Whether you've been a longtime viewer of The Walking Dead or a relatively new fan who binged through the whole series, you'll know that it doesn't shy away from surprises. The same can be said for the entire franchise. It's true; the TWD Universe doesn't hold back when it comes to keeping viewers on the edges of their seats and those first few seasons of the original series in particular could often make for an uneasy watch.
In a zombie apocalypse, death is inevitable. Heck, death literally walks, so it isn't surprising that not every character makes it out of the shows within this franchise alive. And we've had some doozies over the years. From the likes of Dale, Glenn, and Hershel in The Walking Dead to even Sister Isabelle in the most recent season of Daryl Dixon, the franchise isn't opposed to killing off major characters.
Unfortunately, another one has met their end in the most unexpected way.
*** This article contains major SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 episode 1. If you haven't seen the episode and don't want it spoiled, then don't read on. ***
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 opens with a major death fans didn't see coming
Well, the third season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon wasted no time in shocking viewers - and yes, that means a major character death. The season 3 premiere, titled "Costa da Morte", saw Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier arrive in London after their escape from France. Although they weren't planning on staying long, a herd walling them in prevented them from making their exit as quickly as they planned. That is, until the mysterious Julian Chamberlain surfaced and offered them a chance to go back home.
Portrayed by Stephen Merchant, Julian was described as an incredibly important casting ahead of the season's launch - which makes sense considering the casting here. And he did end up playing a major role in the season 3 premiere, as it was his boat that provided Daryl and Carol with the opportunity to return home to the US. However, one storm and a shipwreck in Spain later and Julian unfortunately ended up dead.
After Carol regained consciousness, she was still reeling from the head injury she suffered during the crash. However, she and Daryl still attempted to wander around their new environment in search of Julian, who wasn't in the boat. That's when Carol found him, staring out at the sea. Well, at least she thought it was him, as Julian turned around to reveal that he had become a walker, instantly trying to attack Carol. Daryl was able to intervene, killing the undead nightmare. The pair of them then let Julian's body float out to sea as a tribute to their fallen friend.
There is no denying that Julian ended up playing a major role in season 3's storyline but for being introduced as a major character in general (played by the Stephen Merchant), it's fair to say that fans were surprised to see him killed off so early on into the season. But it was very effective in showcasing how nobody is safe in the zombie apocalypse - even when you've been defying the odds for close to two decades.
There's a real sadness to Julian's arc as he was excited to make it to America and meet new people (and maybe even fall in love). Having spent so long on his own in the UK, the prospects of a new life appealed to him, just as much as they frightened him. And both Daryl and Carol were able to convince him to throw caution to the wind and go for it. Unfortunately, when they encountered the storm on the sea, he suffered a head injury that rendered him unable to guide them through it. Daryl and Carol held their own but, at some point in the trip, they ended up veering off-course and getting shipwrecked in Spain.
It's not clear if Julian succumbed to the head injury, drowned, or died from further injuries during the boat's rocky journey back onto land, but it was a tragic end for a tragic character who deserved better. The silver lining in all of it is that Julian, clearly a good person, was able to help Daryl and Carol get that much closer to achieving their goal of returning to the US. Although they aren't there yet, the people of their new Spanish surroundings might be able to help them complete the journey.
Sadly for Julian, The Walking Dead Universe is every bit as ruthless as it was in the beginning. May he rest in peace.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 airs on AMC and streams on AMC+ on Sundays.