“The Walking Dead” is, without a doubt, my favorite show of all time. Yet, even as a die-hard fan, I’m the first to admit the flagship series eventually lost its stride, and several of its spinoffs have failed to live up to the legacy left behind by the main show. Unfortunately, “Daryl Dixon” fell into that same familiar trap by the time season 3 rolled around.
“Daryl Dixon” takes the iconic, crossbow-wielding survivor far from home, washing him ashore in a bleak, post-apocalyptic France, which is the very birthplace of the zombie virus. Tasked with protecting and escorting a young boy believed to be the savior of humanity, Daryl must navigate mutated walker variants and hostile local factions in his grueling quest to find a way back to America. It kicked off with immense promise, only to suffer from the franchise's classic issue of being needlessly dragged out.
Still, with season 3 officially dropping on Netflix, there is no better time to catch up if you are a franchise completionist who loves these characters. But if you are someone who only finished the main show, or are completely new to the wider universe, there is a far superior spinoff you should stream instead: “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.”
‘The Ones Who Live’ is the best ‘Walking Dead’ spinoff
There have been quite a few “Walking Dead” spinoffs now, and while I’m biased and will say they all have their own unique identity, it’s “The Ones Who Live” that stood out the most. Not only does it bring back the main star, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), but it also offers a deeply moving love story that the franchise hasn’t explored much so far.
If you didn’t know already, it centers around the rescue mission that finally unites Rick Grimes and Michonne. Trapped in different corners of a changing world and hunted by a military force, the two must fight through legions of the dead to return home.
“The Ones Who Live” was originally planned as a trilogy of feature-length theatrical films focused entirely on Rick, but I’m glad they chose to turn it into a series instead. The extra time allowed the show to explore Rick’s trauma and Michonne’s determination to find him, making their eventual reunion feel even more powerful. Directed in part by acclaimed duo Bert and Bertie, the series trades the usual zombie-of-the-week formula for a darker, more emotional, and romantic story that moves with real urgency.
Prepare to have some tissues on hand, though, because this series is an absolute emotional rollercoaster. There is a powerful wave of nostalgia that hits the second Rick walks back onto the screen, but your heart will instantly ache once you realize just how brutal his survival journey has been.
Rest assured, Rick hasn't gone soft, nor has he settled into his new reality under the CRM. His desperate, unwavering devotion to his family is the relentless engine that drives this entire narrative.
The groundwork for this reunion was cleverly laid during the 2022 series finale of “The Walking Dead,” which teased the star-crossed pair writing letters from different corners of the wasteland. If you've been paying attention, this spinoff beautifully connects those dots, tying up years of breadcrumbs left behind since Rick's departure. There is a genuine, cinematic satisfaction in watching all those scattered puzzle pieces finally lock into place without the story being dragged out.
Stream "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live" on AMC+
