The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is back for its third season. After spending the first two in France, we are now in Spain.
Of the three seasons, this one is the strongest of the series and the best single season of the spinoffs that started after the main show finished.
At the end of the previous season, Daryl and Carol begin to head to a city in England. They do go there, and it is a ghost town. I will not spoil why that is, though I can say that only one person lives there. The person’s name is Julian Chamber (Stephen Merchant), and he tells the two about what happened there and why it happened.
*Sidebar* I often do not see my name on fictional characters when I review television shows or movies, so this was something I had to adjust to.
Anyway, how Daryl and Carol go to Spain is a little different from how Daryl ended up in France. I think it was an interesting choice to go this route since Daryl and Carol never intended to go there. And I also can say they did not rush the story to get there, as half of the first episode felt like a transition of getting out of the story in France into the story that is starting in Spain.
A major surprise in this season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is the use of flashbacks exploring Daryl’s past. These sequences reveal the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father and are blended naturally into conversations with other characters throughout the season. The flashbacks add a new layer of depth, allowing even casual viewers to gain a more personal understanding of who Daryl is and what shaped him.
The new characters introduced are a mixed bag, but better fleshed out than the previous characters over in France. Eduardo Noriega as Antonio, Óscar Jaenada as Federico, Alexandra Masangkay as Paz, and Hugo Arbués as Roberto. Federico, Antonio, and Paz are the standouts this season. Federico is the Mayor of a large community in Spain. Roberto is the son of Antonio and Maria (Elena Sándell) and is also the love interest of Justina (Candela Saitta).
The major stories of the new characters involve family drama, a trade network with another community, celebrating an anniversary, and a conflict while also trying to help Daryl and Carol go back to the United States.
Daryl and Carol are completely out of their element in Spain compared to France. The two also have a struggle as Daryl does not want to get involved in any of the community’s drama or family affairs, while Carol wants to learn more about them. This is also how Carol starts to get to know Antonio. For most of the season, these two learn about their histories, what he and Maria were doing before the outbreak, and even watch historical movies. There is more that I cannot say, but I have a feeling that it will get people talking. Also to add, one character from the previous season does appear in this season.
While the first season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon often portrayed Paris almost like a shiny toy and also improved during its second, the third season takes a different approach by focusing more on storytelling than spectacle. The environments in Spain are beautiful and visually striking, but what truly stands out is the substance behind them. Much of the season is centered on Spain’s culture, its traditions, and the way people approach relationships and community. These points fit organically into the narrative and give the story a richer texture. They do not just serve as background details but instead enhance the themes and character interactions throughout the season. There are also lighter touches to balance the heavier drama, such as Daryl’s bad table manners that add a welcome bit of comic relief.
Of course, this being The Walking Dead, conflict is never too far away. Another group is introduced that, in both style and energy, feels straight out of CW’s The 100. Their presence escalates into one of the season’s most thrilling sequences. A battle scene that unfolds against them stretches for nearly thirty minutes and is an absolute highlight of the season. The choreography, tension, and pacing of the large-scale, Game of Thrones-type battle make it one of the most memorable scenes of the spinoff.
What I will say about the ending is that it justifies why a fourth season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is necessary. The conclusion does not feel forced but instead sets up a natural continuation of the story. It places the characters in a complicated and tense situation that none of them could have predicted or controlled, leaving the door wide open to fix the issue.
Season three of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon succeeds in finding the perfect balance between character-driven storytelling and high-stakes action. By grounding the narrative in Spain’s culture and relationships while still delivering thrilling set pieces, it elevates the spinoff beyond its earlier seasons. With an ending that raises the stakes and paves the way for even more compelling drama, this season stands as the strongest entry yet and sets up an exciting path forward.
