Paris Sera Toujours Paris – As the third episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon begins, Daryl Dixon (Norman), Isabella (Clemence Poesy), and the others make it to the town of Angers. They should be able to radio from there and get directions on where to go next. Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) and Sylvie (Laika Blanc-Francard) are left outside with the carriage while Daryl and Isabelle go inside a nearby building. Isabelle says their contact is a musician who has been living in this theater for years. They encounter a man who tells them to follow him. Daryl looks at the radio, but it looks like it may not work. The man says he used some of the parts before leading them elsewhere.
He shows them the band he put together with zombies. As the band plays, Sylvie and Laurent notice a zombie approaching them. Daryl says they should’ve stuck to the plan, but Isabelle thinks it was worth a try. As they go outside, they see Sylvie aiming her rifle at a zombie. Daryl says they’re going to do it his way now before grabbing the rifle and shooting the zombie. He says they’re going to Paris as they’re approached by a horse of zombies. While walking towards Paris, Daryl tells Laurent there will likely be hungry ones in Paris too. Once they reach Paris, Daryl notices “Pouvoir” written on a car. Isabelle says Pouvoir Des Vivants was a movement that started after the outbreak.
She tells Daryl that most of the city is under the control of Genet and her guerriers. They reach a cemetery where Moliere is buried as well as others. Daryl sees a tombstone for a Jim Morrison so he tells them about the American rock star. Laurent assures Daryl he won’t die in Paris. When they’re approached by a group, Isabelle tells them they were sent by Pere Jean. The man reveals his name is Fallou before introducing them to Emile, Bastien, and Nadine. Fallou tells Laurent they’ve been waiting a long time to meet him. Once they go inside, Daryl asks about a radio. Fallou changes the subject by telling them that Paris is crying.
He explains they take turns doing daily tasks and a baby girl was recently born. Bastien speaks to Sylvie about being a nun. Daryl again asks about the radio. Fallou introduces them to Antoine who is their comms guy. They’ve been using homing pigeons for communication purposes. Daryl isn’t impressed. Antoine says they train the pigeon at Nest before sending it there. He sends out a pigeon and it should take a few days for it to return. Isabelle confesses it could take a month. Daryl believes his job is done since the lest will take them the rest of the way. He doesn’t think they can help him. Fallou says people are trading all kinds of things there, but they’ll need currency.
Daryl suggests stealing something, but Isabelle believes she knows where to find something. She says they’ll go in the morning. Laurent begins receiving gifts from the locals. Daryl argues that is a lot to put on a kid. They notice Sonia sitting morose nearby. It is revealed that her husband died a few years ago so she has refused food and comfort. Laurent approaches her and consoles her convincing Fallou that Pere Jean was right. Genet (Anne Charrier) speaks to Stephane Codron (Romain Levi). He tells her about his tattoo and the moment he joined. Codron says she can thank him later for getting the American. He plays Daryl’s recording to show Genet that he is still alive.
Codron promised his parents he’d look after his brother so the American made him a liar. He promises he’ll get Daryl and won’t stop until he does. They check in on one of the experiments just before the zombie dies. Daryl and Isabelle go to her old house where they talk about her neighbors, the Garniers. Daryl learns about her past boyfriend and her sister, Lily. Isabelle explains they’re there so she can find something to keep her part of the bargain and so he can get a boat. Isabelle tells him how they thought they could reinvent the world and make it better. As for Daryl, he didn’t do much thinking back then. When they hear a zombie, they have to escape. Outside, they see a child zombie.
Isabelle asks Daryl not to kill it because it is Aimee. The zombie knocks over several flower pots causing others to jump from nearby windows. Daryl uses one of the burner zombies to create an escape route. Isabelle remembers Aimee just before she escapes with Daryl. While they wait for the others, Isabelle explains that she left the little girl. Once Laurent arrives, Isabelle gives him a picture and confirms it is her. Laurent shows Daryl the picture of his mother. Daryl is taken to the catacombs where a deal can likely be made. He asks Fallou if there is something there that can help him get home. Fallou says people find all sorts of things there. He goes looking for friends who may be able to help.
