The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon takes an emotional detour in its fourth episode

As a long-time fan of The Walking Dead, I must say that this latest episode, “Le Paradis Pour Toi,” was a refreshing change of pace. The humor and chemistry between Carol and Daryl, though unexpected due to their recent romantic entanglements, was delightful and a welcome break from the usual apocalyptic tension.

In “Le Paradis Pour Toi,” the fourth episode of “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol, Carol (Melissa McBride) remarks, “There’s no doubt about it, we’re not in Ohio anymore.” This line echoes a sentiment from “The Wizard of Oz” as Carol and Daryl (Norman Reedus) meet again in this episode, transforming the show with their presence much like Dorothy transitioning from grey Kansas to vibrant Oz. Their scenes together breathe life into the series, demonstrating why viewers enjoy these characters’ dynamic, and explaining why they were given a spinoff. However, contrary to Dorothy’s adventure, this change seems to mark the conclusion of Daryl’s fairy tale journey, not its beginning.

As a gamer, I’ve been waiting for Genet’s (Anne Charrier) attack on the Nest, and when the season finale-like opening action sequence unfolded with her releasing her walkers and waging war on the religious hub, it was a thrilling moment. Naturally, Carol, using her unique ability to blend in, managed to avoid transforming into a super-soldier walker amidst the crowd. Her distinctive maroon leather jacket also proved crucial in deflecting the deadly serum dart, enabling her to escape from the horde of newly transformed walkers.

Romain Levi (alias Codron) serves as a lure for the walkers, secured atop a buggy that Carol maneuvers. This fresh spin on the “leading a mob” convention from the previous Walking Dead series adds a thrilling edge to the episode’s beginning. As Carol navigates the shattered entrance to the Nest with the wind catching her hair, it’s hard not to recall the moment when she once led a horde and was considering suicide – a powerful and exhilarating start to the show.

Review: The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol, Episode 204, “Le Paradis Pour Toi”

Less exhilarating is Isabelle’s interrogation and eventual death at the hands of Losang. It’s so disappointing that the complexities she was written with initially seemed to fall by the wayside. Her back and forth with Losang about faith and Laurent’s “specialness” falls flat because that aspect of her character has been so under-developed in season 2. Clemence Poesy does her best with the words she’s given, and Joel de la Fuente continues to do great work, showing us how surprised Losang is at his own capacity for violence horror as the Nest falls to Genet.

After a long-anticipated confrontation between Hope’s Union and Pouvoir, we at last witness Carol reuniting with Daryl. This heartwarming moment, while not revolutionary, is satisfyingly sweet. In the scene, they battle through hordes of walkers, oblivious to each other’s presence until only two remain. Norman Reedus delivers a moving performance in his emotional scenes with Melissa McBride, and here he does not disappoint. As confusion turns to doubt, then to relief, the tenderness is palpable. The camera pulls away, capturing their tearful embrace amidst the chaos outside, highlighting the profound bond between them.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon takes an emotional detour in its fourth episode

Transitioning abruptly to Isabelle’s final moments feels disconcerting. Consecutively presenting intense emotional scenes within such a short span, just two minutes, weakens the intended impact of each scene. It would have been more effective to allow a moment of reflection after Carol and Daryl reconnect verbally, and Isabelle’s death should not have been a quick interruption during their journey. This sudden change in tone seems unusual and diminishes the full emotional resonance of both scenes.

It’s quite peculiar how Daryl behaves towards Carol during their escape from the Nest in search of Laurent. His harshness and distance towards a woman who journeyed across the world because of her concern for him is truly unusual. One would expect someone who was genuinely pleased to see this individual to be overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude, considering they risked everything for them. Instead, Daryl seems annoyed, as if she were interrupting his vacation. Strangely enough, he moves ahead and avoids interacting with her, which suggests irritation towards her presence.

In the past, I’ve noted that Season 2 sometimes feels like two distinct shows happening concurrently, and this sensation is particularly strong in “Le Paradis Pour Toi.” It seems as though Daryl is embodying two dramatically contrasting versions of himself: one deeply saddened by Isabelle’s death, yet another who appears unfazed by it.

Carol and Daryl find refuge with an older couple

The way Daryl downplays who Isabelle was to him, to Carol, makes it feel like he is ashamed of his connection with her, and his words sound much like a cheating husband, insisting “she meant nothing to me and I was thinking of you the whole time.”

In a sense, it’s plausible to liken this situation to our journey in the land of Oz, or the part of the story where events predominantly unfold within an old couple’s farmhouse. After realizing Laurent and Fallou have departed from the agreed-upon cave, Daryl tracks them to a fortified village surrounded by walkers impaled on farming tools. Here, he encounters Theo and Didi, two elderly individuals with sparkling eyes who previously accommodated Laurent and now offer the same hospitality to Daryl and Carol… or should I say, Daryl and Sister Isabelle, as Laurent had informed them of her arrival. For some unknown reasons, Daryl and Carol opt not to clarify Theo and Didi’s mistaken belief about Carol’s identity.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon takes an emotional detour in its fourth episode

As a gamer, I was caught off guard by the sudden twist in the storyline. It wasn’t necessary for the plot, but boy did it bring some hilarious moments! Like when Carol exclaimed “Jesus!” after tasting Didi’s truffle eggs. The mix-up seemed to be there just so that Carol could find out about Laurent thinking Daryl loves Isabelle (which I was rooting for him to), and for Didi and Theo to believe that Carol and Daryl were an item. The entire stay at their home was filled with “will they, won’t they” moments. For instance, watching Carol and Daryl squirm as Theo and Didi slow danced to their song, “Le Paradis Pour Toi.” It was a blast to watch, especially for those who, like me, want to see Carol and Daryl together romantically. But it was a bit of a whiplash after Daryl’s romance with Isabelle, which was going strong for him just hours ago.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice some intriguing similarities between Theo and Didi from the past and Carol and Daryl in their future. Particularly striking is the fact that the actress chosen for Didi was open to cutting her hair short, just like Carol has done. This could be a sign of the growth and joy they might experience if they let go of their pain and embrace the pure love that “rae” stands for.

Absolutely, the scene requires a dose of danger-filled interaction, and Genet’s eventual appearance at the farmhouse steers us from a brief character deviation onto the main storyline again. The decision to have Genet confront Carol was effective, given the excellent chemistry between Charrier and McBride in the previous episode. It’s no surprise that the narrative took a straightforward approach, with Genet transforming into the monstrous figure she represented inside, as Carol uses her serum to assassinate the dictator. The portrayal of Genet felt incomplete, but as we progress towards the latter part of the season, it seems that all the French-related baggage is being prepared for Carol and Daryl to leave behind.

Genet’s arrival (after Carol and Daryl being deceived by Theo) seems to serve as a reminder of why the duo struggle to maintain their peaceful existence like Didi and Theo; they understand that the harshness and violence of reality will inevitably disrupt their tranquility, and eventually they will lose each other forever, just as Theo lost Didi due to his own folly. However, it also seems as if the lesson they are both learning in France is this: isn’t it all the more crucial to seize happiness since it can be taken away at any moment?

2024-10-21 04:41

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