Review: The Book of Carol Episode 3 brings all the players closer together

As a longtime fan of The Walking Dead, I must say that this latest spinoff, “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol,” has certainly piqued my interest. The way David Zabel weaves elements from classic stories into the narrative is truly commendable. It’s like he’s a modern-day Rumer Godden, spinning tales that resonate with the heart of every viewer.

In their approach to reunion in France, Carol (Melissa McBride) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) find themselves drawing nearer to a convergence of religious and militaristic groups within the region. These factions, though sharing similar traits of tyranny and violence, are distinct cults. As the tension escalates within The Nest – with Laurent’s (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) impending walker bite test and Carol’s infiltration into Genet’s (Anne Charrier) group – the narrative gains a stronger sense of unity and progression. This is in contrast to the earlier episodes, where the French storylines were occasionally less compelling compared to other plotlines.

Genet’s story opens the episode. We learn more about her past working as a janitor at the Louvre. Her disdain for the visitors who don’t appreciate the art to her satisfaction gives us a hint of the Genet she would become; it’s interesting to see a female dictator’s “villain origin” focus on rage and frustration of the working class, rather than the usual more personal fodder. Although, of course, she has to have a (totally unneeded) tragic lost love story too, as she witnesses her husband chomped to death on the other side of the Louvre window. The “profit over people” story (how does the French healthcare system work anyway? I must Google) was sufficient to give us a rounded picture of Genet’s motivations, as well as her relationship with Sabine (Tatiana Gousseff), her right-hand woman.

Meanwhile, Losang’s (Joel de la Fuente) right-hand woman Jacinta (Nassima Benchicou) has gone full-steam ahead with the ceremony that will prove Laurent’s “specialness,” and Losang now seems comfortable with his role in it all. This cult always appeared dangerous to me, so it’s frustrating that only Daryl repeatedly refused to drink the Kool-Aid; the other smart characters like Fallou somehow didn’t see that this would all end with Laurent’s life on the line. Thank goodness Sylvie (Laïka Blanc-Francard) comes to her senses and stands up for her pseudo little brother Laurent, giving her life to protect him. Poor Sylvie, we barely knew ya, but at least you got to kiss a boy.

As a gamer speaking my thoughts, I’ve got to say, the timing of Sylvie and Isabelle (played by Clemence Poesy) breaking their vows the moment they cross paths with a good-looking guy isn’t exactly convincing. It would have been more engaging if they were deeply devoted followers of the religion, like Fallou (Eriq Ebouaney) and his community, rather than actual nuns. This change would have avoided the uncomfortable, inappropriate portrayal of women of faith abandoning their principles and headgear at the slightest hint of male attraction.

In the latter part of Episode 2 and this episode, Isabelle’s crisis of faith should have been more prominently featured. Her religious beliefs have potentially placed her nephew in grave danger, an aspect that needs exploration on screen. It’s unfortunate that she doesn’t get a chance to discuss this with Laurent, but the real tragedy lies in the fact that her screen time is predominantly focused on her romantic involvement with Daryl, which significantly diminishes her character development.

Fortunately, the questionable portrayal of female characters does not apply to Carol, as she embarks on locating Daryl within Maison Mere. Her narratives about Daryl’s identity to her become progressively engaging and reveal her ability to blend seamlessly into various situations. It remains unclear which tale she has shared with Remy, the English teacher (Francois Perache), but it is clear that Remy frequently refers to Daryl as “your Daryl,” suggesting a comparison between their relationship and his own with his spouse. This could potentially be the first indication of deeper insights into why Carol traveled across the world for this specific man.

Review: The Book of Carol Episode 3 brings all the players closer together

The portrayal of Carol as the Mona Lisa, with hints of mystery in her smile and hidden depths, is skillfully executed throughout the work. Notably, the scene where Carol stands alongside the famous painting, both displaying enigmatic smiles, is particularly well-done. This scene seems to acknowledge the audience’s appreciation for Carol’s intricate character and good looks, suggesting that the writers are in tune with our feelings about her.

They certainly get how much the audience love action Carol, though it’s a shame we didn’t get more of her on the white horse. The imagery of Carol — a middle-aged, grey-haired woman — getting to be a white knight action hero is a very welcome change from the norm, and one that I hope the series continues to lean into once she’s sharing the screen with traditional hero Daryl.

