The Strolling Useless Daryl Dixon the E-book of Carol – Le Paradis Pour Toi – Evaluate: Predictable

En Francais, predictable is “previsible”. This episode was predictable as a result of I noticed each plot twist coming, robbing the story of what little intrigue, suspense, and emotional influence the powers that be desperately need from it. This episode has lots to cowl, so let’s get into it.

“Le Paradis Pour Toi” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON THE BOOK OF CAROL, Pictured: Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier. Picture: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC @2024 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved 

Many points of this episode didn’t work for me, however just a few did. Michael Slovis, one among my favourite tv administrators, created Le Paradise pour toi (Heaven for You), a feast of visible storytelling. The preliminary moments outdoors the Nest had been evocative when it comes to terror, as Madam Genet gunned down a gathering of harmless individuals earlier than reworking them into “super hungry ones.” We anticipate Carol to dwell; in any other case, the E-book of Carol would have been laughably quick. Carol was amongst this group, however within the earlier episode, she noticed the event of those monster walkers, thus she knew what was going to occur. Regardless, she was injected with the jacked-up walker juice however nothing occurred to her. Did the needle not undergo her clothes? Surrounded by reanimated superwalkers and Genet’s gun-toting thugs, Carol jumps up and drives away, rescuing Codron (tattoo face), who had been lashed to the again of a automobile as walker bait. Sure, this sequence was as ridiculous because it sounds, nevertheless it regarded improbable. 

Contained in the Nest, Losang remains to be unraveling spiritually and mentally. He makes an attempt to get Isabelle to expose Laurent’s whereabouts whereas the sanctuary is underneath assault. Isabelle will not be speaking. Predictably, she provides Losang a tongue-lashing about being a false prophet as a result of what he actually fears is a lack of management. Losang laments about Isabel shedding her religion. Isabel claims she hasn’t misplaced religion in Laurent. Laurent is particular. He’s a boy with the required expertise—for this time. She stresses Laurent’s humanity, noting that he, like Jesus or Mohammad, can die. Isabelle’s statements, in my view, had been among the most memorable and related to the narrative. Isabelle violently assaults Losang, who, predictably, retaliates violently.

“Le Paradis Pour Toi” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON THE BOOK OF CAROL, Pictured: Joel de la Fuente as Losang. Picture: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC @2024 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved

Mortally wounded, Isabelle lives lengthy sufficient to facilitate the Carol and Daryl reunion and to say her goodbyes to Daryl. I guessed, verbatim, that Isabelle would say to Daryl, “Tell him (Laurent) I’m always with him.” Acknowledging and declaring the deepening love between Isabell and Daryl would have enriched the scene. However no, it didn’t occur. Isabelle’s dying was centered round Daryl’s promise to guard Laurent and the great thing about the fireflies she noticed, probably lighting her strategy to the opposite aspect.

Did the episode’s title, Le Paradis Pour Toi, Heaven for You, imply to indicate Isabelle’s passing? I feel so.

Carol and Daryl preserve issues shifting. When Laurent and Fallou will not be discovered on the secret coaching place, Daryl tracks them. Alongside the best way, we see Daryl weakened in his resolve to be answerable for Laurent. He does not wish to lose him. Carol asks if he’ll go away Laurent in Paris as a result of he fears ending up like her. Daryl denies this. Earlier than Daryl will get trapped on the boat to France, he and Carol have a phone dialog with a nasty connection. Carol stated one thing unintelligible, then… “came back.” Daryl requested her who had come again. It was disappointing to be taught that what got here again was simply her “stuff.” What stuff, precisely? Carol finally presents Daryl with a carving of an angel, a present from Judith. She says Judith knew Carol needed to go away if it meant bringing Uncle Daryl residence. I really feel this parallels Judith giving Michonne permission to go away Alexandria to convey Rick residence.

“Le Paradis Pour Toi” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON THE BOOK OF CAROL, Pictured: Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon. Picture: Stéphanie Branchu/AMC @2024 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved

Carol and Daryl arrive in a quaint village. On this setting, they encounter an older couple. The couple conveniently communicate English, possess a number of previous vehicles, and have ethanol available to help Carol and Daryl. They reported {that a} automotive had been offered to Fallou and Laurent for his or her journey again to Paris. Laurent talked about that Daryl and Isabel could be arriving, nevertheless it was puzzling how they concluded that Carol was the nun, Isabelle, on condition that Carol was clearly American, similar to Daryl. Laurent spoke lots, revealing that he knew Daryl liked Isabelle, however he would not inform her since it could make leaving tougher. When searching for spare automotive elements, Daryl and Carol be taught that the city’s useless didn’t die violently however from pure causes. Daryl asks why the useless weren’t buried. The Frenchman responds that they’re aged and that digging graves is simply too onerous. Carol and Daryl bicker like siblings as they work on fixing their getaway automotive. I discovered the episode’s farm arc mildly amusing, however finally cringe-worthy. 

Predictably, Carol and Daryl had been betrayed, though I did not suppose the showrunners would let it play out so poorly. In some way, the person informs Madam Genet that the People are at his home. He defended his actions, saying, “You don’t survive by picking the losing side.” His accomplice did not agree and supplied Carol and Daryl a hiding place. A struggle ensues. Outnumbered and outgunned, Carol and Daryl get the higher hand and find yourself in a showdown with Madam Genet, the place I really feel the viewers are let down in a approach some followers felt the destruction of Common Beale and his secret CRM power by Michonne and Rick disillusioned the viewers of TOWL. Carol shoots her within the again with a kind of superwalker tranquilizers, and Genet’s head practically explodes. Why did not she stand up and cost Carol? She simply died in a approach that showcased Greg Nicotero’s horror impact wizardry, to not advance the plot.

“Le Paradis Pour Toi” – THE WALKING DEAD DARYL DIXON THE BOOK OF CAROL, Pictured: François-Éric Gendron as Theo. Picture: Stéphanie Branchu/AMC @2024 AMC Inc. All Rights Reserved

The “after the episode” dialogue reveals that the powers that be needed Madam Genet’s demise to be as monsterous as her villainous nature. I feel she was one among TWDU’s greatest villains. She was difficult and contradictory—ruthless however empathetic in her vogue. She saved individuals fed and protected (for a time). She deserved extra time on the present, or extra precisely, the present deserved extra time along with her. Killing her was an enormous negation that haulted the story’s momentum—not less than its attention-grabbing, thrilling momentum. Good storytelling thrives on stress and retains the viewers guessing till the top. This didn’t occur within the episode. As a substitute, we’re left with Losang. I’m sorry, however a disturbed, holy man will not be a correct villain. Genet’s anonymous, faceless second in command additionally stays. She strikes a mysterious deal to mix Madam Genet’s imaginative and prescient with Losang’s to “create a better, stronger future.” 

Was Le Paradis Pour Toi heaven for you? The episode was not heaven for me. The imprecise alliance made between these lesser characters within the sequence was underwhelming, bordering on boring. Season two has two episodes left to get the story again on monitor. What do you suppose ought to occur? Do you consider Laurent will survive season two, contemplating the present’s historical past of killing youngsters (corresponding to Lizzy and Mica)? Share your ideas, and I promise to reply.

General Score:

6/10

Lynette Jones