[TheLibrarian]

Spoilers from Episodes Season 1 – through Season 2 episdoe 9.

This is basically a summary of what is destined to be pretty long so read this draft at your own risk. Within these paragraphs I am going to try to offer to the best of my ability an objective look at the relationship between the Characters of Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier

Season 1 – Episode 4 – Vatos
Scene: Daryl vs Reality vs The Group

  
Rick, Glenn, Shane, T-Dog, Lori and Andrea are discussing whether or not it would be the correct thing to go back to get Merle, after Daryl's outburst asking them why'd they leave his brother on top of the roof of an apartment store.

Daryl is surprised that Rick, T-Dog, and Glenn offer to go help his brother. After all, why would they do something so selfless for a prick that threatened the entire group? Daryl doesn't see why anyone would help out of their own self interests and then begins to realize that his way of thinking may not be the best.

Season 2 – Episode 5 – Chupacabra
Scene: Daryl hallucinates, self reflects, and denounces Merle

I think that Daryl let Merle influence him greatly before the apocalypse. We see in the episode Chupacabra that he has a hallucination of his brother and that Merle taught him that he was useless. Merle taught him that he was the only one would ever care for him. That he was an outcast and that Merle was his only option. Daryl left to his own devices would have stayed with Merle and become more greatly brainwashed by his brothers racism, sexism and general ugliness. The apocalypse was the catalyst that Daryl needed to set him on the right path and I personally believe that if Daryl kept Merle by his side any longer that his evolution would become almost non-existent.

Understand that this is my opinion and I have absolutely no hard feelings when people disagree with me. I just try to be objective and unbiased in my views and do not let the fact that I really like Daryl blur the lines on what he would have been like in the past.

Season 2 – Episode 9 – Trigger-finger
Scene: Carol “Checks up” on Daryl,  Daryl Lashes Out.

A lot of people are going to think that Daryl was too harsh in this scene. It's true.  Yet, on the other hand I do not take that to mean that he was being unfair or that he was incorrect in his assessment, nor do I agree that it is proof of him showing contempt for Carol. He was speaking bluntly and I wish that more people would do that instead of always beating around the bush.
  
But onto the topic herein: I did not interpret his anger as an bad thing either. In fact, I found that it was a necessary confrontation between these two characters and in the end this scene was ultimately a good thing for their evolving friendship.

Consider what we know about Daryl so far.  – He's been closeted his entire life and does not know how to properly deal with or show his emotions. Therefore, I I ask, do you think that Daryl would have been so personal with anyone else in the same manner that he had displayed with Carol? Even if it was out of anger?

Sure he's made quite the tempered remark to Shane and to Rick in the first season but he's never had never quite the depth to these little tantrums as recently displayed. Here Daryl is speaking from his heart and he is letting Carol know how he feels, and that's a tough thing for him to do. Especially considering the way that he was brought up under Merle's tyranny and his fathers abandonment. You can bet he is hurting.

I personally believe that it's obvious that he cares for Carol in some way maybe not romantically but in some way more than just mutual understanding, or he wouldn't even have given her the time of day in such a manner. He would not have wasted his strength calling out a woman that does not mean a thing to him. I know that I wouldn't!

But yes of course he is angry at her and that is completely understandable. Still, I am pretty confident that he is just as angry at himself for not being able to save Sophia and that he recognizes that Carol has had similar hardships that he has had and that he is reflecting his own pain onto her just as much as he is calling out her flaws.

Maybe I am wrong but I quite honestly feel that this outburst was needed to let the tension between them collapse. Did you notice that sly smile they had at each other? That after their scene Daryl dressed up? Letting your feelings be known helps you out more often than not, it makes one know where you stand and I think that Daryl finally did that. It's as if a layer of blurry film has been lifted and we can finally see what lies beneath in its unfiltered form. Or to quote a more exaggerated cliché, it was like a breath of fresh air.

