The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: 01:05: Deux Amours

[Dave]

In Maine, Daryl helps to capture walkers in exchange for fuel he needs to get home. He briefly makes contact with Carol, who tells him someone has come back. After Juno murders a young man whom Daryl was mentoring, an altercation between the two causes them to be put on the Pouvoir ship; the two work together to escape, but Juno is torn apart by one of Pouvoir's test subjects who displays enhanced abilities similar to multiple variants. In the present, Isabelle struggles to adjust to being with Quinn again, even considering killing him with a knife, and receives a hidden message from Sylvie, Fallou, and Emile. Isabelle agrees to join a Pouvoir celebration with Quinn, only to have a jealous Anna betray them. Daryl, Laurent and Azlan continue their journey to the Nest, but Azlan is killed during a fight with several walkers. Before dying, he reveals that the Nest is at Mont-Saint-Michel, but Laurent cuts a rope and lets their boat float off, wishing to go to America with Daryl instead. The two and Quinn are captured by guerriers and Genet coerces Laurent into making a show of support at an event she holds, where Genet pits Daryl in a gladiator fight against one of her enhanced walkers, unaware that Sylvie, Fallou and Emile have infiltrated the event.

I thought this would be merely a filler episode; three different stories being told here - the backstory for how Daryl ended up in France, Isabella in the present timeline, and Daryl and Laurent in the present timeline - but it certainly ramps up towards the end, when Daryl surely has no chance of survival in the gladiatorial ring against the enhanced and "fast" Walker.

Laurent doesn't always seem very believable as a character. We had confirmation from Quinn that this is set 12 years after the world ended, so that also make Laurent 12-years-old. The actor is obviously older but playing younger, however he often does appear much older. He is playing a naïve, unworldly-wise and cosseted boy, but also a very intelligent boy with keen powers of observation and emotional intelligence. These are conflicting characteristics. It's a very difficult part to play for him. For instance, why does he ask why he is so important, surely he is intelligent and as well read to understand the symbol of hope that he has become. Yes, he might want to reject that, and be unable to understand why it has happened (he still hasn't been told about his birth) but he would at least understand the mechanics behind becoming a prophet, an oracle or a seer.

 

[nixie]

Flashbacks give us the reason how Daryl ended up in France.
Lauren cutting the rope of the boat lead to their capture.
This is my favourite of the three spin offs, has me completely hooked.