Warning: spoilers ahead for Daryl Dixon episode 6.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1 has reached its conclusion, and the finale's ambiguous ending will change the franchise forever. After six episodes, Daryl's spinoff closes the curtain on its debut season, and while some storylines wrap up neatly, the last scenes keep audiences guessing as to what comes next. Daryl Dixon season 2 is teased through this open ending. AMC already confirmed the spinoff would be getting another season, indicating that Daryl's story in France was never going to be completed in just one run. Season 1's conclusion, however, is the sort of ultimatum that may alter the future of the franchise completely.

Although spinoffs may be the current direction AMC is heading with The Walking Dead, some characters are bound to crossover eventually, and Daryl Dixon's final scene with Carol confirms as much. Reuniting the show's main characters seems an inevitability, yet Daryl's spinoff suggests Daryl himself may not be involved. With the Daryl Dixon season 1 ending showing Daryl torn between boarding the ship that would return him to the US and staying in France for Laurent, a major question arises for season 2 to answer. For as much tension and intrigue as this creates, it also throws the future of the franchise into question.

Related: The Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon Cast & Character Guide

If Daryl Dixon Stays, It Rewrites His Walking Dead Past

The idea of Daryl Dixon staying in France is polarizing, since it would rewrite his Walking Dead history. Daryl's goal upon arriving in France was to get back home to the Commonwealth, however, this wouldn't have been possible without meeting Laurent. Watching Daryl and Laurent's relationship grow from a simple mission to genuinely caring about each other has been a heart-warming journey. Nevertheless, the prospect of Daryl staying and abandoning his friends in the US for Laurent and Isabelle does seem hard to believe. While France has impacted Daryl's life significantly, he is the type of character who would sacrifice this potential happiness to get home to his true family.

Daryl has undeniably developed a bond to those he met in France, and seems to even enjoy life at the Nest, but this surely cannot replace the decade-long friendships he built during The Walking Dead. Rick Grimes' return was teased in Daryl Dixon, and the possibility that Daryl would give up on finding Rick after all this time goes against his fundamental principles. He also knows how much it would mean to Judith and RJ to bring Rick home, while the likes of Carol and Connie are also hoping Daryl will return. If Daryl were to give all of them up for Laurent and Isabelle, it would be rewriting the entire character of this fan-favorite hero.

Daryl Dixon Staying In France Would Change The Walking Dead's Future Too

If Daryl ultimately opts to stay in France, it will change the future of The Walking Dead. Daryl being in Europe permanently makes it much harder for him to be involved in crossover projects down the line. While it looks like Carol will be a major part of Daryl Dixon season 2, her presence will likely come via traveling to France herself, which very few other characters will do. Unless he decides to leave, Daryl will not be part of the war against the CRM, which looks to be a future storyline, and he would even miss a potential reunion with Rick Grimes, which would represent a huge loss for the franchise.

With a potential Walking Dead season 12 set up, Daryl being in France would ruin his chances of being significantly involved in anything beyond his own spinoff. Daryl's relocation would also add to an already fractured cast, as the main The Walking Dead characters continue to separate more and more. Rick and Michonne have both been away from the main group for a long time, The Walking Dead: Dead City confirmed that Maggie relocated Hilltop, and even Negan is stuck in Manhattan. Daryl staying in France would continue this theme, and divide the main characters almost beyond repair.

How Daryl Can Still Be Involved In The Wider TWD Franchise If He Stays In France

While it may prove difficult, Daryl could still be involved in the wider Walking Dead franchise - even from France. The allies he has made in France could always help in a potential fight, perhaps against a large group like the CRM. With the ongoing hope that The Walking Dead's survivors will one day be able to return to proper civilization, overseas travel could soon become more common. Air travel may be a little far-fetched, but boats are clearly still operating in the post-apocalyptic world, and could either allow Daryl to travel to America, or offer the chance for other survivors to visit France.

Radios have already been commonly used throughout the franchise, meaning Daryl could potentially contact the Commonwealth from the Nest, and vice versa. This would allow Norman Reedus to take a break from playing Daryl if needed, while still keeping his character within touching distance of a potential return. When Daryl is needed again, establishing some form of international travel and contact would let him be involved in any upcoming crossover storylines. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1's ending does not guarantee Daryl will stay in France, but if he does, there are still options to keep him involved in the franchise, even in a reduced capacity.