There’s no hiding the Nazi analogies in Genet’s setup, and the experiments leading to the super-aggressive walkers. Genet wants an army of walkers that she can control, and is blind to the similarities between the thing she is fighting (treating the workers like they are invisible and less than) and the means by which she’s trying to reach that outcome.

Carol and Genet come clean with each other

Carol’s skepticism towards Genet’s concept of an eternal peace (“A war to end all wars? I’ve heard that one before”) beautifully illustrates the profound contrast between the two women. Despite their apparent differences, it’s clear they could have shared a strong bond in another reality, and might have even become each other’s closest friends.

Some of this season’s most impressive moments are the interactions between Carol and Genet, showcasing McBride’s witty comedic timing at its best. These two exceptional actors share an electrifying chemistry, delivering lines that peel back layers of their characters usually kept hidden. The writers skillfully identify the most tantalizing aspects of the story, providing dialogue that allows Carol and Cadron to potentially form a compelling partnership. Their initial encounter seems ripe with potential, not just because Cadron provided Carol with crucial clues about Daryl’s whereabouts, but also because it left viewers eager for more.

As Carol builds connections with French individuals, let’s revisit the romantic entanglement between Daryl and Isabelle. Following the turmoil that occurred when they thwarted Laurent’s ceremony, they were imprisoned in a series of cells or shower cubicles, anticipating torture at the hands of Losang for details about Laurent’s whereabouts.

When Isabelle requests a tale from me to soothe her worries, I share my transformation, recounting how she assisted me in “discovering” something in a place I believed I solely wished to depart from. I then paint the picture of the fireflies in Ohio as countless “Tinkerbells dancing in the heavens.” Curiously, I inquire if Isabelle is familiar with Tinkerbell, and as the light bulb figuratively illuminates, a part of her significance in my narrative is revealed.

Review: The Book of Carol Episode 3 brings all the players closer together

Review: The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol Episode 2, “L’Invisible”

In a twist reminiscent of Peter Pan’s character in J.M. Barrie’s tale, the producer of this Walking Dead spinoff, David Zabel, has portrayed Daryl as analogous to Pan, lost in Neverland. Similar to the Lost Boys, with the school children episode from season 1 being a notable example, Daryl’s prolonged stay has led him to gradually forget about his family at home. In this narrative, Isabelle serves as Daryl’s Tinkerbell, providing him support and shielding him, much like Tinkerbell saved Peter Pan in the story.

When Isabelle expresses her love for Daryl with “je t’aime,” reminiscent of how Peter does in the movie Hook, Daryl doesn’t reciprocate the feeling at this point, and the Tinkerbell allegory is fulfilled. In Hook, the kiss between Tinkerbell and Peter merely stirs Pan’s memories about his family he had left behind. Similarly, Daryl needed to embark on a journey, just like Robin Williams’ Peter, to find himself in Neverland.

In this scene, the opening is concluded by depicting Genet alongside her spouse, while another couple is shown on the other side of a wall. Both pairs extend their hands to one another, hinting at an emotional connection despite the barrier. There’s a sense of apprehension that this might be farewell for them all. Despite Genet’s husband professing his love for her, her predicament becomes even more heartbreaking as a result.

As Daryl and Isabelle stand hand in hand on the dividing wall, they appear to be holding onto the only thing they possess – a tenuous hope for an uncertain tomorrow. This scene echoes the broader themes of the episode: Losang and the Union of Hope are hanging onto Laurent as their source of faith; Genet is clinging to her conviction that she can achieve unity through violent means. Both characters are clouded by their personal perspectives, but they manage to deliver speeches to Daryl and Carol that seem to resonate with what each character needs to hear.

In a different phrasing: Losang criticizes Daryl for being isolated and reactionary, while Genet empathizes with Carol, who carries deep wounds. He suggests that men tend to let go of their pain more easily than women. Both characters are urged to reconsider their lives and perhaps take risks to change their paths. Losang asserts that taking risks is the key to discovering the essence of genuine faith, and in the final scene of the episode, Carol’s decision to become one of Genet’s super-soldier walkers demonstrates her willingness to risk everything.

2024-10-14 04:42