Fans have been shipping Daryl and Carol since Season 2 when the top priority was finding Sophia. Although there hasn’t been an official romance akin to Glenn and Maggie, the two have shared a special bond since the beginning. “There’s a definitely a spark of a relationship there,” Norman Reedus hinted to Express earlier this year. We asked fans like you on Twitter which Carol and Daryl moments were their favorite and compiled them chronologically below.
The Cherokee Rose (Season 2, Episode 4)
@TheWalkingDead When it all began. When the Legend of The Cherokee Rose relinquished its former meaning and became a metaphor for #Caryl pic.twitter.com/1XkbSgc8DY
— Sarah J. Crist (@ubiquitousurn) April 26, 2017
The Daryl/Carol bond really started during the massive man-hunt to find Sophia back in Season 2. Daryl was hell-bent on finding her and became closer to Carol in the process. To keep her spirits up he gifted her a metaphor Cherokee Rose for hope.
@TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/PDYyrvs6Og
— maddie ❀➹ (@peletierspookie) April 26, 2017
The Appreciation (Season 2, Episode 5)
@TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/mYeV1f1Z6H
— Melanie (@darylspeletier) April 26, 2017
While recovering from Andrea’s errant gunshot wound, Daryl’s visited by Carol who thanks him for searching for Sophia. He brushes it off and tells her it’s nothing Rick or Shane wouldn’t do, too. She kisses his forehead and replies, “You’re every bit as good as them.”
The Devastation (Season 2, Episode 5)
@TheWalkingDead This moment .. pic.twitter.com/WTAmlrtvH6
— marcia angela (@marcia_nang) April 26, 2017
SIGH. After what seemed like an eternity of searching it turned out Carol’s missing daughter Sophia was dead and in Hershel’s barn the whole time. Carol ran over and collapsed when she found out and who was there to comfort her? Daryl.
The Confrontation (Season 2, Episode 9)
@TheWalkingDead When Daryl lashes out. And Carol absorbs his emotion. Because their bond had already taken hold. And they were learning how to handle it. pic.twitter.com/KQAclsSxng
— Sarah J. Crist (@ubiquitousurn) April 26, 2017
Surprisingly, Carol skipped Sophia’s funeral and tore up Daryl’s Cherokee Rose bush, prompting him to go off. As hurtful as we was, they didn’t stay angry for long and eventually made up.
The Almost Hook-Up (Season 3, Episode 1)
@TheWalkingDead That time when it was so romantic, they could have screwed around. And Daryl could go down first. Which was even better. #Caryl pic.twitter.com/NIkJyTP927
— Sarah J. Crist (@ubiquitousurn) April 26, 2017
Caryl fans ALMOST got their wish early when Carol teased they should hook-up, but Daryl laughed it off. They were so close!
The Save (Season 3, Episode 4)
@TheWalkingDead When Daryl thought Carol was dead. He had put a Cherokee Rose on her grave. He had lost her. He was alone. And then. Suddenly. He found her. pic.twitter.com/6AtrLutxUc
— Sarah J. Crist (@ubiquitousurn) April 26, 2017
After Carol went missing for a bit in the prison Daryl assumed the worst. He slashed and chopped every walker in sight and slumped down to the floor in total grief UNTIL he miraculously located Carol in a room nearby. Daryl’s completely relieved and gladly carries her to safety.
The Advice (Season 3, Episode 11)
@TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/7qdSbyhtr5
— laur (@BEAUSVIBES) April 26, 2017
Daryl seemed to be the only one excited to see Merle return, but Carol made sure to offer her two cents on the matter.
