The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
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IsThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonsaying au revoir or a bientot to France?
Is he officially over the crossbow and in his medieval flail era?
The spin-off has come to an end thats begging to be a beginning.
The episode also includes a history lesson, both in the world and personal to Daryl Dixon sense.
I should have seen this coming.
Ive come close to referencing Normandy several times over the six-episode season.
(I couldnt figure out how to make D-Day into a pun.
That ones on me.
Daryl Day just isnt it.)
Yet I was quite surprised when Daryl revealed in the season finale that his family was directly involved.
His grandfather died on the beach during the D-Day invasion.
I cant say I had him visiting William T. Dixons grave on myTWDBINGO card.
He resents him for abandoning the family to fight in someone elses war.
To die overseas would be a failure, he thinks.
But seeing the grave changes his perspective.
He has roots in France, both of the blood and found family variety.
His grandfather never made it off the beach, but he did!
Unfortunately, Laurents deadbeat daddy dearest isnt long for this world, and he knows it.
He slowly succumbs to a zombie bite while ruminating on how kidnapping Isabelle wasnt the most romantic of gestures.
Too little too late, bud!
Daryl convinces him to run, bitten and bleeding, into the Guerriers to buy them time.
Does it count as a noble sacrifice if you then become the threat?
I dont think so!
Im genuinely sad to see Quinn go, though!
I suppose the potential redemption arc onThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonbelongs to Codron.
As a safe haven, The Nest is exactly what its cracked up to be.
Its not a bunch of Amish people, as Daryl tells Isabelle he assumed.
The leader, an American expat named Losang, is kind and patient.
He discusses rationality with Laurent.
He asks Daryl to stay but arranges safe passage for him to Newfoundland.
First, Daryl takes the time to rest and recuperate.
And did I spy Daryl and Isabelle giving each other significant glances during this sequence?
Thats kind of the Daryl Dixon way.
He didnt even smile.
For better or for worse, Daryls sexuality has been fodder for speculation since the beginning ofThe Walking Dead.
(Alas, thats why I perked up at the Demimonde.)
Arent we glad they didnt go that route??
Later in 2014, onThe Talking Dead,Robert Kirkman said Daryl was both straight and somewhat asexual.
It might be time to explore that more concretely.
Maybe someone at The Nest studied gender and sexuality studies.
Daryl dips without saying good-bye to Laurent and journeys alone on the beach to meet his ride.
He genuinely seems happy alone.
Daryl is a true introvert.
Any community that wants him should know that hes going to need his recharge time.
Its there that he finds his grandfathers grave.
Daryls choice to stay or go presents him with an interesting take on repeating history.
He could leave and abandon Laurent when he needs a father figure most.
Or he could stay and risk dying in France with the family he made in America left behind.
All Laurent has to do is wave from a dune in the distance, and Daryl pauses.
We wont know untilseason two.
Thats fine and dandy because it looks like America is coming to Daryl.
At the end of the episode, Carol appears.
Shes tracked her best friend to Freeport, Maine.
Carol chases down a man riding Daryls motorcycle.
Silly me because I know Carol is just as much of a loner as Daryl.
Its why they love each other and might not necessarily make sense together.
After learning Daryls last known whereabouts, she rides off on the hog.
Hell yeah, sister!
She made me forget all about the uber zombies for a brief moment.
Im still not convinced that Daryl is a good protagonist for a television show.
Daryl has a way of collecting interesting people and people who are interested in him.
Un Petit Plus
Why did Sylvie and Emile break up????
I was counting on those crazy kids!
Someone has to kiss on this show.
I genuinely loved the shot at the beginning of the episode of all the dead World War II soldiers.
It looks low-budget in a way thats intimate and creative.
More of this, yo!
Stick to the human characters.
BothDead CityandDaryl Dixoncould use that reminder, though I do think the latter was ultimately more successful.
Im corny, and I loved it.
