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"Solaz del Mar" is the seventh and final episode of the third season of AMC's The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. It is the nineteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on October 19, 2025. It was written by David Zabel & Jason Richman and directed by Daniel Percival.
Plot
Daryl and Carol find themselves caught up in community affairs, grappling with internal conflicts and an ongoing war; Carol tries to help Roberto, who is injured; Fede doesn't trust Carol.
Synopsis
A pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago stops at the statue of St. James near Valentina's Lighthouse to pay his respects and picks up Laurent's Rubik's Cube. The pilgrim removes his hood, revealing himself to be Stéphane Codron. Having survived his experiences in the Chunnel, Stéphane stares in wonder at the Rubik's Cube, seemingly recognizing it as the one belonging to his young friend.
Carol arrives at the lighthouse where Rodo and Daniel help Roberto inside. After dark, Carol explains to Valentina that the plan was for Antonio to sneak out after dark and meet up at the lighthouse. Valentina points out that it's only been a few hours, but Carol is worried because Antonio stood up to Fede and called him out in public and Fede isn't likely to let that go.
Sergio beats Antonio and stops Marco from helping him. Antonio declares that his son is safe now which is the only thing that matters to him, but Fede tells Antonio that "you've made yourself a problem. You and your little friend, Mr. Dixon. So, one way or another, you're going to tell me -- where is he? And what the hell is he up to?"
Daryl and Paz arrive in Seville where a man is gathering volunteers to work as laborers for El Alcázar's Matching event. Looking out at Alcázar of Seville, Paz remembers being beaten by El Alcázar soldiers during her attempt to rescue Elena years before and a man stabbing her. Paz confirms to Daryl that the palace is El Alcázar and tells him how she was abandoned to die on the road like trash. Afterwards, she gave up and lost all hope. "A friend of mine used to say "bet on hope." French people -- they talk like that," Daryl recalls. Paz reassures Daryl that she didn't come all of this way just to give up again and at Daryl's suggestion, they join the El Alcázar work detail.
Carol tells Roberto that sometimes people tell lies to protect the ones they love, but Roberto feels that his father is a coward, having gotten Roberto's mother killed and hid it from him. Carol states that while Roberto is too young to remember the world before the Trials, but for some people, it just got easier to stop thinking about the future because it was easier to stop believing that they could ever be happy. However, one thing that Antonio never did was to give up on Roberto. Roberto insists that they can't do anything to help his father, and they just have to wait for Daryl and Justina to get back so that they can leave on the boat. Regardless, Carol refuses to abandon Antonio and is going to go back for him.
Justina gets ready for the Matching ceremony and watches in the mirror as Guillermo and Elena talk. Guillermo notes that they were lucky to make it out of Barcelona and Elena agrees that it was very scary. Guillermo furiously reveals that he saw how his wife looked at Paz during the failed rescue attempt in Barcelona, the same look Guillermo also saw her giving Paz in Solaz del Mar. Guillermo walks away and Justina exchanges a look with two girls cleaning the floors in the courtyard below. Elena brings Justina her dress for the ceremony and Justina begs for her help to escape. However, Elena refuses, stating that she and Paz aren't children anymore and she never should've gone back to Solaz. El Alcázar is Elena's home now, but it will never be Justina's. Justina wonders if she will be able to go home if no man chooses her before witnessing two soldiers beating up the servant girls. Elena warns Justina that if she's not chosen, Justina will end up like those girls or worse.
The workers, including Daryl and Paz, are driven into El Alcázar.
Rodo and Daniel arrive at Solaz where Gustavo asks about the purpose of their visit. The two men lie that they're going to the store and in the back are wooden buttons for shirts, octopus and a crate of French mustard that washed ashore. Gustavo lets them through the gate, unaware that Carol is hiding in the back of the truck.
The workers are given masks that they must wear at all times which Paz explains is so that the nobles don't have to look the workers in the face. Daryl and Paz pass through the Hall of the Ambassadors, carrying chairs for the ceremony.
Marga walks through Solaz where people are having hushed conversations and giving her looks. Marga warns her son that there are rumors that he sent Justina away, naming Carol as one source. Fede denies it, asking if his mother will believe her son over a stranger who washed up with the tide. Marga seemingly concedes, but warns Fede that he must convince his people, telling her son to give the people an answer to their questions and leave no room for doubt.