In conclusion it is  my opinion that I have to say that the most likely route I see for these two in the future is that they continue their evolutions and continue to explore their faults and their weaknesses until it becomes clear that their bonding has just made them become stronger. When all the bull is finally out of the way and the flimsy shade is dropped, there will be a more clear view.

Bonus: It could also be said that Daryl feels some sort of relationship with Andrea, according to the scene in which he reveals that he was once left alone as a child, yet this also occurs while discussing Sophia, which ultimately directly links his conversation back to Carol and their abusive pasts.

[DerpinaKitty]

A+ on this lovely essay
I really like these two characters and where they seem to be headed. I realllllly want to see more next episode.

[zombiemma]

*applauds*

[backwoodsroamer]

Jolly well done old chap!

[DeathOrGlory]

Come on guys at least give him some rep points!

[TheAnarchrist]

For the most part, I agree with the general assessment.

Also, I absolutely loved that at the height of Darryl's outburst when he stepped up to her nose to nose.... she lifted her chin as if she was expecting him to hit her. She was being defiant and showing Darryl that she take everything he can throw at her because she's dealt with men having violent outbursts before.... and yet, Darryl calms at the sight and realizes he has almost crossed the line. I don't believe he ever intended to strike her but when he sees her face like that he relents. To me, it shows that these two damaged people can teach one another something.

[Living Dead Grrrl]

It for sure is complicated. I love how strong Carol was during Darryls outburst. I either would have slapped him or started crying.

I love Darryl, however, I really didnt care for how he treated Carol last night.

[gracie lou]

TheAnarchrist, on 20 February 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

For the most part, I agree with the general assessment.

Also, I absolutely loved that at the height of Darryl's outburst when he stepped up to her nose to nose.... she lifted her chin as if she was expecting him to hit her. She was being defiant and showing Darryl that she take everything he can throw at her because she's dealt with men having violent outbursts before.... and yet, Darryl calms at the sight and realizes he has almost crossed the line. I don't believe he ever intended to strike her but when he sees her face like that he relents. To me, it shows that these two damaged people can teach one another something.

I'm going to have to watch that again - I really saw her reaction as one of complete pain because of what Daryl was saying at the time - basically blaming Sophia's death on her.

Edited by gracie lou, 20 February 2012 - 01:54 PM.

[Living Dead Grrrl]

gracie lou, on 20 February 2012 - 01:47 PM, said:

I'm going to have to watch that again - I really saw her reaction as one of complete pain because of what Daryl was saying at the time - basically blaming Sophia's death on her.

I agree. She held herself together but she looked pained indeed.  

[TheLibrarian]

I don't know if I should count this as a spoiler so Admins please edit this post accordingly.

Glenn Mazarra recently did another interview and he talks about the scene between Carol and Sophia and what it means for their relationship.

Spoiler

Quote

Turning to Carol and Daryl (Norman Reedus), their conversation really spurred him to finally join the group again. Will he begin to realize his worth now?


Mazzara: I think he does. Let's not forget that Episodes 8 and 9 took place within a day of the Barn-mageddon, as we call it. Daryl is rocked by that. He wanted to be Carol's knight in shining armor and take up this quest and be the one to find that girl. He now questions his self-worth. Was he a fool to ever take on that quest? This brings up issues of his upbringing. He actually is going to hit Carol and pulls back his fist because that is his learned behavior and her learned behavior is to take it. Her generous spirit is willing to take that because she cares about him so deeply.

They're both so freaked out that they're in that odd emotional space that he withdraws, but he realizes how much she means to him and how much the group means to him, so he connects. He connects in a way that surprises her. He fits into the group in the last three episodes of the season in an actually very surprising way; I'd even say more violent way, and I think that he finds himself with a new role in the group. Carol has difficulties with the idea that for him to reintegrate into the group, he, in a sense, changes who he is, and she's starts to feel a rift.

- Glenn Mazzara - Show Runner - AMCs The Walking Dead

Source: TV Guide via Pulse News Reader

Edited by gracie lou, 20 February 2012 - 04:33 PM.
Yes, it's a minor spoiler

[ElloraDixon]

Well done!