Isabelle tells Laurent that the place is a nightclub. Mademoiselle Anna Valery is welcomed to the Demimonde stage. While they wait, Isabelle and Daryl talk about the “Water Lilies”. Then, they speak to a man who may know about ships going to America. The man likes the drugs they have so he says he knows people who can help. Bastien dances with Sylvie and tells her how he learned to dance. Daryl punches the man, Bernard, so Quinn (Adam Nagaitis) comes over to see what is going on. Quinn reminds Bernard that no weapons are allowed. He cuts Bernard’s face. Then, Quinn says hello to Isabelle and says it has been a minute.
Daryl tells Quinn he is looking for a way back to America. Quinn thinks it is possible since he has heard things. Laurent tells Anna that she sings very well. Anna gives him her Eiffel Tower necklace because he wants to go there like his mother did. Quinn promises to ask around to see what he can find out. When Laurent comes over, Quinn learns that he is Lily’s boy. Isabelle asks Sylvie to take Laurent to the rooftop with the others. Daryl checks on Isabelle who says she was right about her having connections in Paris. Anna tries to speak to Quinn who gets away from her quickly. He invites Daryl and Isabelle to talk in his office.
He offers Isabelle champagne, but she says she outgrew it. Quinn is surprised to learn that she became a nun. When he asks about Lily, Isabelle says she died having the baby. Quinn argues she should’ve told him that he had a son. Isabelle says Lily never said. She realizes that he killed her. Quinn says he found Isabelle bleeding in the bathtub so he picked her up and carried her to the hospital. He tells Isabelle that she knows the terms if she wants to help Daryl, but Daryl doesn’t want to work with Quinn. Daryl convinces Isabelle to leave with him. Next, Daryl tells Isabelle that he isn’t the one she is really mad at. Isabelle reminds him they’re in Paris because of him.
Sylvie talks to Laurent about the Nest and how it’ll be safe there. Codron arrives at the nightclub. Quinn tells him his place is off-limits. Codron informs him they’re looking for the American named Daryl Dixon. Isabelle apologizes to Daryl and says she doesn’t believe in coincidences. She thinks she needed to see Quinn again and find out the truth. Isabelle tries to convince Daryl to stay. She explains that she never told Laurent about his birth because everything about it was horrible. Daryl thinks she needs to stop lying to him since he deserves to know who he is. He isn’t sure he believes he is a gift from God and instead suggests Laurent is just a regular kid who got lucky and lived. Laurent yells that he hates both of them.
Men burst in yelling for the American. Codron sees Daryl who tells Isabelle to get Laurent and meet back at her place. Daryl flees to the rooftop and jumps across to another building. The chase continues until Daryl sneak attacks Codron. Daryl chokes him until Codron’s men begin shooting at him. Daryl flees. Isabelle calls his name while looking for him. The roof collapses under Daryl’s weight causing him to fall.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Review
The third episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon was okay although the series isn’t engrossing as it could be. The majority of viewers likely want this to do well because Norman Reedus’s Daryl Dixon has always been one of the best characters from the TWD franchise. Clemence Poesy is great as well and the supporting cast seems up to the task.
Unfortunately, the other aspects of the series aren’t spectacular. Even though the core story is a little farfetched, it could work as was evident in the opening episode. At some points, the episode felt like it was hastily thrown together. For instance, Sonia had supposedly refused food for two years, yet she was still alive and healthy. Isabelle probably hadn’t been in Paris for a long time, but her apartment was still exactly how she left it.
Then, you have the whole nightclub situation which doesn’t seem all that realistic. In some ways, the series is trying to do things differently. In other ways, it is so similar to other The Walking Dead projects and other shows. While the series is slow and less than perfect, it remains watchable. However, it is hard not to wonder how good this could’ve been and how much it could’ve rejuvenated the series with a better script.
This episode scores a 5.5 out of 10. Recaps of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here.
