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- Daryl Dixon’s Romantic Past Has Been Murky at Best
- Isabelle Finally Captures Daryl’s Heart
As a die-hard fan of The Walking Dead, I must say that the moment Daryl Dixon finally let his guard down and shared a passionate kiss with Isabelle was nothing short of heartwarming. After years of battling walkers, saving the day, and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, it’s refreshing to see him experience such a human connection.
Over the course of 14 years spanning 11 seasons of “The Walking Dead” and the initial season of its spin-off series, “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon“, I never felt that I truly understood Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), a character shrouded in mystery with an unyielding demeanor. Yet, despite this enigmatic nature, he became a beloved figure among fans. A masterful tracker, his prowess with a bow and arrow is matched only by his ability to maneuver through hordes of walkers like the classic game character Frogger on a motorbike. Throughout, Daryl has always preferred to operate alone, embodying the solitary spirit of a lone wolf.
Indeed, he has close friends and may have engaged in some subtle flirtations, but no one has ever witnessed Daryl being romantically involved with another person, not even Leah. That is, until now. The long-awaited moment finally arrived: Daryl shared his first on-screen kiss.
Daryl Dixon’s Romantic Past Has Been Murky at Best
In their interactions, it seemed there was barely any romantic spark between Daryl and anyone else, leading fans to speculate if his character might be asexual. Though Daryl and Carol (Melissa McBride) developed a deep friendship over time, their relationship has always been purely platonic. They seem more like soulmates in a non-romantic sense. In the second season of “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,” also known as “The Book of Carol,” Carol returns, desperately searching for her friend Daryl.
In retrospect, there were hints. During Season 4 of “The Walking Dead”, when the group was separated, Daryl found himself uncharacteristically close to Beth (Emily Kinney). For the first time, he revealed his tumultuous past. Daryl and Beth had some touching moments together. However, their bond seemed more like that of siblings, as Beth was only 18 at the time and Daryl was likely in his mid-30s. The idea of a romantic relationship between them was not appealing to fans, considering the significant age gap and Beth’s youthful naivety.
After Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln) apparent demise, Daryl opted for solitude but later crossed paths with Leah (Lynn Collins), a captivating and adept combatant who initially clashed with him. However, they gradually grew closer and assisted each other. It seemed that their bond evolved into a romantic relationship, hinting at intimacy without any explicit display on screen. The subtlety only served to heighten the enigma surrounding the characters.
Despite initially appearing strong, Daryl’s bond with Leah ultimately disintegrated. Although their relationship seemed stable, Daryl grew disenchanted with the idea of a perfect love. Perhaps he questioned whether he truly deserved such affection or simply feared love itself, leading him to walk away. However, after some reflection, he reached out to Leah for reconciliation only to find that she had reconnected with a group of ex-military colleagues, whose ideologies about the world and human interaction were vastly different. This rift in their beliefs likely extinguished any remaining embers of romance between them. Ultimately, Daryl faced a difficult choice: either take Leah’s life or spare Maggie (Lauren Cohan). In the end, he chose to protect his friend and save her life instead.
Following the list of potential suitors, there was Connie (Lauren Ridloff), who joined the group recently and developed a close friendship with Daryl. Despite her deafness and use of sign language, supported by her sister Kelly (Angel Theory), Daryl made an intentional effort to bridge the communication gap between them. They initially exchanged messages through handwritten notes on a small pad, but as time passed, Daryl took the initiative to learn sign language to improve their interactions. These moments between Connie and Daryl often brought out rare smiles from Daryl. They admired each other deeply, and while fans couldn’t help but notice the undercurrent of romantic feelings, they also shared a mutual respect. Even Carol, noticing this connection, playfully encouraged Daryl to pursue something more meaningful.
Unfortunately, their relationship never progressed beyond what was shown on screen, regardless of the strong feelings many viewers had for them to develop further. Daryl’s heartfelt response upon believing Connie was deceased and his emotional outburst when she returned are testaments to the depth of his affection towards her. However, their bond didn’t deepen any further in the series, much to the disappointment of fans who hoped for more between these characters.
Isabelle Finally Captures Daryl’s Heart
It wasn’t until the whole series and the first season of The Walking Dead that viewers got to see Daryl Dixon lower his defensive wall in terms of romance. In the initial season, Daryl found himself stranded in France, where he encountered hostile adversaries. A nun named Isabelle (played by Clemence Poesy) rescued and nursed him back to health. However, she had her own demands – she wanted him to escort a young boy named Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) to safety. She believed that Laurent was the Messiah.
At first, Daryl resists getting involved, but when his being at the convent triggers an assault, his inner turmoil convinces him to complete one assignment before returning home. The narrative unfolds as he embarks on this journey, culminating in a favorable resolution. Throughout, Daryl appears to be adapting admirably to the community and even contemplates settling there. However, in the last episode, he chooses to depart, and the closing scenes depict a heartbroken Laurent trailing him, pleading with Daryl to remain behind.
As fresh threats emerge and the supposed sanctuary proves deceitful, Daryl feels driven to assist once more, wondering if anyone at home even remembers him. His bond with Isabelle deepens, as her past, unveiled in a Season 1 spin-off episode, is far from innocent. She’s entangled in a world of drugs, indulgence, and swindling. Dressed as a nun post-outbreak due to the protection offered by a group of nuns, Isabelle also has Laurent, her nephew, under her care. There’s an undercurrent of sexual tension between them and a palpable mutual attraction. In the second episode of Season 2, titled “Moulin Rouge,” Daryl considers returning home, yet Isabelle’s influence becomes apparent. He proposes taking Isabelle and Laurent with him instead.
Isabelle and Daryl engage in a heartfelt discussion, during which Isabelle introduces the French phrase “Pouvoir Des Vivants” to Daryl. This term means “power of the living,” and it symbolizes the ability to start anew in different circumstances – a reflection of hope and resilience within the human spirit. In essence, this could be seen as her contemplating the idea. Daryl listens intently, repeats the phrase, and smiles. A tangible sense of connection and understanding emerges between them.
Following a prolonged, intense gaze, the two characters inch nearer and share a deep, heartfelt kiss. This unexpected moment marks Daryl’s first-ever kiss on screen within the series, making it a significant milestone for his character development. As Daryl begins to lower his protective barriers and open up emotionally, there’s speculation about how this transformation may unfold in the upcoming storyline, especially considering Carol’s imminent arrival. Fans are hopeful that Daryl might reunite with Carol, as well as Isabelle and Laurent, potentially leading to a happy ending for all involved. However, given the bleak nature of the post-apocalyptic world portrayed in the franchise, it’s unlikely that such an outcome will be easy or straightforward.
As it’s been confirmed that Season 3 is currently being filmed in Spain, the future of Daryl Dixon’s romantic relationship remains uncertain. However, even if it only develops into a first kiss (not his first overall but his first on-screen), it signifies a significant step for this beloved character. Daryl is evolving, maturing, and demonstrating that beneath his long hair, tough exterior, and dedication to duty, he harbors a tender, caring heart yearning for companionship. Fans have been eagerly waiting for this moment, and now they can catch it on AMC+ by streaming The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
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2024-10-14 02:31