AMC has done an incredible job of giving The Walking Dead fans what they want... more content. After the conclusion of the flagship series in 2022, viewers were uncertain about the future of TWDU. The creation of the three direct spinoffs has been a balm to soothe fans who miss the main series. While all three of these spinoffs have their merits, Daryl Dixon far surpasses the others.
Fans of Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) were ecstatic to learn he would lead his own series. This character, created specifically for Reedus to portray in the series, experienced a dramatic transformation from his introduction in the third episode of season 1, "Tell it to the Frogs." He arrived on the scene with a string of squirrels and chip on his shoulder then had to learn of his brother Merle's (Michael Rooker) fate.
Eventually, he discovered something he had never truly experienced: a loving family. This is what set him on a path to becoming a respected leader within the communities. He learned that he could give and receive love while still maintaining his strength.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is currently in the midst of the third season and has been renewed for a fourth and final season, which has already begun filming in Spain. What makes this series a standout among the numerous TWD series?
1. Daryl Dixon has taken The Walking Dead to far off places
The main series never strayed far in terms of location, beginning in Georgia, then expanding to Virginia and Ohio. Other spinoffs have branched away from these locations, but none have traveled as far as the Daryl Dixon series. Daryl has relocated his story to France and Spain, which not only gave viewers a glimpse into how the outbreak was handled in other countries but also provided stunning scenery.
2. Unique undead variants have been a key part of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
Nothing is more exciting to a fan of zombies, walkers, and the undead than a unique spin on the traditional ideal of the creatures. The other series in TWDU have featured some of these, but Daryl Dixon has done an impressive job of showcasing numerous variants. This is due to the fact that, even after all these years, the French have yet to stop testing and trying to use walkers to their advantage.
The series has featured Burners, members of the undead with acidic blood that can melt flesh. Bioluminescent Walkers were featured in the final episode of season 2 while the group traveled through the Chunnel. Ampers are walkers who have been injected with a substance by the Pouvior that makes them faster and more aggressive. The idea was to make these walkers controllable to use as weapons. This series has also featured Lurkers, or dormant walkers and Environmentals that have been physiologically changed by their environment. One example of this is the orchestra of walkers and another, are the walkers who have been taken over by nature.
3. Daryl Dixon has been full of exciting new storylines
The series is filmed and set in France (seasons 1 and 2) and Spain (seasons 3 and 4), which gives the show an advantage with its location. However, this has also introduced new writers, SFX, actors, and more.
This gives the series an advantage as things are brand new for the new crew members, allowing them to create a story far removed from anything seen in the main series. There are still many TWD veterans involved in production, but working alongside people new to the franchise truly makes a difference.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is by far the best spinoff in TWDU and continues to deliver something fresh but familiar to fans, new and old. Check out new episodes weekly on Sundays on AMC and AMC+.