The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon showrunner David Zabel has teased what Daryl’s new conflict is going to be for season 2, explaining how it relates to both the Pouvoir and the Nest. Daryl Dixon season 1 ended with the titular protagonist deciding to stay in France, after Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) followed him to the boat that was going to take him back to America. When the new episodes begin, Daryl (Norman Reedus) is expected to still be in the Nest with the boy and Isabelle (Clémence Poésy), raising him to be a messiah-like figure within the post-apocalypse.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Zabel teased how Daryl’s new conflict in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 revolves around the different forms of extremism presented by both the Pouvoir and the Nest. The showrunner explained how Daryl wouldn’t want Laurent to become entirely conditioned to the kindly nature of Losang (Joel de la Fuente) and his people. He explains how the protagonist cares about the boy, enough to want him not to decide on a single ideology for himself. Check out what Zabel had to say below:

The totality of the story is that extremism is bad, and any version of extremism is dangerous. Genet [and the Pouvoir] is a certain kind of extremism, and without giving too much away, Losang and the Nest represent a different kind of seemingly benevolent extremism.

Daryl is by nature a doubter in a healthy way. He’s a skeptic, a person who doesn’t believe in group think or systemic ways of living. And the Nest represents something to him that he’s a little skeptical about.

It’s very personal for Daryl. He doesn’t really care about the ideas or the concepts as much as he cares about this little boy [Laurent] who’s being pulled in one direction, and he doesn’t think that’s the best thing for him.

What Zabel’s Statement Means For Daryl Dixon Season 2

The Conflict Won’t Be Simple Good & Evil

While the story of Daryl Dixon season 2 will focus on Carol (Melissa McBride) coming to France in search of her friend, the ongoing conflicts in the country are still far from over. Genet (Anne Charrier) was last seen torturing Codron (Roman Levi) for information regarding the Nest’s location, something that may lead to a major conflict when the series returns. However, Zabel teases a more nuanced inner fight involving different ideologies, something that could pit Daryl against Losang and other members of his new home.

Since he doesn’t want to see Laurent grow up either entirely benevolent or malevolent, it appears Daryl’s main prerogative is ensuring he’ll survive into adulthood. With his life having been threatened at multiple points throughout the series already, the main character likely sees the dangers beyond the Nest as something he still needs to prepare for when the time comes. Although it’s unclear what this means for the way he interacts with some of his new allies moving forward, it does indicate some key conflicts that will emerge when the show returns.

Our Take On Daryl’s New Conflict In Daryl Dixon Season 2

His Nuanced Approach Could Be What Leads Him Out Of France

Although it’s unclear what Daryl’s skepticism about the Nest means for season 2, we believe it could lay the groundwork for why he goes to Spain in Daryl Dixon season 3. Given the trailers for the new episodes focus on plenty of action and conflict across France, the spark that ignites this could involve Daryl questioning how his new home is being run. This, alongside the Pouvoir‘s constant pursuit of Laurent means the boy will have to decide his own fate when The Walking Dead spinoff returns.

New episodes of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 begin Sunday, August 29 on AMC and AMC+.