This Season of The Walking Dead: Are they gearing up for a Daryl/Carol pairing?

Ew, just ew. If this happens, I'm going to be pissed.

Good God I hope not. If you can remember season 2 of The Walking Dead, you may have noticed the growing closeness between Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier after her daughter Sophia went missing. Initially, I thought this mini-storyline was a good thing. Daryl shows a much softer side to his character. He's not as harsh and anti-social and he clearly is starting to care for the group. Carol manages to bring out the compassionate part of Daryl's personality, previously unseen in season 1. I will admit that she's been very good for him. However, I don't trust Carol.

At the end of the season 2 finale, Carol is seen encouraging Daryl to leave Rick and the group and to go off on their own. Carol further states that she "wants a man of honor." She clearly sees Daryl as a strong alpha male that can protect her, but not mistreat her the way her husband did. Daryl's loyalty to Rick is stronger than any platonic feelings he may have for Carol, but that didn't stop her from attempting to manipulate him into taking over leadership of the group or chucking the group aside entirely and setting off as a duo. The way she's latched onto Daryl is worrisome. Her behavior towards the end of last season made me question if she truly cares for Daryl or is just using him as a means to survive. She still blames Rick for her idiot daughter wandering off and getting bitten by a walker. Never mind the fact that her daughter was old enough to find her way back and didn't HAVE to run off into the woods away from the group when that walker came after her. Nope, it's ALLLLL Rick's fault. Since she's feeling resentful towards Rick, she no longer sees him fit to lead their group. There wasn't much choice for a replacement after Rick. Shane went batshit crazy and then is killed by Rick, Glenn is too weak (and also very loyal to Rick), Dale was too old and was fatally disemboweled by a walker, T-Dog is just... well, there but almost a waste of a character. That just leaves the good ole boy Daryl.

I think this new season will see the group splintering apart even more and further questioning Rick's  leadership. Especially after the big reveal at the end of the season 2 finale over the truth about the zombie apocalypse. Also, let's not forget Rick's breakdown and his declaration that the group is "no longer a democracy." We've seen Rick's struggle to lead and keep not just his own family alive but everyone else as well. The entire group is already doubting Rick can continue on with Maggie also trying to convince Glenn to leave Rick and everyone else and go off with her. Granted, I don't see Maggie being as conniving as Carol. I think it will be interesting to see how far Carol takes her machinations to convince Daryl to do her bidding. Assuming they continue their storylines in that direction. Word is, Daryl's brother, Merle will be making a reappearance, presumably working with the Governor. If that's the case, then we will see Daryl being pulled in two directions plenty this season: his love for his brother butting heads with his loyalty to Rick. I'm excited to see some more internal conflict with Daryl's character.

Season 3 of The Walking Dead premieres Sunday, October 14th at 9pm EST on AMC.