The people gather by the strappado in the square where Fede gives a speech, declaring that he loves Solaz and the family that they've become, forgetting at times what happened to their world. Watching from hiding, Rodo translates for Carol as Fede talks about how they lived in peace here, but no longer. Fede blames himself for helping and welcoming the Americans. Fede asks what they got in return for their kindness and has Sergio uncover the corpses of Manuel, Monteser and the other El Alcázar soldier killed by Daryl days before. Fede reveals that the men are El Alcázar soldiers who were killed in Solaz by their American guests. The Americans got away while Solaz got a traitor. Fede has Antonio put into the strappado, declaring that El Alcázar would expect justice and Antonio's death will serve as a warning until they return. Rodo keeps Carol from going to Antonio's aid as he's lifted screaming into the air. Fede offers to release Antonio if he tells Fede what he wants to know.
At night, the El Alcázar nobles enjoy a marionette show with walkers being manipulated by people controlling them via strings serving as the "puppets." Refilling glasses, Paz points out the king and queen of Spain who are sitting at a table right in front of the stage, to Daryl. After the play is over, the king gives a speech to his people. "If we are to win this war, between the living and the dead, the flame of human consciousness, must keep burning. This is my duty as your king. And someday, Guillermo will carry on. Along with his beautiful future queen, Elena."
A gramophone record is started as the girls chosen in La Ofrenda are lined up on a small stage in front of the courtyard's fountain. The king declares that the Matching isn't just a ritual, but a vow these young people will take, a promise that they make to the future. Various young men each select a girl, choosing a rose that symbolizes the girl that they have chosen. Guillermo knows that this must be hard for his wife, and threateningly suggests that he needs to remind Elena what her place is. As Felipe chooses between the last three girls, including Justina and Gabriella, Justina removes her ponytail and Felipe chooses her. As she climbs off of the stage, Justina catches Daryl's eye and seems to recognize her friend even behind his mask, distracting the girl for a moment. The frightened remaining two girls are led away by El Alcázar soldiers. Justina hides a knife up her sleeve as Daryl tells Paz that he's still working on a plan and walks away.
Still dangling in the strappado, a weakened Antonio is surprised when Carol shows up with Rodo and Daniel. Carol reassures her friend that Roberto is safe, and they are going to take Antonio to his son. The three had to wait until it was clear before they could act. Antonio is freed, but as they attempt to make their escape, three men nearby spot them and open fire. While Rodo and Daniel stay behind to provide covering fire, Carol escapes with Antonio.
Daryl sneaks backstage where the overseer finds him. Daryl knocks the man out with a headbutt and cuts the walkers loose with his sword. The walkers fall off-stage onto the unaware nobles, causing chaos to break out. Having been at the table directly in front of the stage, the king and queen are amongst the first to be devoured. Guillermo and Elena flee while Felipe agrees to take Justina with him. Daryl orders Paz to get Elena and meet him back at their vehicles. Throwing a small lantern at the stage curtains, Daryl starts a fire as he chases after Justina. As chaos reigns, Daryl spots the Ofrenda girls huddled around a fire before continuing on.
Carol and Antonio hide behind a pillar from Fede's men before Carmen calls them inside of her house. Carmen and Alba lead the two upstairs to hide.
Sergio reports that two men were helping Carol and that they came in a vehicle from the lighthouse, meaning that someone let them in the gate. Sergio knows that Carol and Antonio can't get far on foot, but Fede won't risk it and orders Sergio to release Solaz's walker patrol into the streets.
Paz finds Elena's room, frightening her at first before Paz removes her mask. The two women embrace before a young boy, Pablo, enters. Elena asks the young boy why he isn't asleep, and Paz finally understands why her girlfriend had to come back to El Alcázar: she has a son with Guillermo Torres who was waiting for her at home. Paz and Pablo greet each other and Elena introduces Paz as her dearest friend. Paz warns Elena that they don't have much time if Elena and Pablo want to go with her. Elena agrees, and goes into the other room with her son to pack their things. As Paz collects herself, a guard comes in, and Paz hits him with a throwing knife. Paz goes to finish him off, but is knocked out by a blow from the other side of the door.
