A new season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon means a new cast of characters to love and hate. From the grey and dreary France to the bright and warm landscapes of Spain, Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) are thrust into a new world of unpredictability.
But before they can get their land legs back, they find themselves unexpectedly getting involved in the personal affairs of a town, its people, their leader, and the bad guys who roam the land, wreaking chaos wherever they go, and the royalty who wish to control it.
Of the new and extremely talented cast, three characters instantly became our favorites.
Any guesses as to who? Let's begin!
Fede
Starting our list is the first character who really grabbed our attention, Fede (Óscar Jaenada). Needless to say, we were disappointed that by the end of the season, Fede had become a villain of sorts.
Not to the level of The Governor, Negan or even Alpha, but a villain to himself and his own people, all due to two people: Antonio and Roberto. Fede, Justina's uncle, led and protected a town of people to almost perfection.
He was soft spoken, gentle, but had an aura of authority about him without instilling fear. People loved and respected him, and while the details were fuzzy, it was clear that what he had established worked.
However, this includes the issue of the Ofrenda, which occurred once a year, offering one eligible young woman through a lottery to the King of Spain for continued survival and protection. Fede seemed unbothered by this arrangement, as he had the power to remove his niece's name from the lottery.
What he couldn't control was the romance Justina had with Roberto, Antonio's son. While it was never explained, it was hinted that Fede was in love with Antonio's wife, who tragically died the same day the apocalypse began in Spain.
He loved her so much that he still had a photo of her in his desk. His hatred for Antonio and Roberto remained contained until Roberto and Justina began to make plans to leave.
His fear of losing control was so great that he forced Justina to leave with Guillermo in Alba's place to keep the peace and keep his secrets hidden. Not to mention his attempts to kill Roberto, would ensure all his problems would finally vanish.
But it is in those details of Fede that we find something fascinating and remarkable. You could argue that any leader in The Walking Dead Universe is untrustworthy, as per the franchise's habit.
But as much as we wanted to dislike Fede, we simply couldn't and still can't.
Justina
Strong female characters are nothing new in TWDU, but likable ones are often a rarity. Justina, played by Candela Saitta, was a fighter and thinker the moment we met her and Roberto.
At first glance, the duo seemed like minor characters who would probably meet their end rather prematurely. But we're quick to realize that she is more of a leader than a mere survivor.
Although Justina and Roberto were a team, as most couples are in the franchise, it's her ideas and opinions that flip the script. She dwells on discovering the truth about her uncle secretly withdrawing her name from the lottery Ofrenda.
She seeks advice and takes it to heart. Justina is the one who shows compassion, wanting to help Carol after Daryl saves her and Roberto from Guillermo's men.
With every rescue attempt to save her before entering Barcelona, she's quick on her feet and works with what she is given. She never gave up.
Not even the night of the party, where she's able to ensure she is chosen, immediately takes a knife from the table as a weapon and uses it in the hopes of escape. While she's not successful as it is Daryl who ultimately saves her, her efforts cannot be ignored.
Her final speech to her uncle and the people of her community becomes her final form of likability. She herself becomes the leader the people need, and we can only hope in the final season that she is able to do so in Spain or back in the United States.
Paz
When Paz first arrived, we realized how similar she was to Daryl. Paz, played by Alexandra Masangkay, was mostly silent, speaking through her expressions, which were often calculated and reserved, and she tended to stick to her work alone.
She was a fighter who remained committed to protecting the community but hid a larger part of herself behind something unreadable. Unreadable, perhaps to everyone but Daryl.
It wasn't until the Ofrenda that the layers began to peel away, revealing a rather sad story of love found and lost. Paz had found love with Elena, only to have her taken away by Guillermo and left for dead.
Even so, Paz refused to stop looking for Elena, and when she discovers she's married to Guillermo at the Ofrenda, the feelings come rushing back. Paz's determination to rescue Elena is what solidifies her friendship with Daryl.
The two work together to save Elena and Justina, taking down Spanish royalty, leaving Barcelona in flames. Paz's story seemingly ends with her, Elena, and Elena's son, ready to start a new chapter in their lives, free from the villains who kept them apart.
She didn't need catchy one-liners or to flex her strength by taking out hundreds of walkers alone. Her actions of loyalty, hope, and resilience spoke for her.
Stream The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 on AMC and AMC+.