by Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol episode one is finally out, so here’s our full recap of the first outing of the second season of the spinoff show The Walking Dead.
The season of The Walking Dead spinoff series Daryl Dixon is finally upon us. Although this second outing is a continuation of the debut season, it is already making waves.
Episode one, “La gentillesse des Étrangers,” reestablishes Daryl’s new place in France, while reintroducing Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) to The Walking Dead franchise. Read on for our full recap of Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol, episode one.
There will be spoilers throughout, so proceed with caution if you haven’t seen the season opener.
Daryl is still struggling to find his place in France
AMCDaryl Dixon: The Book of Carol picks up two weeks after the end of the first season
The first episode of Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol opens briefly between Daryl and Laurent in France. It shows that there is only a two-week time jump between the end of season one and the beginning of season two. While this episode largely revolves around Carol, Daryl seems to be slowly but surely advancing the main storyline of France and the Union.
Daryl trains Laurent to protect himself with weapons; However, Losang, the leader of the Union of Hope, objects to these lessons. When Daryl challenges him and explains why the young boy must learn to defend himself, Losang explains how important it is for Laurent to “maintain empathy.”
A conversation later in the episode about Laurent taking part in a mysterious ceremony, possibly his emergence as the new Messiah, implies that the Union has much bigger plans for Laurent, and that Daryl’s training could get in the way. Finally, at the end of Daryl Dixon’s season one, it is implied that Laurent is immune to the zombie virus, which would be a game-changer for the entire franchise.
Gene returns as the series’ main antagonist
AMCGene narrowly escapes Daryl after an explosion gives her time to escape.
When Losang reveals to Daryl that a small team will intercept a convoy to free multiple hostages that Marion Gene (the series’ main antagonist) has captured, Daryl quickly volunteers to help.
As Daryl and company manage to free the hostages from the convoy with ease, Gene (Anne Charrier) stumbles out of the vehicle and stares at Daryl. When he reloads his gun to take aim and probably shoot Gene, an explosion sounds behind him, and when he turns back to Gene, she is gone.
Don’t expect this to be the last we see of Gene, as the teaser trailer at the end of the episode, which details what to expect from the rest of the season, reveals that she will play a major role again.
Carol is back and a threat as always
AMCCarol steals back Daryl’s signature crossbow after discovering he is in France.
Unsurprisingly, most of episode one focuses on Carol. Although she appeared briefly at the end of season one, her return as a series regular in this new season is a huge win for fans.
As one of the few living survivors from the very first season of The Walking Dead, Carol represents major nostalgia, and this first episode does a fantastic job of re-establishing her in the universe while also acknowledging how long she’s been around.
Carol manages to track down the junkyard and the survivors who witnessed Daryl’s kidnapping and subsequent arrival in France. When she sees Daryl’s crossbow, she immediately realizes she has found the right place. After threatening them, they tell her that Daryl has ended up in France.
While she seems to have given up hope, Carol sees a plane flying overhead and follows it to a heavily fortified location. In classic Carol fashion, she pretends to be injured and is greeted by a stranger who kindly offers to house her for the night.
AMCAsh is a brand new character who lost his son at the beginning of the zombie outbreak
The man, who reveals himself as Ash, is a single father who tragically lost his son at the start of the zombie outbreak.
Carol, who lost her daughter Sophia during season 2 of The Walking Dead, lies to Ash and claims her daughter is in France to convince him to help her fly to Europe.
Episode one does a fantastic job of establishing the fact that Carol, despite completely reinventing herself after Sophia’s death, is still haunted by the death of her child. Something that will be a huge aspect of her character throughout the season.
Carol and Ash take the flight and begin the journey to France
AMCEpisode one ends with Carol and Ash flying to France
Despite initially saying no, Ash agrees to help her. After a close call and some crazy zombie killing where the plane propellers completely tore the Walkers apart, the two manage to flee and begin their journey to France.
While Ash seemingly trusts Carol and believes her lie, expect an explosive confrontation when he realizes she’s traveling to France to find Daryl.
La gentillesse des Étrangers is an explosive first episode that sets the tone for Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol and moves quickly. It sets the stage for what is sure to be an exciting season and epic installment for The Walking Dead franchise.
The second episode of Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol airs Sunday October 6, 2024. Be sure to come back for our recap of the second episode.
