As a dedicated fan who has followed Daryl Dixon’s journey since the early days of The Walking Dead, I must say that the new spinoff, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol, is nothing short of a breath of fresh “dépaysement” (a term that means ‘feeling out of one’s native country or element’). It’s like a French-fried twist on the zombie apocalypse, and I’m here for it!
In the TV series “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol,” the character Isabelle, a nun from Paris, uses the French term “dépaysement” to describe a refreshing change in perspective to American character Daryl Dixon, played by Norman Reedus. She explains that it makes one see things from a different angle. By the end of the show’s 11-season run on AMC, Daryl and Carol (Melissa McBride) were the only original characters still present. Now, these beloved figures are the last to receive their own “The Walking Dead” spinoff, set in a new environment that follows Maggie and Negan (in “The Walking Dead: Dead City”) and Rick and Michonne (in “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live”).
In the second season premiere of “The Walking Dead: Daryl and Carol” airing on AMC and AMC+ on September 29th, it’s been two weeks since Daryl handed Laurent over to the Union de l’Espoir at Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey in Normandy, France. Daryl expresses his doubts to Isabelle about whether this is where he belongs, but with no immediate way back home to the Commonwealth in Ohio, he’s stuck there until Losang can arrange another boat journey.
While Daryl wonders if those he left are still thinking about him, Isabelle starts to ponder Losang’s intentions and his belief that Laurent, born during the zombie apocalypse to a mother bitten by a zombie, is immune to bites and is destined to be their prophesied messiah. This misguided faith makes the Union vulnerable to Madame Genet (Anne Charrier) and her faction, the Pouvoir Du Vivant, an authoritarian group that seeks to establish a new France by releasing an army of Ampers: genetically enhanced walkers, faster and stronger than regular ones, created in a lab.
Simultaneously on the other side of the globe, Carol finds her lost companion in Freeport, Maine. Here, she encounters a helpful stranger – a pilot named Ash (from The Resident). Intriguing him with a deceitful story, she persuades Ash to fly her to France. As the first episode, directed by Greg Nicotero, concludes, Daryl and Carol find themselves on distinct journeys that will eventually cross paths in their disoriented yet connected foreign experiences. Although it’s a secret when Daryl and Carol reunite throughout the six-episode series, fans can expect to be content (and possibly tearful) during the most emotional scene of the season when the much-anticipated Caryl reunion finally unfolds. (Critics have had access to all six episodes.)
David Zabel, who shares a Humanitas Prize for his thoughtful exploration of human nature in the 2006 episode of ER, demonstrates a knack for delving into the fundamental humanity underlying zombie dramas like The Walking Dead. While Daryl and Carol serve as the pulsating core of this series, Reedus and McBride embody its essence or soul.
From their first appearance together in season 1 back in 2010, Daryl Dixon and Carol have a history that stretches deep. However, it wasn’t until season 2 that their relationship as we know it truly began to take shape. The bond between these two survivors of abuse was forged in the crucible of loss, following the disappearance and death of Carol’s daughter Sophia. This tragic event has continued to cast a long shadow over Carol’s life, and her struggle with the ghosts of her past provides a captivating platform for Melissa McBride’s exceptional acting skills. Similarly, Norman Reedus delivers another subtle and powerful performance as Daryl, adding depth and complexity to a character initially envisioned as a “mini-Merle.” Together, their performances create a harmonious duo that truly defines the term ‘perfect pairing.’
In a conversation with ComicBook, Scott M. Gimple, head of content for the TWD Universe, described the upcoming season as reminiscent of an independent French horror film. Indeed, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is unlike any other TV show out there. Imagine a Walking Dead series featuring dialogue in French with subtitles? Add to that stunning visuals captured by cinematography, natural lighting, and on-location shoots across the French countryside. The third episode boasts an intense, continuous fight sequence reminiscent of the 2003 film Oldboy, with knife throws, neck snaps, gut stabs, bone breaks, and breathless melees that are more akin to a fight scene than anything we’ve seen on The Walking Dead before. Wow, this season is both action-packed and artistic! (Oh my goodness!)
This current season is packed with intense action, and it delves less into religious themes compared to the initial, more contemplative and spiritually focused season. However, its blend of emotionally resonant drama and pulse-pounding zombie encounters makes Daryl Dixon’s character more captivating than ever. Despite being a brief pause before the upcoming Spain-set and filmed Season 3, the new installment in the story of Daryl and Carol is nothing short of thrilling.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
On Sunday, September 29th, “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol” makes its debut on both AMC and AMC+.
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2024-09-23 11:09