As a seasoned gamer and long-time fan of “The Walking Dead,” I must admit that my excitement for “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol” was through the roof after the thrilling first season. However, this time around, it seems like the creative team decided to take a detour through Boringville instead.
In the initial series of “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” on AMC, some thought-provoking queries arose. For one, why did certain zombies seem superpowered, exhibiting traits like acidic blood? Second, was Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi), the child brought up by nuns, indeed the blessing that some believed him to be? Lastly, given he had to join forces with religious individuals, would Daryl (Norman Reedus) successfully establish an alliance with Laurent despite the unusual circumstance?
As a devoted fan, I must say that the second season, dubbed “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol,” has a sense of finality reminiscent of the closing chapters of our initial journey. Divided into six-episode installments, it’s understandable that such a serialized format might evoke this feeling. However, it seems as though this season is more about tying up loose ends from our first adventure.
Yet there are things that are lost too. For one, the superpowered zombies is perhaps the most regrettable storyline that’s mostly forgotten. There are nods to it in a couple episodes, but for the most part, outside of running instead of walking, these zombies aren’t that special. It’s a disappointing development, especially when the first season set that up as a big mystery. Instead the show seems driven this season by two threads: Carol’s compulsive lying to get what she wants, and the battle over who will control Laurent’s future.
The story could be tastier
The narrative resumes at Monte Saint-Michel, more famously called ‘The Nest’ on the series, where Laurent is under the guidance of Losang (Joel de la Fuente) and Sylvie (Laika Blanc-Francard). Losang finds Daryl’s skepticism unsettling and worries that he could lead Laurent astray from the church. Meanwhile, Carol is hell-bent on reaching Daryl, using any means necessary. Upon discovering he might have traveled to France by boat, she persuades local pilot Ash (Manish Dayal) to fly her there, claiming her daughter Sophia (Madison Lintz) could be waiting for her. However, it’s important to note that Sophia died in Season 2 of the main show. Despite this being Carol’s most painful memory, she fabricates this information. Ash, who lost his son during the zombie conflict, might be more understanding and compassionate towards her situation.
It’s not just that Carol is correct about Ash, but also about the deceit she practices towards everyone, including Codron (Romain Levi) and Genet. We’ve long been aware that Carol is capable of lying and manipulating, but seeing this played out so vividly is quite striking. While it’s clear that Carol is determined to reach Daryl in the most expedient manner, her deceit seems excessive, especially to Ash. If Carol weren’t such a beloved character from the original series, we might find her less endearing. However, after 11 seasons, we do love her, so she can get away with things that other characters might not be able to. Nevertheless, the fact that her deceit eventually leads to consequences is a positive development, and Carol even demonstrates some character growth due to it.
Simultaneously, Daryl and Isabella (Clemence Poesy) strive to rescue Laurent from The Nest following a distressing sequence of events. However, their efforts could be hampered by the presence of Losang, who seems determined to foil them. Nevertheless, Daryl is no pushover. His longevity in “The Walking Dead” alongside Carol speaks volumes about his resilience. Despite the numerous deaths they’ve faced, both have proven tenacious, and throughout this series, their survival skills are abundantly evident.
Not everything goes down smoothly
“The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol” Maintains its Distinctness by Being Set in a Ruined Paris, which Appears More Majestic than America. However, this Season Lacks the Excitement of the Initial One, Despite the Presence of Carol. Frequently, Situations Feel Repetitive, Either because they Mirror Events from Last Season or are Reminiscent of Scenarios in Other “Walking Dead” Shows. Furthermore, we Often Encounter Locations that Bear a Striking Resemblance to those in Other Series within the Franchise. Although Billed as an Exotic Location, if We Can’t Appreciate the Surrounding Landscape, It’s Just Another Decaying Tunnel.
Why is it that Carol’s past trauma over Sophia’s incident is resurfacing now, and why isn’t Henry (Macsen Lintz), her adopted son, mentioned at all in the narrative? These questions remain unanswered, despite the fact that Carol’s response to Sophia’s situation becomes a significant aspect of the show. Although the showrunners might not have had enough time to delve into this topic as deeply on “The Walking Dead” due to the numerous characters, it seems inconsistent for Carol to be so fixated on Sophia and seemingly ignore Henry, making this storyline appear less natural.
This season, Daryl, who appears to be the main character, has a storyline that isn’t particularly captivating. Despite Norman Reedus planning to play Daryl for more seasons than expected, his current portrayal doesn’t seem fit to sustain a show for a long time. He rarely references the death of his brother, Merle (Michael Rooker), or other hardships he endured on “The Walking Dead.” Even a aspect that made him compelling last season – his alignment with religious people when he wasn’t one himself – is quickly resolved in the first episode, as it becomes clear that he disagrees with the Nest’s actions regarding Laurent.
As a devoted fan, I have to admit that while Daryl is undeniably a crucial part of the show, his character often seems passive in decision-making. Instead, he tends to support others in their choices, which, ironically, makes him less captivating compared to other characters. He’s more like a strong backup, and with Carol by his side, it feels like he’s winning more than ever before – almost monotonously so. It’s becoming repetitive.
“The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol” premieres on AMC and AMC+ on September 29.
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2024-09-23 22:30