Daryl Dixon Teases Ambiguous Daryl–Carol Theory

Daryl Dixon season 3 directly engages long‑running fan speculation about Daryl and Carol when episode 4 features a character assuming they are romantically involved. Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride jokingly deny the coupling on camera, with McBride calling the denial “a little ambiguous” and Reedus saying the show has “never implied” they were a couple in 16 years. Showrunner David Zabel says he deliberately raised the topic to spark discussion rather than pander to fan expectations. The season also rekindles wider franchise mysteries by reviving the “PPP” clue linked to the Civic Republic Military, keeping the CRM storyline active. Critics highlight a clandestine romance between Paz and Elena as an emotionally urgent subplot that some find more compelling than Daryl and Carol’s dynamic, while reviewers praise the series’ striking cinematography in Spain and note some supporting characters can feel disposable.