A Review of Season 2 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in Season 2 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’. (Photo Courtesy of Stéphanie Branchu/AMC)

There was a time, where the horror genre steered clear of offering commentary or examination regarding certain… taboo topics. For instance, scary stories rarely explored the power or the spoils of faith and religion. Not to mention they talked little of the power of grief as a direct result of loss, and it makes sense as to why. In part, because the titans of the day had other concerns about the world, they wanted to offer commentary upon. For instance, George Romero had concerns about civil rights in America, and the drive toward consumerism and our loss of faith in the system. Not to mention… one didn’t challenge faith back in the day and the mantra of the hour was that if you lost someone, you didn’t stop to grieve, you pushed ahead.
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But as time has gone on, the genre has opened up to exploring new topics. In part, because the titans did their job and said all that needed to be said about what caught their eye. So, it is time to tackle new topics such as faith, since attitudes toward it have also changed. Not to mention, we do ponder upon grief now, and horror can absolutely help explore the horrors of such matters and how we potentially avoid them or come back from them and for proof… look no further than season two of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol. Which ponders upon such matters in some very creative ways.

The kind that we will of course, not spoil here. Because some of those moments are supremely special. But make no mistake about it, season two of the show saw the chance to take two critical characters from the TWD franchise and challenge their faith and point out the fact that the people of this world have lost a lot since the dead began to walk the Earth, and that brings forth, a very unique season of the show. One that truly puts on display how grief is always with us, and how hard it is to let go of, especially when traumatic. Which allows for some moving scenes to come forth here, the kind that give us pause and connect us with old friends like never before, and the same type of exploration comes forth via matters of faith.
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Since there are moments that remind us of the fact that while faith can be powerful and healthy in nature, it can also be quite toxic and it can drive people to do silly things on both ends of the spectrum, and the show even takes the time to explore how faith can ostracize and isolate. Which gives rise to a fascinating season of storytelling that is intimate, and thoughtful and in TWD fashion… grandiose as well. In fact, this is a downright jaw-dropping season of storytelling. One that features big ideas, big moments and the action and adventure we crave. A move that does Daryl and Carol justice and speaking of those characters… let’s talk about the melted-together, 900 lb. walker in the room.

In that, we get more Carol. A character that we truly love and have wanted more of for ages now. Simply because she is so supremely relatable and so incredibly wonderful and powerful, and it is wonderful to see her on screen once more, and to see Melissa McBride reprise the role for the first time since the finale of the flagship series. In fact, Melissa turns in some of her best work here, and truly moves us with her performance, as does the rest of the cast. In fact, Norman Reedus, and the supporting cast put on an acting clinic that provides us with one of the most moving and emotional TWD stories in years.

One that truly gives you pause and draws you in, and the good news is that we don’t have to wait all that much longer to enjoy The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol. For season two arrives next Sunday, September 29, and we here at NTG cannot wait for you to see this stunning season of storytelling, nor can we wait to share our interviews with cast members: Anne Charrier (Genet) & Romain Levi (Codron), Eriq Ebouaney (Fallou) & Louis Puech Scigliuzzi (Laurent). As we continue to continue to countdown to the return of two beloved characters.

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