The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol follows Daryl Dixon, a survival expert, as he trains Laurent, a boy who Daryl fears may lose his empathy. Meanwhile, Carol searches for her lost friend, faces a journey to France, and confronts her past traumas. The Power of the Living and the Union of Hope battle against each other, with both Carol and Daryl's factions fighting for Laurent's future in France. The story highlights the complex dynamics between the characters and their destinies.
Last season, Daryl faced a horde and large groups of people fighting against him, but he always came out unscathed due to his love and indestructibility. While Daryl is a fan favorite and will remain so for years to come, his indescribability can be tiring to the viewer. There is no risk or fear that Daryl will succumb to the world, so instead, having Carol take that role of vulnerability to the world is refreshing. Her ability to switch from meek and mild to resourceful and a force to be reckoned with breathes a new life into the show and an air of danger. This season has proven rewarding for Carol, as she navigates multiple countries, new people, new rules, and new Walkers, carrying her own trauma and history.
The series features a significant amount of horror, with the Walkers being the most terrifying. The fear is heightened towards the end of the season, culminating in a remarkable moment that evokes true fear, heartache, and a touching performance from McBride. Again, this fear and heart-racing panic is why The Walking Dead franchise has been so successful. Without adding Carol to the show, Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol wouldn’t have been as successful without McBride coming into the series.
The Walking Dead franchise is nothing without its staple threat: the Walkers. Since 2010, Walkers have been on our screens which can lead a lot of people to become desensitised to them. The Book of Carol has found new ways to reimagine them, to bring them as the true threat of the series, only now we get a glimpse of seeing the walkers as a weapon, showing just how the world of The Walking Dead has expanded.
As much of a fan favorite as Daryl is, you can’t help but feel that his story had been over long ago, but there doesn’t appear to be any signs that The Walking Dead is finished with him. While Carol offers the emotional tether to humanity, sometimes it just feels like Daryl is just there, waiting for the next horde or impossible situation to overcome.
The Book of Carol's best moments are when characters face perilous situations and new Walker variations are introduced to create fear. New characters add humanity and morality that the first season lacked, making for more interesting situations in the story.
Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Leigh Doyle
Publisher at Midgard Times
Note: All Season 2 episodes were screened for this review.
Premiere Date: September 29, 2024, on AMC and AMC+ with the first episode.