Review: The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon finale ties up France’s story but leaves emotional threads hanging

As a long-time fan of The Walking Dead, I found this season’s spin-off, Daryl Dixon: Lone Survivor in France, to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. From the beautiful landscapes of France to the heart-wrenching moments between characters, it was a treat for fans like me who have been following Daryl’s journey since the beginning.

As a die-hard fan of “The Walking Dead”, I’ve gotta say, Norman Reedus wasn’t kidding when he hyped up “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol” as the best hour we’ve ever seen. Admittedly, it doesn’t quite reach those heights, but it’s a solid episode that falls short only in comparison to classics like “The Grove” or “Terminus”.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I found myself captivated by the initial portion of today’s episode, which unfolded at the racetrack. Daryl and Carol (Melissa McBride) were in a dilemma about who would join Ash’s (Manish Dayal) plane for the journey back to the US, accompanied by Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi). Just like many episodes this season, Daryl’s intentions for staying behind are shrouded in ambiguity. Is he choosing to remain out of a sense of duty, or could it be that he’s found a new home in France, despite the absence of Isabelle and Laurent? It’s infuriating to have reached this stage in Daryl’s narrative without a clear understanding of his goals, or the insights he’s gained along the way.

As the plane’s passengers resolve their disagreement (with Carol being essential due to her knowledge about flight), we join Romain Levi’s character, Codron, and Fallou, played by Eriq Ebouaney, on a detour to an old hospital for supplies. Alongside this excursion is the newcomer Akila, portrayed by Soraya Hachoumi. These scenes would have been beneficial earlier in the series, providing time for former foes to develop camaraderie and share witty remarks about French healthcare. However, presented in the final episode, these scenes seem out of place (I found myself questioning if Akila had appeared before and I’d overlooked her introduction) and appear to come too late, lacking sufficient impact.

The situation definitely advances the storyline as Sabine (Tatiana Gousseff) and Jacinta (Nassima Benchicou) appear, exposing that following Losang’s demise, Jacinta intends to carry out the prophecy by taking charge (implying Laurent is resistant to walker bites). They manage to flee due to Akila’s intervention, accompanied by a grumbling remark of “Men!” and are left with no other choice but to alert the others about Jacinta’s approach.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol finale review, “Au Revoir les Enfants”

In a surprising turn of events, Anna from Demimonde revealed the whereabouts of Laurent and the aircraft. She disclosed this information in exchange for having the plane redirected back to her own residence. This plot development seems like an unexpected addition, as if the writers just realized that they had portrayed the French characters as flat figures and were quickly adding depth to them before the story concludes.

Jacinta’s unexpected arrival at the racetrack necessitated an urgent readiness for Ash’s plane by Team Plane, leading to a hasty takeoff during a nail-biting chase and gunfight. This scene, while not quite reaching the adrenaline rush of earlier scenes, offered tension and satisfaction when Ash successfully launched the plane. (It would be great if Manish Dayal could return for more screen time!) Unfortunately, neither of the main antagonists, Genet and Losang, were present in this part of the storyline. The viewers’ limited emotional bond with Jacinta weakened the show’s impact as Laurent escaped. However, since the “Medusa-effect” suggests that if one religious leader is eliminated, five more will rise, Laurent would never find true safety there, especially if he was perceived as the chosen one.

Indeed, it’s quite plausible (if you haven’t been privy to the series’ off-screen happenings) that Carol would reappear this season, having accompanied Laurent back to the US, awaiting Daryl’s eventual return. I’m glad, however, that this isn’t how it unfolded on screen. As the storyline advances into the third season, I hope for a resolution of some emotional disequilibrium. Especially intriguing is Daryl’s reserved reaction to Carol’s appearance and his choice to remain behind.

It seems that the writers are hesitant to depict emotional moments between Carol and Daryl at this stage, perhaps due to concern that it might reveal too much about their relationship dynamics. The show appears to shy away from close-ups when they’re on screen together, almost as if it’s reluctant to delve deeply into their interactions. This choice is unfortunate because such scenes could serve as a heartwarming callback to the beginning of season 10, reminiscent of Carol joyfully riding behind Daryl on his motorbike before they discussed escaping together.