In both a flashback and the present, Paz is dragged across the ground. In the flashback, it's revealed that the man who had stabbed her was Guillermo who is the man who had captured her in the present. "I remember you. You want my wife? Now you will be together every night. Because I'll mount her head on your bedpost!" Before Guillermo can kill Paz, Elena stabs her husband through the back with a sword, saving Paz's life. Taking the sword, Paz tells Elena to get her son before turning her attention to the dying man. Declaring that she remembers Guillermo too, Paz stabs and kills the future king of Spain.
Daryl encounters the zombified king of Spain and stabs him in the head with his sword.
In Felipe's room, he reassures Justina that he won't let anything happen to her. Felipe offers Justina a drink, but she draws her knife and demands that the young man help her, stating that she needs a vehicle. However, Felipe easily disarms Justina and strangles her, furious that he was being used by her. Daryl comes to Justina's rescue, yanking the young noble off of her and quickly slitting his throat. Hugging Daryl, Justina grabs her dropped knife and follows him out. The two break down the door to the room where the rejected Ofrenda girls and a young servant are imprisoned and take the women with them as they escape.
Antonio tenderly touches a sleeping Carol's face to wake her up and offers her tea. After some playful banter, Carol accepts the drink. "You shouldn't have come back. It could spoil everything. For what?" questions Antonio. Carol tells him that she did it for Roberto, Antonio and the two of them.
Fede's men pound at the door looking for Carol and Antonio and Alba leads them into an underground tunnel, stating that there are people who want to help them. Jaime meets them in the tunnel, warning Carol and Antonio that it's not safe on the street because of the walkers Fede let loose. Jaime leads them close to the gate using the tunnel and gives Antonio a knife before parting ways. In the street, four walkers attack the two. Antonio manages to take two out while Carol gets a third and Gustavo shoots the last one with a bow. Gustavo tells the two to come with him, reiterating Jaime's warning that the walkers are everywhere.
Daryl leads the women through the burning and overrun El Alcázar with the few survivors attempting to flee. Daryl dispatches a burning walker and a soldier while a second soldier falls victim to a burning walker before he can reach Daryl. A third soldier charges Daryl who stabs him in the chest while Justina finishes the man off with a stab to the back. With their path clear, Daryl and the women escape from El Alcázar.
At the vehicles, as El Alcázar continues to burn in the distance, Paz tells Daryl that its safest for all of the girls at the refugee camp, so she'll take them to Barcelona. "I hope that kid ain't driving," Daryl quips as Pablo plays around in the driver's seat of Paz's car. Looking at a smiling Elena, Paz tells Daryl that there's nothing for her in Solaz, so Paz will be going to the camp to start a new life with Elena and her son. Paz wishes Daryl luck in getting back home and thanks Daryl for his help in taking down El Alcázar. Daryl tells Paz that he couldn't have done it without her which she doubts. "Nah, I probably coulda," Daryl admits and the two laugh and shake hands.
Paz hugs Justina goodbye and the girl climbs on the back of Daryl's Bike for the ride back to Solaz, admitting that she's never ridden a motorcycle before. Daryl asks about Justina's experience with boats, revealing that she and Roberto are coming back to America with Daryl and Carol. Daryl and Justina ride together across Spain towards Solaz.
During a stop to refuel, Daryl remembers a young Merle yelling at him to run as Daryl runs away from their abusive father. In a voiceover, an adult Merle tells Daryl that he needs to grow up because things are different now, and people do what they gotta do or they die. Justina breaks Daryl out of his thoughts, stating that she could never imagine doing what her uncle did. Daryl tells her that the world is messed up, you either go good or bad and Fede went bad. Justina points out that Daryl didn't go bad and wonders why. Justina wonders why Daryl did all that he did and took so much risk just for her and Roberto. "The world's messed up. I felt like something got lost, you know? Chance to really have something. It ain't gonna happen to me. But for you and Roberto... I want you to have that chance." The two get back on the bike with Daryl predicting that they only have a few hours to go and Roberto is probably singing a Bruce Springsteen song, wondering where they are.
Daryl and Justina arrive at the lighthouse, only to be confronted at gunpoint by Rafa and another one of Fede's men. As Rafa disarms Daryl, Valentina shoots the other man from above with her spear gun. Taking advantage of the distraction, Daryl attacks Rafa, stabbing him and then finishing Rafa off with a headshot. As the man Valentina wounded rolls down the stairs, Daryl shoots him as well.
