‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’ Recap – ‘L’Invisible’

10/14/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in Episode 203 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’ – ‘L’Invisible’. (Photo Courtesy of Stéphanie Branchu/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One particular aspect of storytelling, that is genuinely fascinating, is how many different types of villain origin stories exist. For there are stories that showcase individuals that are in essence, born evil and bide their time to create chaos. While others explore a tragic origin story of a lost soul that turns their back upon people as time rolls on, and some… showcase monsters that exist to serve as the yang to the yin to the hero of the story. And what makes this so fascinating is that we apply these scenarios to real-world thinking and ponder often which of them apply to real evil. When in reality, villains are created in our world in a supremely simple manner. Something that only one franchise has properly understood, and put on display.

For The Walking Dead Universe understands that villains are more often than not, the marginalized people of the world. Who were unable to enact change to injustices they could not stand, until they survived the collapse of the world they despised. For then they were free to do things their way and every single villain in this series has been this kind of person, and those in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol are no exception to that rule. In fact, last night’s episode of the show explored in detail that particular truth, and how it impacts lives in such an awful manner at the beginning of mankind’s second chance, and ‘L’Invisible’ accomplished such feats by exploring how Genet and Losang became the villains they are in this particular story.

For Genet, that involved… watching the government and society do nothing to help the innocents, whom she considered herself to be, before and during the end of the everything. For back at the beginning of the end, she was a janitor at the Louvre. One that was disillusioned with everyone and everything in this life, and that only grew worse when the dead began to return to life. For the government’s actions forced her to watch her husband die at the mottled hands and jaws of the walking dead, and the lack of a response warped her mind further and prompted her to rebuild the world in an image she thought proper. Where the mistakes of the past would never be repeated thanks to brute force and that made for a fascinating origin story here. One that caused all kinds of trouble for Carol.

Because she met Genet and sized her up as only, she can, before exploring Genet’s compound and the many secrets it harbored. All so she could see what would benefit her here, and it turned out that the only plus side to being at the compound, was Codron. Who told her where to find Daryl, and that prompted her failed escape. One that forced her to lie to Genet and tag along to finally be near her friend. Since she accompanied Genet’s forces to the perimeter of the Nest. For its location was discovered and Carol was put in quite the tough spot when all was said and done. Since Genet recognized Carol’s lies and put her in line to be turned into a weapon of living death, all because she couldn’t stand dealing with a positive thinking equal.

Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’ – ‘L’Invisible’. (Photo Courtesy of Stéphanie Branchu/AMC.)

However, while Carol was dealing with that madness, we came to learn all about Losang. Whom we discovered, was a broken man for a very long time. Who grew up filled with fear and let that fear control his every move. To the point where the only thing that ever gave him purpose, was faith. For it let him cope with his fear and use thoughts and prayers to cool them, and of course… the chance to change the world gave him direction and strength at last. As though finally giving the world a gift would make him part of it, and worthy of its rebuilding. Which was why, he drugged Laurent and trotted him out to be devoured by a newly turned Sylvie, who died trying to save Laurent from this very fate in the first place. Because she recognized that Losang was doing this to fulfill personal needs over the needs of the many.

Thankfully, Daryl, Isabelle and Fallou came to stop the madness and did so, at a price. For while they saved Laurent and had him escape with Fallou… Isabelle and Daryl suffered mightily at the dark nature of faith. For they were beaten and tortured and had their future put in question. Because this is the end result of unchecked fanatical faith in a world without rules. Suffering, death, unnecessary sacrifice and a chilling understanding as to what failure might bring. Since Daryl asked that question of Losang and was told… there would be no reason to continue if he was wrong and Laurent turned, as he likely would. All of which showcased a sorrowful villain, one that doesn’t even know he’s in the wrong, and is deeply lost because of his broken past. To the point where he is desperate to find and create meaning through this ‘prophecy’, and that helped to give rise, to a powerful episode.

One that truly made the franchise proud. For those origin stories were right up there with Negan’s painful journey, Alpha’s pitiful one and Philip ‘The Governor’ Blake’s pathetic one. But again, this franchise understands villains and how to build them, and of course… they remind us in the process… how we can prevent their creation. For one can only wonder what path Losang would have walked if he was given care and told its okay to be afraid, and that it takes time to find our path in life. Not to mention, who would Genet be if she was treated like she mattered and given help and care? But alas, that’s more for us to think upon. For in this world, they are the problem, and they are the evil that Daryl and Carol must overcome, and it would seem, it won’t be long before they are forced to do just that.

For the barbarians are now at the gate and ready to topple the Nest, and Losang is ready for more bloodshed from within to keep the status quo and that will indeed bring forth some ugly challenges for our heroes. But while we wait to see how they tackle them; we can celebrate one amazing tale. One that once again showcased how this universe excels at worldbuilding and put on display, some genuinely scary moments. Since it was horrifying to see Laurent come within seconds of enduring a bite, and it was also quite scary to see Carol meet her match and of course, it was just great to learn how Genet and Losang came to be the people they are today. Courtesy of a franchise that loves to tell an enriching story and give everyone their time in the spotlight, so we know exactly who they are and who we are dealing with. Until next time.

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