Carol and Daryl begin their journey home

Instead of fleeing, they are eager to return to the United States, and Fallou helps make this possible by finding a couple from Scotland who can escort them through the Chunnel (the undersea rail tunnel connecting France and England). As a Scot myself, I must express my displeasure with the characterization of our people as heavy drinkers, profane, and English-haters. However, it’s hard for me to do so because Angus seems to embody many characteristics typical of Scots, especially his frequent use of the F-word which is surprisingly accurate in its portrayal. (I would like to note that the bond between Scotland and France, known as “The Auld Alliance,” is one of deep affection.)

During their overnight stay, Carol and Daryl engage in a brief conversation where Daryl vaguely promises Carol they’ll stick together upon their return home (though his meaning isn’t entirely clear). This seemingly casual statement is unexpected given its potential significance, as it seems like he’s swearing eternal loyalty, but the emotional depth one might expect is absent. Meanwhile, Codron and Fallou, who share a more convincing and believable romance than Daryl and Isabelle, take center stage in this episode. The inclusion of Levi and Ebouaney in The Walking Dead Universe has been fantastic, and it’s heartening to see both characters survive, hinting at further adventures ahead. Furthermore, the budding romance between Fallou and Akila provides him with a reason to remain in France, echoing the advice given by Didi and the Mother Superior in the show’s first season: “Reasons for hope and love are everywhere.

Within the Channel Tunnel, the series compiles the most thrilling moments of the season in an intense fusion of adventurous footsteps, personal deceit, and inner struggles as characters experience the hallucinogenic influence of bat droppings. Codron, Carol, and Daryl each grapple with the source of their current torment, yielding varying outcomes. Codron encounters his brother Michel, followed by a scuffle with Daryl before chasing after him. Daryl encounters Isabelle, who reappears just as she did during their initial encounter, to rescue him, spur him on to keep fighting, and instill hope…only to transform into fireflies and complete her fairy-like demise. Carol, meanwhile, sees herself transformed into a walker and as the ghost of Sophia, who has been by her side throughout the entire season.

Previously, Carol had shared with Daryl, while shedding tears, that she could no longer recognize Sophia’s human face, only the walker-Sophia who emerged from Hershel’s barn. Thus, when she encounters and hugs a healthy Sophia, it provides a heartwarming resolution long awaited by the mourning mother. Seeing Carol release Sophia, as well as her own suicidal tendencies, serves as the emotional climax I’ve eagerly anticipated for years. And undeniably, McBride delivers an outstanding performance in this scene. The depth of her portrayal has added crucial layers to the show, which has struggled to find its emotional core consistently.

The reunion of Carol and Daryl lacked the emotional resonance I had hoped for; instead, they exchanged concerns about each other’s well-being, donned gas masks, and moved away without any profound self-reflection from Daryl about his personal growth, sense of belonging, or future aspirations. I yearned for him to reveal these insights, but the fog remained, even as the Rolling Stones played “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” as they journeyed towards England.

In the episode, the line “you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need” is repeated for a second time, sung by Daryl together with Laurent. It becomes evident that Laurent yearned to remain in France alongside Daryl, yet he required moving to the U.S. with Ash. Similarly, Ash desired to stay at his homestead, but what he truly needed was to travel to France and acquire a new son. However, the episode leaves unanswered questions regarding Daryl’s desires: Was it Isabelle? Was it Laurent? Or was it a fresh start in France? These queries remain unresolved, leaving an unsettling emotional aftertaste.

It’s evident from the song that Daryl appears to have a strong connection with Carol. This bond seems crucial to the show, serving as its core amidst the chaos in France. Regardless of what their relationship evolves into, it seems that having Carol by his side is what Daryl needs and wants, which I wholeheartedly concur with.

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2024-11-04 06:41