Warning: This article contains minor SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3, episode 3, “El Sacrificio”.Rick Grimes has been the heart and soul of The Walking Dead since the TV series debuted in 2010, but following his final scene in The Ones Who Live, it was unclear if he’d ever return to the franchise. However, a forgotten Grimes family member was finally mentioned for the first time in the TV universe, meaning the protagonist surely must return.

Andrew Lincoln’s best Walking Dead performances as Rick Grimes immortalized the character, making him one of the best leads in television history. This made it hurt even more when he left the main show in 2018, but his return last year in The Ones Who Live helped give Rick a more fitting conclusion while satisfying fans who were desperately awaiting his return.

However, his story still has plenty of room to continue, and there are a few big reunions and unfinished storylines that need resolving before we say goodbye for good. Luckily, Daryl Dixon season 3’s subtle Jeffrey Grimes reference makes another appearance more likely than ever, with Lincoln himself even hinting that conversations on his return are in progress.

The Walking Dead Teasing Jeffrey Grimes Gives Rick Another Big Reason To Return

The Walking Dead certainly didn’t need any more excuses to bring Rick back, but now that his brother, Jeffrey, has been mentioned, there is even more reason to get him back among the main group. During Daryl Dixon‘s latest episode, Carol told Antonio that she had a friend whose brother lived in Spain, all but confirming that Jeffrey exists in the TV universe.

Although there is no guarantee that he’s still alive, the fact that Daryl and Carol are currently in Spain means there is a chance they could encounter Rick’s sibling, which could set up a huge reunion. Likewise, mentioning Jeffrey only to never feature Rick again would feel extremely weird, especially with rumors of a Walking Dead crossover show still lingering.

Therefore, it makes sense to give the iconic survivor a future role, as he could finally get some closure on his brother’s fate, or reveal more about him now that he’s fully focused on his family. Either way, regardless of what The Walking Dead has in store for Jeffrey, the franchise should capitalize on this reference by linking it directly to Rick.

Daryl Dixon’s Story Won’t Be Complete Without An Appearance From Rick

Even if The Walking Dead mentioning Jeffrey was little more than fan service for comic readers, Rick still needs to return for Daryl’s story to feel complete. Daryl has been a fan favorite since the early seasons, making it no surprise that he essentially stepped up as the main protagonist once Rick exited the show.

Since The Walking Dead season 11’s ending, Daryl has continued standing out as he has led his own spinoff show, which is currently on its third season, but despite making for a great lead, his journey has always been intertwined with Rick’s. They managed to overcome their rocky start and grow incredibly close, forming a tight bond that has lasted years.

Daryl even gave up years of his life looking for Rick, yet it has all been for nothing at this point in the timeline. This means if the two never reunite on-screen, Daryl’s Walking Dead story will feel unfinished, making it imperative that Rick at least has one last arc where he embraces his long-term friend, giving loyal fans the payoff they deserve.

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  The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
  

  
  

  7/10

  Release Date

  2023 – 2026-00-00

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    Norman Reedus

    Daryl Dixon

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    Clemence Poesy

    Isabelle Carriere

  
  

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  Created by

  Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard

  First TV Show

  The Walking Dead

  Latest TV Show

  The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

  Upcoming TV Shows

  More Tales from the Walking Dead Universe

  First Episode Air Date

  
  October 31, 2010
  

  Cast

  Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Lennie James

  The Walking Dead is a massive multimedia franchise that began with a comic book series created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The franchise gained widespread popularity with the launch of the television series The Walking Dead in 2010 on AMC, which chronicles the lives of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, referred to as “walkers.” The success of the original show has led to numerous spin-offs, web series, video games, novels, and other media. The franchise explores themes of survival, human nature, and the breakdown of society in the face of an existential threat, making it one of the most successful and influential horror series of the 21st century.