The Pookie/Bump (Season 4, Episode 1)
@TheWalkingDead Pookie for the Win! pic.twitter.com/Xa4A7nOrh0
— Smeary (@Smeary) April 26, 2017
@TheWalkingDead This bump is my very specific, absolutely favorite Caryl moment of all time 🙂 pic.twitter.com/leHMdoAwfL
— Jen (@ZedWordJen) April 26, 2017
That moment when Carol called Daryl “pookie” and he flirtatiously bumped her may have seemed subtle but Caryl shippers could watch gif on loop for hours. There was also this cute nugget from the episode:
@TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/BntYZ62eKy
— ane (@favesdinah) April 26, 2017
The Reunion (Season 5, Episode 1)
@TheWalkingDead Omg I just can't choose… I love every Caryl moments but I can't wait for them being canon in S8, right?! ^^ pic.twitter.com/hqZcVh700R
— Marlène Laplume ? (@Mariloune) April 26, 2017
This post-Terminus reunion might be the most emotional ones yet.
The Tease (Season 5, Episode 6)
@TheWalkingDead That time in "Consumed" when they were together. Like this. And it was one of the biggest "will they, won't they" teases in #Caryl history. pic.twitter.com/yezmnimtOu
— Sarah J. Crist (@ubiquitousurn) April 26, 2017
It seemed like something MIGHT have happened between Daryl and Carol in that abandoned office building, but alas, they were interrupted by some walkers.
The Van (Season 5, Episode 6)
@TheWalkingDead Every Caryl Moment is GOLD pic.twitter.com/4phkGItTkv
— sil (@SilvanaMon) April 26, 2017
Daryl and Carol somehow survived falling off a bridge in a van. Although they were a little roughed up, they walked away together.
@TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/UhtrzWQLrd
— Melanie (@darylspeletier) April 26, 2017
The Sympathy (Season 5, Episode 8)
@TheWalkingDead This was my favorite moment, just her touching his shoulder after he killed Dawn and after Dawn killed Beth pic.twitter.com/qubFUh7NCk
— Chelsea #RomanEmpire (@ShieldWoman512) April 26, 2017
Daryl and Carol always seem to be together during the tough moments. In this instance, Carol subtly comforted Daryl following Beth’s tragic death.
The Other Reunion (Season 6, Episode 13)
@TheWalkingDead When Daryl was terrified for Carol's safety. The moment he's able to find his way to her, he reaches for her, holds her. He won't let go… pic.twitter.com/8EicR2zYSF
— Sarah J. Crist (@ubiquitousurn) April 26, 2017
Carol and Daryl had yet another reunion after Carol and Maggie miraculously escaped the Savior compound they were being held in.
The Warning (Season 7, Episode 10)
OK, this moment may not actually involve Carol in it, BUT it’s still incredible. In Season 7 Daryl quickly put together that the woman Richard was secretly planning on using as a sacrifice to lure the Kingdom into war was in fact Carol. And then, Daryl had this to say:
@TheWalkingDead Quite possibly the most powerful speech in the history of their story. A testament to how deeply connected they are. A declaration of love. pic.twitter.com/QMH71wF0wz
— Sarah J. Crist (@ubiquitousurn) April 26, 2017
The Omission (Season 7, Episode 10)
@TheWalkingDead The hug is awesome, but him sparing her the pain of knowing Glenn's fate really was special. He was looking out for her, like no other.
— Becky O (@potterphyle) April 26, 2017
Daryl and Carol’s reunion and hug in the back half of Season 7 was emotional. “I don’t even know if that hug was in the script,” Norman Reedus told Variety. “Our first rehearsal of that scene, everyone was crying. Everyone on set was waiting for that to happen. We were waiting for it to happen as much as everyone on the show was. Everyone was like, ‘F—, finally.'” The emotion was accentuated when Carol asked Daryl if everyone was OK and he lied to protect her from the devastation.
Did we miss any? What were YOUR favorite Caryl moments? Tell us in the comments!
I thought Carol found out Sophia was dead in the barn in 207 as opposed to 205? Idk but it definitely is one of the best Caryl moments
Mine is the season five hug.
BTW you forgot in second half of season five just before the barn and Aaron when Daryl kept going off from the group to scavenge and Carol followed him and said it was ok to cry about Beth.
Tell Mr. Kirkman to stop playing, c*ckblocking these two and just make it happen. Love every single moment between Carol and Daryl