Daryl tends to Valentina who has a bullet wound in her shoulder. Daryl determines that the old woman will be fine, and she explains that when the men arrived, they shot her. Roberto made Valentina hide up in the crawlspace while he was abducted back to Solaz. Carol went to save Antonio with Rodo and Daniel and Valentina realizes that something must've gone wrong. Justina pleads with Daryl to let her go with him to help, but Daryl refuses, instructing the young woman to stay with Valentina and sew her up.
In his office, Fede gives a remorseful Gustavo -- who had sold out Carol and Antonio -- medicine to ease his wife's pain. Fede tells the pair that some men sacrifice everything for the ones they love while for other men, the ones they love do all of the sacrificing. Antonio begins trying to convince Fede to place all of the blame on him and leave Carol out of it, but he interrupts Antonio, telling the pair that they are free to leave Solaz, although Fede ominously warns that he doubts that they actually will. Sergio cuts Carol and Antonio loose.
In the square, Roberto is chained to the corpses of Rodo and Daniel who Fede's men have killed. Carol and Antonio attempt to free the young man while Sergio notices the lack of a gathered crowd and questions Fede on the public execution that he had promised. Fede points out the people watching from their windows, telling Sergio that the people who aren't watching will hear about it. Gustavo, Marco and several others lead a herd of Solaz's patrol walkers into the square from all directions, trapping the three, while Rodo and Daniel reanimate, still chained to Roberto.
As the herd closes in, Alba tosses Carol a knife, but Sergio shoots it away from her on Fede's orders. Antonio refuses to abandon his son and, wrapping his belt around his fist, attacks the zombified Rodo to protect Roberto while Carol attacks Daniel. Suddenly, Daryl shoots Rodo and Daniel from a nearby balcony. Daryl kills two of Fede's men who open fire on him while Carol grabs Alba's knife and begins dispatching walkers. Grabbing a machine gun, Fede shoots at Daryl, forcing him to take cover. The fight is interrupted by the arrival of Justina who loudly calls her uncle out for his lies. With the herd turning on Justina, Marga begs her son to save her granddaughter. Taking Sergio's rifle, Fede joins Daryl and his men in shooting the walkers with Justina stabbing the last one in the head herself.
The Solaz residents emerge from their homes, stunned by Justina's return and quickly turning on their leader with the revelation that he had lied and sent Justina away. Fede desperately tries to defend his actions to Marga, but the furious old woman slaps her son in the face. Justina and Roberto and Carol and Antonio embrace each other followed by Carol and Justina and Antonio and his son.
Watching Sergio and three others ride away, Antonio warns Daryl that he is not safe in Solaz as El Alcázar will still want justice. However, Daryl knows that they'll be fine, and Justina tells the crowd that Daryl had burned down El Alcázar, meaning that La Ofrenda is finally over. As everyone celebrates the good news, Gustavo leads a captive Fede into the street. Carmen calls for Fede to be put on the strappado, but Justina knows that they are no better than Fede if they can't show him mercy. Roberto orders Fede to be taken to the dungeon instead and Fede blames Daryl, swearing that he will pay for this. Gustavo drags the swearing and protesting Fede away to be imprisoned for his crimes.
At Costa da Morte, the crew, now made up of Daryl, Carol, Antonio, Roberto, and Justina, prepare to set sail for America in Julian's Boat. Antonio is sure that this isn't how Daryl pictured returning home as it was only supposed to be Daryl and Carol going, but Daryl's fine with it. Daryl asks if Antonio knows anything about sailing, and Antonio admits that he only knows what he's seen in the movies. Carol brings Daryl the can of hot dogs to share on their last night in Spain. "You wanna hear something stupid? This whole time I've been trying to get home. Why the fuck did I leave in the first place? Why did I have to get in a fight with that guy in Maine and get thrown on the boat? Why didn't I leave France when I could have? This makes no sense. You know, my whole life, I've been running. Just running and fighting. That's all. It's like a bad habit now though. Every time I get somewhere, I... I just feel like I gotta go. It doesn't matter where. I just hear that voice, and I gotta go. I'm afraid when we get home, I'm gonna hear that again," Daryl confesses. Carol suggests that maybe it's finally safe for Daryl to go home and stay. The two old friends hug each other.
