‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ Recap – ‘La Dame de Fer’

10/2/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in Episode 104 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ – ‘La Dame de Fer’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four 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.

If there is one word that properly describes the wildly popular Walking Dead character, Daryl Dixon… it would have to be… loyal. Because Daryl cares deeply for those that care for him, and their cause, and because of that, he will stand by those he loves through thick and thin, and staunchly defend them and the cause, and do what must be done to ensure both survive. Which is one of the big reasons he is such a fan favorite. Because we can relate to those aspects of his character, and it has of course… made him the savior on many occasions for the cause. Plus, we also love how the people he cares for, have kept him from going too far when his anger and desire to set things right consumes him. Because there is a real fire inside Daryl that could burn everything to the ground, and oddly enough, the balance that those who love him, ask him to maintain, is also what makes his loyalty his greatest weakness.

Because he will cross lines to make sure people are safe and that can push him and the cause too far sometimes. Not to mention, failure to keep those he cares for safe, regardless of the circumstances, will weigh heavily upon him and prompt him to keep his distance from others emotionally and that can wound those he cares for. To the point where we’ve sometimes wondered, what would Daryl be like… if he didn’t have angels behind him to keep him grounded and keep him focused on the cause and what he would need to do to find balance if and when a truly rough situation comes into play. Because that could lead to the corruption of his soul and a chance to slip into a darkness that he’s always worked to keep at bay, and well… it turned out that last night’s episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, on AMC, served as the perfect moment to explore those concerns, after everyone caught their breath.

For ‘La Dame de Fer’ caught up with Daryl immediately after he fell through the rooftops as he was working to escape Codron and his men, and after a short and strange dream while he floated unconscious in water, wherein he dreamt that Laurent was invincible to the dead’s hunger, Daryl came to and moved into the city. Unsure of what to do next since going back to the sanctuary was unwise. For Codron did indeed take over the place and interrogate everyone within its walls to uncover Daryl’s location and the location of Laurent. For Genet made sure to oversee his work, and she heard the rumors about what he might be and thought it best… that Laurent be found post haste. To quell any hopes and dreams in something more, to keep her agenda going and well, that meant Daryl had to find shelter, so as he could plan his next move.

Which brought him back to Isabelle’s place, and shockingly, Isabelle. Wherein they both agreed that in this moment, all they could do, was collect Laurent, and make their way toward ‘The Nest’. The place where Laurent would grow into the New Messiah. But she knew not where he was, but Daryl most certainly did. For the Eiffel Tower captivated the young man once he learned about his mother spending time there, and so, this duo made their way to the tower post-haste, and that… allowed for a little zombie world building along the way. Since we once again saw Paris in its reanimated state, filled with living death and echoes of the past and oddly enough, there was even a George Romero shout out here as well. Since we could hear the cries of the dead over the breeze, faintly, and it just so happened, that one character in Day of the Dead, heard something similar in the opening sequence of that film. Which was a lovely shout out, one that was as terrifying as the original. Since it was just eerie to hear their cries in that manner. For it added a sense of danger and a sense of real sorrow. As though Paris herself was weeping over the many lost souls that now wandered her beautiful streets and could find no rest.

Adam Nagaitis and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi as Quinn and Laurent in Episode 104 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ – ‘La Dame de Fer’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)

But once they arrived at their destination, world building and homages and that break of sorts ended, and our exploration about what Daryl would become without an emotional safety net… began. For Laurent was surrounded by the dead when Daryl and Isabelle arrived, and as they worked to free him from their potential rotten clutch, Quinn’s boys showed up to retrieve him instead. Because Quinn knew that Genet was looking for the boy, and the American, and capturing the boy would easily bring Daryl to him and allow for riches untold, and a family reunion. Wherein he could raise his son in safety and get to know him. But the big question was… would Daryl step up and save the savior? Because he had no stakes in this. This was all a deal to get Laurent to Paris so he could figure out a way home. To his extended family, to a cause that was just and true.

Thankfully though… this twist, and Isabelle’s vulnerability and fragility, and the same of those who escaped the raid on the compound… gave Daryl pause and helped him to realize… that he was more than he thought. For Daryl has oft seen himself as a blunt tool, as less than his worth. Nothing more than a decent guy standing with the right people. But here, Isabelle’s worry, and the worry of others, alongside how they viewed him… helped Daryl to finally see how he is really viewed in this life, and what he truly is… a hero through and through. A good man in fact, one who can cross lines that others cannot so that the right thing can be done, and he doesn’t have to dedicate himself to a cause, just what’s right. He just needs to be the beacon of hope that people need in the moment, and with that in mind… Daryl didn’t need grounding or time… he just needed to believe in himself and act, and that led… to one fascinating end to this tale.

Wherein, Daryl not only scared the living hell out of one of Quinn’s men to the point where he sang like a little songbird in the morning, but he was able to infiltrate the club, and teach Quinn quite the lesson in humility. With the perfect balance of restraint and fury, giving rise to the hero this world needs in the moment. One that can accomplish wonders where others cannot because of fear or debts owed. Which brought Laurent to freedom and quite literally sent him up the river with Daryl, and a handful of others. Simply because… Isabelle knew she had to stay behind in Paris. To keep Quinn quelled and to keep Codron and Genet from even remotely going near the man that played the hero and offered hope on this day. Hope for a better tomorrow, and hope for a happy ending for Daryl’s very soul.

All of which made, for one of the finest Daryl Dixon’s stories to ever grace the franchise. Because this story… put the best of him on display. But most important of all, it allowed for him to embrace his potential and be the man we and so many have seen him as, a true hero through and through. And you can never go wrong with character growth and the other wonders this episode brought to bear. Such as the trademark action and terror this franchise is known for. Because the battle to save Laurent was top notch and the walking dead were once again downright terrifying here from beginning to end, and well… with only two episodes to go in season one, it should be interesting to see where this story takes us next. Now that a hero is genuinely born and a beloved aunt, has sacrificed everything in the name of the greater good and for a chance at a better tomorrow. Until next time.

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