Hey Rayne-chan! (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥ It's a TWD Ask. I'm so hyped to know you're a Walking Dead fan and love your pairings. Just curious as I read that you weren't sold on the Richonne pairing. Why is that? And also, are you a Darol fan? No pressure to answer if you don't want, I'm just curious because i love how you write characters and would love to hear why certain pairings appeal more than others. Thanks (✿◠‿◠)
Hey there TWD-fan Anon! 💜
I'm so hyped to know you're a Walking Dead fan and love your pairings.
Just curious as I read that you weren't sold on the Richonne pairing. Why is that?
Right you are. Yeah, it just...didn't gel for me. I get it objectively, but I don't feel it. That might have something to do with chemistry. Andrew Lincoln is a bloody brilliant actor. Hell, he sells it.
Pick any character or actor and Andrew could probably make me believe he was head over heels for them if he wanted to😅. Danai, for me personally, isn't telegraphing on the same frequency. Not saying she's not a good actress, I just feel a disconnect from her side when playing off Andrew's energy. It just doesn't translate for me and I can't quite pin it - it's just a feeling. For others, I appreciate that it does translate and they love the pairing, and that's great. I just don't feel it sadly. Chemistry-wise, Andrew seems to carry it. Character-wise, I can't fully make the leap from friends to lovers for Rick and Michonne...I really tried to, but it just didn't quite land for me. I love the idea, but I just don't feel it as it's played out.
And also, are you a Darol fan?
Not anymore. Once upon a time...like...8 seasons go...during the prison arc. Yeah. Back then? I could get on board with that and I even wanted to see it play out.
But I personally felt the showrunners/writers dragged out the whole "will they, won't they" tension until it fizzled out into a more familial kind of bond (same thing with Harvey/Donna if you've ever watched Suits). I think the slow burn can turn into cool ashes if not done right and I really feel the relationship tease just ran lukewarm then cold for me. Don't get me wrong, she was great for Daryl's growth, but it hit a wall at a certain point. And I think that can sometimes be an obstacle as well as a guardrail for him emotionally.
Post-prison Arc, I feel Daryl shrinks or stagnates when he's around Carol. He doesn't seem to expand or plumb any depths. Sure, I feel his love for Carol, but that doesn't read for me as romantic love. I think the chance of that ran its course. In fact, there are times when I've wanted to literally shove Carol out the bloody way (seriously, I get vexed lol) because I feel she might've posed a hurdle to Daryl actually finding the kind of love or connection that will grow him and deepen him...now some could argue Carol does try to encourage him to explore romantic connections (i.e. Connie) and that's fair enough, but I still feel there's an unfinished agenda the writers are pushing (I may be way off here) which annoys me...and has only irritated me further given the Season 2 spin-off with Carol.
So yeah, long story short: I personally don't see Daryl deepening or growing around Carol. It's the same old.
Now, place him with a romantic interest like Connie...and damn, I could wax lyrical about these two. It rings so true. Developed so beautifully. I absolutely love their interactions. The way he is around her is beautiful to watch. And that goes both ways. The layers that are added given that Connie is deaf, Daryl is naturally quiet so it pushes him to be more communicative. She also totally blows the racist "Dixon redneck" shadow of Merle right outta the water. It's just...*chefs kiss*
Even Isabelle (Daryl Dixon spinoff) feels more enaging for me than Carol. How she is with him. The way he looks at her. How their worlds collide. What they go through in a contracted period, with a kid involved too, deepens him.
So yes, put Daryl with Connie or Isabelle and I see growth, challenge, spark, a more self-actualising character. With Carol, their history, their love, feels like comfort zones and safety (nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but it doesn't make for the dynamic I personally champion or engage with in fan ships). I like how he's pushed and somewhat tenderised (painfully or pleasantly) when he's with Connie (💖) and Isabelle. So no, I'm not a Carol fan. Once upon a time, I rooted for it but now I see them as family. Different strokes for different folks, right?
I'm just curious because i love how you write characters and would love to hear why certain pairings appeal more than others. Thanks (✿◠‿◠)
Aw! Thank you so much. 🥰 I'm hugely chuffed you enjoy the way I choreograph characters on my crazy stage. I hope I've answered your question...I could waffle on and on (probably have) so I'll spare you further ramblings. Of course, Rickyl is a pure fangirl dream of mine that doesn't touch on canon-verse (😆🥰), which Connie and Isabelle most definitely do. And I'm so here for it, for them, though I'd lean stronger towards Connie.
Thanks for the ASK, luv! 💖🫶🏼💖