I love those two. Daryl is my favorite and I really like Carol. I agree with all you said. He did let a lot of himself out with his outburst.

[backwoodsroamer]

Seeing a relationship between two emotionally damaged people is often like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Sure hope Carol and Daryl don't go that way.  And by the way what's all the hate I hear coming down on Carol?  I hope she gets eaten, she's useless, blah, blah, blah.

Everybody can't be a hero. For every soldier at the front there's twenty more in the rear doing support work. It's nice to have hot chow and a shower when you come back from a long hump.

I've always told any group I was in charge of "Just do the the best you can , and I'll be proud of you." If I didn't get 100%, then I was failing as a leader. My fault, not theirs.

I'll give you a quote from Napoleon. Remember him, French guy, knew a few things about command and motivating people. Anyway Napoleon said "They also serve who only stand and wait."

Sorry, kind of got on a rant!

[gracie lou]

backwoodsroamer, on 21 February 2012 - 02:47 AM, said:

Everybody can't be a hero. For every soldier at the front there's twenty more in the rear doing support work. It's nice to have hot chow and a shower when you come back from a long hump.

Exactly...

[Barry Cade]

backwoodsroamer, on 21 February 2012 - 02:47 AM, said:

Everybody can't be a hero. For every soldier at the front there's twenty more in the rear doing support work. It's nice to have hot chow and a shower when you come back from a long hump.

I often plump for turning over and snoring...

Wait; are we talking about the same thing here?

[Ryan_Dead]

I like Carol more than Daryl

[daenerys]

Daryl's my favourite character and I enjoy watching his interactions with Carol.  I read their relationship to be based more on friendship than romance though.  I'd like to think Carol helps Daryl to open up and join the group more before she dies - and then he can meet a love interest.


For the record, I don't dislike Carol and I don't really want her to die but I have a feeling it might be on the cards for her.

[DDixonGirl]

daenerys, on 25 February 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Daryl's my favourite character and I enjoy watching his interactions with Carol.  I read their relationship to be based more on friendship than romance though.  I'd like to think Carol helps Daryl to open up and join the group more before she dies - and then he can meet a love interest.


For the record, I don't dislike Carol and I don't really want her to die but I have a feeling it might be on the cards for her.

ITA.....  I truly believe or hope that Carol is just filler....her sole purpose to help Daryl open up, let people in, and see that he is not Merle or what Merle told him he was....

Not a fan of Carol though....Sorry, Carol fans... then again, not a fan of any of the women, except Maggie...

I also hope that Daryl gets more to do than this Carol crap.... More killing walkers, more scenes with Rick, Glen, more action, and last but not least, a sexy, strong, independent, kickass partner....

[Olandex]

Fantastic post! Watching Daryl and Carols relationship is probably one of my favourite things about the show right now.

I'm not quite sure how I'd feel about them being a couple though. For some reason I can kinda of picture them having the kind of relationship Carol had with Tyrese in the comics lol.

[journeynsolace]

I agree that the Carol and Daryl dynamic is probably the most interesting part of the show right now for me too. I don't think that they should be in a sexual relationship though. I don't see that type of attraction between them. I agree that it's just damaged people gravitating towards each other.

I didn't think Daryl actually pull his fist back in that scene though. I just thought he got too close and threatening and so Carol prepared herself for a hit, and he realized what she was doing (because he had done the same thing in the past), and that's when he backed away, realizing that his actions had been threatening, even though not intentionally so.

Even though she's not even on the show yet, I ship Daryl and Michonne. I think that he'd be attracted to a woman who could protect herself like that. I posted it somewhere else, but what I'd like to see is Michonne and Daryl getting together, Carol either getting jealous about that fact or simply feeling unneeded by Daryl as a result, and then she commits suicide, giving Daryl another adult emotional experience to deal with (and a possible story arc).

I do like Carol as a character, but I agree that she's more of a catalyst for the group (getting them to search for Sophia, pulling Daryl out of his shell, etc.). She could arguably grow quite a bit into a strong character like we saw in the pickax scene.

