The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 review: "Frustrating follow-up lacks the freshness of the far-superior first season"

GamesRadar+ VerdictThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol is a disappointingly uninventive continuation of the titular survivor’s French adventures, as the franchise forces two of its fan favorites together again. GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol is a disappointingly uninventive continuation of the titular survivor’s French adventures, as the franchise forces two of its fan favorites together again. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol is a disappointingly uninventive continuation of the titular survivor’s French adventures, as the franchise forces two of its fan favorites together again. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. More action-packed than its predecessor, Daryl Dixon season 2 feels more like old-school The Walking Dead, and not necessarily in a good way. It’s unfocused, racing through story arcs as it tries to juggle too many characters, much like the main show’s last few seasons – which was arguably the reason why the more streamlined spin-offs were greenlit in the first place. The opening few episodes mainly follow Carol (Melissa McBride), presumably to make up for lost time in season 1, as she strikes up a fast friendship with plane-owner Ash (Hamish Patel) stateside. Carol and Ash, who’s been living a lonely existence since his young son passed away, bond over their child-related tragedies – or so Ash thinks, anyway. Carol only has one concern: reuniting herself with Daryl ASAP, and the show shares the sentiment. A walker invasion, one heated dinner, and a bizarre stopover in Greenland later, the pair touch down in Paris. Meanwhile, in Normandy, Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Isabelle (Clémence Poésy) make moves to relocate to the US, as Union of the Hope leader Losang (Joel de la Fuente) sets his sinister plans for Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) in motion and clashes with Pouvoir’s Genet. Part of what made Reedus and Poésy’s scenes so effective last season was the slow-burn nature of them; their obvious affection for one another whispered softly in a stolen glance or a hushed, heartfelt conversation. There’s no time for that this time around, resulting in unsatisfyingly rushed declarations – and later, unearned, unsavory conclusions. Haunted pasts (Image credit: AMC) When it comes to Daryl and Carol’s dynamic, the latter has always been the quieter of the two but it’s suddenly jarring here, after he gained so much agency in season 1, to see her kind of take over once the pair get together. Naturally, though, this is ‘The Book of Carol’ so the cookie-baking survivor occupies most of the limelight. Alongside the likes of Danai Gurira, Lauren Cohan, and Andrew Lincoln, McBride has long been one of The Walking Dead’s strongest performers and with that, is often given the weightier stuff. Here, though, it all feels forced. Parents who lose their children never really get over that loss, but considering Sophia died in the early days of the apocalypse and Carol has suffered so much heartache since, it’s a little arbitrary that the trauma of that is rearing its head again now. Carol’s struggles are highlighted through unsubtle flashbacks of a zombified Sophia wandering out ofthosebarn doors and Daryl giving her the Cherokee Rose flower back in season 2. At this point, every The Walking Dead character has certain traumas woven into the fabric of their being. Fans don’t need such blatant reminders, and the out-of-context clips are likely to just leave newbies confused. Sunset siege (Image credit: AMC) As Daryl’s French revolution draws to a close, the series' commitment to filling its cast with native actors is to be commended, too, as is its willingness to have much of its dialogue spoken in their language. It’s something that’ll likely continue into season 3, too, even if we wish we didn’t know that yet… Thanks tothe show’s early renewal, we know that Carol and Daryl will eventually wind up in Spain which, and there’s no other way to put it, kind of zaps the second season, which revolves around Daryl and Carol’s efforts to get back to America. It’s like when they announced the spin-offs before The Walking Dead season 11 concluded, and it cemented the post-credit fates of a bunch of characters. If The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol had been the spin-off’s first outing, it undoubtedly would’ve gone down a lot smoother. Itiswatchable, and Caryl fans are sure to love seeing the besties back together again, but it’s frustrating to see certain storylines and characters not given a fair run come at the cost of that. Rather than continuing to broaden the series' possibilities, and offering up a new perspective, Daryl Dixon season 2 settles for something familiar. Less “dépaysant”, and more déjà vu. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol premieres on AMC on September 29. It will air on Sky in the UK. For more, check out our handy guide onhow to watch The Walking Dead franchise in order, or have a look at our list of the most excitingnew TV showsheading our way. 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adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: 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30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”