‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ Recap – ‘Coming Home’

10/16/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in Episode 106 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ – ‘Coming Home’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

When we first joined the enigmatic Daryl Dixon on his unexpected voyage to the nation of France, it became quickly apparent that The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, was going to focus on some supremely unique concepts regarding the human condition. For this AMC series was obviously about hope, specifically how we regain it when we’ve lost it and how we find purpose at the same time since having hope fall out of our lives… tends to give us a lack of purpose and direction as well. But what was fascinating about having that expectation set, is how the show explored such matters. Because a few episodes in, it also became clear that finding such fulfilling elements in life, is no easy task.

Because life is a journey, and discovery is part of that journey, and it may take us some time to really figure out what will give us hope, and what will give us purpose and never was that truth more evident than during the season one finale of the show. For ‘Coming Home’ should have given Daryl the purpose and hope he so desperately sought. But it did not. It forced him to deeply face what we actually need to find within ourselves to obtain sustainable hope and direction. That is of course, after resolving last week’s incredible cliffhanger. For if you recall, it was Dixon v Super Variant Walker in the closing moments of that tale, leaving us to wonder how Daryl would fare and as it turned out… he did just fine against this super powered monster.

For he remained as clever and as thoughtful as ever and was able to handle that walker with minimal fuss. But alas, that was not good enough for Genet and Codron, she wanted submission, and he wanted revenge and that brought Quinn into the fold, and some chains and restraints, and more hyper walkers to up the odds in Genet’s favor. But alas, some of the walkers turned upon one another and these men did figure out how to bring down the last of the walkers. Which of course, angered Genet. But thanks to Fallou and his surprise weapons fire, everyone was able to escape, and some left Genet’s palace in the most harrowing ways imaginable. Mainly because Quinn did take a bite along the way, and that of course meant doom, and it also meant… that Daryl found himself in a difficult spot where he had to save Isabelle from afar and inspire Laurent to put down a reanimated Quinn. Which he did, and that put them on the road to the Nest and their voyage there… led to what should have been the beginning of the spark for hope for Daryl.

Because they once again encountered Codron. Who was sent out to find them under the pretense of bringing them back to Genet to pay for whatever silly crime she believed they took part in. But instead, he was tasked with instilling fear in the group and was expected to murder Laurent, and all of them, in cold blood. Which did not sit well with Codron. For he truly believed that such an act was unnecessary and cruel, and rather than follow orders… he killed the men he traveled with and gave Dixon and his crew a reprieve. One that cost Codron greatly. Since Genet knew he had done something awful, and of course needed him to pay the piper accordingly. But the kindness of any person on this planet, one full of grace, should always bring forth hope. As should what Daryl found at his final destination. Because they did all arrive at the Nest in one piece.

Clémence Poésy and Louis Puech Scigliuzz as Isabelle and Laurent in Episode 106 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ – ‘Coming Home’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)

Within its walls, was nothing short of a utopia. A place where people were kind to one another and truly worked toward a better tomorrow. Where perhaps at last, the folly of the past would be laid to rest and where good ideas and kindness and unity would be the way forward. Which was much of what Daryl knew from back home, since that was now the Commonwealth’s goals, and that should have brought Daryl deep hope and a sense of renewal and purpose. Wherein he could return home and spread this kind of word around the countryside and help others to realize that the world could be a better place. Not to mention, he was able to watch over Laurent and Isabelle, and share knowledge with others in this place. Giving him the useful nature, he has always desired. But alas, something was amiss here.

For despite having peace and believing in something more, Daryl still felt lost. Still felt hopeless. Which he attributed to being so far from home. Because the Commonwealth and those he loved were still on his mind. So, he worked to head back home post haste, only to learn that even that… wasn’t quite as fulfilling as he expected. Because there was also history for him here, and unfinished business he struggled to understand. Because there was a deep connection forming between, he and Laurent and even Isabelle and that was new for Daryl. For he was used to sharing a deep connection with only a few and re-energizing that connection when his soul needed it so. So, to be thinking about others and what it would mean to know them and help a different cause, put him at a crossroads at the end of this story, where he was unsure as to which path, he should take.

Which doesn’t really seem to be grounded all that much in concepts of hope and purpose and how we find it, but it is. Because often times, storytelling uses hard plot devices to show us how we should find hope or purpose when in reality… how we find those elements in a sustainable manner goes far deeper than seeing the good in others. It’s more about… seeing the good in ourselves. In understanding the difference, we can make and how we influence and inspire others. Which Daryl has never considered. He’s only known moving forward, he’s only known helping others without helping himself and now… he must look inward and have faith in himself because we cannot believe in anything greater until we believe in ourselves. Not to mention, we cannot find purpose until we understand who we are and what we want and that… is the most powerful ending The Walking Dead Universe has ever sent our way.

Because this is a horror story that rarely explores such matters in such a realistic light. But here, we were treated to six episodes that explored how we get to the point where we need to reassess our lives and our path and that just goes to show, the franchise and the subgenre of zombie themed horror are maturing before our eyes and looking at intimate concepts that neither have ever explored before. And it would also seem… Daryl will have help in season two regarding how to find himself. Since Melissa McBride returned to the franchise here as Carol Peletier, and she is on the hunt for her bestie and will undoubtedly find her way to him and that will make for some powerful television down the line. But for now, we can bask in the wonder of a brilliant tale. One that put Daryl Dixon and the whole TWD Universe in a bold new light, and it will be interesting to see what other powerful explorations regarding the human condition await us, when we return to Daryl, and Carol and the shores of France in season two. Until next time.

Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier in Episode 106 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ – ‘Coming Home’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)

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