters and fans don’t want to see Daryl abandon them, either. While it may seem like he has to pick one or the other, there are various scenarios in which his two found families could meet. This might not happen within the next season or two, but it would be an exciting, emotional experience to see Daryl’s loved ones come together.

A U.S./European Mashup

In the finale of Daryl Dixon , Daryl had the opportunity to take a boat that would aid in his journey home. However, he chose to stay in France and protect Laurent.

Daryl Dixon Season 2 is set up in the previous season to be a reunion between Carol and Daryl, which will no doubt take place in France. There’s little in Season 1 to suggest that the plot will take place anywhere else. However, as the seasons progress, there is an opportunity for Daryl’s U.S. group and France group to meet.

There are various scenarios in which this could happen, such as the villain learning Daryl’s origins or them following him to Alexandria following his exit from France. This could lead to an interesting mashup in the Walking Dead Universe, which could lead to an epic team of U.S. and French survivors.

Rick & Alexandria are Brought Into the Fold

Unlike the other spin-offs, The Ones Who Live , centering Rick and Michonne, has not been renewed or confirmed for another season.

There are two obvious options for the future of The Walking Dead. The franchise can either expand on the current storylines and build on the worldbuilding, or the overarching story will end with each main character’s conclusion. Ideally, viewers want to see the world expand while also eventually giving beloved long-running characters an admirable ending.

It may be okay for the time being that Daryl is in France, but it would be disappointing to never see him reunite with his long-lost friend, Rick Grimes, or other family members. Their reunion would be a heartwarming conclusion to Daryl Dixon, or Daryl’s community could be brought into the fold of his increasingly thrilling storyline.