Close-up of Melissa McBride as Carol holding a crossbow with wide eyes next to Carol walking down a road with a gun in Daryl Dixon season 2 holding a crossbow

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2, episode 1!The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon star Melissa McBride has explained Carol’s big lie in the season 2 premiere, revealing the importance her journey to France truly has. Daryl Dixon season 2 begins with McBride’s character coming across a survivor named Ash (Manish Dayal). After learning his son, Avi, died during the apocalypse, Carol lies and says her daughter Sofia (Madison Lintz) might be alive somewhere in France with her father. In reality, she wants him to fly her overseas using his plane so she can search for Daryl (Norman Reedus) and bring him home.

Speaking with ComicBook, McBride explained why Carol lied to Ash in the Daryl Dixon season 2 premiere, expressing her desperation to find her lost friend in Europe. The actor teased even deeper exploration of Carol’s trauma moving forward as well, tying it into her storyline as she continues her search. Check out what McBride had to say below:

That world never slows down. It never has slowed down until Commonwealth. She’s going to seek out her friend. He hasn’t come back yet, and she really needs her friend right now…. I’m excited for the fans to see her dealing with some of the past trauma, talking about things she’s never talked about.

What Carol’s Lie About Sofia Means For Daryl Dixon Season 2

Her Friendship With Ash Could Fall Apart When He Learns The Truth

Ash (Manish Dayal) opening something while looking at Carol (Melissa McBride) in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 trailer

Collage of Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier in The Walking Dead

Out of every character in Daryl Dixon season 2, Carol is the most far-removed from the core story so far, currently trying to get to France so she can bring her friend back home. She lied to Ash after discovering his son was dead, preying on his emotions so he would fly her overseas to be reunited with Daryl. Her telling him Sofia isn’t dead also allows her to push aside her survivor’s guilt, something McBride previously said would be explored as the new episodes progress.

Inevitably, Ash is going to discover Carol lied about Sofia to him, something that could tear apart their short-lived friendship when he finally learns the truth. By that point, though, he’ll be stranded in France alongside her and Daryl, potentially becoming part of their group as she attempts to lead her friend back home. Given his own experiences with losing a child, however, it’s possible he’ll be understanding about her situation, perhaps even interpreting it as a sign from his son, much like when he originally found his plane.

Our Take On Carol Lying To Ash In Daryl Dixon Season 2

It’s Going To Have Major Long-Term Consequences

Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier and Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in front of a green background in The Walking DeadCustom Image by Yeider Chacon

Given that Carol’s actions will have stranded Ash in France once they arrive, it’s unclear if he’ll be able to forgive her when she learns the true reason she wanted to go there. Since he’s been alone for so long, though, it’s possible he’ll recognize the importance of companionship in the apocalypse, potentially changing his mind when he meets Daryl, Isabelle (Clémence Poésy) and Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi). With plenty of events in store for the next five episodes, Daryl Dixon has plenty of time to address what’s next for the pair as they arrive overseas.

New episodes of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon arrive Sundays on AMC and AMC+