The first season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon was a rare entry into the post-apocalyptic landscape, which requires a surprising amount of familiarity with AMC’s long-running franchise to enjoy. The same can’t be said for season 2, with the appeal leaning less on our eagerness to see Norman Reedus’ Daryl reunite with Melissa McBride’s Carol. That means, Daryl Dixon season 2, titled below Carol’s bookdelivers that promised reunion and provides a satisfying continuation of Daryl’s story as a long-distance traveler longing to get home, but instead finding purpose and belonging in a way he never imagined.
More or less picking up where season 1 left off, season 2 essentially follows two paths until they converge. Daryl watches over Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi), and Carol searches for her long-lost friend, eventually making a trip across the lake to Europe. Throughout its six episodes, the two find themselves embroiled in the ongoing conflict between the Union de L’Espoir and the Pouvoir des Vivants, two factions fighting for control in France.
Where Daryl Dixon season 2 falters a bit with that conflict between the Union and Pouvoir. While in season 1 there was a straightforward narrative of finding Laurent in the nest, season 2 is full of mud, making it hard to feel invested. Thankfully, there’s some really strong character work going on around this, and it’s one of the best a The Walking Dead the show has produced.
The Story of Season 2 Is More Complicated Than It Needs
This Is Especially True Where Show Opponents Are Concerned
Daryl’s main goal in season 2 is to protect Laurent, but where before there was only one team hunting them, now there are two. To make things even more difficult, the second of these teams is Union de L’Espoir, which turns out not to be as good as it first appeared. Putting Daryl and his allies in conflict with the Union while avoiding Pouvoir and Madame Genet (Anne Charrier) escalates the whole situation in a way that doesn’t feel necessary.
With two teams both out to capture Daryl and co., they are somewhat inseparable and unlikable as a result.
It’s understandable that he wants to up the ante in season 2, but the story doubles down on the same kind of threat. With two teams both out to capture Daryl and co., they are somewhat inseparable and unlikable as a result. The Walking Dead has long been about the enemy of man rather than the living dead, but in needing to balance two groups of antagonists with similar goals, they become watered-down versions of what could have been more compelling villains.
I speak of the dead, Daryl Dixon Season 2 features more of the variety of super-powered zombies introduced last season. They appear in a few scary sequences, but rarely use their full potential. When the fast zombies start being teased The Walking Dead: World Beyondit was an interesting development, pointing to the dead and becoming a threat to experienced survivors like Daryl. And yet, they don’t really seem to be endangering our main characters as much as it is a regular traveler.
Melissa McBride Returns As Carol Gives Daryl Dixon Season 2 A Boost
Led by Reedus & McBride, the Cast Delivers Powerful Performances
Daryl Dixon season 2 gets its full subtext, Carol’s bookit ended up being the spinoff it was originally supposed to be. Like many of the franchise’s long-time players, McBride is very comfortable in his role, but here he can handle the kind of stuff he was occasionally given in the main series. Her friendship with Daryl is, of course, deeply explored, but so is her ongoing grief over her daughter, Sophia. We’re also constantly reminded what a brilliant character Carol is, which is a side McBride clearly likes to play.
The story as a whole may be weak in the second season, but Daryl Dixon is full of scenes that show the actors giving everything that matters.
Reedus continues to prove that Daryl was the role he was born to play, reaching back into the character and digging deep to bring new aspects of himself to the surface. This season builds on how Daryl developed in season 1, developing his relationships with both Laurent and Clémence Poésy’s Isabelle. He’s being pushed in new ways in season 2, and it’s a challenge Reedus rises to with ease. Additionally, there are a handful of actions where he shines, showing just how great Daryl can be when he’s fighting for those he loves.
Surrounding McBride and Reedus is a strong supporting cast, with minor characters that leave an impression thanks to sharp writing and memorable performances. The overall story may be weakened in the second season, however Daryl Dixon it is full of scenes that show the actors giving their all. Standouts are Eriq Ebouaney as Fallou, who returns as one of Daryl’s staunchest supporters, and Manish Dayal as a new character, Ash, who befriends pilot Carol and joins her on her trans-Atlantic journey. Dayal, in particular, is a great addition, and she pairs very well with McBride’s Carol.
Last Call to France, A True Star by Daryl Dixon
Finally, I would like to question how Daryl DixonThe French setting really sets this series apart. While Dead City has New York and The living ones have spent little time in the Pacific Northwest, they really can’t compare to the scenery offered by the streets of Paris or the French countryside. Mont-Saint-Michel serves as a great location, after all; a visual splendor far removed from Alexandria or the Commonwealth. Season 2 remains on location in France and the setting alone imbues the series with a rich history beyond that The Walking Dead‘s many seasons. Daryl Dixon continues to be one of the best The Walking Dead spinoffs. Season 2 is not accessible to new viewers, and even those who enjoyed the first season may struggle to follow Carol and Daryl’s long history. It’s also, sadly, a very full story this time around, and I found myself struggling to care about certain narrative beats. But the strength of this show lies in its characters and how they react when faced with adversity, no matter how unreasonable or unnecessary.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – Carol’s Book premieres on AMC and AMC+ on Sunday, September 29.