Review — The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3 is Peak TWD, Sets a High Bar for the Future of the TWD Universe

After 15 years, The Walking Dead Universe continues to find new and innovative ways to expand upon a simple premise: humanity can be more terrifying than the undead, but good always triumphs in the end. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 features Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) journeying into Spain in hopes of finding a way home. The third season is a triumph — it’s thrilling, refreshing and some of the best TWD I’ve seen in years. And it’s one hell of a ride. 

AMC provided the entire season to journalists ahead of the premiere. I ended up watching the entire third season, consisting of seven episodes, in two sittings. I watched the first episode one night and then binged the rest in one fell swoop. It was cinematic, with bold and striking visuals, satisfying stories and characters to root for. I couldn’t stop watching it. It’s so good.

At July’s San Diego Comic-Con, showrunner David Zable and Scott M. Gimple, Chief Creative Officer of the TWD Universe, revealed that Daryl Dixon will end in season 4 and Spain will feature prominently. That said, I watched the third season very closely and by the end of episode 7 there’s a clear path toward the finish line — through Spain — for our heroes. It’s just a matter of making it out of Europe alive. 

The story picks up shortly after the events in season 2, whereupon Daryl and Carol are traveling out of France to the UK to find a boat to get back to the US. The UK trip is a fun side quest, revealing how the island nation fared during the zombie apocalypse. (Hint: not well) The rest of the season is spent in a small Spanish town called Solaz Del Mar. 

“Best versions of Carol and Daryl we’ve ever seen”

It’s hard to believe Daryl and Carol have graced our screens for 15 years. With the first two seasons of Daryl Dixon, both Reedus and McBride have had moments to shine. Since McBride didn’t appear in the first season, Reedus was able to gain his footing in France before McBride arrived in season 2 and positively lit up the apocalypse with her wit, cunning and all-around badassery.

It is my firm belief that Daryl Dixon season 3 delivers the best versions of Carol and Daryl we’ve ever seen. Now that they’re back together, they’re a well-oiled machine no matter what threat they’re facing. They don’t even need to talk to communicate exactly what they’re thinking. Though their evolution is evident, they’re both still facing trauma from their pasts (recent and not so recent) while also trying to figure out their place in Solaz Del Mar. McBride and Reedus bring so much organic authenticity to their roles; after 15 years, this duo knows Carol and Daryl down pat, effortlessly breathing life into them because it’s second nature. 

“They need a spinoff of their own”

Stephen Merchant arrives early on. He’s delightfully animated and a fountain of useful (and oftentimes useless) information about the UK for a newly arrived Carol and Daryl. 

From there, though, the story shifts to Spain. It’s a whole new world, peppered with new threats and a new language that immediately puts the duo at a disadvantage as they try to figure out their next move. 

The Spanish cast is phenomenal. Óscar Jaenada’s Fede is mysterious and Eduardo Noriega’s Antonio is guarded but welcoming toward the Americans who arrive at a pivotal moment in Solaz Del Mar. Alexandra Masangkay’s Paz has seen a lot and she’s a very instrumental ally for our heroes. Truth be told, I wish we were spending more than two seasons in Spain because the cast and their characters are so incredibly brilliant. They need a spinoff of their own. 

If you’ve been following Daryl and Carol’s adventures, you’ll find a lot to love about Daryl Dixon season 3. For fans who haven’t jumped into the TWD spinoff yet, you’ll find that the new season is reminiscent of the early days of the flagship show. It’s bold and refreshingly different from anything else we’ve seen in the TWD Universe. And it’s a hell of a lot of fun. 

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 premieres Sunday, September 7, at 9pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC Plus.