WTWD? | Questions on Season 8: Episode 13
A Check-In with Caryl, Siddiq, and The Widow Maggie
In "Do Not Send Us Astray," we see everyone together again for the first time since the war began, and although much ground is covered with many characters, the writers still find time for closer moments with a few in particular. In new ways, we get to know characters both from the very beginning of the series as well as the ones introduced this season. How has someone from the original crew like Carol changed? Who is Siddiq, and can he be trusted right now? How are tried and true fighters like Maggie navigating her newly established leadership role?
Carol Peletier and Daryl Dixon
It is fitting that Carol has been suited up in armor this entire season as it is a symbol of the emotional armor she has worn for the past three seasons. For this reason, it is satisfying that Carol has the chance to take off that armor and explore her feelings in this episode. During the intervals of fighting, Carol has a frank talk with Tobin while he is healing from a battle wound. This is the first time she has seen him since she ghosted him (and everyone else) back in season six. She apologizes for leaving him unceremoniously, but more importantly, she admits she was pretending with him. She was just trying to fit in and live, and as soon as things seemed to feel real, she ran off. This might be sad news for Tobin who is clearly smitten with her, but it could be good news for Carol. That she was willing to open up like this and that Tobin's final words (as we find out) are a reminder to her that there will be an "after" suggests Carol might finally be ready to let her guard down -- maybe romantically -- and begin living her life with emotional honesty.
"Caryl" fans, brace yourselves because Carol's goodbye to Tobin could mean that a long-awaited hello is due for someone else. Viewers and cast members alike have speculated endlessly about Carol and Daryl, and many are banking that their seemingly inevitable romantic union will be one of, if not the biggest, emotional payoffs of the show. It is clear how much they love each other and what they mean to each other, so the approach to their possible romance must be fragile. Even Norman Reedus has suggested that if those two characters go in that direction, it will be a slow build and will be "earned." Though they've been growing closer from the beginning, if you trace their interactions starting from their reunion outside of the Kingdom until now, you almost wonder if they already have reached this point with each other. In fact, there might have been a major visual clue suggesting this in episode ten of season seven, "New Best Friends." (Hint: Denim Dreams.) At their fireside impromptu visit, Daryl makes an underhanded joke, asking if he needs to be a king to get any food from Carol. (Here is a refresher on the significance of fruit between Carol and the King).
The moment in the current episode that adds fuel to the Caryl theory is when Carol kills Tobin (and therefore her romantic connection to him), and the first person to bust in on the scene and ask if she is okay is none other than Daryl Dixon. Will this story between them significantly progress before the end of season eight?
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