Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol episode 3.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonhas introduced a variety of new zombie variants to the franchise, creating questions about how they were created and what sort of powers they possess. Although zombies have been portrayed asThe Walking Dead’s main threat since the franchise began, the survivors quickly found ways to adapt to them, limiting the impact of the undead. However, this all changed when the show introduced variants. These deadly forms of walkers created new challenges for the central characters and raised more questions about the trueorigins ofThe Walking Dead’s zombie virus.
Despite adding to the franchise’s drama,zombie variants have createdWalking Deadplot holesthat are hard to ignore, but this hasn’t stoppedDaryl Dixonfrom continuing to utilize them. They were a key part of the spinoff’s first season, and have only become more crucial in season 2, reinforcing just how pivotal these mutated zombies are to the franchise’s new direction. Whilevariants are undoubtedly an exciting addition to the series, some viewers may be confused about what they can actually do and how they even exist, but thankfully,Daryl Dixonseems to have provided the answers.
Daryl Dixon’s Variants Were Created By Genet’s Pouvoir Du Vivant Group
The Spinoff Has Shown Genet Experimenting With Zombies To Create Variants
AlthoughDaryl Dixonhas kept some details concealed about zombie variants, the show has confirmed that Genet is responsible for creating them. While she didn’t make every unique zombie type, her experiments seem to have played a big role in transforming normal walkers into modified versions of the undead with enhanced abilities.Daryl Dixonhas helped explain the virus' originsin more detail by showing flashbacks to the outbreak in France while confirming that zombies originated in the country. As a result, Genet and Pouvoir naturally have advanced knowledge of the virus, which her experiments have helped emphasize.
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Genet’s leadership, alongside her scientists' expert understanding of the outbreak, has led to the faction trying to create stronger zombies. While there was presumably a large amount of trial and error involved,Daryl Dixonseason 1 showed that Pouvoir’s attempts to create variants were a success since Daryl and Quinn had to fight multiple zombies that were modified by Genet. Even if Pouvoir Du Vivant isn’t responsible for every variant, it seems they have created a large number in France, and their presence will likely continue to grow stronger asDaryl Dixonprogresses.
What We Know About How Pouvoir’s Scientists Make Variant Zombies
American Zombies Appear To Be A Key Part Of Creating Variants
Pouvoir’s method of making zombie variants may not be the most ethical, but it certainly has been effective. For unknown reasons, the villainous faction rounded up zombies from America, which seems to be a key part of the process when it comes to creating variants. Whether it’s to do with the DNA or another potential variable,American zombies are clearly needed rather than France’s undead. Additionally, traveling across the ocean would also indicate that most of France’s neighboring countries and potentially all of Europe’s walkers aren’t eligible for the experiment, although the specific reasons remain a bit of a mystery.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonhas been renewed for a third season which will take place in Spain.
Using American zombies, Pouvoir has managed to make some sort of substance that is injected into the test subjects. Season 1 showed a walker being shot up with this chemical and immediately transforming, and season 2 highlighted that this injection could also be used on dead humans before they’ve turned. While there are still mysteries over some of the specifics regarding Pouvoir’s experiments,Daryl Dixonshowcased zombie variants attackingeach other in season 1, proving that the substance modifies the undead’s behavior significantly, making the creation of variants a complicated yet highly successful process.
Which Powers & Abilities Daryl Dixon’s Variant Zombies Have
Some Of Daryl Dixon’s Unique Zombies Have Acidic Blood, Enhanced Strength, & Glowing Skin
Zombie variants have had different abilities and distinctions throughout multipleWalking Deadshows, butDaryl Dixonhas some of the most interesting types. Burners were the first new addition to the spinoff, which are essentially zombies with acidic blood, making them highly dangerous. Daryl experienced their power firsthand as he was grabbed by one, leaving a burn mark on his skin.Strong zombies have been the most commonly used variant inDaryl Dixon, and they are as advertised. These stronger, more aggressive walkers are less predictable than the infected that survivors are used to, and they even attack each other.
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Strong zombies seem to be the type of variant Genet favors, and she looks to be building an army of them to attack L’Union. They could fall under the category of cohorts, as they reanimate quickly and appear faster and more durable than regular zombies, making them some of the deadliest types of the undead in the entire franchise. Although they haven’t appeared yet, season 2’s trailer teasedDaryl Dixonintroducing glowing zombie variants, which could be yet another new form.
These glowing zombies still have unknown abilities as of now, but their unique design suggests they could possess some unexpected abilities. It’s possible these variants are like some of the grassy ones seen in season 2, episode 2, or the rock zombies spotted inThe Ones Who Live, which have no real abilities. Still, untilDaryl Dixonreveals the full extent of the glowing zombies' powers, they remain an ominous threat.
Genet’s Involvement In The US Could Be Why America Has Begun To See A Rise In Variants
While zombie variants have been used heavily inDaryl Dixon, they have shown up in several other shows, includingThe Walking Deadseason 11. Given that variants are being made in France, it may seem confusing as to how they showed up in America, but Genet’s trips to the US could explain it. Her need for American zombies has led to her setting up a ship that constantly travels across seas, meaning Pouvoir has a subtly big presence in the US. Therefore, it’s possible that some zombies were injected with the variant chemical while Pouvoir was in America.
Pouvoir’s ships also docked relatively close to the Commonwealth, hence why there may have been a variant increase in season 11.
Why the group would want to waste variants in America is unclear, but it could have been a possible mistake or oversight. Pouvoir’s ships also docked relatively close to the Commonwealth, hence why there may have been a variant increase in season 11. WhileGenet and Pouvoir’s villainous plans inDaryl Dixonseem to have been years in the making, they may have only found a way to America recently, explaining why these modified zombies still feel so new. Although the connection is far from certain, it seems thatGenet could be responsible for The Walking Dead season 11’s variants.
Variants Have Been Around Since The Beginning Of The Apocalypse
Despite how exciting variants have been in the past few years, they create one plot hole that is difficult to explain.Daryl Dixonhas put a heavy emphasis on Genet and Pouvoir being the reason variants exist in France, butWorld Beyond’s post-credit scenecontradicts this by highlighting that they have been in France pretty much since the beginning. A recorded video by Dr. Jenner suggested whichever scientist he was talking to mentioned variants during their last conversation, and given he was killed off toward the beginning of the apocalypse, France’s unique zombies must have been around since then.
World Beyond’s post-credit scene also showed a woman being killed and quickly reanimating before running, suggesting Genet’s substance isn’t the only reason variants exist.
World Beyond’s post-credit scene also showed a woman being killed and quickly reanimating before running, suggesting Genet’s substance isn’t the only reason variants exist. With the franchise hinting at the zombie virus starting in France, it also seems likely that variants originated there too, long before Genet started experimenting on zombies. Hopefully,Daryl Dixonwill clarify how Genet gained the knowledge about creating variants and why they existed before her involvement; otherwise, it will remain a frustrating mystery that continues to make these new zombie types confusing, despite how fun they are.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
In a post-apocalyptic France, the series follows Daryl Dixon as he navigates the complexities of a new landscape. Separated from his familiar world, Daryl faces unexpected challenges and forges new alliances while confronting the lingering threats of a walker-infested reality.
