‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’ Recap – ‘Moulin Rouge’

10/7/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in Episode 202 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, clickhere.

When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous AMC series, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, we talked at length about how the second season of the show was likely going to dive into some supremely unique storytelling. Wherein the show would take the time to explore what could happen if hard religion made a comeback in the world without restrictions and rules surrounding it, alongside a grand exploration of the power of grief and how it doesn’t leave in the apocalypse. Giving rise to real curiosity from the audience, since that’s refreshing territory to enter into, and we all certainly wondered, how those examinations would play out.

After all, this is the TWD Universe, and sometimes moments of survival require the story to touch upon bigger moments involving that and it will revisit the deeper stuff later. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means since we always get there, but we do like to know how such matters will play out, and well, the next episode of this magnificent series informed us… that season two is going to try to balance such matters. In that we will get a mix of forward-thinking storytelling, and deep ponderings upon the topics at hand in each episode. For ‘Moulin Rouge’ really did feature both elements. With Carol handling the plot progression and Daryl handling the commentary in this tale, that is… shortly after a celebration took place in this tale.

Simply because, Daryl Dixon was a real hero in this story. After all, he rescued Fallou and his friends from the clutches of Genet’s forces. So, all would be well after everyone healed from their wounds. But alas, Laurent’s excitement to see Daryl again, and his eagerness to learn more from him, along with some surprising admissions from Isabelle, in that… she did not one hundred percent believe in the cause as she used to, concerned Losang. To the point where he felt that perhaps the ceremony should be moved up, so that all could understand the wonder of Laurent. Of the Messiah. But alas, before that could happen… tragedy struck. For Laurent went missing, seemingly kidnapped by Genet’s forces and that prompted Daryl, Fallou, and Isabelle to head out to find him, and that… gave rise to the exploration in question.

For while on the road, it became clear… that this was a ruse. For Laurent was back at the Nest, studying in a hidden location. All because Losang came to believe that Daryl was a threat to the future of the Nest, to the future of religion in this world and what Laurent stood for. So, he created this scenario to have Daryl killed, and Isabelle and Fallou were to be collateral damage in such matters. Of course, they lived because you can’t mess with that trio, but the damage was done, and the lesson was in hand. That… if religion no longer had a court of public opinion to be concerned about and was free from scrutiny and legal repercussions… it would revert to its more feudal state and do as it pleased. Even going so far as to commit hard murder again a la the crusades, and this was chilling to see play out.

Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier in Episode 202 of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’. (Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.)

Since it spoke deeply to how… some parts of humanity have not changed in the apocalypse. In fact, one could infer that the fear and the hopelessness generated by the end of everything, could potentially amplify religion and faith and prompt so many to follow maddening ideals to find comfort, and amplify our darkest tendencies out of a belief that survival of the fittest is now the key to humanity’s future. Leaving all of us to wonder if by chance, religion in this manner, and darkness in general, can be overcome at the end of everything or if humanity is about to enter a new dark age without the presence of major governments and major organization. But time will tell in such matters, and it was simply fascinating to see this part of humanity be resurgent in such a violent and closed-minded manner.

However, there was mention that Carol handled the plot progression, and that happened via two key moments in her travels. Such as the fact that she and Ash, were forced to make an emergency landing in Greenland. For the plane sprung a leak in the fuel line and that gave us a chance… to meet some new people believe it or not. For this part of Greenland was occupied by a pair of climate scientists named Hanna and Eun, who had been alone since the world ended and of course… went mad. Since Eun wanted to keep Ash around to breed and wanted Carol dead. Of course, one cannot bring harm to Carol, which Eun learned the hard way. Since Carol was able to convince Hanna to let her live and come with them to France. Which prompted Hanna to put down Eun. But Ash saw to it, just he and his new friend would be heading that way since he did get what he needed to fix the fuel line before things went south, and he put down Hanna out of rightful concerns about her intentions.

Which meant… Carol did indeed make it to Paris after all. Wherein she tasked Ash with hiding and having the plane ready to roll, and once that was settled upon… Carol was able to explore the city of the dead in front of her, and she learned that Genet had built something of a sanctuary. One complete with food trucks that were used to build her cause. Since her soldiers and lieutenants were happy to provide food in exchange for pure loyalty to Genet’s twisted vision. Sadly, Carol happened to get caught up in that, which brought her to Genet’s compound, wherein we learned of the fate of another character from season one, Codron. Who as it turned out was captured by Genet and was being tortured so that she could learn the location of the Nest, and while Codron wasn’t talking… the answer was near, since he did have that watch on him.

Which was an ominous ending for certain, one that implies that perhaps the Nest will be in real trouble soon, since Daryl has plans to free Laurent and of course… Genet might learn of its location. But while we wait to see what lies ahead in the wake of Losang’s foolish decision, we can celebrate one fascinating tale. One that truly explored a burning question in a fascinating manner, and also explored the world as a whole once again. In fact, one might say that the Greenland venture could serve as a brief answer to another fan question in zombie fiction. Specifically, what would happen to scientists and astronauts who see this from afar? To which the show answered… they would go mad. All of which brought forth a satisfying and engaging tale, one that also built-up excitement for certain. After all, Carol is now in Paris, and that means it is only a matter of time before she and her best friend for life… reunite after all this time. Until next time.

Watch ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol’

0 Comments