Daryl Dixon theories: Who returned to the Commonwealth, is it Dwight?

The fifth episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon featured a fantastic voice cameo by Carol (Melissa McBride). This excited the fandom as everyone has hoped to learn something about her in this series. In the episode, the radio connection between Daryl and Carol is cut short, but Carol is trying to tell Daryl that something or someone has returned; who or what could it be?

Rumors have circulated that McBride will join Norman Reedus in the series’s second season. AMC has yet to confirm this, but Reedus is expected to announce some big news at NYCC on October 12. Could it be McBride joining the series?

There have been wild theories regarding who has returned, and of course, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) is the first person who popped into many people’s minds. But Carol wouldn’t have been distressed about his return. Her voice was strained, and you could tell she was trying to avoid disclosing the information to Daryl.

The podcast Relishing the Dead suggests she could have said, “Ezekiel’s cancer has returned.” This would cause Carol stress, and it’s a good theory.

Others have thought it could be Morgan Jones (Lennie James) because he left Fear the Walking Dead to search for his old friend Rick Grimes. But this is another person that wouldn’t cause Carol to be so distraught.

This is the same with the idea that Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) has returned; he wouldn’t be a person whom she would hesitate to tell Daryl about.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – Who returned?

In the season 8B trailer of Fear the Walking Dead, Dwight (Austin Amelio) and Sherry (Christine Evangelista) are seen returning to their former home and the Sanctuary. The couple lived there when Dwight was a part of Negan’s Saviors and Sherry, one of Negan’s wives.

Sherry assisted Daryl in his escape from the Sanctuary, and then she, too, escaped and headed back to the former home she and Dwight lived in. There, she leaves a farewell note and their wedding rings for Dwight to find.

Dwight tells Negan that walkers devoured Sherry so he will cease searching for her. Eventually, Dwight sides with Rick, and Negan discovers his betrayal. Before Negan can punish him, the planned ambush of Rick’s group literally backfires, as Eugene (Josh McDermitt) rigged the bullets.

Daryl had no love for Dwight, who forced him to eat dog food sandwiches and listen to “Easy Street” on a loop while he was a prisoner at the Sanctuary. After the war, he exiles Dwight, giving him a vehicle, and tells him to find Sherry and that if he ever returns, Daryl will kill him.

All of this happened years ago, and Daryl is a different person. But if Dwight has returned (a theory my husband Josh Hansen first brought to my attention), Carol could be hesitant to notify Daryl, worried about his reaction.

This theory could be a stretch, but it is one that is plausible.

Hopefully, we will eventually find out what has happened in the Commonwealth to cause Carol distress. All of our theories could be completely off base and AMC will throw us something we haven’t thought about.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon airs the season finale on AMC and AMC+ on Sunday, October 15.

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