The latest clarification about the ongoing timeline of The Walking Dead universe supports a major theory about the long-awaited return of Rick Grimes. The timeline of The Walking Dead has never been 100% clear, even when it was just one show. Season 1 started shortly after the outbreak, with Rick awakening from his coma to find the remnants of society still adjusting to the new world order. But for the next 10 seasons, it was left ambiguous as to how much time had passed. Judith’s age was the best indicator.

Now that The Walking Dead has ended its run and been spun off into a bunch of different shows involving both old and new characters, it’s impossible to keep track of the timeline. How long after the main series’ ending did Rick and Michonne reunite in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live? When did Daryl end up in Paris in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon? Daryl Dixon creator David Zabel has recently cleared up The Walking Dead’s timeline, answering these questions and teasing more reunions.

Daryl Dixon’s Timeline Makes It More Likely Carol Was Talking About Rick Grimes’ Return

Rick’s return to Alexandria lines up with Carol’s call

Image via AMC

The exact timeline isn’t clear, but it seems like The Ones Who Live ended shortly after The Walking Dead season 11’s final scene. Now, Zabel has clarified that the first season of Daryl Dixon picks up just two or three months after the end of The Walking Dead. He also said that season 2, dubbed The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, will start off on the same day as the season 1 finale ended, so there’s no time jump.

The Book of Carol will see Daryl reunited with Carol after she flies to France to find him. This follows up on a tease from the season 1 finale, in which Carol spoke to Daryl over the radio. She said, “They came back,” but didn’t say who she was referring to. Now that Daryl Dixon’s timeline has been clarified to line up with The Ones Who Live, it seems likely that she was talking about Rick’s return to Alexandria.

Daryl Dixon Season 2 Must Confirm Who Carol Was Talking About Over The Radio

Whether it’s Rick or not, The Book of Carol can’t ignore this setup

Whether it’s Rick or not, The Book of Carol needs to confirm who Carol was talking about over the radio in the season 1 finale. It’ll likely be saved for the season finale, so the show can deliver another exciting tease for a future installment. Daryl Dixon season 3 is already in the works, so the writers have the freedom to think that far ahead. If Rick is reunited with Daryl and Carol, then maybe it’s not too late to get The Walking Dead back on track.