The Mind-Blowing Season 1 Finale Cliffhanger of Daryl Dixon: Exclusive Insights from the Walking Dead Spinoff Showrunner

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1 finale!

Summary

In The Walking Dead season 1 finale, Codron's unexpected choice showcases his capacity for redemption and empathy, despite his past actions. However, allowing Daryl and his group to escape could potentially jeopardize the security they had found, as Genet discovers Codron's betrayal and may resort to torturing him for valuable information.

It is uncertain whether Codron's presence in season 2 will bring danger or tension to the Nest, where Daryl and his group have sought refuge, despite his seemingly inevitable survival. David Zabel, the showrunner for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, has provided an explanation for Codron's unexpected actions in episode 6 of season 1 and how it will impact his character moving forward. In the season finale, Pouvoir soldiers trap Daryl and his group, and Codron is instructed to kill Laurent in front of them. However, instead of obeying the order, he chooses to shoot the other soldiers, allowing Daryl and his group to escape.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Zabel delved into Codron's unexpected transformation in the finale and how it paves the way for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2. The showrunner explored the motives behind Codron's decision to kill his own men, despite knowing that it would result in punishment from Genet. Here is what Zabel had to say:

Codron undergoes this transformation as a means of seeking redemption for his brother's murder, which he deeply regrets. While he engages in a multitude of nefarious actions, there remains a fundamental element within him that evokes empathy. As a storyteller, I always strive to create villains who possess some semblance of relatability, enabling us to comprehend their perspective and grasp their emotional journey.

And that suppressed inner core of Codron, buried beneath a multitude of fierce and violent emotions, resurfaces in this pivotal moment you describe, when they are on the road and he realizes his duty is to eliminate Laurent and the others. However, he lacks the capacity to harm the innocent child deep within his heart. This realization brings about a certain degree of self-awareness, acknowledging the mistakes he has made. Consequently, he opts for a different path at that juncture. Although he will face consequences for deviating from his assigned task, he experiences a genuine moment of redemption by doing what is morally right.

How Codron's Action Tie Into Daryl Dixon Season 2

Laurent managed to find safety at the Nest by the end of season 1 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. However, Codron's decision to let them escape puts their safety at risk. Upon returning to Genet, it becomes evident that she knows he killed her men and has also discovered the whereabouts of the Nest. The episode concludes with Pouvoir soldiers seizing him, most likely intending to employ torture to extract the information from him.

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Despite successfully rescuing Daryl and his comrades, Genet now views him as a foe and will employ any means necessary to uncover the location of the Nest. It remains uncertain whether he can evade her grasp long enough to withhold the information, but his survival in the second season appears inevitable. Nonetheless, his preservation could inadvertently lead the Pouvoir to discover Laurent's whereabouts, should he opt to seek sanctuary there.

Daryl Dixon's future in France seems uncertain following the ambiguous finale of The Walking Dead. If Codron chooses to visit the Nest during this time, it could potentially bring danger through the Pouvoir or create tension due to his unresolved quest for revenge.