Warning: Spoilers for season 11, part 3
spinoffs can make sense of the decision to bring back Virgil. After crossing paths with Michonne and helping set up her search for Michonne in season 10, Kevin Carroll’s character made a surprise return in the show’s final season. In addition to helping Connie get back home, he took part in the Alexandrians' efforts to survive the storm in
Virgil’s return to the series has prompted a great deal of confusion, especially since he didn’t make a single appearance in the second or third batches of episodes. When Virgil was brought into the fold, it was assumed that was building toward him having an important role in the show’s remaining episodes, but that didn’t actually happen. The show pulling him into the story only to abandon him immediately afterward has understandably created questions about the point of including him in the first place. It’s possible, though, that the purpose of bringing him in was never about season 11’s story; may be lining him up for a role in one of the spinoffs.
never needed Virgil. It had plenty of other stories that took precedence. After all, the show already had a massive cast of characters whose stories needed proper conclusions and a fair amount of screen-time. The spinoffs, on the other hand, could benefit from his inclusion. Naturally, all three will need their own supporting casts to go with their protagonists. If one of the shows is going to send along a familiar face with one of its departing Alexandrians, Virgil would be one of the best candidates for that role. Unlike most of the characters, he hasn’t been fully developed yet, thus providing the spinoff with a mostly clean slate to work with.
Of the three spinoffs, the show with the easiest path to using Virgil is . Although he hasn’t been seen since the storm, there’s a good chance he’s living in one of communities. If he’s in the Hilltop, he could be on hand when Negan and Maggie decide to travel to New York City. It would be a dangerous journey for just two people to take alone, so it’s not hard to imagine Maggie and Negan leaving home with a handful of previously unseen Hilltop members (plus Virgil.)
Alternatively, could find a way to put Virgil in or . Virgil has an existing link to Michonne, but since she’s supposedly a long way from home, having them cross paths again would pose a huge narrative challenge. As for the possibility of Virgil going with Daryl, that could only work if the former has already left Alexandria since Norman Reedus’ character clearly left alone. If so, they could meet up after the finale's ending. Regardless, opportunities do exist for franchise to continue Virgil’s story.