I do want to know what was meant by this...

Spoiler

..."He fits into the group in the last three episodes of the season in an actually very surprising way; I'd even say more violent way, and I think that he finds himself with a new role in the group. Carol has difficulties with the idea that for him to reintegrate into the group, he, in a sense, changes who he is, and she's starts to feel a rift." Daryl becoming "more violent" would be very interesting indeed.

[Ananse]

Spoiler

the Tyreese character from the comics.

journeynsolace, on 26 February 2012 - 02:42 AM, said:

Even though she's not even on the show yet, I ship Daryl and Michonne. I think that he'd be attracted to a woman who could protect herself like that. I posted it somewhere else, but what I'd like to see is Michonne and Daryl getting together, Carol either getting jealous about that fact or simply feeling unneeded by Daryl as a result, and then she commits suicide, giving Daryl another adult emotional experience to deal with (and a possible story arc).

I do like Carol as a character, but I agree that she's more of a catalyst for the group (getting them to search for Sophia, pulling Daryl out of his shell, etc.). She could arguably grow quite a bit into a strong character like we saw in the pickax scene..[/spoiler]

Though I love Carol and am rooting for her and Daryl to form some sort of relationship, I just can't shake the feeling that the Daryl character might actually be (see spoiler). They seem so similar to me...idk.. but, if that is the case I can see the Daryl/Michonne relationship happening.

Edited by Ananse, 26 February 2012 - 10:27 PM.

[Feanor]

True, they are kindred spirits in a way. And part of it is that Daryl is all she has left. She said so herself that she can't lose him too.
That might be the reason why she checks on him and confronts him, but I'm glad she does/did. The others of the group seem pretty self-involved in that situation.

Everyone could easily see how important it was for him to look for and find Sophia. When they found her he was probably devasted more than anyone else (not counting Carol). He distances himself, but nobody even seems to care.
Sure, probably anyone other than Carol would've gotten a brash "Mind you own business", but that doesn't mean it can't have an effect and you shouldn't go. Show the guy you care about how he feels and deals with it and that he's part of the group and not alone.

Lori goes over to tell him what? "I need you to run into town for me", was it? How about saying please or at least phrasing it as a question. That can go a long way. Not that I think he would've gone even for a pretty please with cream on top. Or how about realizing that the guy is hurting. I think things like that are why people dislike her that much. it does come off kinda bitchy.

But Carol did what needed to be done and I'm glad it worked. A nice moment when he sneaked late into the room, to be part of the group again. Made Carol obviously happy and she deserves some of that. Their friendship and kind of surrogate family relationship is good for both. I'm not seeing a romantic side to it coming up, at the moment though.

PS: Sorry my punctuation is so horrible.

[zombiemma]

I will stop watching the show if Daryl and Michonne get together in the future.

[journeynsolace]

I think I understand now what Kirkman meant by this...

Spoiler

"He fits into the group in the last three episodes of the season in an actually very surprising way; I'd even say more violent way, and I think that he finds himself with a new role in the group. Carol has difficulties with the idea that for him to reintegrate into the group, he, in a sense, changes who he is, and she's starts to feel a rift."

When I first read that, I hadn't seen the previews

Spoiler

with Daryl doing the interrogation, so this quotation from Kirkman makes sense now. His "reintegration" is as the "dirty work" guy (torturer) and Carol doesn't like to see him embracing that side of himself. (Maybe she just wants more flowers from him... which seemed out of character to me.)

Edited by gracie lou, 29 February 2012 - 10:54 PM.

[journeynsolace]

zombiemma, on 27 February 2012 - 12:07 AM, said:

I will stop watching the show if Daryl and Michonne get together in the future.

Why?

[zombiemma]

journeynsolace, on 29 February 2012 - 10:23 PM, said:

Why?

Oh, that was a bit of an exaggeration on my part. At this point, I just think it would be a silly pairing, but I can't say for sure until I see the way Michonne's character will be translated on screen.