Marga visits her son in his cell with food. Fede is not hungry and his mother that the people will kill him as soon as Justina sails away. Marga states that Fede brought this on himself, but Fede pleads that Marga has already lost one son, and she doesn't have to lose another one.
That night, Carol wakes up and finds Daryl gone from his bunk. Outside, Daryl stares at the ocean when a vengeful Fede aims a machine gun at him from behind. "I let you into my town. I gave you food, shelter. And you took everything from me. Do you really think you can just sail home now? Fucking Yankees. You are gonna die here and roam around La Costa da Morte until the flesh rots off those hueco bones. See you never, son of a bitch." Before Fede can kill Daryl, he is tackled by Carol. The gun goes off, starting a fire in the boat's cabin. After a struggle with the group, Fede is finally knocked unconscious with a rock by Antonio.
Everyone rushes to try to put out the fire while Fede recovers and runs off, but the boat is rocked by a series of explosions. Continuing his journey nearby, Stéphane spots the fire, unaware that his friends are there. Daryl's group watches helplessly as their ticket to America is destroyed by the fire.
Other Cast
Co-Stars
- Gonzalo Bouza as Guillermo Torres
- Boré Buika as Daniel
- Javier Taboada as Rodolfo
- Cuco Usín as Manuel
- Claudio Bandini as Jaime
- Anna Gras as Carmen Gutiérrez
- Felix Saldaña as Young Merle Dixon
- Filippo Sbalchiero as Will Dixon
- Javier Barandiaran as Overseer
- Carla Dominguez as Ofrenda Girl
- Miguel Robles as Marco
- Sergi Mateu as King Torres
- Anna Diogène as Queen of Spain
- Adrian Rodriguez as Felipe Torres
- Andrea Scott Méndez as Gabriella
Uncredited
- Michael Rooker as Merle Dixon (Voice Only)
- Hada Nieto as Alba Guerrero
- Andersson Morales as Alcázar Soldier
- Unknown as Rafa
- Unknown as Pablo Torres
- Unknown as Monteser
- Unknown as Laura's Mother
- Unknown as Alcázar Soldier
- Unknown as Alcázar Soldier
- Unknown as Solaz del Mar Resident
Deaths
- Monteser (Zombified, Off-Screen)
- Manuel (Zombified, Off-Screen)
- Queen of Spain
- King Torres (Alive and Zombified)
- Guillermo Torres
- Felipe Torres
- Rafa
- Rodolfo (Alive, Off-Screen; Zombified)
- Daniel (Alive, Off-Screen; Zombified)
- Mr. de Rivera (Confirmed Fate)
- At least 4 unnamed El Alcázar soldiers (1 Zombified, Off-Screen)
- At least 2 unnamed El Alcázar nobles
- 3 unnamed Solaz del Mar guards
Trivia
- First appearance of Pablo Torres.
- Only appearance of Felipe Torres.
- Only appearance of Rafa.
- Last appearance of Guillermo Torres.
- Last appearance of Manuel. (Corpse)
- Last appearance of Monteser. (Corpse)
- Last appearance of Rodolfo.
- Last appearance of Daniel.
- The title of the episode, "Solaz del Mar", is Spanish and means "Solace of the Sea". It also refers to the settlement of the same name.
- Stéphane Codron is revealed to be still alive and in Spain.
- When Stéphane visits the statue on the Camino de Santiago, the bag with "PPP" on it from "El Sacrificio" can be seen again.
- The song playing at the end is a Spanish version of Johnny Cash's "Hurt".
- This episode is dedicated to Amy Blanc Lacy, a script supervisor who was tragically killed in a hit and run in September 2025.
Episode Highlights
To be added.
| Season 1 | "L'âme Perdue" • "Alouette" • "Paris Sera Toujours Paris" • "La Dame de Fer" • "Deux Amours" • "Coming Home" |
|---|---|
| Season 2 | |
| Season 3 | "Costa Da Morte" • "La Ofrenda" • "El Sacrificio" • "La Justicia Fronteriza" • "Limbo" • "Contrabando" • "Solaz del Mar" |
| Season 4 | TBA |
| Episode Guide: TV Series • Fear • World Beyond • Tales • Dead City • The Ones Who Live • Webisodes | |