Daryl Dixon Season 3 Episode 3 “El Sacrificio” Recap - Power, Sacrifice, and Secrets

This episode really stood out. Episode 3 was full of power struggles, tough choices, and even a surprise mention of Jeffrey Grimes that caught me off guard. For the first time this season, I felt like the story finally clicked into place.

Power and Fear in Solaz

The episode opens with Guillermo, a leader from El Alcazar, storming into Mayor Fede’s office. He makes it clear that Solaz means nothing to him, just another town to exploit. His goons were killed earlier by Daryl, and now Guillermo uses that loss as an excuse to flex his control.

What struck me is how small Fede looks in this scene. He pretends to lead, but it’s obvious he’s just a puppet. Guillermo mocks his drink, insults his people, and even threatens to replace Solaz if they stop being useful.

The cruelty hit hardest when we learn Guillermo had a grieving father killed and turned into a walker just because the man begged for news of his missing daughter!

Secrets and Guilt Beneath the Surface

Not everything hurting Solaz is out in the open. Paz notices scars on Elena’s back. Elena brushes it off, calls it an accident, but it’s hard not to see it as something darker, probably another sign of how El Alcazar treats the girls they take.

Another heavy moment comes when Justina looks through the ribbons Fede keeps from previous La Ofrenda sacrifices. Seeing her own name, or realizing she always managed to avoid being chosen, fills her with guilt because it shows how much weight she carries for surviving while others didn’t.

Carol, Daryl, and Antonio’s Complex Bonds

Carol continues to impress, but in this episode she mostly reacts to the situation rather than speaking out. Antonio clearly admires her, and there’s definitely some romantic tension—but he keeps his distance, especially when she asks about the scar on his face. He’s defensive, like that wound is tied to something dark from Fede.

Meanwhile, Daryl stays focused on leaving Spain. His boat is broken, and Roberto sees him as a ticket to America—a dream he’s built from Bruce Springsteen songs. That little detail made me smile, but it’s also kind of sad. Roberto clings to this idealized vision of America while being stuck in such a dangerous, twisted world!

The Lighthouse and the Deal

The standout sequence for me was Daryl and Roberto meeting Valentina, a former captain living in a lighthouse. She’s tough, smart, and instantly memorable. She agrees to help fix the boat—but only if Daryl agrees to take Roberto and Justina with him!

I actually loved this part because it reminded me of old-school Walking Dead. Daryl hesitates, but he accepts. That choice will weigh heavily later!

A Journey and a Symbol

Before the boatyard mission, Daryl stops at a Camino de Santiago statue. He leaves Laurent’s Rubik’s Cube there, like an offering, this was one of the most emotional scenes of the episode, it proves Laurent changed him. Daryl’s always been rough on the outside, but here he shows his softer, almost spiritual side.

I was surprised! I never thought of Daryl as the spiritual or believing type!

The Boatyard Battle

The action picks up when Daryl and Roberto dive into a half-submerged boat filled with walkers. The imagery—barnacle-covered corpses rising out of the water—was chilling.

Roberto nearly dies trying to grab the boat part, risking it all because he sees the journey as his only chance to be with Justina. Daryl saves him at the last second. It’s classic Daryl: gruff, annoyed, but protective like an uncle!

Justina’s Choice

Justina, wracked with guilt and desperation, decides the only way to save her friend Alba is to take her place! Carol tries to explain there’s no winning against the system, but Justina ignores her.

By the time Carol and Antonio arrive, it’s too late. Justina is already gone, riding away in El Alcazar’s carriage. Watching Fede announce her “decision” while barely holding himself together made it even worse. This is going to destroy Roberto!

Comic Book Connection: Jeffrey Grimes

Amid all this, Carol drops a surprising line: she mentions a friend with a brother who stayed in Barcelona. I immediately caught this as a reference to Rick’s brother, Jeffrey Grimes, from the comic The Walking Dead: The Alien.

I’ll be honest, when I heard it, I froze. Some think it’s just an Easter egg. I hope it’s more. It would be fascinating to see Rick’s family expanded on screen after all these years.

Final Thoughts

Episode 3 may be the strongest of the season so far. The balance of horror, personal sacrifice, and world-building is exactly what I’ve been wanting from this spinoff. The lighthouse walkers were terrifying, the politics of Solaz were tense, and the final sacrifice left me gutted.