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The Walking Dead: Diverged – Daryl’s on the Road (to Nowhere), Carol’s Losing It (Again), and the Silence is Deafening (Season 10, Episode 21)

Originally aired: March 28, 2021. 2.10 million viewers tuned in for this character-driven episode. Written by Heather Bellson and directed by David Boyd.

The Road Not Taken (and the One That Leads to a Breakdown):

“Diverged” picks up with Carol and Daryl still reeling from their argument in “Find Me.” They’re both hurting, they’re both exhausted, and they’re both trying to find their way in a world that seems to be falling apart around them. But instead of facing their problems together, they choose to go their separate ways, both literally and figuratively.

Key Plot Points:

• The Silent Treatment: “See Ya Later, Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya!”: The episode opens with Carol and Daryl walking in silence, the tension between them so thick you could cut it with a knife (or a Whisperer’s fingernail). They reach a fork in the road, and Carol, without a word, chooses a different path. Daryl watches her go, his expression a mix of confusion, hurt, and maybe a little bit of anger. Carol and Daryl: the friends who are now strangers (or maybe just really bad at communication).!
• Carol’s Home Alone: “Where’s the Duct Tape When You Need It?”: Carol returns to Alexandria, hoping to find some peace and normalcy. But the community is eerily quiet, and her own thoughts and emotions are anything but peaceful. She tries to keep busy, fixing things around the house and cooking a meal, but everything seems to go wrong. Her frustration and her guilt over her past actions are bubbling to the surface, and it’s clear that she’s on the verge of a breakdown. Carol Peletier: the woman who can kill a horde of walkers but can’t fix a leaky faucet.
• Dog: The Therapist Who Doesn’t Judge (But Also Eats Your Dinner): Daryl’s dog, Dog (yes, that’s his name), follows Carol home, offering her some much-needed companionship. She talks to him, she confides in him, and she even lets him sleep in her bed (because who needs human interaction when you’ve got a furry friend?). But Dog also manages to knock over her carefully prepared soup, adding to her frustration and her sense of isolation. Dog: the best listener in Alexandria (and maybe the worst dinner guest).!
• The Rat Race: Carol vs. the Wall: Carol, in a moment of pure frustration (and maybe a little bit of insanity), becomes obsessed with catching a rat that’s been scurrying around in the walls of her house. She tears the place apart, destroying the kitchen and leaving a trail of debris in her wake. It’s a symbolic act, representing her own internal struggle to control her emotions and her desire to destroy everything that reminds her of her past mistakes. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s not afraid to take down a wall (or a rat) to get what she wants.
• Daryl’s Road Trip from Hell: “This is Why I Hate Motorcycles”: Daryl’s journey back to Alexandria is also fraught with challenges. His motorcycle breaks down, he loses his knife, and he’s forced to rely on his wits and his survival skills to make it back home. It’s a frustrating and exhausting experience, and it mirrors his emotional state – he’s lost, he’s alone, and he’s not sure where he’s going or what he’s doing. Daryl Dixon: the man who’s always got a scowl on his face (and a knack for getting into trouble).!
• The Reunion That Wasn’t: “Awkward…”: Carol and Daryl finally make it back to Alexandria, but their reunion is anything but heartwarming. They don’t speak, they don’t hug, and they don’t even make eye contact. They’re both still hurting, and the distance between them is palpable. Carol feeds Dog, who chooses to stay with her instead of going back to Daryl, further emphasizing the rift in their friendship. Carol and Daryl: the friends who are now more like strangers.

Themes and Meanings:

• Isolation: The Enemy Within: “Diverged” explores the theme of isolation and the different ways that people cope with it. Carol’s self-destruction and Daryl’s solitary struggles highlight the emotional toll that the apocalypse can take on even the strongest survivors. They’re both hurting, they’re both lost, and they’re both trying to find their way back to themselves. The Walking Dead: where isolation is a constant threat.
• Communication: The Lost Art: The lack of verbal communication between Carol and Daryl in this episode is a powerful statement about their inability to express their emotions and their fear of vulnerability. They’ve always been there for each other, but their recent struggles have created a barrier between them, and they’re not sure how to break it down. The Walking Dead: where words can be as deadly as weapons.
• Friendship: The Ties That Bind (and Break): Carol and Daryl’s fractured friendship is a central theme of the episode. They’ve been through so much together, but their shared trauma and their different approaches to survival are threatening to tear them apart. It’s a heartbreaking reminder that even the strongest bonds can be broken in the apocalypse, and that sometimes, the people you love the most are the ones who hurt you the most. The Walking Dead: where even the best of friends can become strangers.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• The fork in the road that Carol and Daryl encounter at the beginning of the episode is a symbolic representation of the diverging paths they’re taking. They’re both trying to find their way, but they’re heading in different directions, and it’s unclear if they’ll ever find their way back to each other. The fork in the road: a metaphor for the choices we make and the paths we choose.
• Carol’s obsession with the rat and her destruction of the kitchen are a reflection of her own self-destructive tendencies. She’s trying to control something, anything, in a world that feels chaotic and unpredictable. Carol Peletier: the woman who’s always one step away from the edge.
• Daryl’s struggles with fixing his motorcycle and making a new knife symbolize his dependence on Carol and his difficulty in functioning without her. He’s used to having her by his side, and he’s not sure how to navigate the world on his own. Daryl Dixon: the lone wolf who’s lost his pack.

Stats and Stuff:

• Viewer Ratings: 2.10 million U.S. viewers (a quieter episode, but still a significant audience).
• Critical Reception: Mixed-to-positive reviews, with some praising the character development and others criticizing the slow pace.
• Carol & Daryl Focus: This is one of the few episodes that focuses solely on Carol and Daryl, offering a rare glimpse into their complex relationship.

My Final Verdict:

“Diverged” is a quiet but powerful episode that explores the emotional and psychological toll of the apocalypse on two of the most beloved characters in “The Walking Dead.” Carol and Daryl’s separation, their individual struggles, and their unspoken pain all contribute to the episode’s poignant and introspective atmosphere. This is “The Walking Dead” at its most human, reminding us that even in a world filled with walkers and Whisperers, the most important battles are often the ones we fight within ourselves. What did you think of the episode? Were you worried about Carol and Daryl’s friendship? Let’s discuss in the comments!