Daryl Dixon delivers the best episode of The Walking Dead universe

It has been quite some time since AMC has given The Walking Dead fandom something as highly anticipated and thrilling as The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. This  show has met and exceeded the hope of something new to reinvent the franchise. Gone are the slow-moving, gap-filled storylines, and enter in a fleshed-out story that is not afraid to take chances while putting Daryl (Norman Reedus) as the central focus, as he fights for what he knows is right in a foreign world, making it a series worth watching.

The fifth episode of the Daryl Dixon series is magnificent; perhaps the best episode aired within TWDU.

This article contains spoilers for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1, episode 5, “Deux Amours.”

The Daryl Dixon series has all the elements to make a great spinoff of TWD, a show that set the stage for those to follow. The setting in France significantly alters what viewers know of this world’s apocalypse. The score continues to enlighten and surprise by retaining the beauty and romance associated with France among the destruction. The cinematography can bring tears to one’s eyes as they try to take in everything before them. Then add to that a brand new cast of interesting characters with outstanding backstories and depth.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon episode 5

Not only do fans hear Carol’s (Melissa McBride) voice, but this episode gives great detail to what Daryl endured before being forced on a boat to France. We see him do what needs to be done to obtain the fuel for his trip from the coast of Maine back to the Commonwealth. Problems ensue, and he finds himself on a one-way trip to France, definitely against his will. He also learns that something has greatly distressed Carol and sounds like an unwelcome someone has returned to the communities.

This episode does a fantastic job of telling Daryl’s flashback story, which is told parallel to his current situation. In both, he has a younger person looking to him for direction and help, and when they are in danger or worse, he defends them, leading to bad news for himself. In one scenario, he is forced on a ship to France and into a prison of Genet’s Power of the Living group in the other.

Again, with the parallel storytelling, viewers see the variant walkers and how Daryl handles them in different situations, at least until the cliffhanger at the end. More of these variants must be shown in this series, hopefully in season 2.

The action sequences involving Daryl reminded us of his skills as a fighter and show his ability to carry a series.

Viewers also learn details about how Isabelle is fairing in Quinn’s world. She is doing all this for Laurent, but she is devastated when she discovers the plan to get Laurent to The Nest has failed. Her sacrifice was for naught.

The fifth episode of the Daryl Dixon series did an amazing job of telling the story that fans were dying to hear, of his journey to France while focusing on what he is experiencing in France, situations that mirror one another in several ways.

Don’t miss the season finale episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, “Coming Home” on October 15 on AMC and AMC+.

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